Team Bride

by Valerie Comer

  So why couldn’t Sarah enjoy the result of all the hard work she’d done with Lindsey? It was all Corbin Morrissey’s fault. But even that was silly. She barely knew him, and it wasn’t even his fault they’d been locked out on the fire escape last night.

  No, they’d gotten off on the wrong foot when she’d been late for rehearsal and had to listen to his cheerfully grating prattle while she waited half of forever on the bridge. He really wasn’t that awful. Just a little full of himself. Confidence wasn’t a bad trait in a guy, was it?

  So that made it all her fault.

  Lindsey leaned over. “You okay?”

  Sarah dredged up a smile and pressed her shoulder against Lindsey’s. “I’m fine. Sorry for making you worry about me.”

  “Thanks so much for standing up for me. I really appreciate it.”

  “That’s what best friends are for.”

  “Once you get used to Corbin, he’s a great guy. A lot of fun. I thought you’d really like him.”

  Sarah fixed the smile in place. What positive thing could she say? “He’s really cute.” Because that was no lie. Tall, dark, and handsome was the tip of the iceberg. Twinkling blue eyes, athletic frame, a quick smile. Easy to look at, for sure.

  “He is, isn’t he? You guys are adorable together.”

  “Don’t even start, Linds.”

  “Oh, humor me.” The bride lowered her voice a little and leaned closer, shoulder pressing against Sarah’s. “Promise me something?”

  Sarah narrowed her eyes. “What?”

  “If he asks you out, accept? Just once is all I ask. I bet that will be enough.”

  There was no way he’d ask, not after she’d pushed him aside a dozen or two times today. But it was remotely possible a decent guy lived inside that hunky body, well hidden behind the annoying mannerisms.

  “Please? I’ll text you every day and ask you if he asked you for a date yet.”

  “On your honeymoon?” Sarah raised her eyebrows. “I think you’ll have other things to think about.”

  “So you wouldn’t want to be responsible for distracting me.”

  “You’re crazy.”

  “Promise. Then I won’t have to be distracted.”

  Sarah couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled out. “Okay, fine. One time. I promise. But don’t you dare plant the idea in his head.”

  Across Lindsey and Nick, Corbin glanced at her, his smile warming when he caught her eye. Uh oh. She was in trouble now. But Lindsey was right. He couldn’t be that rotten a guy and still be Nick’s best friend and the man who led Nick to Jesus. Could he?

  “Ready?” he mouthed.

  For what? A date? No. It didn’t matter if she’d just promised Lindsey. She needed time to get used to the idea. Like a year or two.

  Corbin pushed back his chair and approached the mike.

  Oh. Ready for speeches and toasts. Yeah, as ready as she was going to get. If Corbin ever got done telling story after story about his and Nick’s days in Bible school together. The friends and family surrounding two dozen round tables lapped it all up, laughing in all the right places. Pretty much nonstop.

  He was a hard act to follow. Well, she wouldn’t even try. She got through her sentimental speech about Lindsey and thanked Nick for coming into her best friend’s life. For the second time. But she didn’t talk about the jerk Nick had been in high school. Corbin would likely have found a way to spin that into a funny story. Too bad. Sarah proposed a toast and retreated to her seat.

  Several other friends came up to the mike and shared stories. Finally the emcee decided it was time for the cake to be cut, and Sarah and the wedding party helped pass around slices to the guests.

  Corbin sidled up beside her with a loaded tray. “How’s it going?”

  “Fine.” She turned to the next table with a plate of cake in hand.

  Soon the evening would be over, and she’d be back in her cozy apartment across the river curled up in her bathrobe with a mug of tea and a good book. Maybe she’d set aside the romance novel for now and start a whodunit. It might be easier on her nerves.

  She held the comforting vision in mind as she smiled, nodded, and avoided Corbin.

  A few minutes later, all the single women were invited to gather for the bouquet toss. Sarah slinked to the back of the room until Lindsey caught her eye and flicked her chin toward the group. Oh, man. Whatever. She’d stand behind someone who was eager to catch it. Not a problem.

  “Me!” yelled Lindsey’s sister. “Throw it here!”

