A Tempting Proposal

by Dara Girard

  He smiled his way through the endless array of poses the photographer took of them, but the worse was when the photographer said she needed a picture of the couple signing the license.”

  “Do you really need to see that?”

  “It’s a very important moment,” she said.

  “But—”

  “What’s the big deal?” Ava asked. “We have to do it anyway and it won’t take long.”

  He was going to get his fraud photographed and set in time forever. It’s okay, no one will know. No one can ever know. He returned to where Pastor Valentine stood, the marriage license laid out on a polished wooden table. “Ladies first,” he said when the pastor held out the pen to him. Ava signed with an artistic flourish, that surprised him. The constant click from the photographer’s camera memorializing the moment. He would have expected a more subtle businesslike signature.

  “Now it’s your turn,” Ava said, holding the pen out to him while the sound of the clicking camera continued. How many damn pictures did the photographer need?

  He took the pen, flashing a classic Jackson smile at the camera, before he signed his brother’s name.

  “Perfect,” the photographer said pleased. “Now we can—”

  “I think that’s enough for now,” Ava said. “There are plenty more pictures we can take at the reception.”

  The photographer nodded then left. Moments later, James stared out the tinted limousine windows as they drove to the hotel for the reception. Just a couple more minutes and it would be all over. He could escape this madness.

  After he and Jackson switched places at the reception he’d keep his distance from Ava and try to forget this nightmare had ever happened. Maybe one day, years from now, he’d be able to laugh about it all. When the limousine pulled up to the hotel, James stepped out releasing a sigh of relief as he gallantly assisted Ava to do the same. Escape was in sight. Soon Jackson would take over, when he showed up.

  Except Jackson never did.

  Chapter 8

  Another damn restroom.

  James paced, his polished black shoes pounding against the white floor of the empty hotel restroom.

  He didn’t know how much more he could take. He’d survived the thunderous applause of guests when he and Ava entered the reception hall; listened to Jackson’s friend’s raunchy and funny toast as people joked that James should have been giving it but had likely skipped out because he hated public speaking. Someone suggested that he’d likely be found at work instead.

  James forced laughter he didn’t feel. As the reception progressed he felt even less like laughing. He didn’t remember what he ate, only that one plate replaced another as the various courses made their appearance then disappeared. He nursed his champagne until it was flat, his gaze scanning the crowd, looking around the room, at the entrances, waiting for his brother to make an appearance. He briefly noticed Ava’s friend, Camy Hakata, was missing and remembered that Jackson had been eying her at the wedding. A thought of dread crossed his mind. Was his brother having a quickie somewhere?

  Before James could give his fear credence, Camy appeared dashing that possibility.

  After more than an hour James excused himself and disappeared into the restroom, just to have time alone to think and plan what his next move should be. He called his brother, but it went straight to voice mail. He texted him but received no reply.

  James removed his ring, the flower on his tux and paced, pretending to go into a stall or washing his hands when someone else came in. After several minutes passed, he peeked his head out of the restroom but saw the hallway was empty. Where the hell was he? The church wasn’t that far from the hotel. James swore and was about to dart back inside the restroom when something grabbed a hold of his ear.

  “Ow!”

  “What is going on?” Flo demanded, pulling him into the room.

  “This is the men’s room, Mom.”

  “I can see that. Now tell me what you and your brother are up to.” She yanked hard.

  James gritted his teeth. “That hurts.”

  “I know. I’m glad.” She yanked again. “I expected more from you.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  She squeezed some more.

  “Okay, okay,” James said quickly. “Let go of my ear and I’ll explain everything.”

  She released him and folded her arms, flaring out the sleeves of her pale pink dress. “I’m listening.”

  James rubbed his throbbing ear. “I don’t know what you want me to say.”

  “You took your brother’s place at his wedding!” She grabbed his collar. “Do you know how serious this is?”

  “Mom, calm down,” James said worried about her health. “I really don’t know what you’re talking about.” He tapped his chest. “It’s me. James. I was his best man.”

  Flo released her grip on his shirt and looked at him hesitant. “If you’re James then why didn’t you do your speech at the reception?”

  “Nerves. I just arrived. I wanted to miss it.”

  She narrowed her eyes, biting her lip. “But I thought—”

  “That I took his place?” James finished with an indulgent smile. “No, why would I do something like that?”

  She frowned. “You did it last night.”

  He turned to the mirror and straightened his jacket, no longer able to face her. “That was different.”

  A man entered the restroom, saw the two of them then turned back around and left.

  “Mom we should go.”

  She didn’t move. “But Jackson just left the reception. Have you seen him?”

  “No, like I said. I just arrived a couple minutes ago.”

  “Rudy thought—”

  “My flower was a little yellowed, that’s all. He got confused.”

  She looked up at him unsure. “You’re really James?”

  He turned to her and smiled. “Of course I’m James.” At least that wasn’t a lie. He held up his hands. “See? No ring. I’m still a single man.”

