Hot Mistake

by Cara Lockwood

  “Wait. That’s her,” Gabriela said. The security officer paused the tape and they watched as Lola stumbled into frame.

  “She’s drunk.” Marco sounded despondent. “I knew she’d had a lot to drink at dinner, but I thought she was just having a good time.”

  The group watched as Lola stumbled to the chair and slumped down in it. She wrestled with her shoes and then kicked them off as she lay down on the deck chair. Then, after a minute, she seemed to see someone she knew. She sat up and began talking, but from the camera angle, they couldn’t see who she was talking to.

  “Who is that? Who is she talking to?” Marco leaned forward.

  The captain glanced at the security officer. “Can we get a different angle?”

  “I’m trying,” the security officer said. He clicked to another camera angle and they could see the back of the man she was talking to. He was in a white uniform, much like the captain’s.

  “That looks like Carson.” Sebastian’s voice was low, almost a growl.

  Gabriela studied the frame. She had to agree, there was Thor in all his glory.

  “Carson? My first mate?” The captain squinted at the monitor. “How can you be sure?”

  “I’m not. But it’s a pretty good guess.” Sebastian took in a deep breath. “I saw them talking at the rehearsal dinner.”

  “What do you mean?” Marco’s head snapped up.

  “I mean, they were talking animatedly about something. I thought it was weird at the time but...” Sebastian trailed off. “It didn’t seem like small talk.”

  While everyone watched, the man offered his hand to Lola and she got up, unsteady on her feet. The man put an arm around her and then they hobbled away off camera.

  Gabriela felt her stomach sink. She was with...Carson? Were they together right now? Her mind whirled with the worst possibilities.

  Marco rubbed his face hard, as if to scrub the memory from his head. “Someone tell me why that asshole just kidnapped my wife?”

  “Hey, we don’t know yet—” the captain began.

  “I know that I want you to take me to his cabin now. Taking advantage of a woman who’s had too much to drink...that’s a crime.”

  “We don’t know she’s been taken advantage of or even where she is. What we know is it’s unlikely she’s overboard, and that’s a good thing,” the captain said. “I’ll send a security detail to his room and, hopefully, we’ll get this all sorted out.”

  “You’d better.” Marco stood and jabbed a finger into the captain’s chest.

  “Marco, settle down, man.” Sebastian clapped a hand on his shoulder. “We have to brace ourselves for the possibility that Lola went with him because she wanted to.”

  Marco shook off Sebastian’s hand. “What the hell are you saying to me right now?”

  “She might have been having cold feet.”

  Gabriela felt all the blood drain from her head. Had he just revealed the very secret she’d sworn he not tell?

  “Don’t listen to him.” Gabriela jumped to her feet and Sebastian whirled, surprised.

  “What the hell is going on, Gabriela?” Gabriela glanced at Marco’s face, and saw such desperation there.

  “You’d better just tell him,” Sebastian said. At that moment Gabriela was certain she was going to kill Sebastian. He’d promised not to say a word.

  “Lola was having cold feet,” Sebastian said.

  * * *

  Marco was inconsolable. His heart was broken, and for what? They didn’t even know for sure if Lola had even done what everyone thought she’d done. Gabriela pressed her fingernails into her palms, furious for her friend. They were assuming she was guilty of the worst without even knowing any of the facts. Maybe they’d parted ways hours ago. Maybe he’d just taken her to the dining room to get a snack and some water. Nobody knew anything for sure, but everyone was jumping to the worst conclusions. And this was all Sebastian’s fault. The captain sent a few of his security detail to Carson’s room, but insisted the wedding party wait in the lobby. Felicia wrapped her arms around Marco’s shoulders.

  “Lola wouldn’t do this to you,” Felicia said, sounding sure. For the first time during the whole trip Gabriela suddenly felt a warmth of feeling for her old nemesis. At least someone was standing up for Lola.

  “I agree,” Gabriela said. “She wouldn’t cheat on you, Marco.”

  Felicia and Gabriela exchanged a look of sisterly solidarity. She wasn’t all bad, sometimes.

  “I’ll be right back,” Sebastian declared. He marched down the corridor in the direction of the security detail.

  Where the hell was he going? Gabriela jumped to her feet and was after him. “Where do you think you’re going?” she challenged, glancing back at Marco, who remained seated.

  “I’m going to be there when they open that door,” Sebastian said.

  “Haven’t you done enough damage?” Gabriela tugged at his arm.

  “What do you mean ‘damage’?” He whirled, his hazel eyes on fire.

  “I mean you assuming the worst of Lola. Telling her secrets that I asked you never to share with anyone. Least of all the groom.” Gabriela felt her blood pulse in her veins. She was beyond furious. She just wanted to scream at him. “I thought she was like a sister to you? So how can you believe she’d do something like this?”

  “Because all the evidence points to that. But I know you don’t believe in a hard truth even if it’s right in front of you.”

  “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

  “You know what it means. How long are you going to pretend there’s nothing between us?” Sebastian’s chest heaved, his nostrils flared.

  That stopped Gabriela cold. “Don’t you think we have bigger problems?”

