“Champagne?” asked a passing server, and Declan plucked a pair of sparkling flutes from the tray, thanking the man before he passed one of the glasses over to Tess.
“See?” He lifted the glass still in his hand, the tiniest bit of ink from his tattoo peeking past the cuff of his black dress shirt and filling Tess’s head with all sorts of fabulously NSFW thoughts. “Not horrible.”
“Not yet,” Tess murmured. The champagne fizzed on her tongue, though, and the sound of the feminine voice behind them, although unfamiliar, was friendly and warm.
“Tess? Oh, my God, you did come!” The tall blonde—gorgeous, by the way—was wearing a pale blue and white dress and a radiant smile, and Tess mentally scrambled, searching, searching…
“Elizabeth?” Tess tried to reconcile the woman in front of her with the willowy, slightly awkward girl in her memory. “Good Lord, you’re beautiful! I mean…shit.” She clamped down on her bottom lip to shut herself up.
But Elizabeth surprised her with a laugh. “Oh, come on. The last time you saw me, I was gawky as hell. Thank God I grew into these giraffe legs, I guess.” She grinned, gesturing down at her supermodel legs even though they were mostly covered by her dress. “Anyway, I’m so glad you decided to come. And this must be Jackson. Hi, little guy.” She waggled her fingers at Jackson, who gave her a tentative look from his spot in the stroller.
“He’s a little shy around new people,” Tess said apologetically, but Elizabeth waved her off.
“This is overwhelming for me, and I’m an adult. I can only imagine how it must be for a baby. And, God, I’m really bad at this hostess thing. I should introduce myself.” She extended her hand to Declan. “I’m the bride, Elizabeth Jameson.”
“Declan Riley. Tess’s husband.”
“It’s so nice to meet you,” Elizabeth said. “And congratulations. You two just got married recently, right?”
“Yes, we, ah, eloped last month.” Tess braced herself for the brow that Elizabeth would surely raise.
Only, she didn’t. “Gah, that is so incredibly romantic.” She leaned in, a conspiratorial sparkle in her blue eyes. “Truth be told, sometimes I wish I’d had the balls to do that. But Trent wanted a big party with all of our family and friends around, and I kind of really love the guy, so here we are. At any rate, I feel really bad that we don’t have you listed by name on the place cards, Declan. I’ll have to ask the wedding planner to change it from ‘Tess Michaelson and guest.’”
“It’s no trouble,” Declan said. “I don’t mind bein’ Tess’s plus-one.”
“Dear Lord, I can see why you married him,” Elizabeth gushed. “That is ridiculously charming.”
“You have no idea,” Tess quipped, and Elizabeth laughed.
“We are definitely catching up later. I have to go circulate”—even her eye roll was good-natured—“but if Jackson gets tired of the adults, we do have childcare. My youngest sister’s best friend works for a fantastic service. They’ve got all the little ones in a suite where there are games and toys and movies. The caregivers are all first aid and CPR trained, and everything. Of course, if you’d rather keep him close, you’re welcome to,” Elizabeth added, smiling down at Jackson one more time. “I wouldn’t want to leave this cutie pie, either.”
Tess’s heart warmed. “Thanks.”
“She seems rather nice,” Declan said as soon as Elizabeth had moved on to greet the next group of guests, and Tess couldn’t disagree.
“Shockingly human for a Jameson.” She was surprised to realize the laugh that followed the snark felt genuine and happy, rather than bitter or sad.
Of course, that feeling met an abrupt end a few seconds later when she spotted her mother and her sisters holding court nearby.
“What’s the matter?” Declan asked, and guess that answered whether or not her poker face still sucked. But she’d come all this way to show her mother she was good enough, and the truth was, Tess was so sick of the woman’s snobby disdain.
Squaring her shoulders, she said, “Let’s go say hello to The Coven, shall we?”
Tess’s heart climbed closer up her throat with each step, but Declan’s presence steadied her. Her mother caught sight of them only a few paces in, her expression frosting over and her nose tipping upward as she murmured what was doubtlessly a warning to both of her sisters. Abigail and Margot, whose backs had been to Tess, moved to flank their mother as soon as Tess got close, and God, it figured that even their snobbery would be strategic.
