Not Another Wedding

by Jennifer Mckenzie

  Jamie watched him with a discerning eye. “I’m glad.”

  Beck didn’t say anything and concentrated on his eggs. He was glad to be repairing some of the distance with his family, but one step at a time.

  “I’ve had a great time having you around this week. Think you might come up for Christmas this year?”

  Beck hadn’t thought much beyond the next couple months with work. He nodded slowly. “I suppose.” What else was he going to do? Have another lonely Christmas in Seattle with whoever was around? “I’d like that.”

  “Great.” Jamie took a bite of pancake and swallowed. “It’ll be nice to have you and Poppy up,” he said, his expression a pathetic attempt at casualness. He did not do subtle well. His face was too open and displayed everything he thought in vivid color. “She’s usually in town for the holidays anyway.”

  “Poppy?” Beck’s fingers clenched around his fork. “Is this a dual invite?” He was certain he did a better job than Jamie at hiding the sudden flood of emotions coursing through him, but not by much.

  Jamie blinked. “I thought you two were...” He frowned. “Actually, I think everyone thinks that.”

  “Everyone doesn’t know my business.” And Beck intended to keep it that way. He was all for building closer relationships with his family, but they didn’t need to hear all the intimate details of his life. “I like spending time with her.” It didn’t mean they would still be seeing each other at Christmas, although the idea did have possibilities.

  Naramata often had snow around the holidays. He liked the idea of drinking coffee in front of a roaring fire with a naked Poppy beside him. Come to think of it, he had a soft rug in front of his fireplace that needed christening.

  He shook the thought away before it took root. The holidays were a long way off and he wasn’t ready to be roped into anything permanent. Who knew how things would play out. He might not see Poppy again after the wedding. They’d gone more than a decade between meetings before. What made this time any different?

  “Interesting,” Jamie said, a little smirk playing around his mouth.

  “What?” Beck set down his fork. A stone made itself at home in his gut. A very unpleasant stone he attempted to dislodge with a blast of caffeine.

  “Nothing.” Jamie mimed innocence, but that smirk kept peeking out around the edges. It pissed Beck off.

  “It’s not ‘nothing.’” Beck’s cup rattled against the saucer. “And you sound like a chick.”

  “How do I sound like a chick?”

  “I ask what’s wrong and you say ‘nothing.’ But it’s never nothing and next thing you know I’m buying you a diamond bracelet to make up for something.” He scowled across the table at his now fully grinning cousin. “I’m not buying you diamonds.”

  Jamie laughed.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “Isn’t it obvious?”

  “No. Enlighten me.”

  Jamie shot him a “duh” expression. It reminded Beck of when they were kids, poking fun at each other with good-natured insults. Jamie leaned forward. “I don’t think I’m the one you want to buy a diamond for.”

  Beck reared back. Diamonds? No. Hell, no. “Don’t you think you’re getting a little ahead of yourself?” Weddings and marriage were the beginning of the end. All he had to do was look at his parents for proof. Which was why he was never getting married. “Be serious.”

  “I am.” The smirk was gone. “You clearly have feelings for her.”

  “That doesn’t mean I’m ready to get married.” The back of his neck prickled. He reached up to swipe a hand over it. “We’ve only known each other a week.”

  Jamie shook his head. “Not true. You were tight that summer when we were teenagers.”

  “That was a long time ago.” He’d changed and so had she. It was ridiculous to think whatever had happened back then still meant something.

  “You telling me you forgot about her?”

  “Of course I didn’t forget.” He wouldn’t lie to his cousin. “But I haven’t spent the past decade waiting for her either.”

  “Yes. But—” Jamie tilted his head like a curious dog “—don’t you find it interesting that all your girlfriends have been kept at arm’s length until now?”

  That stone was back, along with its good buddy, Stiff Neck. “How would you know?”

  Jamie looked surprised. “I keep up with your life.”