  Like Madison. She’d be perfect. Except when the bouquet flew, someone’s elbow caught Madison’s side and the flowers thunked Sarah in the chest. Her hands automatically grabbed to prevent them from falling.

  Great. Sarah had caught the bouquet.

  “Yay, Sarah!” yelled Lindsey. “Your wedding will be next! Let me know the date and time, and don’t forget to ask me to be your maid — um, matron — of honor.”

  Sarah narrowed her eyes as a few other people cheered and Madison glowered. But could Lindsey really have set this up?

  Behind the bride, Nick and the groomsmen grinned. Corbin sent her a thumbs-up. Sarah buried her nose in the fragrant flowers. She might have no desire to get married any time soon, but that wouldn’t stop her from enjoying the gerbera daisies and white mums as long as they lasted.

  The tide turned a few minutes later as Nick gallantly seated Lindsey on a chair while the unmarried men gathered behind him. Nick grinned at his bride as he slid her dress up over her knee and reached underneath to remove the garter. He tossed it over his shoulder without looking then bent to kiss Lindsey.

  With growing horror, Sarah watched the blue-trimmed garter fly end over end and land directly in Corbin’s outstretched hand. The guys cheered. More than one pair of eyes swung over to her.

  If only the floor would open up and swallow her on the spot. Instead, Corbin strolled over to her, waving the garter over his head like a lasso. He tucked an arm around her while clapping intensified.

  “Looks like we’re destined to be together, fair lady,” he whispered into her hair. “What do you say we start with a first date tomorrow?”

  Lindsey’s hopeful expression caught Sarah’s gaze.

  She’d promised her stupid best friend. “Not tomorrow. I need some recuperation time,” she murmured.

  “Friday then? I’ll get your phone number before we leave tonight.”

  Sarah closed her eyes for one brief moment. If there was anything she hated worse than feeling manipulated, she couldn’t remember what it was at the moment.

  Chapter 4

  Sarah shouldn’t be this nervous. It wasn’t like she hadn’t gone on a date before. And frankly, every other time, she’d actually had a crush on the guy. Unlike Corbin Morrissey.

  She was only doing this because she’d promised Lindsey. She’d do the obligatory date and then tell him no thanks for another one. Easy peasy, right?

  That didn’t explain why she changed her outfit five times. Why she’d put her hair up, then down, then up again. Which would go better with the one-step-up-from-casual pants and cowl-neck sweater she’d finally decided on?

  The doorbell rang. Her heart beat faster. She wiped her clammy hands on a towel, glanced at her reflection in the mirror one more time then tugged out the pins holding her up-do together. She swung her head a few times and her natural waves settled around her shoulders.

  Out of time. Please, Lord, help this evening not to be too horrible.

  “Hi, Corbin. Come on in.” Hopefully the smile on her face looked halfway genuine as she swung the door open.

  She’d only seen him in shorts or a tux. He stood in front of her in dark wash jeans and a long-sleeved polo shirt the same intense blue of his eyes. The eyes that warmed as he looked at her.

  “Don’t mind if I do.” He held out a casual bouquet with asters and wildflowers. “I couldn’t resist these, though they can’t rival your beauty.”

  Sarah bit her lip and turned away. H
ow far did this man think flattery would get him? “They’re pretty. Thanks.” She stepped into the kitchen just off the foyer and pulled a vase from a cupboard. A moment later she had the flowers in water and arranged.

  “Nice vase.” He’d followed her into the kitchen.

  “Thanks. It’s from a local potter. I really like her work.”

  “I can see why.”

  She angled her head at him. Man, he was close. “They didn’t make you sneeze?”

  Corbin shook his head. “Most natural aromas don’t affect me that way. Just artificial ones.”

  “Well, I left the perfume in its bottle tonight.”

  He grinned, a bit sideways. “Thanks. For the record, you don’t need it. You smell terrific just the way you are.”

  Sarah stepped back. He’d been sniffing her?

  “Ready to go? We have a six o’clock reservation.”

  She breathed. “Sure. Let me grab my purse. Where are we going?”

