He missed her wit, her laughter, the way she gave him a bad time.
Steps sounded on the spiral staircase and he surged to his feet, meeting her as she reached the patio level. The sun was setting behind her, casting her in a golden glow. Strands of her hair shimmered as a light breeze tossed them playfully around. In juxtaposition her blue eyes were guarded and the skin was pulled taut across her cheeks.
She made to walk by him and he caught her elbow in a light hold.
“Won’t you talk to me for a minute?”
She didn’t look at him. But she didn’t pull away, either.
“There’s nothing more to say between us.”
“There is.” He ran his thumb over the delicate skin of her inner elbow. Touching her fed something that had been deprived the past few days. Still, he forced himself to release her. “I tried to explain, but I failed to apologize. I’m sorry, Lindsay. I didn’t think hard enough about how this would affect you. I never meant to devalue what you do.”
Her shoulders squared and she half turned toward him. “But you don’t value it. You’ve seen the effort involved, you can respect that. But you don’t see the value in a beautiful wedding because you see it as the prelude to a flawed marriage.”
“In this case, yes.”
She sighed. “Zach, I’ve heard you talk about your parents enough to know what growing up with them must have been like. And I know you love Antonio, that he’s probably closer to you than anyone. Mix that with your dislike of big, fancy weddings, and I’m sure this has been hell for you.”
“I meant well,” he avowed, grateful she saw what motivated him. “I can’t stand the thought of him making this mistake, of him being miserable for the rest of his life. But Tony isn’t rational when it comes to Halencia.”
“Why? Because he refuses to see things your way?” She shook her head, the disappointment in her eyes almost harder to take than the hurt it replaced. “I think that’s a good thing. I think a king should be willing to sacrifice for his country. Considering what his parents have put this country through, I think that’s exactly what Halencia needs right now. And I think as his friend and best man, you should start showing him some support.”
Hearing it broken down like that made him pause and rethink. Hadn’t he had the same thought just days ago?
She took the opportunity to walk away. “I understand why you want to save Antonio. What I can’t forgive is your willingness to sacrifice me to get it.”
Unable to take anymore, Zack texted Tony.
Need to see you. I’ve messed up bad. You may want a new best man.
After sending the message, Tony wandered down to the pool to wait for the helicopter to arrive on the wide lawn they’d been using as a landing area. It would be at least an hour, but he had no desire to sit in the house so full of memories.
He stared at the pool and remembered the night he made love to Lindsay.
He couldn’t regret it. Wouldn’t.
Having her come alive in his arms was one of the high points in his life. He’d connected with her more closely than with any other woman he could recall. Her honest reactions and giving nature seduced him every bit as much as the silky feel of her skin and hair, the sweet taste of her mouth, the soft moans of her desire.
The few days he’d had her by his side had given him a brief glimpse into what the future could hold.
He wanted to scoff at the notion. To discount it as an indicator he’d been on one wild trip to Tuscany. But the truth was he could all too easily see her in his life. Not just here in Halencia but back in the States, as well.
And it scared the hell out of him.
The only thing that scared him more was the thought of losing her from his life altogether.
He knew the biggest betrayal for her was the intimacy they’d shared while she believed he’d been using her. But that’s not what happened. He’d wanted Lindsay before he’d known she was the wedding planner. His attraction for her was completely disassociated from what she did.
Or so he’d thought.
Now he knew better. What she did was a part of who she was. She’d spoken of being disillusioned with her job. Her impassioned speech calling him to task for thinking a paycheck would suffice if the wedding fell apart proved she wasn’t as lost as she’d feared. She’d been shaken because she let herself get caught up with Kevin and he’d used her.
It sickened Zach to realize he’d done the same thing.
Time to make it right.
The whoop, whoop, whoop of the helicopter sounded in the distance and grew louder. Finally. In another hour or so he’d see Tony, apologize for the mess he’d made of everything and put this whole fiasco behind him.
Being so close to Lindsay but parted from her drove him insane. He wanted to stay and fix it, but she needed to be here. He didn’t. Hell, Tony probably wouldn’t want him here when he learned what Zach had done.
He’d go back to the States and wait for her to come home. Then he’d find her and apologize again. No justifications, just a straight-up apology.
Ready to have this done, he strolled toward the helicopter. As he got closer he was surprised to see the pilot headed toward him. And then he knew.
“Tony.” He broadened his stride and met his friend in a hug. “You came.”
“Si, amico mio.” Unselfconscious in showing emotion, Tony gave Zach a hard squeeze then stepped back to clap him on the arm. “Your text sounded serious.”
“I’ve messed up.”
“So you said. We must fix whatever you have done. I do not care to have anyone else for my best man.”
“You haven’t heard what I’ve done yet.”
Tony had given up so much to support his country, would he be able to forgive Zach for messing in his affairs?
He couldn’t lose both Lindsay and Antonio. Why hadn’t he thought with his head instead of his heart?
