by Elena Aitken
Her mouth fell open. She had definitely not been expecting him to say that, which made sense because he hadn’t been expecting to say it.
She shook her head, but there was no way he was going to let her walk away from this conversation. He took a step toward her, so he stood directly in front of her.
“Nick, I don’t know...I can’t...there really isn’t—”
He silenced her with a kiss. This one deeper and more meaningful than the one earlier in the day. He wrapped his arms around her and pressed her close to him. She melted into the kiss easily, and this time she didn’t push him away. When finally, he stepped back and pulled his lips softly off hers, he kept hold of her hand.
Alarm bells rang in his head. He shouldn’t have done that. There was no way it was going to turn out okay. Missy was still Missy. She was still Jake’s little sister. She was still off-limits.
But none of that mattered at that moment. Not with the way she was looking at him. A little smile lifted the corner of her lips and finally she spoke.
“Did that just happen?”
He nodded and returned the smile, pushing all of the worries and reasons they shouldn’t be doing it out of his head. None of it mattered. “It certainly did. I hope it wasn’t as strange as the one this afternoon, because this kiss was just for us.”
She shook her head briefly. “No,” she said. “There was definitely nothing strange about that.”
Missy had to be thinking about the first time they’d kissed and the fallout from that moment. But if she was, she didn’t say anything, which was fine by him. As far as Nick was concerned, none of that mattered anymore.
With her hand still in his, he pulled a chair close to hers and they sat. “How about we work on those speeches together? And maybe later we could—”
“Practice our dance again?”
He laughed. Yes, that was definitely a safer idea.
Chapter Six
After an evening writing speeches and dancing around the living room, Marissa had gone to bed in an almost dream-like state. Was it really possible that after all these years, they were finally coming together? Did they actually have a chance to be together?
The question danced through her head as she tossed and turned and attempted to sleep.
Attempted because every time she closed her eyes, she remembered the kiss and relived every second of it. Like he’d said earlier, there was definitely nothing strange about that kiss. It wasn’t done for others, just them.
They hadn’t kissed again, but as far as Marissa was concerned, that was almost better because now there was an easiness between them that hadn’t been there before. They laughed and joked, and the tension was gone.
When she was finally able to fall asleep, she fell into a deeply disturbing dream.
It was her wedding day. She walked down the aisle in the dress of her dreams, toward what had to be the man of her dreams. When he turned around, she could see it was Nick. Her heart swelled with happiness and then as she reached the altar, he began to laugh.
A cruel, heartless laugh. Just like he had all those years ago when she’d been so sure he loved her back. The laughter went on for what seemed like forever, as she simply stood there, crushed by the love of her life as he rejected her in the harshest way she could imagine, on her wedding day.
Marissa woke with a start to see the sun was starting to peek through her blinds. She sat up in bed and tried to process what had just happened.
It wasn’t real.
They were past that. The laughing. The childishness. The rejection. That was in the past.
There was nothing funny about the way they’d kissed last night.
Things had definitely shifted between them. Her subconscious had gotten it wrong.
And it wasn’t them who were getting married anyway. Dreams didn’t make any sense. Her subconscious had just muddled everything up into one big mess. It was probably because she never had any closure on what had happened between them.
Maybe she should just ask him about it and find out once and for all how she’d been so wrong about how Nick had felt about her.
Marissa stretched her arms over her head and took a few deep, cleansing breaths. By the time she was on her last exhale, she felt dramatically better and had managed to calm herself down. She’d also decided that she wasn’t a child anymore, and she was definitely going to confront him for an explanation about the way he’d laughed at her. No matter what the answer was, she needed to know. It was only fair.
Besides, it wasn’t as if she had any real expectations about what was going on between them now. Not really. She wasn’t a kid anymore. Things had changed. She had changed. She was no longer an insecure, lovestruck teenager.
No.
Whatever was happening—or not—with Nick, she was going in with her eyes wide open.
After a quick shower, Marissa was in their shared kitchen, pouring herself a cup of coffee, when Nick walked out of his own bedroom, looking ridiculously handsome in his workout shorts and t-shirt, and smelling even better.
“Good morning, beautiful.”
Her heart soared and when he bent down to kiss her on the cheek, she thought she might totally combust.
So much for not having any expectations.
“Did you sleep well?”
She nodded, although it was a lie. “How about you? Are you ready for a day of mountain biking with Jake?” Despite Jenny’s protests that they would get bruised or potentially break a leg, Jake had insisted that for the day before the wedding, he had a guys’ day on the mountain trails. Jenny was still nervous about it, but Marissa was pretty sure a day at the spa would help her relax and forget about any stresses.
Marissa was also hoping it would help her.
“It should be a fun day.” Nick accepted the cup of coffee she handed him with a smile and a nod and leaned against the counter. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been on a mountain bike. I hope I remember how.”
“Something tells me, you’ll be just fine.”
“I’m sure I will be.” He winked at her and took a sip of his coffee. “And what are you doing later? Maybe we can catch up and...”
