Their robes were removed and Danica moved to cover herself.
“How are they going to wrap you in Mayan-herb-infused sheets if you’re all covered up?” Kaylie asked.
“I don’t look like you,” Danica hissed, glad the women were busy with the sheets.
“Who are you kidding? You are stunning. Just look at yourself.”
“No, thank you.” Danica reluctantly dropped her hands and was surprised when the women guided them into yet another room, where enormous sheets covered low tables that were triple the size of the ones in the previous room. She shivered, not from the cold, but from the embarrassment of standing naked in a room.
Kaylie must have noticed her discomfort. “You’re so repressed, Danica.”
“No, I’m not.”
Kaylie rolled her eyes.
“Okay, maybe a little. I’m modest; that’s all.”
The Stepfords began exfoliating their skin, explaining what they were doing as they moved swiftly across every inch of their bodies. At first Danica braced herself against the abrasive touch, but then she began to enjoy the strange roughness against her skin. To her surprise—and embarrassment—her body responded in ways that it shouldn’t have. Her nipples peaked, and as the woman worked her way up her inner thighs, she felt herself clench down below. Please don’t let her notice. The woman moved from her upper thighs up her pelvis and along her hips. Danica glanced at Kaylie out of the corner of her eye. Her sister’s eyes were closed, and her body didn’t seem to be reacting in any way. Heat rushed up Danica’s chest and cheeks. What have I become?
Ten embarrassingly painful minutes later, they were eased down to a lying position on the warm sheets, and the women began wrapping them in the infused sheets.
Even the touch of the warm sheets against her skin sent sensual shivers through Danica. What on earth is wrong with me? She clenched her jaw against the reactions and told herself to think about something bad. Painful. Ugly.
Spanking.
Oh God, no!
A punch in the gut.
Yes, that’s good.
She hung on to that awful thought as they completed the process. The women left the room, and Danica listened for Kaylie. Why wasn’t she going on and on about something nonsensical?
“Kay?”
“Shh.”
“But I want to talk.”
“Honor your body’s need for relaxation,” she parroted.
Danica thought about her mother and what she’d say to her when she saw her. It had to be a mistake. Surely her mother wasn’t dumb enough to go back to a relationship that had hurt her so deeply. They were probably just waxing nostalgic. Yes, that must be it. Danica had to let this go. That was all there was to it. She was marrying Blake, and she couldn’t let anything stand in her way, especially something that she wasn’t sure really existed.
“Hey, Dan,” Kaylie said.
“Yeah.”
“We’re gonna be okay, right? We’re not gonna end up like Mom, are we?”
I sure hope not. “We’re gonna be just fine. Don’t you worry, Kaylie. You’re gonna have your happily ever after and live a long, happy life with the man who adores you and your babies.”
The words didn’t taste as confident as they sounded.
Chapter Twenty
Rejuvenated and refreshed, with impeccable skin, hair, and nails, Danica and Kaylie crossed the lobby toward the elevator. Danica promised herself she’d leave the parental stress behind and respect her mind’s and body’s need for peace.
They ran into Max at the elevator.
“Max?” Danica noticed that she was wearing the same cute shift that she’d had on the evening before.
“Wow. You two look stunning.”
“Thanks. So do you,” Kaylie said, obviously oblivious to Max’s rumpled outfit.
“Where are you coming from?” Danica asked with a coy smile.
“I, um.” Max pointed toward the corridor that led to Treat’s office. “I had to go over the details for today.”
I bet you did.
The elevator doors opened, and Lacy stepped out, looking every bit as beat up as Danica had just hours earlier.
“You okay?” Danica whispered.
Lacy shrugged.
“Go to the spa. Tell them you’re with me. You deserve it.”
“I can’t do that. I’m fine.”
Danica took Lacy’s hand and looked into her sad eyes. “Lacy, honey, you need to let this go.” She walked her toward the spa. “They’ll massage it out of you, and I promise you, you’ll feel loads better.”
Lacy looked at her watch.
