“Oh, you decided to join us did you?” Justin, the lead singer of the band walked up behind me. “Dylan is a little upset, I have to say.” He nodded toward the corner of the room. I peeked over at Dylan, who stood there talking to a beautiful blonde. “It looks like you’ve already been replaced.”
She was perfect, like he was. I was too late. A tear started to develop in my eye, but I quickly remembered what Chris said. Don’t leave right away.
Keep torturing yourself, I thought. I decided to stay but refused to sit at the table and look stupid. I peeked over at him for a moment. I wouldn’t interrupt his conversation, but perhaps he would give me a sign—a nod or a gesture inviting me over. His eyes met mine. They were cold, unresponsive. He saw me and turned back to the beautiful lady, ignoring the plea in my eyes. I can’t let this get to me. No one could know I was on the verge of tears.
I made small talk with the people standing by the bar.
“Did you see the cake?”
“It’s beautiful, and I love the wedding sculpture on top! They had an artist from Texas custom make it.”
“It’s perfect! She did a great job at capturing their personalities, didn't she? I love how he is carrying her across the threshold!”
“The artist’s name is Elizabeth Bonura. I heard she even made a life-size cake sculpture of the bride.”
“What a neat idea. I’ll have to get her contact information. My daughter is getting married in June.”
I had never met the wedding couple before, but the playfulness in the figure on top of the cake made me wish I had.
I glanced back over at Dylan. He was still talking to that stupid blonde. I attempted to ignore it. Breathe, I had to keep reminding myself. I wanted to bolt out of there, but I heard Chris’s voice, and it convinced me to stay. Finally, after an eternity, dinner was over.
The wedding couple made their way to the dance floor. Stunning. Dancing runs in the family. Brenda was so radiant. She had Dylan’s eyes. If I had just gotten there earlier, I would have seen the magic of them exchanging vows. I love weddings.
My eyes snuck over to Dylan. He looked so enticing. I bit my lower lip. Extremely dashing. He was so refined, so different than his sex-symbol persona on stage. Even with all his muscles covered, he was irresistible. Irresistible and, I reminded myself, unattainable.
Before long, it was time for the bouquet toss.
“All the single women to the dance floor,” the DJ announced. I stood at my little spot by the bar.
“Are you married?” the bartender asked me.
“No, I’m not. Do I have a label plastered on my forehead that says ‘alone, abandoned old maid’ or something?” I said as a snide remark.
He laughed. “No, you don’t, but I believe they are calling you to the dance floor.”
“I’ll pass,” I said, but then realized I was doing everything I was not supposed to be doing. I was the little loser girl at the bar. And I decided, What the hell, let me pretend I’m having fun. Dylan sure was. There wasn’t a moment he wasn’t surrounded by a beautiful woman.
I made my way to the dance floor. The DJ played the music. Then he would quickly stop it, teasing the crowd of screaming girls I was now a part of. Finally, the bride threw the bouquet. The mob of women somehow parted like the Red Sea, and in slow motion, the bouquet came closer and closer until it was in my arms. What the hell just happened? I thought to myself. Someone lifted my hand as if to say congratulations.
I walked back to the safety of the bar and the bartender gave me a secret wink.
“Well, maybe you won’t be an old maid after all,” he laughed.
All of the gentlemen swarmed to the dance floor. It was time for the garter toss. Dylan stood in the crowd. Secretly I hoped Dylan would catch it. After a few pauses in the music to fake out the congregation of guys, the garter was flung through the air. Dylan jumped as if in a baseball game. But Trevor, another one of the guys from Justin’s band, ended up getting it.
Oh shit, the thought came to my mind. He is now going to have to put the garter up my thigh.
“Damn,” I said under my breath. I was pulled from the safety of the bar to a chair in the middle of the dance floor. I could see Dylan on the side of the room talking to Trevor—I assumed telling him I was now free game.
A stripper song began to play as Trevor came to the floor. He was such a ham.