  “I could have sworn…I guess I was wrong.” She placed a hand on her chest. “That’s a relief.”

  “I’m glad.”

  She looked in one of the stalls. “Then where’s Jackson?” She bent down to look for feet. “You’re positive he isn’t in here?”

  James took her arm. “Mom, don’t do that.”

  She straightened. “But if he’s not in here where could he be?”

  James took her arm and led her out of the restroom. “I think you should sit down. There’s no need to worry. He could have briefly gone outside. I don’t know, but I’m sure he’s around here somewhere,” he said. He kept his voice light in order to reassure her. “How’s Rudy?”

  “Ready to go home. You know how he doesn’t like crowds.”

  “I think you and Edgar should take him home. You’re looking a little flush.”

  “I’ll admit that I was worried.”

  He kissed her lightly on the cheek. “There’s nothing to worry about, Mom. You got the wedding you wanted.”

  Her eyes shone. “Wasn’t it beautiful?” She clasped her hands together. “And oh, James, you looked so handsome and dignified up there. I wasn’t sure she was the right one for you until I saw you two up there together.”

  “You mean Jackson. Jackson married Ava.”

  She frowned. “Yes, that’s right, Jackson.” She touched her forehead. “I don’t know why I keep imagining you standing up there with her. You made such a handsome pair.”

  “Hmm.”

  She flashed a watery smile. “I guess I’m being a little greedy wanting you to find happiness.”

  He saw the anxiety on her face and softened his tone. “I’m happy. Now don’t worry about the reception, Jackson will show up somewhere.”

  “Okay,” She turned.

  James watched her go back into the ballroom then looked around before he slid Jackson’s wedding ring back on his finger. He hated lying to his mother but he knew he
’d have to keep up the charade a little while longer.

  Chapter 9

  James paused at the entrance watching Ava dance with the man who’d caught her garter. The man held her too close, taking advantage of the moment. He could understand the temptation, he’d done the same when he’d danced with her, liking how well their bodies moved together, noticing the delicate curve of her mouth, the sweep of her neck, the solid curve of her hips. James gripped his hand into a fist, he may not be the real groom, but he would keep an eye on Ava until his brother showed up.

  He took a step forward, ready to reenter and make his presence known, but was stopped when a woman grabbed him and kissed him on the mouth. She then pulled away and winked. “Wow, you’re right. Married men do taste different.”

  James could only make a noise low in his throat not trusting himself to speak. He remembered her face, she was easy to remember with dark lashes, short brown hair and a feline smile, but couldn’t remember her name.

  “I didn’t really think you’d go through with it,” she said, resting a hand on her hips, reminding him of handcuffs for some unknown reason. “You were so nervous the last time we talked.”

  “I’m fine now.”

  She let her gaze travel the length of him. “Yes, fine as always and no longer on the market.”

  “That’s right. I’d better get back to the party.”

  She frowned. “Aren’t you even curious what I found out?”

  Found out? Jackson had her looking into something? James snapped his fingers finally placing her. Sylvia Prentiss, the cop. That’s why he’d thought of the handcuffs. He remembered his brother once saying she could frisk him and lock him up any day.

  Sylvia sent him an odd look. “Are you alright?”

  “Yes, I’m fine. I do want to hear what you have to say, but not now.”

  “It’s not much yet anyway. You didn’t answer all my questions.”

  James glanced towards the ballroom eager to leave. It was either pretend to be Jackson surrounded by a crowd, or alone with a woman who was used to spotting liars. “I’ve got to go. People are waiting.”

  Sylvia smirked. “Your new bride already has you on a short lead, huh?”

  His tone hardened. “No.” He knew he’d said the wrong thing when he saw her face change. She looked wary. “I just need to stay away from temptation.”

  Her smile returned. “I know that’s right.”

  “Send me what you have and uh…thanks for coming.” He slipped out of her grasp and entered the ballroom scanning the crowd in hopes he’d see his brother.

  He couldn’t have left him like this. Jackson could be reckless, impulsive but not this inconsiderate. What had happened between here and the church? Had his brother gotten into an accident? Should he call hospitals?

  He pulled out his cell phone to try and reach him again when it alerted him to a text.

  Don’t worry. I’m fine. Don’t ask.

  What did he mean “Don’t ask?” He called him back surprised and relieved when he picked up. “I can’t make it back,” Jackson said before James could speak. “You’re going to have to carry this out for me. Do whatever you need to.” The line disconnected. He swore. His brother wasn’t hurt, he wasn’t dead, which was a relief, but he felt like killing him.

  “I was looking all over for you,” Ava said, snaking her arm around his. “I thought you were trying to make your escape.”

  I wish I could. “No, just catching up with people I haven’t seen in a while.”

  “You seem to know a lot of people.”

  Yes, too many. “Hmm.”

  “I thought you could introduce me to some of them.”

  “Not yet.”

  “Why not?”

  Because I don’t really know most of them. “I’d rather dance,” he said, pulling her into a dancer’s embrace. But he made the mistake of pulling her too close, pressing her body intimately against his. He spun her away. “Better yet, let’s get something to drink.”