“It’s not even ten. You have plenty of time. Go. An hour or two will do wonders for you.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, go.” She lowered her voice. “Oh, and I didn’t tell Kaylie. I think it’s best if we keep this between us. They’re adults. Let them figure out their own mess.”
As Lacy headed in the direction of the spa, Danica headed for the elevators.
Treat suddenly appeared beside her. “How was the spa?”
Danica was beginning to think that he was some sort of wizard who could appear out of thin air. “Incredible. Extravagant. Sinfully delicious. Thank you.” She smiled at him, but he wasn’t looking at her. He was staring right at Max.
In the elevator, Danica noticed Max’s leg bouncing nervously in her heels. She nibbled on her lower lip as Kaylie spouted on and on about their spa treatment. Danica tried to tune out Kaylie and figure out what Max was so nervous about. Could it be just the wedding? She was so organized, Danica knew the wedding would be perfectly coordinated.
Just when the elevator doors opened and Max looked as though she might sprint away, Kaylie stepped into the hallway and said, “Are you even going to tell us why you’re wearing the same clothes as last night, or are we all going to pretend that Max didn’t just have a tropical tryst?”
The blood drained from Max’s face.
“Kaylie!” Danica moved toward Max. “It’s okay, Max. She’s just teasing.”
“I didn’t have a tryst.” Between the folding and unfolding of her arms and the way Max looked away, she was looking more and more like a guilty teenager.
“Then what’s with the walk-of-shame clothes?” Kaylie teased.
“Okay, so I was out all night, but I didn’t...you know,” Max admitted.
They started down the hall.
“Well, why the hell not?” Kaylie asked.
Max stopped walking.
Kaylie turned around. “What?”
“That’s private, don’t you think?” Danica chided Kaylie. Treat. She had to be with Treat. How could she have resisted him?
“Please don’t say anything to Chaz. I like to keep my personal and professional life separate.”
“Don’t worry,” Danica assured her. “Kaylie and I won’t say a word.”
Kaylie rolled her eyes. “Max. Max! This is me you’re talking to. Kaylie! I won’t tell Chaz, but Danica and I are getting married. Taken off the market for good. All we’ll have are stories from our single girlfriends to live vicariously through. Come on. Share a little tiny bit?”
Max’s cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red. “Well.”
“You don’t have to do this,” Danica said.
“It’s okay. It’s not like I’ll ever see him again.”
Oh no! Treat? I’ll kill him. I told him you weren’t a one-night-stand girl!
“Late yesterday afternoon I took a walk down by the beach and I met this guy. I guess he teaches snorkeling here.”
Dane?
“Anyway,” Max continued, “Justin asked me to go out for a drink, so I met him after the rehearsal dinner and we had a few drinks.”
“All night?” Kaylie asked with an arched brow.
“No. After drinks we went for a walk.”
“Okay, now we’re getting to the good stuff.” Kaylie rubbed her hands together.
“Not that kind of good stuff,” Max
said. “We walked and talked, and then we just sat and watched the water. That’s it, until the sun came up.”
“And?” Kaylie pushed.
“And then we went to a little café down the road and had breakfast. We walked and talked some more, and...” She shrugged.
“That’s it?” Disappointment weighed down Kaylie’s words.
“That sounds like a perfect romantic evening,” Danica said, hugging Max.
“It was. He was kind and easy to talk to. I really enjoyed it.” Max looked away as she spoke, as if she didn’t quite believe that she enjoyed it.
“Then why won’t you see him again? Are you a glutton for punishment?” Kaylie didn’t notice the back-off glare Danica cast in her direction.
Max shrugged. She fidgeted with her hands, and her eyes filled with sadness. “I just...I’m not that into him...Oh, never mind. I’m just tired.”
If you were with Justin, why was Treat leering at you? “You know what I think? Enjoy it while you’re here. Don’t overthink what might or might not be, and see where you are when you leave tomorrow.”
“Perfect advice,” Kaylie said. “Leave the door wide open for a good romp.”