“And what?” She gave him a coy little smile, fully aware that she was flirting, and enjoying every second of it.
“And maybe have dinner?”
“Are you asking me out? Like on a date?” She held her breath and only a moment later blew it out and shook her head. “Never mind. I just remembered that it’s the rehearsal dinner tonight.”
“Really?”
She laughed. “Did you not read everything?”
“Seriously. There’s a lot to read. These two are intense.”
“They just know what they want, and there’s nothing wrong with that.” Marissa’s smile faded. “But I guess we’ll have to postpone that date.”
She turned away so he wouldn’t see how disappointed she must look, but he grabbed her arm and spun her around so she faced him. He grasped her by her upper arms and looked directly into her eyes. “We’ll find time.” He kissed her softly. “I promise.”
She believed him. They chatted easily while they finished their coffee and got ready for their days. “I’ll see you tonight at dinner,” she said as they left their suite together.
“I’m looking forward to it.” Nick gave her a kiss on the cheek this time, a move that felt very familiar and just right for that moment, because a second later, voices from down the hall interrupted them, and Nick moved a few steps away from her. She shot him a look of question, but he either didn’t notice or ignored her.
They were joined by Marissa’s mother and father and the moment for intimacy between them, or whatever it was that was happening, was gone as they all walked down to the lobby together. It wasn’t until later, when Marissa was alone with the women, that she realized she’d completely forgotten to talk to Nick about their past.
* * *
Nick was very much aware, as he was hurtling down the mountain trails on h
is bike, that he should be paying a lot more attention to the terrain. At the speeds they were going, any misplaced root or rock could mean a crash and a potentially broken bone or worse.
But knowing he should pay attention and actually doing so were two totally different things, because for the life of him, Nick could not concentrate on anything besides Missy and the kiss they’d shared the night before.
He knew he was playing with fire when it came to her, but he just couldn’t seem to stay away from her. The right thing to do the night before would have been to deliver her dinner and leave her alone. But he couldn’t do it. Especially not after stealing that kiss from her by the pond earlier.
No. There was no way he could stay away from her. Not again.
He’d backed off once, but that was because they’d been kids. Jake would have killed him if he’d gone after Missy, but things were different now.
At least he thought they were.
“Whoa! Slow down, man.” Jake yelled at him as he went flying by him on the trail, almost taking him out in the process.
Nick pressed hard on the brakes and came to a skidding stop in a flurry of dirt a few feet away.
“What the hell?” Jake demanded when Nick looked back up the trail to him. “Are you totally zoned out or what? You almost hit me.”
“Sorry.” Nick shook his head. “I was just lost in a thought, I guess.”
“A thought?” Jake got on his bike and rode down to stand beside him. “What the hell kind of thought had you so distracted that you almost killed me the day before my wedding?” He laughed and punched Nick in the shoulder.
“Women.” It wasn’t a complete lie.
“Ha. I knew it. Only the finer sex can distract you like that.” Jake swung his leg over his bike. “Let’s take a break here and sit on that rock.”
Nick nodded and followed his best friend off the trail to a little outcropping of rocks that looked out over the valley.
“This is pretty incredible,” Nick said as they sat down. “What a view and holy shit, you’re getting married tomorrow.”
“I am.” Jake laughed. “And I can’t wait. She’s the love of my life and I couldn’t be happier.”
“That’s good.” Nick nodded. “I’m really happy for you. Jenny’s great.”
“She is,” Jake agreed. “But you’re totally deflecting from the topic at hand.” He eyed Nick. “Who is the woman who has you so distracted you almost killed me?”
“I didn’t almost kill you.” Nick socked his buddy in the arm. “And I didn’t say it was a woman.”
“So women in general then?” Jake laughed. “Seriously, when are you going to settle down?”
“When I find the right one.” Or convince the right one to be with me, he thought, but didn’t say out loud.
“Are you telling me that you’ve never met someone you could picture yourself falling in love with? You must have met thousands of women traveling the way you do. Surely one of them must be the right one.”
Nick shrugged noncommittally. “Well, there was one. A long time ago.”
“Oh yeah?”
Nick nodded. “In high school.” He took a deep breath. He might as well get it over with and tell Jake that he was and always had been in love with his little sister. If anything was ever going to happen with Missy, really happen, he needed to do this. And they weren’t kids anymore. Jake shouldn’t have any reason to object to them being together and then finally he could tell Missy how he really felt. How he’d always felt. “There was a—”
“High school?” Jake interrupted him and burst into laughter. “No one knows how they feel in high school. Especially when it comes to love.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that—”
“And really, that’s a relief to hear,” Jake interrupted him again. “Because I’m not going to lie to you, buddy. There was a time when I was worried you might have a thing for my sister.”
Nick’s gut twisted. “Missy?”
“I know.” Jake shook his head. “It’s ridiculous, isn’t it? But it’s true. Especially senior year, and then freshman year of college, I totally thought you had a thing for Marissa. I was actually going to say something about it but then it seemed to go away.”
“Oh yeah? You were going to say something?”