“Hi, Mom,” Tess said, forcing herself to smile.
Her mother arched an already perfectly sculpted brow, but didn’t move. Not that Tess was surprised; hugs weren’t something that Jamesons did. “Darling. How lovely of you to attend.”
Tess resisted the temptation to point out that she’d been left with little choice. “It’s great to see you, too. I’d like you to meet my husband, Declan Riley.” She let her hand brush his forearm, the contact steadying her. “Declan, this is my mother, Bronwyn Jameson, and my sister, Abigail. You’ve already had the pleasure of meeting Margot.”
Declan, bless him, managed a polite smile. “Mrs. Jameson. Abigail.” He shook both of their hands. “Margot. It’s nice ta see you again.”
“So, you’re the surprise husband. How very interesting,” Bronwyn said. But her attention didn’t stay on Declan for long. “And I see you’ve brought the baby, as well.”
“Of course we brought him,” Tess said, counting to three as slowly as her irritation would allow. She was here to be happy. She could do this. Be happy. Be one with the happy. “Declan and I love to spend time together, the three of us. We don’t get to take trips like this very often.”
Abigail’s smile was made of plastic. “Maybe that’s because you’ve been married for what, five minutes?”
Tess tensed, but Declan made up for it with his unaffected calm. “We are still newlyweds, as your sister so graciously pointed out earlier. But I’ve no doubt we’ll always love ta spend time together. With the lad, especially.”
He reached down to smooth a hand over Jackson’s head, his smile at Jackson and Jackson’s “da-da-da-da-da-da-da!” in return enough to get Tess’s rattled heart back in proper working order.
Abigail blinked twice before dropping her gaze to her gin and tonic, appropriately chagrined. Bronwyn, however? Was just getting started.
“Really, Tess. Wouldn’t the baby be more comfortable with the babysitter for tonight? It doesn’t seem entirely appropriate to have him here, with the adults.”
The baby. Could her mother get any more impersonal? “Elizabeth said it was fine, and last I checked, it’s her show to run.” For God’s sake, Tess wasn’t an idiot. If Elizabeth had made it clear that this was an adults-only event, she’d have abided by the bride’s wishes. “If Jackson gets fussy, we’ll be sure to take him outside or try the childcare as a distraction.”
Bronwyn sniffed, but decided to change tactics. “So, Declan. Tell us a little about yourself.” Her stare moved over his all-black attire, lingering on the tattoos that were just visible from beneath his shirt cuffs. “After all, we know nothing about you.”
“I’m retired from the Air Force. I served for just about seven years, but then I was diagnosed with Type-2 diabetes, so now I model. I’ve been takin’ a bit of time off lately, though, ta spend with Tess and look after Jackson when I can.”
“You served in the military for seven years?” Margot’s brow creased. Or it would’ve, if she hadn’t had so much Botox that her forehead was essentially inanimate. “That seems awfully long for someone so young.”
“I enlisted right out of high school,” Declan said. “I’d love to have served for a lot longer, but I s’pose it wasn’t meant ta be.”
The whole no-college, desire-for-a-military-career thing made Bronwyn’s face pinch and, as a result, Tess’s jaw tighten. But her mother chose something else to pounce on. “It’s a shame you’re unwell.”
“Declan manages his diabetes wonderfully,�
� Tess replied, her hackles waking up with all the grace of a poked bear. “He’s actually taking part in a medical trial right now, and everything’s going great.”
“Is that how you two met?” Margot half-laughed, and Tess’s grip on her champagne flute made her knuckles pale.
“We met through our mutual friend, Connor. He and Declan served in the Air Force together, and now Connor’s a trauma nurse. He runs a wellness clinic across from Remington Mem.”
“So, Declan, you’re in between jobs and spending your days looking after the baby while Tess works?” Bronwyn asked.
Declan didn’t engage, but also didn’t back down. “Well, I still receive military separation pay from the Air Force, but yes, ma’am. I’ve been helpin’ Tess at home and lookin’ after Jackson whenever I’m able.”
“How utterly domestic.”