“Now remember, every inch above the knee is another year of happiness for the bride and groom,” the DJ trumpeted.
Trevor danced in front of me, giving me my own personal lap dance. The crowd went wild as I sat there blushing, trying to look away. Without hesitation, he fell to his knees with the garter in his teeth ready to put it on me that way.
“No, no, no . . .” My face got warm and I shook my head. Even in the spirit of fun, even to get back at Dylan for avoiding me all night, I wouldn’t let him stick his head up my dress.
Dramatically disappointed, he pouted at the crowd. A unanimous awe came from the spectators. Taking the garter in his hands, he stretched it over my heel and slowly slid it up my calf as if he were seducing me. Ever so slowly, he allowed the crowd to egg him on as he sensually proceeded up towards my knee.
“Now remember every inch above the knee is another year of happiness for the bride and groom,” the DJ repeated. And soon his hands slid over my knee and began up my thigh. I was just about to stop him, when Dylan darted out of the crowd and grabbed his hands.
“That is enough,” he gave us a cold stare. He then turned to the crowd, gave them a fake grin, and applauded for us. He continued to applaud as he walked off the dance floor.
Trevor gave me a wink. “What a party pooper.” Then he leaned in and whispered, “Call me. I will help you get over him.”
“I’m sure you could. That was quite a performance,” I joked, then searched the crowd for Dylan. I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t want to follow Dylan like a lost puppy, but I wanted to talk to him so bad. If he wanted to come over, he would have. He was the one who was mad.
I went to my sacred place by the bar and was thinking it was probably about time for me to go home, when I saw the bride and groom alone in a corner and decided to say congratulations and goodbye.
“You’re Nicole?” Brenda asked. “It’s nice to meet you. You’re as beautiful as he said you’d be. He really likes you Nicole. Thank you for coming,” Brenda smiled at me and I blushed. The couple gave me a hug and then were swamped by other guests.
He talked to her about me?
A refined woman soon walked over to me. “You must be Nicole.”
“Yes, I am. And you are?”
“I am Dylan’s mother.”
I felt so stupid. I should have known that. I should have asked someone. “Congratulations on your daughter’s wedding. She is a beautiful bride.”
She just nodded. “So Nicole, what do you do for a living?”
Oh great. Interrogation time. How was I supposed to tell this elite woman that her prince of a son was dating a waitress?
“Well,” I stalled, biting my lip.
“That is what I thought.” She gave me a judgmental glare. “Listen dear, I will be frank. I don’t appreciate you making my son wait on his sister’s wedding day; you should have more respect for him than that.”
“I missed my flight. I’m truly sorry.”
“I have to tell you, he has women who are not just looking for a free ride, who are better educated and better suited for his attention.”
I just stood there with my mouth open for a moment. What was I to say to that? Breathe, Nicole, breathe.
“I’m sorry you feel that way,” I began. “I really am not standing in the way of anything. I didn’t fawn after him if that is what you are implying. He pursued me. I’m sorry if I do not meet your standards. If you’ll excuse me.” I pushed my way past her before she could see the stupid tear welling up in the corner of my eye.
Oh my god, what a bitch. It’s definitely time for me to go. I wal
ked away quickly, not looking back.
Making my way back to Trevor, I asked him to give Dylan a message. “Please tell Dylan I’m sorry. I missed my flight. I’m going to leave now; I have outstayed my welcome. Could you give him this? Please be careful with it.” I handed him the envelope with the money Dylan had given me as well as the gift invoice for Jessica’s bedroom set. “Please make sure he gets this. Tell him I’ll pay him back for the cab.”
“I will. Do you need a ride or anything? Let me get my keys. You must need a ride.”
“No. I’ll be fine.” I held back the tears. Chris and Emily would have been proud of me.
“Just for the record,” Trevor admitted, “it’s his loss.”
“Good luck with your music, Trevor.”
Trevor handed me a card with his name on it. “You can call if you need anything, like a private dance,” he winked, “or anything. I know you’re here alone in Seattle. You can stay at my place.”
