Four Weddings and a Fiasco: The Wedding Snafu (Kindle Worlds Novella)

by Aliyah Burke

  “Right away.”

  “So,” she asked Tim, “what’s on the agenda?”

  “I can get you a copy of the itinerary. Ours were handed out earlier.” He handed his over, and she maintained a composed look at the fancy fonts and color coding.

  “Extremely detailed,” she said, skimming over golf, boating, tux fittings, and more.

  “That’s their mom for you.”

  “Mindy.”

  She turned her attention to Donal’s father, Sean. “Yes sir?”

  “We haven’t seen you in years. How are you parents?”

  She bristled by his tone, as if she were less because of not having millions.

  “My parents died thirteen years ago.”

  “My apologies.”

  She shrugged. “It’s been a long time.” And, you’ve known that. Attention back on Tim, she pointed at the boating. “Is this with yachts and stuff?”

  He leaned closer. “No, she wants photographers able to snap pics. Gotta have good ones for the society pages.”

  Lord, take me, now.

  As they got up to leave, she withdrew her phone and noticed missed messages from her brother. She’d get them back at the hotel.

  The bride’s parents neared, and she gave them a smile. “This was lovely, thank you.” Catherine and Tony Dukes gave her another look over.

  “Shame your brother had to bail.”

  She held the father’s stare. “He didn’t bail. He’s a doctor and is filling in at another hospital for a few days until their surgeon can return.”

  That patronizing look came again, and Mindy made sure the smile didn’t slip the smallest of fractions.

  “We should call you a taxi,” Tony said.

  “No need,” Donal interjected. “We’ll take her from here.”

  “Nonsense,” Catherine said. His mother echoed the sentiment.

  “She’s a groomsman. That means she’s with us.” Donal beckoned Mindy.

  “Donal’s right. She’s the groomsman until her brother arrives; she hangs with them,” Donal’s father chimed in.

  “It’s settled, then. Let’s go. We’ll see everyone back at the hotel.” Donal guided her away and led her to the door with only Tim and Roland keeping pace.

  “The others aren’t coming?”

  “They have their own rides.” They waited out front while the vehicle was brought around. A valet hopped from the Volvo XC 90. Roland tipped their man and headed to the driver’s seat. She got in the back with Tim while Donal took the front passenger seat.

  “What hotel?” Roland questioned.

  “Same as you all. Kurt got me a room there.”

  “Wonderful.” They set off.

  Thirty minutes later, she stood alone in her room, removing her heels as a relieved groan escaped from her.

  “Everything okay?” Her brother was on speaker phone.

  “Until you wear heels for a night you wouldn’t understand. But, yes, I’ll be fine. To be honest, he doesn’t look happy. I remember Donal as being serious, but this man looks like the wedding is his, and it’s the end of his life.”

  Her brother laughed. “Donal is a serious man, not one who laughs a lot. And, as for the look of death, you will meet Tiffany, and that’s all I’m saying about that. Thanks for doing this for me.”

  “Don’t want to be blamed for messing up the golf game.” Her sarcastic comment was met with more laughter.

  “See you soon.”

  “Bye, Kurt.”

  Unzipping her dress, she ended the call before padding to the bathroom for a much anticipated shower. All I have to do is play a groomsman for a few days and pray they’re not hitting a strip club.

  Chapter Two

  Donal sat with his friends and watched the entrance for Mindy. He didn’t remember her, at all, hadn’t thought about her, either. He was friends with her older brother. What he did remember was a girl with thick glasses, crooked teeth, and more bones than should be exposed on a child.

  The woman who’d entered last night wasn’t anything like the child. No glasses hiding those dark brown eyes. As if his thoughts conjured her up, she swept into the room, chatting easily with one of the staff.

  Her dark slacks and khaki silk shirt only highlighted curves that she’d developed. When his brother, Rory, sidled up to her, a low growl formed deep in Donal’s throat.

  “Was that a rumble of discontent from the man who doesn’t give a damn about anything other than his company?”