The word came out with the direct translation of an insult, and just like that, Tess’s patience vanished. “Declan’s trying awfully hard to be polite to you, Mom, but I’m not going to be as nice. If you’ve got something to say about the fact that he and I are happily married, then please, by all means, just spit it out.”
For a second, Tess thought the callout would do the trick, finally silencing her mother once and for all. But then Bronwyn regrouped, her chin lifting and her gaze turning subarctic as she turned the full force of it on Tess.
“Very well. You’re embarrassing yourself, Tess. You’ve been embarrassing yourself for years. The Army, not becoming a surgeon as you should’ve. Driving away a perfectly good husband. And now this? Shacking up with a medical charity case who’s got to be nearly a decade younger than you and who seems to be little more than a glorified nanny? For God’s sake, Tess. At least have the decency to have your midlife crisis behind closed doors so no one can see how desperate and foolish you are.”
Tess couldn’t breathe. The weight of her mother’s disapproval, the sheer ugliness that accompanied it, pinned her so solidly into place on the floorboards of the reception room that, for a beat, she couldn’t move or even think. Declan had opened his mouth, was taking a step forward, likely with the intention of thoroughly telling her mother off. His arm brushed hers, and even though the contact was slight, it grabbed every last ounce of Tess’s attention.
Declan was there. He was always right there, quietly beside her, believing in her fully even when she didn’t believe in herself. But that presence, that certainty, made her believe, and in that moment, Tess realized with heart-clenching clarity that she wasn’t less smart, or less accomplished, or less anything. She really was one with the happy. She loved her choices, her life. Her husband.
And it was time Bronwyn knew it.
Putting a hand on Declan’s sleeve, Tess stepped forward. “You know what, I’ve had enough. I’m only going to say this once, so make sure you listen very, very closely.” She dropped her voice in volume but made up for it in intensity as she said, “I have an incredibly happy life. It took a lot for me to be able to say that—not that you’d know, because you’ve never once asked. I know I’m not perfect, but I don’t care. I love my son, my marriage, and my job. I love that I have a career where I can help people—who aren’t charity cases, by the way. They’re human beings who need care, and I’m damn good at providing it because I’m damn good at my job. I love that I married a man who cares for me deeply, exactly as I am, and that he cares for Jackson, too. And I definitely love the insanely hot sex that I’m finally freaking having.”
Margot gasped, but Tess wasn’t about to stop now. “I’m never going to apologize for my life, and I’m sure as hell not going to live it behind closed doors because it doesn’t conform to your idea of propriety. I am happy. I’m smart and accomplished, and despite having you as a role model, I’m a great mother. And if you don’t like the way my life looks or who I’ve chosen to spend my life with, then I don’t really care. I don’t owe you any goddamn explanations. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I’m done for tonight. I’d rather have room service with my husband and son than endure another minute of your judgment.”
Tess turned on her heel, swinging the stroller along with her, Declan steady at her side as the three of them walked away.
28
“Have I told you lately how fucking proud of you I am?” Declan asked, making Tess laugh as he spun her around the dance floor.
She swung back into the cradle of his arms and grinned. “Only six hundred times in the last twenty-four hours. But you can tell me again, anyway, if it’ll make you happy.”
“I am very fucking proud of you,” Declan said as he pulled her as close as he could get away with at a wedding reception and continued to sway along with the slow, jazzy song.
Okay, Tess had to admit it. She was pretty damn proud of herself, too. After she’d told Bronwyn—and her sisters, by default—off, she and Declan had stopped by the front desk to leave Elizabeth an apology message for ducking out of the dinner early, then gone up to their room to snuggle up in the plush robes provided by the hotel and order an extravagant room service dinner of burgers and fries. The feeling of lightness in Tess’s chest had only gotten stronger when she’d awakened, and after a day of exploring the gorgeous hotel grounds, then enjoying a long lunch and an even longer nap with both Declan and Jackson all tucked into the gymnasium-sized bed in their suite, they’d gone to the wedding ceremony, arm in arm.