  Beck wasn’t sure if he was pleased or perturbed by this bit of information. He didn’t flaunt his personal life, preferring to keep it private. “Just because I never proposed marriage doesn’t mean I kept everyone at arm’s length.”

  The simplicity of a no-strings relationship was something he’d been clear about from the start with every woman he went out with, and if a few of them had wanted more than Beck had been willing to give, well, that wasn’t his fault. He’d been honest and up front, and in the end had parted amicably with all of them. Usually with a gift of diamonds.

  “Who are you trying to convince?”

  “You. No one.” Beck pressed his lips together. Why was he engaging in this ridiculous argument? No matter what he said, Jamie would twist it to suit what he wanted to believe. “How did we get on this topic anyway? Shouldn’t we be talking about your wedding? Flowers or dresses or something?”

  The prickling had crept down his spine. Beck rolled his shoulders. This was stupid. There was nothing to be getting bent out of shape about. Jamie was allowed to believe whatever he wanted. It made no difference to the facts.

  “Yep, definitely hooked,” Jamie diagnosed.

  Beck felt the need to take one last swing for the fences. “This week has been nice. Better than I expected. But it’s not that serious.”

  Jamie gave him a knowing look and reached across the table to punch him in the shoulder. “That’s what we all say.”

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  POPPY BEAT THE box of dresses to her parents’ place by about twenty minutes. Enough time to shower off the scent of sex with Beck and tame her waves into a semblance of professionalism.

  While this wasn’t a typical work meeting, Poppy wasn’t comfortable showing up in casual dress with her hair flipping every which way either. She twisted it into a knot at the back of her head and selected a simple, fitted dove gray dress, which she accessorized with a scarf in pale pink and matching earrings.

  She considered checking over the gowns before leaving but decided not to. Missy had exquisite taste and would have sent a variety of options to suit any bride. It would be a nice surprise for Emmy to have the excitement of opening the oversize box. And Poppy figured Emmy would need a little boost after the stress of worrying whether or not she’d have anything to wear at all.

  The box was too big to fit in Poppy’s trunk—her little car was low and the trunk wouldn’t close over it—so she belted it into the passenger seat instead, not wanting to crush the precious cargo.

  Wynn had declined to come. She couldn’t blame him. Dress selection, especially on a tight timeline, was not a lot of fun. She started the car and headed to Jamie’s.

  Funny, it was only a week ago she’d been on this exact route planning how she would break up the wedding, and now she was making sure it went off without a hitch.

  There were three cars in the driveway at Jamie’s house. Poppy parked beside a black Cadillac and hopped out. She hadn’t even gotten around to the passenger side when the front door opened and a mass of excited women poured out.

  “Poppy!” Emmy was first across the driveway, her blond hair pinned up into an elegant chignon, which was perfect for trying on dresses. She hugged Poppy tightly. “Thank you so much. I can’t even tell you how much this means to me.”

  Since she sounded on the verge of tears, Poppy patted her back. “It’s my pleasure. I’m happy to help.” A
nd she was.

  Grace stepped forward to help pull the box out of the car. She carried it back to the house with her mother and Emmy trailing behind while Poppy shut the car and tossed her keys into her purse. Georgia and Victoria waited by the door, their arms linked together. Poppy hadn’t realized how much the sisters looked alike until they stood beside each other.

  Victoria may have spent more money maintaining herself, but the family’s good genes were plenty evident in Georgia’s high cheekbones and smooth skin. She’d allowed her hair to silver naturally and kept it in a short cut that suited her face. Both women were trim and well dressed, though Georgia was more casual in khaki pants and a matched grass-green sweater set, while Victoria wore a georgette cream silk blouse with a black pencil skirt.

  “You’re a lifesaver,” Georgia said with a smile.

  Victoria greeted her with a warm hug. “I’m glad to see you again.”