  He escorted her down the steps to the parking lot and into a gleaming black pickup. “The Water Wheel.”

  Oh boy. Only the most expensive place in Riverbend. At least their premier chef, Lindsey, was on her honeymoon and wouldn’t be peeking through the kitchen pass-through giving sly winks and thumbs-ups.

  “Sounds nice,” Sarah ventured when Corbin had started the truck.

  He glanced across at her, and his hands flexed on the steering wheel. If she didn’t know better, she’d suspect Mr. Flirt was nervous. Somehow that didn’t dissipate the butterflies in her own stomach. Could it be he was actually interested in her, not just because she was female, not ugly, and twenty-something?

  Question was, if she weren’t a wee bit interested herself, why was she so nervous and tongue-tied? That line of internal thought could be an endless loop. “Tell me about your farm.”

  He shot her a smile. “My lifelong dream, but it couldn’t have become reality so soon if I hadn’t inherited it from my grandfather.”

  “I’m sorry for your loss.”

  “I miss him,” Corbin said simply. “He was the one person who always seemed to understand me.”

  Sarah bit her lip so she wouldn’t admit how hard he was to figure out. No need to go there yet, or ever. This was the only date they’d have.

  They crossed the bridge into Riverbend and Corbin signaled a right turn at the first traffic light. A few minutes later he shut off the truck beside Riverside Park. A glow from the early-evening sun warmed the gazebo, flowerbeds, and manicured lawn. So peaceful, even with several children riding bicycles and tossing Frisbees. She let out a sigh she hadn’t realized she was holding as she reached for the door handle.

  Corbin touched her arm. “Allow me, please.” In no time he’d come around the truck and opened the passenger door. She slid out, thankful for the running board to make the big step more manageable. He smiled at her as he took her hand.

  Should she allow him that familiarity? What did it matter? It was only a few steps to the Water Wheel Restaurant at the end of the park. Besides, his hand was warm and his grip firm but not possessive. Somewhere this evening he seemed to have lost his gift of gab. This date might not be so bad after all.

  * * *

  Corbin seated Sarah in the fireplace nook he’d reserved. A row of candles in assorted shapes and sizes of holders flickered from the mantle, and a soft glow warmed the space from a hidden light source.

  The waiter presented them with menus and took their drink order. No surprise that Sarah ordered pop the way she’d guzzled it at rehearsal. He settled for unsweetened tea.

  Sarah turned a page and glanced up at him.

  He’d been staring. Watching her. No thoughts of what food to order had yet crossed his mind. He quirked a smile at her.

  “What are you having?” she asked.

  Corbin opened the menu. This wasn’t the sort of place a guy came with his buddies, so he had no idea what the options were. He glanced over the selections and pointed. “Steak, I think. Baked potato, vegetables in season, and a salad.” Hard to go wrong with steak in an upscale place like this. “How about you?”

  “Maybe the cordon bleu. That comes with a rice pilaf.”

  “Sounds good. Scallops for an appetizer?” Lindsey had once made those at Nick’s apartment for a few friends. They’d been to die for.

  “Oh, I cou—” She bit off the words. “Thank you. That sounds nice.”

  The waiter brought their drinks and Corbin ordered for both of them. Sarah seemed mesmerized by the flickering flames in the fireplace. For his part, he couldn’t help watching the shifting glow on her face and hair.

  “Thanks for coming tonight,” he said at last.

  She turned toward him, a question in her eyes.

  “I’m glad you didn’t turn me down. I’m surprised, actually. What made you say yes?” He held his breath. What was he hoping she’d say, that she found him as attractive as he found her?

  Sarah folded the linen napkin in half and ran her thumb down the crease. “Lindsey made me promise to give you a chance.”

  Her words were so low he wasn’t sure he’d heard correctly. “I have Lindsey to thank?”

  “Don’t sound so surprised. You know she chucked that bouquet directly at me. She has her own agenda, that girl.”

  “I guess I owe her one.”

  Sarah raised an eyebrow. “You two didn’t plan it in advance?”

