by S. L. Scott
“Fuck you, Ashford.”
I latch onto Evan’s arm, nervous a fight is about to break out. “I want to go,” I say, moving in front of him, with my hands purposely placed on his chest, I look up at him. “Can we go? Please, Evan?”
The hard stare he has on Noah softens when he looks down at me. “Come on, baby. We’ve got a wedding to plan.” He takes my hand and with the other gives Johnny and Sunny a two finger salute before we head out. Without looking back, Evan calls over his shoulder, “Hey Zach, tomorrow, okay?”
“Yep, I’ll be there in the morning,” Zach says and I can hear the relief in his voice that the situation didn’t go any further.
When we walk outside, Evan turns to me and says, “I’m gonna have to keep my eye on you, Miss Wray. You’ve got quite the temper and mouth on you.” He laughs as he opens the car door for me.
“You just keep that in mind,” I joke.
“Oh, I will, but for now, there’s only one thing on my mind and that includes you, me, a bed, and some pineapple.”
Holy shit! “That does sound good.”
We get back to the guesthouse and Evan disappears into the main house looking for ‘supplies.’
A small knock draws my attention to the door just as it opens. I look up and my heart starts racing. Claire Ashford and I have settled things between us, but I guess my heart hasn’t caught up with my brain.
“Mallory, I hope I’m not intruding,” she says, staying close to the door.
I tug at my T-shirt, trying to look more presentable. “No, it’s fine. Come in.” As soon as I sit on the edge of the bed, my foot starts bouncing, my anxiety of the surprise meeting showing. “I didn’t know you were here on the island?”
“Yes, well, it was last minute. We thought we should make a trip to help with some of the wedding details since it’s taking place here. We—Hugh and I—were also hoping to spend some time with you and Evan.” She shuts the door quietly behind her and walks over to the kitchen bar. “We haven’t seen him since December and three months is a long time to go without seeing your children. Situating herself on one of the barstools, she asks, “I would like you and Evan to join us for dinner tonight if you don’t have plans already?”
“Oh. Um.” I say, fumbling over my words thinking about the plans we did have that I can’t tell Evan’s mother about without sounding like a complete whore. “I’m not sure. I’ll speak with Evan when he gets back. I don’t think we do, but I should check with him first.”
“I also wanted to come by and say congratulations. I know we sent a card and flowers, but I haven’t seen you since the big announcement.”
I press my hand against my bouncing leg, but the other one starts right up. “Thank you, Claire. It really,” I say, looking up and meeting her eyes, “means a lot to hear you say that.”
“I brought you something.”
“You did?” I ask, my voice going higher, once again, she surprises me.
With a smile, she holds out a small jewelry box. “A gift for you.”
I get up, cautiously, and walk to her, taking the box in hand. When I open it, my breath catches and I instantly look at her. “I can’t accept these earrings,” I say, nodding my head.
She puts her hands under mine, and says, “Yes, you can. I want you to have them.”
Staring at the sapphire and diamond earrings, I say, “They’re stunning, but too much.”
“I wore those when I married Evan’s father. Hugh’s mother handed them down to me. She wore them on her wedding day. So you see, you’re carrying on a tradition—from future mother-in-law to future daughter-in-law. One day, if you have a son, you can hand them down to your daughter-in-law.”
My heart is filled with love over this sweet sentiment. “What about Kate? She should get these.”
Claire scoffs, waving her hand. “Pfft. Kate has so much jewelry and even more once I die. She’s not lacking in the jewels department. Anyway, that’s not the tradition. I have something special set aside for her that my mother gave me. So don’t worry about Kate.”
She stands up and straightens her skirt. “I should get going. You don’t have to wear them on your wedding day, but I do hope you decide to keep them. It would make me very happy if you did.” Cupping my hands between hers, she smiles, then walks to the door.
“Claire?” Her eyes flash to meet mine, hopeful, but she remains silent. “Thank you. They’re beautiful and I’ll always cherish them.”