  “Stuff it, Tim. I care about other things. I just don’t want my brother hurting her.”

  It bothered him more than he cared to admit. From the second he laid eyes on her, she’d affected him in a way Tiffany couldn’t begin to touch. He’d always been in control with her.

  His friend laughed and half stood. “Mindy, over here.”

  She leaned back, peering around Rory, and gave a nod. Donal ate and observed as they proceeded through the buffet line, joking and laughing. They approached together and sat side by side.

  Donal was impressed there was food on her plate. Not just a piece of fruit. She had a meal of eggs, bacon, flapjacks, fruit, and more. Salting her potatoes, she said, “Morning, gentlemen.” She reached for the ketchup and squeezed it on her plate. “I had the itinerary slid under my door, and I see today is golf. It also said I was paired with you two and Roland. I see Rory is with another group. I’ll tell you, now, I’m not as good as my brother, but I can play.”

  “Works for me,” Tim said easily.

  Too easily.

  Donal kept his silence as they ate. She worked on her cinnamon bun when Porscha walked up with the two bridesmaids who doted on her the way Porscha did Tiffany. The four of them—Tiffany was part of the group as well—were bitches. He had no illusions about that. She was spoiled rotten and expected people to pamper her. Him included.

  Still, his hackles rose when the bridesmaids sneered at Mindy.

  “We saw what you ate; are you sure that’s smart for you? Those carbs might not be such a good idea.”

  Donal narrowed his gaze. Mindy held up a section of the gooey bun.

  “Well, I’m playing golf today, so I’ll be outside exercising while you sit in a chair at the spa. So, for me, its fine; for you, I can understand the worry. It may give you an ass. However, I would have your waxer really focus on your face. I see some unsightlies which may really ruin those wedding pics.” She popped the bite in her mouth and groaned with pleasure. “You don’t know what you’re missing.”

  He sipped some juice to hide his reaction to her sounds.

  “I never,” Porscha gasped.

  “Obviously. Have a nice day.” Mindy held her gaze until Porscha broke the connection, only to leave in a huff.

  Tim laughed, and even Rory joined in. She didn’t bask in their attention or speak on it more, merely letting it go.

  Donal couldn’t deny how intrigued she made him.

  Forty-five minutes later, they were out at their carts. Donal had already claimed Mindy to ride with him. He slid behind the wheel and waited for her to take her seat. As she did, he watched both his father and the man who, if his parents had their way, would be his father-in-law approach.

  “Figured we’d join you,” his father said with a pointed look.

  “We’ll see you out there.” He pushed the gas, and they rolled away, his friends following.

  “Thanks for letting me step in for Kurt. I know he feels as if he was letting you down.”

  Donal navigated a turn. “He said you could hang.”

  “Well, I may not be as participative if that blank spot is for a trip to a strip club. Or whatever you call them, now.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  Her grin made his thoughts turn to kissing her. He mentally berated himself. Tiffany was his girlfriend. The woman they thought he would ask to marry him after this wedding.

  “How is your brother?”

  “Doing well. Haven’t seen him in a while, so when I dropped by—
he’d already had the wedding on the books.”

  “And, his girlfriend was okay with not coming?” He slowed and parked at the first hole.

  “Girlfriend?” She gazed at him, eyebrows up. “He has a girlfriend?”

  Oh, shit. “Last time I heard he did.” How didn’t she know about that?

  “What’s her name?” Mindy climbed out of the cart and went for her clubs.

  The other carts rolled up, and their occupants disembarked.

  “Linda.”

  She frowned. “Don’t know her. I don’t think.” She whipped out her phone and had a text gone in seconds.

  “Did you ask him?”

  “Of course. It’s my right as little sister to be nosy and obnoxious about things like that. Let’s play.”

  They settled in to the game, and he found himself actually enjoying himself. The ring of his cell snapped his attention from those swinging. He fished it out and answered mildly irritated his time with Mindy was being interrupted.

  “Yes?”

  “It’s Trevor. Are you coming in?”