  Victoria linked her other arm through Poppy’s and the three of them traipsed through the entryway, past the kitchen, down the hall and into one of the guest bedrooms, which had been transformed into a bridal boudoir for shopping.

  The bed had been shoved to the wall and a floor-length mirror had been dragged into the middle of the room. A trifold screen was set up in a corner and there were shoes lined up along the wall. Grace dealt with the packing tape on the box while Emmy stood to the side, watching, with her hands clasped behind her back. Poppy had a sudden fear none of the dresses would work.

  She needn’t have panicked. From the moment the first gown—a confection of flowers and silk—was pulled free the sighs and aws made it clear Missy had done it again. She’d even remembered to include veils, gloves and other accoutrements Emmy might want.

  They spent the next ninety minutes trying on the gowns with a variety of shoes and styling choices. It was difficult, but not because they were running out of time and had to pick something, but because tall, elegant Emmy looked amazing in pretty much everything. And she’d look even better once Georgia adjusted the seams and hems.

  After retrying on her favorites, Emmy settled on a strapless gown in soft white with delicate beading along the top. The material was pleated along the bodice and came to a point on her left hip before spilling into a waterfall of flounces and a small train. Georgia pinned the waist of the dress, which bagged a touch. Was there another woman alive who, while pregnant, would require a wedding dress to be taken in?

  Victoria convinced Emmy to try her hair down, and the blond locks spilling across her shoulders lent sultriness to the look. A pair of borrowed diamond dangling earrings and a matching tennis bracelet completed the outfit.

  “You’re gorgeous,” Poppy said. And she was. Really, every bride should be so fortunate. She glowed. And while Poppy figured some of that was due to the new life she carried, most of it was Emmy. The glow of a happy woman about to take the next step in life.

  Poppy’s heart stuttered, but she covered it with a cheerful smile and set about packing up the dresses and other bits of paraphernalia that hadn’t made the cut. She could ship everything back to Missy tonight, but Poppy preferred to drop it off in person when she arrived back in town on Monday, along with the sizable check Emmy had written from her own account.

  She’d tried to pay Poppy, too, but Poppy had insisted it wasn’t necessary. Though she and Emmy weren’t quite friends, she’d started to think it was inevitable. And even if it weren’t, she’d never take money for Jamie’s wedding.

  Everyone except Victoria left. Emmy and her family off to have a last day together before she started her new life. Georgia with the chosen dress, carefully wrapped in plastic and on a hanger, to make the necessary adjustments.

  Victoria, though, stayed around helping Poppy check to make sure nothing had been left behind. “You’re very good at this,” she observed.

  Poppy brushed aside the flicker of conceit. She was good at it, which was why she did it for a living, but she didn’t want Beck’s mom to think she was a braggart. “It’s just a matter of being organized and staying calm.”

  “It’s more than that.” Victoria fluffed the duvet cover and smoothed where it had gotten rumpled from being sat on. “I can see why my son likes you.”

  Poppy’s heart stuttered again. Actually, it almost slammed to a complete stop, but she breathed through it. She glanced at Victoria, who only smiled back. Exactly where was this going and did Poppy want to take the trip?

  “I like him, too,” she finally said. It was a neutral statement, but the only one Poppy was willing to share.

  “I think you’re good for him.”

  It was a good thing her heart had strongly started back up again, because otherwise Victoria’s statement would have stopped it.

  “He tends to keep to himself. With me, at least.” There was a sadness to her smile before it brightened again. “But this week has been different. He’s been different. You’re the first girlfriend he’s introduced to us.”

  Poppy found her voice. “Really?” She didn’t want to believe it. Scratch that. She wanted desperately to believe it.

  “Yes.” Victoria came over to hug Poppy. “And I want to thank you. He likes to keep his emotions to himself, but you’ve brought them out. He’s bloomed.”

  Poppy stifled a smile at the image of Beck as a flower. He’d hate that. But his mother meant well.

  “I want him to be happy and this is the happiest I’ve seen him in a long time.”