“You’re welcome. And, Mallory? I’m so glad Evan’s found someone that will fill his life with love and his future with hope.” And then she does something remarkable—she hugs me and I hug her back. It’s a real embrace, not one for show, but with meaning felt within her arms.
When I release her, she looks at my hand and asks, “Oh, I almost forgot to ask. May I see the ring?”
“Sure.” I hold my hand out for her to see.
Taking my hand in hers, she looks at it. “It’s very beautiful.” She looks back at me and says, “Beautiful and classic. Very much like you.”
To say I don’t want to burst into tears when she says that would be a complete and utter lie. But I resist from grabbing her into a ridiculously silly hug as joy overwhelms me. Instead, I say, “Thank you. That means a lot to me.”
She takes a deep breath, and as if the air between us has finally cleared, she says, “I should let you get back to whatever you…” Her eyes glance to the bed. “Well, I’ll leave you to it.”
As she walks to the door, she says, “Thank you again for being so kind.”
I nod as she walks out, closing my eyes and exhaling loudly. “Shit.” I take a deep breath and hold it in momentarily, before exhaling the air, my nerves, and all my fears out once and for all.
“Hey? Everything alright in here?” Evan asks, walking back in. “I saw my mother. She looked like she’d been crying.”
I lift my head and open my eyes. “Yes. Everything is better than alright.”
“Okay, if you’re sure. Oh, and she told me about dinner tonight. Thoughts?”
“I think we should go.”
His eyebrows shoot up and he starts nodding. “I think that would be good.” Coming closer, his hands grace my face and he says, “So maybe we should postpone our plans until later. You seem a bit distracted.”
“Not distracted. Just surprised how everything has turned out. Maybe even a little overwhelmed with all that has happened today. I could just be tired from traveling though.”
He leads me to the bed and we sit down. “You should take a nap. You’ll feel better and you know we need all the energy we can muster for dessert tonight.”
“Dessert? Why do we need…” I stop mid sentence, realizing he’s talking dirty to me and I play along. “Yes, we do because I have a sweet tooth that only you can satisfy.”
He laughs which makes me smile. I lay back on the bed and he kisses me on the temple. “Happy napping.” He leaves it at that, walking out the back door. I fall asleep to the sound of him scrubbing old wax off one of his surfboards in the grass.
CHAPTER 21
~ Mallory ~
I lift my head, cracking my eyes open to find Evan doing God only knows what with his tongue on my leg. I clear my throat and he pops up. “Oh, good, you’re awake,” he says with a big smile. “We need to be at dinner soon. I thought you might want to get dressed.”
I look down at my body. I’m only wearing my bra and panties. “How’d I get undressed?” He looks around and whistles. “And what were you doing to my leg?”
“I was trying to wake you without scaring you.”
“By licking me?”
“That was only once. You obviously didn’t feel the twenty kisses all over your face, so I had to resort to a new tactic.”
I shake my head, smiling at him. “This conversation is too weird for my sleepy brain. I’m gonna shower.”
“I’ll join you.”
“No! Nope. If you come in there we’ll never make it to dinner and I wan
t to make a good impression on your parents.”
“You already have, baby.”
“No!” I point at him. “You keep your sexiness out here and away from my nakedness.” He crosses his arms… and then comes that sexy smile. “See, that’s exactly what I’m talking about right there.” I rush into the bathroom and lock the door before I get caught up in fantastic sex with my fiancé. As the water warms, I start questioning why exactly I’m resisting fantastic sex with him. Dinner. That’s right. We must make it to dinner with his parents. Yeah, all horniness I had is gone with that thought.
Forty minutes later, Evan and I are walking hand-in-hand to the main house. Butterflies attack the inside of my stomach as soon as we walk in the door. Ms. Chart, Hugh, and Claire are all in the kitchen laughing together. Claire sits at the bar while Hugh mixes drinks and Ms. Chart cuts vegetables.
“Hi, can we help?” Evan asks, smiling while taking in the scene before him. It’s all very Norman Rockwell and something I’m sure Evan’s not accustomed to. The joy of the setting also makes me happy, especially for Evan.