  “What’s going on?” His dad swung, and everyone tracked it. Mindy looked in Donal’s direction, shook her head, and faced away. He frowned. Business was business. Turning slightly, he fingered the top of his club. “Do we have an issue?”

  “No, you’d just said you were coming in. We have the group of kids here today who are interested in learning more about the industry.”

  He’d forgotten. “On my way.” Donal ended the call and found Roland beside him.

  “What’s up?”

  He pocketed his phone. “Trevor called.”

  “So, he knows about this week.”

  “The kids are waiting.” He shoved the club back in the case. “I have to go; I said I would stop by.” He stared at his friend. “We have a business to run. These children are going to be our customers or employees in a few years.”

  “You’re the best man. You should be here for Todd. Stay here. Be the active participating best man. I’ll go.”

  “I said—”

  “It’s our company, and I can handle this.” He smacked Donal’s shoulder and brushed by to the cart. “Participate.”

  Roland raced off, and Mindy came to his side. “He coming back?”

  “No.” Donal’s response was curt. Then, he tipped his head to the side to stare at the top of her head. “Why?”

  “I had a bet going with him. I was winning.”

  “A bet? We’re on the second hole.”

  She shrugged unrepentantly. “It was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.”

  Intrigued. What had she done to get him to bet? “About?”

  “He swore me to secrecy. Sorry. Had you been with us, instead of on the phone, you’d know.” Her smile was brilliant and unrestrained from forced society behaviors. A different one than last night, that one had been like the others there. Today, completely different. Free.

  She walked off, only to turn back. “You’re up, you know.”

  He reached for his driver, grateful at least that Roland hadn’t taken the cart with his clubs in the back. Donal strode by, wanting to be part, and for once, it was easy to let work remain in the background.

  He found out later that night what the bet was about. They ended up at a karaoke bar and since she’d won the bet, she got to pick songs for Roland to sing. His friend was a good sport about it, not complaining given how poorly he sang.

  Mindy was different. She sang exceptionally well and loved to do it. It was obvious from the way her entire face lit up.

  Tim nudged him. “Stop staring at her. Besides, it’s your turn to sing.”

  “When did I agree to this?”

  “we agreed for you because you were smitten and staring at the lone female in our groomsman group.”

  She beckoned to him and before he could talk himself out of it, he slid from the seat to join her on stage. For her, he’d find a way to sing.

  αβ

  “I’m not sure, Cassie, it just isn’t what I would do. I mean, you’re getting married, not buying a car.”

  Mindy’s best friend laughed over the phone. “Hopeless romantic.”

  “I am, won’t argue that. It just seems—I don’t know—wrong.”

  “Sure this isn’t because you find him to be hot as sin?”

  “He’s not the one getting married. He’s the best man. I’m talking about his view on marriage.”

  She grunted.

  “Plus, I’m surrounded by attractive men here—yes, he’s the one who affects me most, won’t deny that either—but, no, that’s not it. The couple is nice enough, but honestly, I hear more about how it will be when he marries the groom’s sister. It’s almost like this is a dry run for that union. I just feel like we’re putting on a show. There are photographers and reporters. It’s a bloody zoo.”

  “It’s big news, as will be his wedding to the sister. His would be even bigger. It’s the joining of two major companies.”

  She snorted and shoved on her canvas sneakers. “Could just sign some papers without the fanfare.”

  “They are signing papers.”

  “Just seems off to me, somehow.”

  “It’s because of him. I hear it in your voice when you talk about him, not to mention you’re extremely careful not to use his name.”

  “Are you psychoanalyzing me?”

  “You make it so easy.”

  “Well, stop. I’m not pursuing him. Just because I’m attracted doesn’t mean I’m out to ruin his future. I’m not like that.” Her words fell in staccato bursts.

  Cassie’s tone was unchanged. “Overly defensive, snappish, shrewish.”

  Mindy clenched a fist.

  “And, given her proclivity toward violence, probably with a fist, right now.”

  Relaxing her hand, Mindy jumped when a knock came on the door. “I need a new bestie,” she muttered, heading to the door.