“This sounds ominous.” By mutual consent they headed toward the house. “You are my brother, Zach. You have seen how far I will go for my sibling. There is nothing you can do that will change my love for you. I need someone I can trust at my back during this wedding.”
Zach walked at his friend’s side. They were passing near the pool when Tony stopped. He looked longingly at the pool.
“Ah, the water looks good. I have not been swimming since I got to Halencia.”
“You want to swim?” Zach grabbed his shirt at the back of the neck and pulled it off over his head. “It’s as good a place to talk as any.”
He stripped down and dove in. As soon as the water embraced him, he struck out, arm overhead, legs kicking, arm overhead, kick, again and again. He needed the physical exertion to empty his mind of everything but the tracking of laps and the knowledge Tony matched him pace for pace.
Tony tapped his shoulder when they reached fifty. “Let’s hit the spa.”
Zach slicked a hand over his face and hair and nodded.
In one big surge, he propelled himself up and out of the pool. He walked to the controls for the spa and flicked the switch to generate the jets. After grabbing a couple of towels from a storage ottoman and tossing them on the end of a lounger near the spa, he hit the mini fridge for a couple sodas and joined his friend, sighing as the hot water engulfed him.
“Grazie.” Tony took a big swig and closed his blue eyes on a groan as he let his head fall back. “You don’t know how good this feels. Hey, I know you’re working with the palace liaison on the bachelor party but can we do it here? Keep it tight and quiet.”
“Sure. How about poker, cigars and a nice, aged whiskey?”
“Perfect.” Tony laughed. “Now, tell me what’s up.”
* * *
Zach did, he laid it all out, not bothering to spare himself. “The good news is you’ll still have a beauti
ful wedding, but I think I should go.”
“It’s not like you to run, Zach.”
He barked a harsh laugh. “None of this is like me.”
“True. You actually let her drive your new car?”
Zach eyed his friend still laying back and letting the jets pound him with bubbles. “Focus, dude. I almost wrecked your wedding.”
“But you didn’t.” Tony straightened and spread his arms along the edge of the spa. He nailed Zach with an intent stare. “You messed up your life instead. You care about Ms. Reeves.”
He got a little sick every time he thought about never seeing her again. But that wasn’t something he was willing to share.
“She’s a good person. And she’s really worked hard to give you and Christina an event to be proud of. She found these cool candleholders that merge your two styles—”
“Stop.” Tony held up a dripping hand. “I’m going to stop you right there. Dude, you’re spouting wedding drivel. Obviously you’re in love.”
“Shut up.” Zach cursed and threw his empty soda can at his friend’s head. “You know I don’t do love.”
“I know you have a big heart or you wouldn’t care so much about my future. You deserve to be happy, my friend, and I think the wedding planner makes you happy.”
How easily Tony read him. Zach had been happier here in Halencia than as far back as he could remember. But he’d ruined any chance of finishing the trip in the same vein.
“You deserve happiness, too. That’s all I really wanted when I started this mess.”
“I appreciate that you want me to be happy. But this is something I have to do. To be honest, the thought of a love match would terrify me. Watching the roller coaster that has been my parents’ marriage cured me of that. I will be happy to have a peaceful arrangement with a woman I can admire and respect who will stand by my side and represent my country. Like your Lindsay, Christina is a good woman. We will find our way. You need to do the same.”
His Lindsay. That sounded good.
“My being here hurts her. It’s best if I leave and let her do her job.”
“You mean it’s easier. Well, forget it. You’re my best man and I’m not letting you off the hook. Relationships take work, Zach.”
That’s what Lindsay said when she was talking about her mother’s many marriages.
“If you care for this woman, and it appears you do, you need to fight for her. Apologize.”
“I did. She didn’t want to hear it.”
Tony cocked a sardonic eyebrow. “Apologize again.”
Zach nodded. “Right.”
“Tell her you love her.”
Love. Zach held his friend’s gaze for a long moment, letting unfamiliar emotions—confusion, fear, sadness, exhilaration, joy, hope—rush through him. And finally he nodded. “Right.”
* * *
A knock sounded at Lindsay’s door. She ignored it. Now she was back at the hotel she was fair game for the press who thought nothing about knocking on her door at all hours. So pushy.
Another bang on the door.
She kept her attention on her schedule for the next week. Circled in red at the end of the week was the day. The wedding.
The rehearsal was in two days, four days in advance of the actual event because it was the only day everyone could get together. She’d have to see Zach, deal with him. As long as he didn’t start apologizing again, she’d be fine.
She knew he’d meant well, that he loved Antonio like a brother. She even admired how far he was willing to go to ensure his friend’s happiness.
But she couldn’t tolerate the fact that she was acceptable collateral damage.
Why did men find her so dispensable?
She was fairly smart, had a good sense of humor. She worked hard; if anything, too hard. She was honest, kind, punctual. Okay, she wasn’t model beautiful, but she wasn’t hideous, either.
So what made her so unlovable?
More knocking. Ugh, these guys were relentless.
“Signorina? Signorina?” Mario called out. “Are you there? Mama says you should come.”