“Totally.” Jake nodded. “Because there was no way I was going to let that happen. Not in any way.”
Nick thought he might be sick. “Really?”
“Hell no, Nick. You and Missy? That’s ridiculous! And so wrong. You’re practically related.”
“But we’re not.”
“You might as well be,” Jake continued, oblivious of the internal struggle going on with Nick. “Besides, it’s never a good idea to get involved with anyone you’re close to like that. Can you imagine what would have happened if you two dated?”
He could. They could have been insanely happy and have spent the last eight years building a life together. But he didn’t say anything.
“It would have ended in disaster and then this would all be destroyed.” Jake gestured between them. “It would have ruined everything.”
“Not necessarily.”
Jake turned and gave Nick a strange look. “Are you kidding me right now?”
“I’m not saying—”
“There’s no way, Nick. Sisters and friends are off-limits. Always have been. I’m just glad I didn’t have to kick your ass back then to make my point.” He slapped Nick on the back and grabbed his water bottle. “But that doesn’t change the fact that you still need a woman in your life. Did you meet Jenny’s cousins yet?”
Thankfully, the conversation veered away from Missy and Nick as Jake started touting the features of Jenny’s cousins, having obviously been prepped by Jenny herself. Nick wasn’t blind; there was definitely a set-up attempt being made. Not that he had eyes for anyone but Missy. Not even close.
But now that he knew how Jake really felt, how was he ever supposed to tell him about his feelings for Missy? Nick focused on the mountain range across from them and tried to collect his thoughts. If choosing Missy meant losing Jake, he wasn’t sure it was a choice he could make.
* * *
“This is going to feel amazing.” Marissa walked next to Jenny, each with towels wrapped around them, toward the hot pools. “There’s nothing like a good soak to prepare you for dressing up in a god-aw—” Marissa stopped herself before completely blowing it and insulting the bridesmaid dress Jenny had picked out.
“What were you going to say?”
They stepped closer to the edge and tossed their towels to a nearby chair. Their mothers and a few of Jenny’s cousins were already soaking, but besides a small wave in their direction, no one seemed to notice their presence.
“I was just going to say...” Marissa racked her brain for something that might sound believable. “That it’s nice to soak before getting dressed up.” It was a lame cover-up and they both knew it.
“In a god-awful dress?” There was a twinkle in her eyes that alerted Marissa. “Like your bridesmaid dress?”
“That’s not what I was trying to say, Jenny. Really, I...” Marissa’s face flushed and she tried desperately to dig herself out of the hole she’d found herself in, but Jenny was laughing. Marissa stopped, put a hand on her hip and stared at the other woman. “What’s going on?”
Jenny slipped into the water, still laughing. “Marissa, you don’t really think I’d make you wear that ugly dress, do you?”
She had thought that, but clearly that wasn’t the right answer. Marissa tilted her head in question and joined Jenny in the hot water. Instantly she felt more relaxed.
“It was Jake’s idea,” Jenny said. “He thought it would be funny to play a little trick on you with the dress.”
“So that’s not my dress?”
“Oh goodness, no!” Jenny laughed again. “Your dress will be delivered to your room this morning. It should fit perfectly. The seamstress at the shop was in on the joke.”
> Marissa shook her head and laughed. “Jake just always has to be playing some kind of joke, even on his wedding.” She tipped her head back and let the warm water wash over her. “I don’t know what else you picked out, but I have to think it’s better than the fluffy thing I thought I was going to wear. And I would have worn it, too.”
“I know you would have,” Jenny said. “And that’s why I love you. You didn’t even question it. Thank you. You’ve really been amazing with this whole wedding. It really helps.”
“Anytime. I mean, not anytime. This will be the only time.” She laughed. “But anytime you need help with anything, I’m your girl.”
Jenny’s smile was warm and genuine and they both fell into an easy silence, enjoying the warm water for a few minutes.
“This was such a good idea.” Marissa sank deeper into the hot pool. “This water feels so good.”
“Isn’t it amazing?” Jenny sighed next to her. “I swear, it’s totally magical the way it works out your knots and stresses.”
Marissa sat up. “Don’t tell me you’re stressed? I know most brides get all worked up before their wedding, but you have everything so organized and taken care of. There’s no way you can be stressed.”
Jenny laughed and tipped her head back against the ledge. “You’d be surprised,” she said. “But I will say that having you and Nick around to take care of all the things you’ve been handling has been awesome. You two really are the best.”
Marissa closed her eyes again as she sat back into the water. Nick’s face immediately popped up in her mind. She smiled a little and agreed with Jenny. “He really is the best.”
“He?”
The woman must have had radar for the slight change in Marissa’s voice, because there was a splash and when Marissa opened her eyes again, Jenny stood directly in front of her, staring.
“What was that?”
“I’m not sure what you’re talking about.” Marissa tried to ignore her sister-in-law to-be, but even when she closed her eyes again, she could feel the other woman staring at her. Finally she gave up. Marissa sat up, ran her wet hands through her hair and scooted slightly away from Jenny.