  He grinned. “No, believe it or not.” He leaned across the table. “So I’m thankful for her help. But I guess it’s my job to make sure you have such a good time you’ll be happy enough at the end of the evening to agree when I ask you out again.”

  His gaze held hers for a long moment. The firelight seemed to flicker in her brown eyes and add even more dimensions to the tones in her streaked hair. What was she thinking? That she’d like to smack her friend... or might she even be thankful already for the set-up? Whichever it was, Corbin was grateful for the reprieve.

  * * *

  She’d never have guessed he could be this gentlemanly and, well, nice. Though his quirky humor definitely peeked through a time or two, the dinner went well. Sarah was pretty sure the food had been good, too, but the memory that stayed with her would be more about the intensity in his blue eyes and the sexy grin that lifted one side of his mouth more than the other.

  “Tell me about weddings,” he said unexpectedly.

  Sarah frowned. “What do you mean?”

  He shrugged. “You said you’d never been on Team Bride before?”

  Team Bride. Did he have to keep saying that? “Never as a bridesmaid.”

  “That’s crazy. You must have lots of friends.”

  She let her eyebrows go up. “Are you saying I’m an old maid? That all my friends must be married by now?”

  He blinked. “Not at all what I meant.”

  “I have plenty of single friends.”

  “I, uh...”

  “I’m just not very fond of weddings.”

  Corbin leaned back in his chair. “I thought women were all over weddings. The ultimate party to plan. To be the star of the show.”

  “Women are individuals. One size does not fit all.”

  “I have a few sisters, and they’re definitely not clones of each other. But they agree on parties.”

  “That’s nice.” A desperate need to change the focus shot through her. “You seem to like them, too. Not all guys do.”

  “Sure do. Parties are great, and weddings are the best of them all.”

  Sarah shook her head. He was for real?

  He grinned at her. “I’ve been a ring bearer twice. Groomsman twice.” He checked them off on his fingers. “Now best man twice. Team Groom six times.”

  Wasn’t this backwards? If there had been any doubt she shouldn’t date Corbin Morrissey — and there hadn’t been any — there wasn’t anymore. She needed to find a guy who wanted to elope.

  “You said you’d been a flower girl? I bet you were the cutest one ever. I bet you drove the r
ing bearer crazy.”

  “Not as crazy as he drove me.” She shuddered. Some memories were better left untouched. “I barely escaped with my life.” Her dignity certainly hadn’t been intact.

  He laughed. “Sounds serious. Whose wedding was it?”

  Sarah shook her head. “I don’t remember their names. They were my parents’ friends, I think. We moved quite a few times back then after my parents split up, and before Mom moved my brother and me to Riverbend.”

  Genuine regret slid into his gaze. “I’m sorry. My folks went through some rough patches, but they grew together. They’re a good example of a solid marriage now.”

  “It’s kind of tough.” Sarah toyed with her napkin. “So many marriages end in divorce. One of my friends is divorced already after only three years. Another is really struggling.”

  “Is that why you didn’t want to stand up for Lindsey and Nick?”

  She pulled her eyebrows together. “Who told you that?”

  “Lindsey was ecstatic when you said you would. She was afraid you’d say no, but she wouldn’t say why.”

  Good thing her best friend had showed a bit of restraint. “I really hope they make it.”

  “I know they will.” Corbin spoke with deep conviction.

  “You can’t know that. You can’t even know it for yourself, let alone for someone else. Things happen.” She shrugged. “People change. Or maybe it’s their true colors coming out. Nick was a real jerk in high school. I’d like to think he’s changed, but what if he hasn’t? What if, deep down, he’s still the same guy? I don’t want Lindsey hurt. She’s already been through so much with her mom dying and all.”

  Corbin leaned across the table and wrapped both his hands around hers. “Nick changed, Sarah. He repented of his old ways and asked God to forgive him. He became a new creature in Jesus. Don’t you believe that faith in Christ can change a person from the inside out?”

  She opened her mouth and closed it again. Did she? Sure, she said she did, but she still guarded herself, just in case. What kind of faith was that? Faith. The evidence of things unseen. She pulled her hands away and laid them in her lap. “I do believe that. In theory. In reality, people are pretty messed up.”