  “Yes, we do, and I think you don’t face reality when you don’t want to. Your problem is deep denial.”

  She shook her head furiously. She wasn’t oblivious, was she?

  “You were worried someone would say something about you holding my hand,” he said. “You’re embarrassed of me, and that doesn’t feel good. Because you and I both know that what we have doesn’t come along very often.”

  Did she know that? She swallowed hard. How could she even think of having a relationship with a man who thought so little of her best friend?

  “You think Lola is cheating on Marco.”

  “I think it’s a good possibility.”

  “She’s been a good friend to you, and this is how you repay her?” Gabriela couldn’t believe how furious she was. She realized, on some level, this argument had nothing to do with Lola and Marco and everything to do with her and Sebastian. “Is this what you call loyalty?” And if you’re this kind of friend, how could I depend on you to be anything more?

  “Loyalty? Says the woman who loves lying to that same best friend.”

  “Lying about what?”

  “About us.”

  “This doesn’t have anything to do with us.” Gabriela felt like she was walking on quicksand. Every time Sebastian opened his mouth, she felt she was losing her footing.

  “Doesn’t it?” Sebastian shook his head. “Look, so sue me if I’m the kind of friend who is willing to say the unpopular thing if it means being honest. I don’t want to be right about Lola. I don’t want to hurt Marco. But if she is cheating on him, he needs to know and he needs to know now.”

  “But you’re jumping to conclusions—”

  “I’m protecting Marco. Lola was the one who wasn’t brave enough to love him.” Sebastian’s voice had gone an octave lower and somehow Gabriela got the impression he wasn’t talking about Lola at all. “They’re about to make a promise to love each other forever, and that means something.”

  “You don’t even believe in making a promise to love someone for five minutes much less forever.” Gabriela waved her hand dismissively in fr
ont of her face.

  His face grew stormy all of a sudden, his anger rising as he advanced on her. The sudden change took her by surprise and she stumbled back a step.

  “Look, I take marriage very seriously. My father didn’t. He walked out on my mother when I was just two, and he broke his promise to her—and me. I am not going to do that. When I make a promise, I plan to keep it. I expect others to do the same.” His chest was heaving, his hazel eyes flashing with indignant anger.

  The man truly did believe in marriage vows. Gabriela was shocked. She just assumed he didn’t care for commitment, any more than he cared to have the same woman on his arm in his Instagram account for two weeks in a row.

  “I—I’m sorry.”

  Sebastian regained his calm once more. “No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have gotten angry. I just... I keep my promises, that’s all. I believe that when you do agree to marry someone, it’s for life, not just when it’s convenient.”

  Gabriela believed him. Could it be that Sebastian Lott respected commitment even more than she did?

  She realized then that Sebastian was a good and loyal friend, and he’d done what he thought was right, just as she was trying to do. Could she blame him for that?

  Gabriela’s phone rang. She fumbled for it in her pocket as Sebastian released her with a sigh. Lola’s name scrolled across the screen.

  “Lola?” Gabriela pressed the phone to her ear. “Lola, where are you?”

  “I’m in your cabin. Please, Gabriela. Can you come? Don’t bring Marco.”

  * * *

  Lola’s eyes were ringed with dark circles of mascara and she smelled strongly of red wine. Other than that, she was fine as she sat on the small chaise longue in the bridesmaids’ cabin.

  “I know I did a bad thing,” Lola said. “I know I shouldn’t have gone off with Carson, but I just needed someone to talk to. But I swear to both of you nothing happened. We just talked. That’s it.” She sniffled and wiped at her nose. “I didn’t mean to scare anyone.”

  “You scared everyone,” Sebastian said. He couldn’t believe Lola—sensible, loving Lola—had done something so boneheadedly stupid. “We need to call Marco. Let him know you’re okay.”

  “Not yet.” Lola shook her head.

  “Why not?” Gabriela pleaded as she knelt in front of Lola, her knees digging into the carpet. It was closing in on six in the morning and they’d soon arrive at Key West. It was the day of the wedding, which was scheduled at one.

  “I’m not sure if I want to go through with the wedding.” Tears ran down Lola’s cheeks.

  “Do you love Marco?” Sebastian asked, studying her face.

  Lola nodded fiercely. “More than anyone.” She sniffled.

  “Then what’s the problem?” Gabriela didn’t understand. Not one bit. They were perfect for one another.

  “W-what if he’s not the one? What if I meet someone else even better in a few months, or even a few years? Or worse, what if he does?”

  “You really think there’s someone better for you than Marco?”

  Gabriela handed Lola a tissue and she loudly blew her nose. “No,” she said. “But what if he finds someone better than me?”

  “He’s not going to.” Gabriela was certain on that point.

  “But how can I be sure?”

  “You can’t be sure,” Sebastian said. “It’s all just a leap of faith. That’s what love is.”

  He stared at Gabriela and, in that minute, she knew he wasn’t talking about Lola and Marco. He was talking about her. She realized then how she’d not been willing to even dip her toe in the water, much less take a leap.

  A beep signaled the sound of a card key opening the door. Felicia walked in, Marco on her heels. He looked furious.

  “How could you do this to me, Lola?”