  “No, you don’t.”

  Mindy opened it to find Roland there, shorts and a polo. “Ready to go boating?”

  “Give me a minute; come on in.” She stepped back. “Look, Cassie, I have to go. We’re going boating.”

  “I heard. And, Min?”

  “What?”

  “I’m glad you’re having fun.”

  The call ended, and she sighed.

  “You all right?”

  “Fine, I’m fine.” Phone in pocket, along with her ID and key card, they went to the elevator. Donal and Tim stood there.

  “Everyone else waiting?” She smiled at the men there.

  “Yep. According to the itinerary, we should have been in the lobby three minutes ago.”

  They all chuckled, including Donal. The flash of white teeth against tan skin set flutters off in her belly. This is wrong. They all found the itinerary laughable and unnecessary.

  “I’ll take the blame,” she volunteered. “This one’s on me.”

  “She was on the phone,” Roland said.

  “Boyfriend?” Tim asked as he waved her onto the elevator. Donal shot her a look, one she couldn’t make out.

  “No, bestie. She was checking up on me.”

  Only Mrs. Kramer was in the lobby when they walked through. Two seconds later, Porscha joined her. Both women scowled.

  “I apologize, Mrs. Kramer. I was on the phone. I’m so sorry for my lack of promptness.”

  The thin woman pasted on a smile as false as the belief Mindy would ever again wear a size four. “We have the itinerary for a reason.”

  Swallowing her dislike, Mindy nodded. “Yes, ma’am. I’m sorry. They were waiting on me. Won’t happen again. I see some reporters out there; I’m sure they’re waiting for you.”

  Her expression smoothed out. “Come, Donal. I’m sure they want some words with you, as well as our son.”

  “Not today. I’m hanging back with the groomsmen. I was told I’ve been spending too much time with work and not enough on the festivities.” He gripped Mindy’s arm, anchoring her to his side. �
��We’ll see you at the lake.”

  Mindy knew she responded, just wasn’t sure what was said. All her attention was on his callused grip on her bare arm. She couldn’t deny her attraction for him. Just have to avoid it. Attraction or not, she didn’t poach.

  He led her to the side and gazed down upon her face. “You don’t have to take the blame from her.”

  “No worries. I’m used to being blamed. Besides, you’re the best friend to the groom and, from all accounts, also a future son-in-law. Don’t want to upset the in-laws to be.”

  She swore his grumbled words were less than flattering. He lifted an eyebrow, his harsh lines fading into this wealth of masculinity which bypassed anything she’d seen. Crap, he’s even better looking when he smiles.

  “You have in-laws?”

  “Nope. Just common sense. Don’t want to begin a marriage with any issues. And, yes, while their daughter, your—fiancée-girlfriend—isn’t here, yet, trust me when I say she’s getting updates from her besties. And mother.” She nudged him. “She’s wanting you to be a happy participant. Bodes well for your wedding.”

  Donal grunted. “I don’t play for the crowd, and I’m not about to do something for something I haven’t agreed to, yet.”

  Lord, she could read so much into that if she chose. They headed for the door. In the back of her mind, it came to her attention that he continued to hold her arm. “Too much like work when you put on a happy face.”

  “I happen to love my work.”

  Slicing her gaze back to his face, she chuckled. “I can hear that. And, I think—” She paused, and he stopped, as well. “I think that’s a smile.”

  He narrowed his eyes. “I smile. I even have a sense of humor.”

  “Oh, sure,” she drawled. “You’re a regular Johnny Carson.”

  “I do so.”

  Needling him was fun. “Now, you sound like a petulant child. I’ve barely seen you smile. Now, I know you’re not a stick in the mud because my brother likes you. He’s only serious in the operating room.”

  Donal released her to open the door. “Stick in the mud?”

  “Yep. Like Prince Naveen in The Princess and the Frog calls Tiana.”

  “Disney?”

  He sounded almost affronted, which had her laughing even harder. “Die hard fan, bub. Be careful or I’ll make you regret it.”