  Poppy swallowed. She longed for Victoria to be right. But there had been no discussion of a future, no hint at what would happen once the wedding was over and everyone went back to their respective lives.

  But Beck would be in Vancouver with his new hotel. That fluttery anticipation flickered through her again. Maybe, just maybe, he had plans for them.

  “Speak of the devil.”

  Poppy followed Victoria’s gaze out the window and discovered Beck’s car pulling up in front of the house. She watched as the man himself climbed out of the driver’s side. Jamie’s bright head popped out, too, but Poppy spared him only a momentary look.

  She probably shouldn’t enjoy gaping at Beck. Especially not with his mother in the room, but she couldn’t help drinking in her fill of him. His confident gait. The smirking grin he shared with Jamie. The way his eyes roamed the area and zeroed in on her. Her pulse thumped.

  She’d fallen for him again.

  The realization swept through her like a windstorm, blowing out every other thought in her head. Oh, no. No.

  She stepped back and would have groaned if Victoria hadn’t been beside her. This sudden awareness wasn’t something she wanted to share with the mother of the object of her affection.

  Poppy tried to shake off the thought. It was crazy. How well did she actually know Beck? She knew what he liked in bed, knew the sound of his laugh and the way his hair felt. But did she really know him? Sure, they’d been close as teenagers, but a decade was a long time and they’d both changed.

  So it was insane to think she’d fallen for him. She hadn’t, she simply lusted for him. It was totally different.

  So why had she introduced him to her family and let them think there was more going on than friendship? Why was her mind already whirring with ways to keep this going once they returned to their respective cities?

  By the time Poppy got herself together, Victoria had exited the bedroom. She heard the older woman moving down the hallway and her cheerful greeting when she reached the front door.

  She should go and join them. She made her feet move, then slowed and wondered if she should take the dresses with her. There was no point in leaving the box behind, and it would give her a few more seconds to regain her cool.

  Lifting it in front of her, she entered the hallway. There was nothing to be nervous about. Nothing had changed. Except her heart.

  But all h
er best intentions to act as if this was an everyday meeting evaporated when she reached the entryway and saw Beck smiling at her. He shouldn’t be allowed to look at her like that. Her fingers went numb and she quickly put the box down before she dropped it.

  “Is that it?” Jamie came over to peer curiously at the box. Poppy had already taped it back up for travel, so there wasn’t a strip of satin, bead or sequin to be seen, but that didn’t stop Jamie from trying.

  “It’s not in there,” she told him, nudging it behind her with a foot, glad for the distraction. “You’ll see the dress tomorrow.”

  “The dress is beautiful, Jamie,” Victoria said. “Emmy looks stunning.”

  Jamie’s face got that moony, glazed expression again. Beck was still looking at her, studying her as though he was searching for the answer to a question that hadn’t been asked. Poppy got warm all over.

  “Beck?” Victoria spoke again.

  “Yes?” He didn’t look away from Poppy.

  “Will you be joining us for dinner tonight? It’s Jamie’s last one as an unmarried man.”

  “I’m not sure. Poppy and I have plans.”

  Poppy was reminded of their conversation this morning. Her cheeks burned brighter. “That’s okay. You should have dinner as a family.” And she should leave before she embarrassed herself. She turned and hefted the box of dresses back into her arms. “See you tomorrow.”

  “Let me.” Jamie started forward to take the box from her, but Beck beat him to it.

  “I’ve got it.” His fingers sliding across hers brought up more thoughts of this morning’s conversation and activities. She brushed them away. Plenty of time for that later, when Victoria and Jamie weren’t around.

  “You should join us,” Victoria said as the four of them tromped out the front door to the driveway. Beck stowed the box in Poppy’s passenger seat as directed, while Victoria flitted about on the sidelines. “We’d love to have you.”

  “Thank you.” Poppy smiled. “But it sounds like a family event. I wouldn’t want to intrude.”