  Sebastian turned to the door, glancing at Gabriela. “I think we’d all better go and let these two talk it out.”

  Gabriela followed Sebastian out. Felicia stood in the corridor, arms crossed.

  “You should give them a minute,” Gabriela said.

  “Stay out of it, Gobstopper,” Felicia snapped. Horrible Felicia was back.

  “Hey, don’t call her that.” Sebastian’s voice was low, the warning unmistakable.

  “You’re on her side now? What? Are you two fucking?”

  A long beat followed. Gabriela could deny it. But why? She realized right in that moment that she wasn’t ashamed at all to be with Sebastian. She also realized that up until now it had been her own fear that had kept her from admitting it to herself. She’d been afraid to admit that their white-hot connection was anything more than physical, afraid that if she let herself be vulnerable and admit she wanted him, it would make her weak. But seeing Lola be afraid to take a leap of faith with a man who was perfect for her made Gabriela reconsider her own choices.

  Hell, they weren’t even talking about getting married. Sebastian was talking about dating. Why not? Why not take the leap? She was worried he’d leave her and yet what did that matter if she stopped the relationship before it ever began? Everything she’d seen about him this trip had told her he took commitment seriously. All he needed was a little faith.

  “Yes,” she said, stepping forward and taking Sebastian’s hand. “We are. Have a problem with that?”

  “I...” Felicia looked like she might faint. “You can’t be.”

  “We are.” Sebastian lifted their joined hands.

  “You’re the one that’s been bad-mouthing him to all of us,” Felicia declared.

  Sebastian released his hold on Gabriela’s hand. “What does she mean?” he asked, suddenly wary.

  “Oh? You don’t know? Gobstopper nicknamed you Swipe Left. Told us all you were toxic. Made us all promise to stay away from you. Was that just because you wanted him all to yourself?”

  Gabriela shook her head, feeling a chill seep into her bones. “N-no. I just wanted to keep the peace. This weekend was supposed to be about Lola.”

  “Why would you think I’m a Swipe Left?”

  Gabriela saw real hurt in his eyes.

  “Look, it was...before.” Gabriela struggled to explain. Two days felt like two years ago. Before she knew he was kind, and determined, and fiercely loyal. “I just thought you were going to be looking for a one-night stand, and so I thought it best if all the bridesmaids stayed away from you.”

  “So this is what you think of me?”

  “No. It’s not. It’s...”

  “You can’t trust anything she says,” Felicia said and pushed herself from the wall and walked away. “She’s been bad-mouthing you this whole trip.”

  “Stay out of it, Felicia!” Gabriela called, but Felicia just held up a single-finger salute.

  Sebastian was also moving the other way down the passageway.

  “Hey, Sebastian, wait.”

  “Look, I get it,” he said, the green flecks in his eyes seemingly dulled with pain. “You were just playing me.”

  Gabriela stood still, feeling helpless, as she watched him walk away.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  GABRIELA’S THOUGHTS WERE consumed by Sebastian for the next several hours, and that look of hurt on his face. She’d gone searching for him, but could find him nowhere: not in his room, not at the pool or in any of the restaurants. Even when Lola had let her know that the wedding would be on as scheduled, that the bride and groom had made up just in time, she still felt hollow.

  She’d hated Felicia for telling Sebastian and yet she hated herself more for thinking so little of him when he’d proved himself to be so much more. Gabriela had desperately wanted to apologize.

  She slipped on her bridesmaid dress, a seashell-pink, A-lined, sleeveless dress that hit at the knee. She glanced at herself in the mirror, nodding at her reflection, her hair up in a tight twist. I’m going to make this right.


  * * *

  When she arrived at the staging area, she saw a small alcove near the open veranda where Marco and Lola would be exchanging vows. A harpist stood ready to play the ceremonial music, and the guests had already begun to take their places in the line of white folding chairs covered in white linen tied with pink bows. Sebastian wasn’t there. The rest of the bridal party stood crowded into a circle, and they all abruptly stopped talking when Gabriela came close. They were gossiping about her. No doubt Felicia had already spread the word. But, if she were honest, Gabriela found that she didn’t really care.

  “Is it true?” Veronica whispered, eyes bright. “Did you and...Sebastian—?”

  “Have you seen him?” Gabriela cut her off.

  “No, but... I mean...is he as good as they say?”

  “Better,” Gabriela called over her shoulder as she hurriedly left. She had to find him. Where was he? She searched the adjacent corridor and rooms, looking for Sebastian, but saw no sign of him. Eventually she heard the harp begin to play—her cue. She’d be walking down the aisle soon. She darted back to the alcove near the veranda, to find Sebastian standing there, looking stoic.

  “Sebastian, I’ve been—”

  But before she could finish, he interrupted. “Let’s just get this done today, okay?”

  The coldness of his tone took her aback.

  “I didn’t mean what I said before...” she began, voice low as she stood near him. Ahead of them, Liv and Theo strode down the aisle, followed by Veronica and Bill. Felicia and James waited their turn. Behind them, Lola and her father stood a bit apart.

  “Look, I don’t need your pity, okay?”

  Pity? Seriously? Was that what he thought?