“Son,” his dad says, walking around the counter to greet him. They hug each other. “It’s been a few months. You’re looking good. Colorado seems to be treating you well.” Hugh turns to me. “Mallory.” He takes my hand and gives it a gentle squeeze. “You look lovelier than ever. Congratulations on the engagement. I know from speaking with Evan that he’s very excited. We’re happy to have you joining our family.”
He’s always so warm and welcoming. “Thank you,” I reply, “I’m just as excited.”
“Hi, Mallory,” Claire says, touching my arm. “Nice rest?”
“It was good. Thank you. I love being here. It’s Heaven on earth.”
“We think so too,” she says with a light laugh. “I just wish we could visit more, but work and Manhattan keep us busier than ever these days.”
I sit down next to her. “Have you ever considered moving here or is that not an option?”
Hugh sets down what looks to be Margarita in front of each of us. “Tonight we have lots to celebrate.” He holds up his drink and all of us hold our glasses up for his toast. “Happy engagement.”
After the toast, Claire turns back to me and says, “Maybe in retirement one day, but not now.”
Hugh laughs. “I don’t think I could get Claire out of New York. She’d get island fever.”
“I like to read. I could learn to relax,” she says, looking from him to me. “Maybe.”
Evan is grabbing carrot bites off of the cutting board and getting his hand smacked when I offer, “Ms. Chart, I’d love to help. Put me to work.”
“No, no,” she says, admonishing. “You’re a guest. Enjoy.”
Walking around the counter, I stand next to her. “I’d rather help. Maybe I can finish the salad and you can work on the main course.”
She smiles and rubs my back. “You’re a dear. Thank you.” I’m handed the knife and she goes to peek inside the oven. “The chicken is almost ready.”
I finish cutting the carrots Ms. Chart started and start on the cucumber while Evan dilly dallies around the kitchen. Obviously this is all new to him, so I help him out. “Hey, babe, do you mind making a dressing?”
“A salad dressing?” he asks, leaning against the counter. “Like make one from scratch?”
“Yes,” I answer with a chuckle. “It’s easy. We’ll do it together.”
The silence in the room makes me look over my shoulder, wondering if everyone has left the kitchen. Nope, they’re all here. Hugh and Claire are watching us with puzzled faces. I think it was the suggestion that we make a dressing that threw them off. I look the other way and Ms. Chart has a sweet smile on her face.
Evan laughs. “We’re new to this. Ms. Chart has spoiled us. So, this dressing. How do I make it?”
“We’ll start with an easy one—Italian dressing. You’ll need…” I go on to explain, helping him measure then mix the liquids and spices.
“That’s impressive, Mallory,” Hugh says, stepping in to help to shake the mixture.
“I always helped my mom in the kitchen,” I say, feeling a little shy with all their attention on me. “I’ve picked up a few basics along the way.”
Evan takes the dressing back in hand, holding it in front of him, proud as a peacock for his contribution, and says, “Let’s eat.”
Dinner is served and we all take a seat except for Ms. Chart. “Are you joining us,” I ask.
“You go ahead. It will be good for you all to be together. I’m sure you have plenty to talk about and I’m missing my favorite show, so I’ll eat in my room tonight.”
“What’s your favorite show,” Evan asks, calling to her as she slips out of the kitchen.
“Wheel of Fortune.” Peeking back in, she adds, “I have a crush on Pat Sajak.”
I giggle, but no one else does. I have a feeling they don’t know who Pat Sajak is.
Hugh opens a bottle of white wine and serves us. We each help ourselves to dinner and start eating.
There’s a moment of silence that makes me look up. My eyes meet Hugh’s and he smiles. “I’m sure this is a very busy time for you with your school work and now planning a wedding. I wanted to thank you for all you’ve done for our family and for Evan.”
“We wouldn’t have our son back if it weren’t for you,” Claire says, setting her fork down.
Hugh says, “I should have told Evan this in New York, but he’s really grown tremendously over the last year and I think Mallory has had a hand in that. You’ve turned into a fine man, Son.”