Before opening her hotel room door, Max said, “I almost forgot to tell you. Chaz and Blake will meet you at the island. Chaz said they can’t ride over with you because Kaylie insisted that you guys not see each other before the actual ceremony.”
“I can’t believe he remembered,” Kaylie said.
“The man adores you. What can I say? Oh, and your mom has the kids, and Camille and the rest of your entourage said they’ll meet you in your room at eleven thirty.” Max stepped into her room and Kaylie and Danica continued toward theirs.
“Look at her go. She’s here a few hours and hooks up with one of the hottest guys at the resort. Good for her.” Kaylie fiddled with her keys.
Danica was so much more relaxed than she’d been earlier. As the memory of their parents under the tree floated into her mind, she was able to force it away. Today was their day, and she wasn’t going to let anyone ruin it. Including herself.
Chapter Twenty-One
The spa had done wonders for Lacy, who was helping Kaylie into her wedding dress while Camille took photographs and Chelsea and Marie assisted Danica with her bridal gown. Lacy’s hair was shiny, each curl in place, and while her skin had looked tired that morning, it was now lustrous and revived. Each of the girls wore a gold strapless bridesmaid gown that shimmered against the light and accentuated their slim figures. Danica, Blake, Chaz, and Kaylie had given them each a pair of pearl earrings to commemorate the day and to thank them for the generosity of their time and energy.
The girls chatted about how beautiful Kaylie looked in her sleek sleeveless satin gown, which matched the style of the bridesmaids’ except for the length. Her straight hair framed her face, and Danica thought she’d never seen Kaylie look so beautiful.
Chelsea zipped Danica’s dress and said, “Voilà!”
There was a collective gasp in the room.
“What?” Danica frantically looked down at her gown, expecting to see a big stain or tear, something to cause such a reaction.
“Danica,” Kaylie said in a breathy voice, “you are the most beautiful bride I have ever seen.”
Danica turned to look in the mirror as Chelsea and Marie came up behind her, gazing over her shoulder.
“Without a doubt,” Marie said.
“Gorgeous,” Camille agreed.
While Kaylie’s dress hugged her body, sweeping into a glamorous flare just below her knees, Danica wore an elegant David Tutera strapless gown with a basque waistline. It was made of reembroidered lace and three-dimensional organza, and it flared into a structured accordion pleated skirt with a chapel-length train. The hairdressers had lifted the sides of her hair and secured it with sequined combs, leaving tendrils of curls dangling sexily to her chin. She touched the slim waist she saw in the mirror, ran her fingers gently up her neck. She could hardly believe that the gorgeous woman looking back at her was, in fact, her. She touched her cheek, her flat stomach, the pleats in the skirt. Danica was mesmerized by her own image, her heart fluttering in her chest. I am a beautiful bride.
Someone answered a knock at the door, and a minute later, her mother walked in. Helen covered her mouth in awe. Tears welled and fell without warning. “Danica,” she whispered. Then she turned to Kaylie. “Oh my goodness. You’re positively beautiful.” She turned back to Danica, whose face had heated and flushed. “Both of you.”
Kaylie broke the trance of the gowns. “Mom? Where are Trev and Lexi?”
“Oh, they’re with Michelle and the others.”
“Did they eat? Are they ready?”
“Yes, Kaylie. Bathed, fed, dressed, and being perfect little angels. I just had to see my two beautiful girls.”
“Thank you, Mom.” Danica hugged and kissed her mother, then wiped away the light red lipstick print she’d left on her cheek. “Did you see Blake and Chaz?”
“Oh yes,” she said. “They’re nervous as the day is long, but ready. And so handsome.”
“When are they going over? When can we go downstairs?” Kaylie asked.
“You girls are going to go first. They said they wanted you to be prepared and all that. So, are you almost ready?”
“Yes,” Max said. She picked up her day planner and began leafing through it.
“Max, look at you. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look so beautiful.”
Danica heard the sincerity in her mother’s voice and took in the figure-hugging gold dress and Max’s long, lean legs. Her hair, like the evening before, billowed around her shoulders. The dark of her hair and the shimmer of her dress highlighted her hazel eyes.