Oh, gosh. She’d left the poor kid standing out there. Lindsay set her tablet aside and rushed to the door.
“Signorina.” Mario greeted her anxiously. “Someone is here to see you. Mama says you must come.”
Lindsay gritted her teeth. Zach. Why couldn’t he leave her be? “Can you tell him I’m busy?”
His eyes grew big and he frantically shook his head. “No, signorina. You must come.”
She’d never seen the boy so agitated. Fine, she’d just go tell Zach, once more, to leave her alone. Mario led her downstairs to a room she hadn’t seen before. A man stood looking out on the rose garden.
“Zach you need to stop— Oh, sorry.” She came to an abrupt halt when the man turned. Not Zach. “Oh, goodness. Prince Antonio. Your Highness.”
Should she curtsy? Why hadn’t she practiced curtsying?
“Ms. Reeves, thank you for seeing me.” He spoke in slightly accented English and had the bluest eyes she’d ever seen. They twinkled as he took her hand and bowed over it in a gesture only the European did well. “I hope you are not thinking of curtsying. It is entirely unnecessary.”
His charm and humor put her instantly at ease. That ability, along with his dark, good looks and the sharp intelligence in those incredible eyes, would serve him well as King of Halencia. She wondered if they’d approached him about running for president.
“You’re here to plead his case, aren’t you?” Why else would the prince seek her out? He’d showed little to no interest in the wedding plans, even through his advocate.
Anger heated her blood. How dare Zach put her in this position? What could the prince think but that she allowed her personal business to interfere with his wedding preparations? Showing no interest and having none were two different things.
This whole situation just got worse and worse.
“I am.” Prince Antonio indicated she should sit.
She perched on the edge of a beige sofa. The prince sat adjacent to her in a matching recliner.
“Your Highness, I can assure you the plans for the wedding are on schedule. And, of course, I will continue to work with Zach as your representative, but anything beyond working together is over. He should not have involved you.”
“Please, call me Tony.”
Yeah, that wasn’t going to happen.
“You are obviously important to Zach and he is important to me, so we should be friendly, si?”
She meant to nod; a silent, polite gesture to indicate she heard him. But her head shook back and forth, the denial too instinctive.
“He does not know I am here.”
That got her attention. “He didn’t send you?”
“No. In fact he planned to leave Halencia, to concede the field to you, as it were. He wanted to make it easier on you.”
“Oh.” What did she make of that? He was supposed to be best man. Of course he’d have to tell the prince if he planned to leave. Had he already left? Was that why Antonio was here, to tell her she’d be working with a new best man?
Her heart clenched at the thought of never seeing Zach again. The sense of loss cut through the anger and hurt like a sword through butter.
“But he is my best friend. I do not want another for my best man.”
“Oh.” Huge relief lifted the word up. The feeling of being reprieved was totally inappropriate. He’d used and betrayed her. That hadn’t changed. Just as her foolish love for him hadn’t changed. It was those softer feelings that tried to sway her now.
Too bad she’d learned she couldn’t trust those feelings.
“I have never seen Zach so enamored of a woman. Is it true he let you drive his car?”
&
nbsp; She nodded. And she knew why. In piecing things together she figured that must be the trip where Zach had found the pin. She’d been brooding on the trip back and he’d felt guilty.
As he should.
The prince laughed, drawing her attention.
“He really does have it bad. I wish I could have been here to watch this courtship.”
“There’s been no courtship, Your Highness. Far from it.” She’d stayed strong for two weeks. Why, oh, why had she let his vulnerability get to her? Because she’d fallen for him. Her mom was fond of saying you couldn’t control who you fell in love with. Lindsay always considered that a tad convenient.
Turned out it wasn’t convenient at all.
“Antonio,” he insisted. “I am hoping I can persuade you to cut him some slack. I am quite annoyed with him myself, but I understand what drove him. Zach is not used to having people in his life that matter to him. He is a numbers man. He would have calculated the risk factors and figured those associated with you were tolerable. If the wedding was called off, you would still get paid.”
“So he said, but there’s more than a paycheck involved here. There’s my reputation, as well.”
“Which would not suffer if I or Christina called off the wedding.”
“It would if it was due to a jinxed wedding, which I can only speculate is what he hoped to achieve.”
“Was it such a bad thing he did? Fighting for my happiness?”
“That’s not fair.” She chided him with her gaze but had to look away as tears welled. She had to clear her throat before speaking. “People don’t use the people that matter to them.”
Something close to sadness came and went in his blue eyes. “Yes, we do. We are just more up front about it. Zach told me you have the brooch.”
It took a second for her brain to switch gears “Yes. It’s in my room. It’s damaged so I haven’t mentioned we found it to Christina yet.”
“This is good. If you please, I’d like to take it with me to see if I can get it repaired in time for the wedding.”
“Of course. I’ll go get it.” She quickly made the trip to her room and returned to hand him the antique piece. “It’s really a lovely design.”
The Best Man & The Wedding Planner Page 16