“Thank you,” he says. “And Mallory does deserve some credit.”
“I don’t need and I definitely don’t deserve any credit when it comes to Evan. He’s made his own choices. I’ve just supported them.” I want to be open with my feelings, even with his parents. “I worried I was ruining Evan’s life some days. Other days, I convinced myself I wasn’t. But my life is better because he’s in it and that’s because I held onto the hope that his life is also better because I’m in it.”
“It is.” Evan leans over and kisses the side of my head. His hand slips down between us, grasping mine securely.
“After seeing your work for the company last fall.” Hugh turns to Evan, and says, “You’ll always have a position at Ashford Holdings if you want it. I won’t pressure you to come back, Evan. You have a brilliant mind and as long as you’re not wasting it, I don’t mind what career you choose.” He leans forward. “He’s also a very smart man to snag you while you’re both young. I think you’ll have a long and happy life together.”
“So do I.” I feel more at ease as the conversation winds down.
He chuckles. “Don’t be afraid to kick his ass every now and then to keep him in line though.”
Now that makes me laugh. “No worries there.”
Claire smiles. “You’re a great girl and my son’s a lucky man.”
“Thank you and if he wants to work for your company, I’ll support that decision. If that’s not his dream, then I fully support that too.”
With a small nod, Hugh smiles. “Thank you.”
During the rest of dinner, the conversation is friendly, but I can’t shake the feeling that something else underlies the tone of the evening.
My instincts are proven right when Claire turns to me and asks, “How are the wedding plans, Mallory?”
Ding. Ding. Ding. Bingo.
“We just arrived today, but it’s been a full day and we’ve made some progress. We decided we want an intimate affair down on the beach.” I look at Evan. “Maybe even a picnic. I’m hoping to secure the caterer while we’re here.”
“A picnic? For a wedding?” Claire asks astonished, holding her hand against her chest as if those words pain her.
“I like the picnic idea—” Evan starts to say before a fork crashes onto a china plate.
We both jump and look at Claire who is furiously sipping her wine. She closes her eyes and as if she’s counting
to ten, takes a deep breath, opens her eyes again and smiles. “Excuse me. My fork must have slipped. Mallory, would you consider a catered affair if we compromise on the beach part?”
“Oh, um… I don’t know. I’ll definitely think about tha—”
“Mother, how many people do you have on your guest list?” Evan cuts me off, sounding irritated.
“I was just making an informal list in my head—”
“The number, Mother,” Evan gets short, his tone clipped with impatience.
“Five Hundred.”
“What!” I spit out, shocked and glad my mouth is empty or I would have spewed food or wine everywhere. My head is already shaking when I say, “I’m not having five hundred people at my wedding. Evan, I’m not. I, I, I can’t walk down the aisle in front of that many strangers and—”
“It’s okay, I’ll handle this,” he says, rubbing my thigh and reassuring me. He looks back at his mother sitting across the table from him. “That number is too high.”
“Four hundred,” Claire bargains.
“No.” Evan is firm.
Claire turns to Hugh who looks resigned to losing this battle. He shrugs and she rolls her eyes, finally caving in. “Fine. How many can we invite?”
Evan puts on his most winning smile then looks at me, redirecting the attention. “I’ll let my fiancée answer that.”
All eyes are on me. I look down at the cloth napkin I been twisting violently in my lap and mumble, “Ten.”
“What, dear? Speak up.” I look up to meet Claire’s hopeful eyes.
I repeat, “I was thinking more along the lines of ten, maybe fifteen guests for your side.”
“Ten?” She coughs, having a slight choking attack, which is odd since she hasn’t been eating. “I don’t comprehend… um, hmmm,” she stutters, then gulps the rest of her wine, emptying the glass. “Ten. That’s ridiculous. Ten? Only ten people? That’s impossible. Tell them, Hugh. Impossible.”
Evan leans forward and clarifies for her. “Ten. So,” he says, clasping his hands together to break the tension. “Mallory’s graduation is coming up and we’d like to personally invite you to Colorado.”