“She’s right, Max. You are gorgeous.” Danica’s eyes swept the room. “Good Lord, look around. This room has the hottest women in the entire hotel.”
That started a din of compliments as they headed toward the elevators, Camille, Marie, and Lacy holding the brides’ trains off the floor.
“Mom, do you need to go down and tell them we’re coming? We don’t want them to see us,” Kaylie said.
“They’re waiting in the restaurant. Don’t worry. They have strict orders not to enter the lobby.”
Suddenly the image of her mother and father under the palm tree rushed back at Danica, almost knocking her off her feet. Panic rose in her chest. “Wait! I have to go to my room for a minute.” Danica grabbed her purse from Max and ran down the hall. Her train pulled from the girls’ hands and bounced along behind her.
“Danica!” Kaylie yelled.
Danica opened the door to her and Blake’s room and yanked her train inside, then slammed the door, leaning against it. Her heart thundered in her chest. She breathed fast and hard as she stumbled to the bed, telling herself to calm down.
She picked up the pillow and brought it to her nose, inhaling deeply. The smell of Blake filled her senses. She lowered it to her lap and ran her fingers over the pillow. I love you so much.
She didn’t know why she’d run away. Shutting herself in the room wouldn’t solve anything. What the hell was she thinking? She was getting married, damn it, and all this other shit needed to go away.
Someone knocked on the door.
“Be right out. I just need a minute,” Danica called.
“It’s me.”
Lacy.
Danica stared at the door, picturing Lacy crying beside her in the ladies’ room, feeling her fingertips in her own.
“Danica? Can I come in?”
Danica crossed the room and, with a shaking hand, opened the door for the only other person in the world who knew what was racing around inside her and shattering her heart.
Lacy came into the room and closed the door. They stood facing each other.
Lacy tried to force a smile, but only the right side of her mouth lifted.
Danica nodded, understanding Lacy’s failure to feign a smile, which mirrored Danica’s inability to
figure out how to handle the worry, fear, and sadness of the thoughts that secretly led them through the day.
“It’s okay,” Lacy said.
“Yeah. I know.”
“We’re not them. Blake’s not him.” Lacy reached for Danica’s hand.
Danica turned her face away so Lacy wouldn’t see the dampness in her eyes. She spotted a light blue envelope on the counter in the bathroom. She dropped Lacy’s hand and retrieved the envelope, recognizing Blake’s handwriting in her name on the front. Danica ran her finger under the seal and withdrew a card. On the front was a picture of a dark-haired couple embracing, set against the backdrop of winter. They both wore jeans, and the woman had on red boots and a red hat. The man’s back was arched with the weight of the woman, and her legs kicked happily off the ground. Blake had written “You” and drawn an arrow to the woman and “Me” with an arrow pointing toward the man. She smiled as she opened the card and read Blake’s handwritten note.
My beautiful Danica,
The second I saw you in the café, everything in my life changed. Oxygen wasn’t enough, food tasted bad, my heart felt empty, and each breath no longer felt complete. The night we kissed for the very first time, my lungs began to function, and my heart realized what it had been missing. When we first made love, you became my only lover and my best friend. You became my oxygen and my breath itself. When we moved in together, I knew I’d never long for another person in my life the way I longed to be with you. Every second we’re apart, every breath that’s not comingled in our kisses, every minute we disagree, it’s like all those moments are part of something bigger that draws me closer to you, making me want you as my wife, my lover, my friend. And today, if you do me the honor of loving me and being my wife, I can promise you that I’ll be your oxygen when you need it. I’ll be your strength when your heart hurts, and I’ll be your friend, sharing in your laughter, your sadness, your joy, and your worry. I can’t promise you that we’ll never argue or that I’ll never say the wrong thing, but I can promise you that I’ll forever be the man that you hope I’ll be. The man that you deserve.
Beautiful Danica Joy Snow, don’t let the worries of others keep us from having what we both want and deserve. I’m not him. You’re not her. We’re not them.
Sisters in White Page 12