Tess had seen both her mother and her sisters at the ceremony, then a few times at the reception, which was now in full swing since toasts had been made and dinner had been eaten. They hadn’t exchanged a single glance, let alone words. In truth, after how thoroughly Tess had taken her mother to task, she hadn’t expected them to. But rather than stressing her out, the distance left her with a sense of peace. She’d already spent far too much energy being angry at her mother for not accepting her the way she was. Now, if anything, all she felt for Bronwyn was pity.
Tess was going to have a vibrant, happy life, full of love and belly laughs and the F-bomb and, yeah, the occasional Pop-Tart, and Bronwyn was probably going to stay bitter and angry and mean.
But she could do it from over by the bar, because right now, Tess was having a blast.
“Elizabeth looks so pretty,” Tess murmured, catching sight of the bride dancing with her father nearby.
Declan nodded, but didn’t take his eyes off Tess’s. “Not as pretty as you.”
Heat flooded through her at the suggestive glint in his stare that only she was close enough to see. “If you’re trying to sweet talk me because you want to get lucky, it’s working.”
“I am lucky,” he said. The shift in his expression was subtle, but something about it made Tess’s breath catch. “I’m also in love with you.”
Tess’s eyes went fully wide. But the words had been between them all week, existing in her heart, too. The fact that she loved him was as obvious as the sky being blue or the earth being round. The words just made sense.
So she looked right back at Declan and said them.
“Well, that’s a happy coincidence, because I’m in love with you, too.”
“Are you now?” His fingers tightened across the back of her rib cage, and God, she would never, ever not want this man. “Maybe we should get out of here so you can show me.”
Tess turned to lead him off the dance floor so fast, they both ended up caught in laughter as they said quick goodbyes to Elizabeth and her new husband, then headed up to the childcare suite, where they’d finally decided to let Jackson spend most of the ceremony and reception. Toys and movies and footie PJ’s had seemed far more his speed than champagne and dancing, and Elizabeth hadn’t been wrong. Her sister’s friend Mackenzie had been a wiz with Jackson. He’d taken an instant liking to her, which had made Tess feel that much better about waving goodbye.
“Hi, Mackenzie,” Tess said, looking around the now mostly-quiet suite. “Where’s Jackson?”
“He crashed about an hour ago,” the young blond said apologetically. “We have a portable
crib in the small bedroom, and he was out like a light. Do you want me to get him?”
“I’ll go,” Declan said. He reappeared a minute later, Jackson asleep on his shoulder, and Tess grabbed the diaper bag as she thanked Mackenzie. Thankfully, their own suite was on the same floor, and Declan got Jackson into his Pack n’ Play in the sitting room without a hitch, then led her the handful of steps to the bedroom.
Closing the door with a near-silent snick, he turned, reaching for her through the shadows. “Tess,” he murmured.
She went without hesitation. But just before she got close enough to fold her arms around him, he placed his hands on her shoulders to gently leave some space between them.
“What’s wrong?” Tess asked, concern flickering in her chest.
But Declan huffed out a soft laugh. “Nothin’. Christ, not one thing.” Even though the room was dark and her eyes hadn’t quite adjusted to the ambient moonlight spilling past the curtains, she could feel Declan’s stare on her. “But that’s just it. Right now…the way you look…the way you are. You’re fucking perfect. And I don’t ever want ta lose this moment.”
Tess’s breath caught in her chest, but she didn’t waver. “We’re perfect,” she said, her gaze locked on his in the shadows. “How you look at me, how I feel about you? That’s what’s perfect, Declan. It’s us together. It’ll never belong to anyone else. I am one hundred percent crazy-in-love with you, and nothing has ever been more perfect or right or purely good than this.”
Reaching up, she cupped his face. “Me and you. Together.”
She shifted back. Standing at arm’s length, Tess let Declan watch as she slid the straps of her dress from her shoulders, then lowered it to the floor. She stepped out of the silky puddle of fabric, giving him a long beat to take in her strapless bra and thong before she removed both, then toed out of her heels. Her body was a live wire, thrumming with need and a thousand other things, begging to be touched. Declan moved toward her, his steps deliberate and full of purpose. But as he reached for her, Tess could see the slight shake of his hands that belied his control.
Beyond Just Us (Remington Medical Book 4): A Single Parent Marriage of Convenience Romance Page 25