“I’ll be fine, Trevor. You’re really sweet inside that tough exterior.”
“Well, just in case you need it, you can call. Seattle’s a fun town, trust me. I’d be happy to leave.”
“Thank you.” I took the card with his number on it, putting it in my purse. I walked to the coat check and handed them my ticket. The man handed back my jacket. I sighed, glad that I could finally escape.
As I proceeded to grab my coat, someone took it out of my arms and handed it back to the man behind the counter. Gently, I felt Dylan move the hair that cascaded out of my bun away from my neckline. His lips savored my bare neck as if he was Dracula. I almost surrendered to his deadly, hypnotizing bite. I closed my eyes, but then I jolted my body around.
“Stop, Dylan. Stop. I can’t do this anymore.” Realizing I had to be strong, I turned back to the attendant, “I do need my coat. Can you call me a cab?” As he handed me back the jacket, Dylan pried it from my arms, turning back to the man behind the counter. “Don’t call her a cab. I’ll give her a ride.”
“No, Dylan. I’m really done. I went through hell to get here tonight, and you ignored me. Obviously, I do not fit into your world. Go back to the harem of girls who followed you around all night or that perfect blonde you spent an hour with.”
“Are you jealous? Is that what this is about? Is my Nikki jealous?” He smiled at me as if it were somehow amusing.
“I am not your Nikki. I promised myself when I left Ronald that I’d never let a man make me feel like this. I deserve better. I thought you were different. Don’t touch me.” I brushed his hand off me and again turned to the man. “Please call me a cab.” I grabbed my coat again.
“Don’t!” Dylan commanded the coat attendant not to pick up the phone.
“Fine, then I’ll just ask Trevor. He said I could stay with him.”
You could see the anger building in Dylan. His face turned red and the veins on his neck seemed strained for even suggesting it. Unconsciously, I flinched turning my head and bracing myself. A horrified expression appeared on his face and he stood there in disbelief.
“Nicole, did you think I’d hit you?” He took my hands. “I would never lay a hand on you, baby. Never.”
I didn’t know how to respond. I examined his composure. When I didn’t feel threatened anymore, I took my hands out of his and changed the subject. Peeking up at him, I sassily questioned, “Are you jealous?”
“When I saw you catch the bouquet, I knew I had to catch the garter, but Trevor did. The jerk said that you were free game. I almost killed him. When his hand went up your leg, I just about lost it.”
“It was all for show. He was just playing around,” I explained.
“You can’t go home with Trevor; you don’t know him like I do. I’ll give you a ride.” He took the coat out of my hands and placed it back on the counter. “When you didn’t show up for the wedding, I worried something might have happened to you. I thought that guy did something. I kept looking at the door during the whole service. You never showed. I was so worried, I couldn’t focus on the fact my baby sister was getting married. I tried not to care, but I was so mad that you went to see that place without me. Of all days, why today? Today it was so important to me that you were here. When the service ended and you didn’t show, I was devastated. I couldn’t believe how much it hurt me. I swore to myself it was over. Then you walked through the door with the moonlight kissing your hair, and you looked like an angel. My angel.” He looked at me with such intensity, as if I was the only person in the world, as if he was all mine.
“I need you, Nicole. I know now, I need you.”
“This is your world Dylan. I really don’t belong here.”
“You do belong. I’m sorry I didn’t run to you when I first saw you.”
“Well, you didn’t. Instead of coming to me, you spent it with every other single woman in here. I need a man who doesn’t let me second-guess myself. You really hurt me tonight. I know I was late, and I know you were worried, but I’d rather be alone than feel like this again.”
“I’m sorry, Nicole. I truly am sorry.” He pleaded with his eyes, and I turned my head to avoid his hypnotizing glance.
“No, I’m sorry, Dylan. It’s over.” I started to leave, forgetting my jacket. As I walked away, I heard the violins beckoning in the distance. Dylan rushed around me to stop me from leaving. He gently he lifted my chin so I got captivated by his eyes. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled my body close to him. I started to push him away, but he held me so I couldn’t escape.