  “Jackson, my man,” a lanky, tall man said with a grin. “What are you two still doing here?”

  He frowned.

  The other man beside him sent Ava a slightly drunken leer. “Do we really need to spell it out?”

  One of Ava’s bridesmaid and Camy playfully pushed Ava towards him. “Yes, it’s time for you two to go.”

  Panic gripped him. No. No, he couldn’t leave yet!

  Ava smiled up at him. “That’s a good idea.”

  Nooooo!

  She took his hand and said with a sly grin. “Let’s say goodbye to everyone first.”

  His ears rang. He didn’t remember his mouth moving, or his body either as she led him around the room and they thanked their guests and said their goodbyes. He felt like he was saying a different kind of goodbye—goodbye to his freedom, to his plans, to life as he knew it. There was no turning back now.

  As the elevator doors closed and slowly ascended to the top floor, he felt Ava’s tight grip on his hand and silently said goodbye to any chance of escaping.

  Chapter 10

  The woman was a witch.

  He’d sensed there was something dangerous about her and now there was nothing he could do about it. Jackson pounded his fist into the flat of his hand.

  He didn’t want to think about how Ava was torturing his poor brother right now. He still remembered the mistake he’d made. He shouldn’t have responded to the sweet come-hither smile of Ava’s friend Camy, looking alluring with her dark red lips and ink black hair with purple highlights piled high on her head. If he hadn’t met her at the back of the church after his brother and Ava had driven away, he wouldn’t have found himself being detained in a storage room by two guys who looked like they were straight out of a yakuza gangster film.

  Camy introduced them as her brothers before they covered his face, shoved him into a waiting van and drove him to a place he still didn’t know. At least they’d removed the hood.

  Jackson rested his head on the locked door then turned to look at one of the large men who watched him. One of Camy’s brothers. He doubted they were truly related. But the man had a hell of right hook. He found out when he tried to outwit him. They guy had actually apologized before knocking him out.

  Jackson tenderly touched his cheek. Damn, what did they feed these guys in Canada?

  “I don’t like to miss a party so I don’t have a lot of time,” Camy had told him once they’d removed his hood. She sat across from him on a grey metal chair. When he opened his mouth to respond she shook her head, stopping him. “If you do what Ava wants, nothing will happen.”

  His eyes widened. “Ava’s behind all this?”

  “Of course.”

  “What does she want?”

  “A lot of things, but first she doesn’t want you to make it to the reception.”

  “Why not? I have to see my brother Jackson.”

  Camy held out her cell phone and played a recording of Ava’s voice. “We know who you are,” she said. “We know what you’re doing and if you don’t want me to destroy this precious day that means so much to your mother you will do exactly what I say.”

  Jackson clenched his fist. “My mother will recover.”

  Camy played the recording some more. “Will she recover from seeing your father’s company tank? A man with a weak heart shouldn’t run a business that’s so unstable.”

  Jackson frowned annoyed that he was so predictable. “What do you want?”

  Camy hit the recording again. “I want you to disappear for two days.”

  “No.”

  “Otherwise I will charge your brother with fraud right now in front of everyone. How would you like that?”

  Jackson pointed at the phone. “Can’t you turn that thing off and talk to me?”

  Camy shook her head. “No,” the recording said. “And don’t get mad at her. This is your fault for trying to mess with me.”

  “You can’t prove anything.”

  “All I need to do is sow a s
eed of doubt.”

  Jackson rested his hands on his hips and briefly stared at the ceiling—a dirty brown color with a single light blub. “Where is this place?”

  When Camy didn’t reply, he tried another question. “How much money do you want?”

  “I don’t need money,” the recording said.

  “Revenge?”

  “In time.”

  “For what? For this?” He threw out his hands, amazed. “The truth is I didn’t want to marry you, but my brother wanted to help you save face. He’s more of a gentleman than I am.”

  “We had an agreement.”

  “You’re right and since he went through with it, I’ll do my part. Just let me talk to—”

  “It’s too late for that.”

  He swore. “I can’t believe I’m talking to a stupid recording.”

  “Don’t try to ask for any favors. Do you think I’d let you two get together to change places again?”

  “This is my mistake.”

  “No, you didn’t do it alone. You will have to suffer equally.”

  Then the recording went dead.

  And there was no way for him to warn his brother.

  Jackson sat on the cold metal chair, imagining Camy and Ava partying like nothing had happened. He should have gone through with his initial plan and jilted her. He knew there was something strange about her. But he still couldn’t put his finger on it. She didn’t want money. What kind of revenge did she have in store? His mother and stepfather didn’t need the stress she could cause. He’d bide his time until he could figure out what she truly wanted.

  Chapter 11

  Ava opened the door to the honeymoon suite then looked up at James with an expectant look. “Well?”

  “Well what?”

  “Aren’t you going to carry me over the threshold?” She tilted her head. “Unless you want me to carry you.”