“It’s not over. It’s just beginning.” His eyes lit up as he proceeded to serenade me in front of the entire room.
“It was fascination, I know,” he sang.
I started to blush.
“Seeing you alone with the moonlight above.”
He stroked my cheek.
“Then I touch your hand.”
He took my hand and brought it to his lips
“And next moment I kiss you,”
And gently kissed my hand.
“Fascination turned to love.”
Taking my hand, he led me out to the dance floor, inviting my body into the waltz. “Will the future Mrs. Richardson have this dance? Nicole Richardson, it has a beautiful ring to it.”
I realized I caught the bouquet, and he was just playing around. I couldn’t stay mad at him. I realized I wanted to savor every moment with him.
Our bodies became one as he swept me across the dance floor. I vanished into the magical place where he again became my Prince Charming. As the music ended, he dipped me.
“You look so beautiful tonight.” He leaned in closer and his lips met mine. There we were in the middle of the dance floor, yet we were lost in our own little world.
“I hope you don’t get me kicked out of here because of that illegal kiss of yours.” Dylan kissed me one last time and took my hand, leading me off the dance floor. “I sang your song last night. They really loved it.”
“You did?” I looked up at him. I wish I had been there.
“I dedicated it to the only woman who won’t let me take my pants off.”
“You did not.”
“Ask the guys. They think I’m whipped or something.” He stopped walking. His chocolate-brown eyes sparked. “Maybe I am.” He smiled, kissing me. “Let’s get out of here before you get me in trouble.”
He took my hand and led me over to his parents. I did not want to talk to his mother again; it was obvious she felt I wasn’t good enough for their family. I fidgeted.
I didn’t have the heart to tell him what she said to me. He took me over to them, despite my silent protests.
“Mom and Dad, I’m going to be heading out soon, but I wanted to say goodbye and introduce you to my future bride, Nicole.”
There was an element of surprise in their eyes. Before there was another bash-Nicole session, I wanted to put their minds at ease. “I caught the bouquet. He’s just playing around.” You could see a sigh of relief, especially from his mom.
“It�
��s nice to meet you, darling.” His father leaned in and gave me a hug.
“We met earlier,” his mother mentioned—her voice sterile, almost dismissive. She nodded. Extending her arm, she shook my hand to avoid a hug.
“It was nice to meet the two of you.” I wouldn’t let her intimidate me. Dylan whisked me away. The bride and groom began making their exit. He rushed me over to his sister Brenda and her new husband.
“We met earlier, Dylan. She’s as sweet as you said she would be.” Brenda turned to me, “You don’t break his heart now.”
Me, break his heart?
“It was wonderful meeting the two of you again. Congratulations.”
“It was nice meeting you too, Nicole. I hope we will see you again soon.”
Dylan displayed me around the room as he said his goodbyes. We got to the blonde on the other side of the room, who he had spent an eternity with earlier. I couldn’t show that I was incredibly jealous of this woman. She glared at my hand in Dylan’s as if it disgusted her. Who was she, an ex-lover? It was obvious she considered him more than a friend.
“Sarah, this is Nicole. Nicole, this is Sarah.”
“Nice to meet you,” we both said and shook hands.
“We’re going to get outta here; it was great seeing you, though.” He gave her a hug goodbye.
“You’re leaving so soon?” her syrup-sweet voice questioned.
“Nicole has never seen Seattle before. I guess I’ll see you around. Tell your folks bye for me.”
Who the hell was this chick, and why was I so threatened by her? I didn’t dare ask.
He took my hand, we said a few more goodbyes, and he walked me out into the moonlight.
“Finally, you are all mine.”
Chapter Twenty-four
“Nicole, I have never seen anyone
who looks at the world the way you do.
I bet if you tried, you could capture things
most of us have forgotten to see.”
The Impostor, A Love Story Page 17
