One Week to the Wedding--An unforgettable story of love, betrayal, and sisterhood

by Olivia Miles

“The best man speech,” Kate said, and Alec could just picture her chewing on her bottom lip as she waited for his response.

  Alec glanced over at his papers on the coffee table. Among the shuffle of business papers was a draft of the speech he’d planned to give at the wedding. It couldn’t be less heartfelt, he thought grimly.

  He sighed as he shifted his eyes away from the handwritten notes. He wished things could have been different—that the speech he gave could actually mean something. But he didn’t believe in marriage. Hell, he didn’t even believe in love. And he certainly didn’t believe that William and Elizabeth would stand the test of time. No one could, and the odds were already stacked against those two. They came from two different worlds, and as much as William might like the laid-back beach life for now, there was a part of him that would always need something more.

  Alec closed his eyes. He couldn’t think about this anymore.

  “How about dinner tonight?” he said. “I could really use your help on this speech, actually.”

  Wasn’t a lie, per se. His speech was forced at best, and who better to help rewrite it than the woman who knew his own brother better than he did these days? A woman whose days revolved around William and Elizabeth’s happy union?

  “I have a meeting with the caterers tonight,” Kate said, but Alec wasn’t about to let that excuse stop him.

  “Tomorrow, then.”

  Silence stretched down the phone line. “What did you have in mind?” Kate finally said.

  He hadn’t thought that far ahead, but he wasn’t about to let this opportunity slip away. “There’s a bistro just down the street from the hotel that has some sidewalk tables.”

  “I know the one,” Kate said, and though she still hadn’t agreed, Alec took it as an answer.

  “Tomorrow then. Seven o’clock.” He quickly ended the call before she could protest.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Charlotte sat at the metal desk in the front of the small, street-level office that housed Bob’s insurance business. She had hoped there would be a steady flow of traffic throughout the day, or at least a few clients stopping by for a meeting.

  Since she first arrived at nine o’clock, after bidding goodbye to Audrey and Mrs. Novak, who was kind enough to accept a delayed payment once Charlotte received her first paycheck, it had been just her and Bob. Alone. In a very small office. For the second day in a row.

  Charlotte studied the computer screen, cringing as she heard Bob end his phone call, hoping he wouldn’t open his office door and start getting chatty again. She’d politely listened to him beat his chest about his golf and skiing abilities yesterday afternoon, and of course, there were the endless strategic questions about her personal life, which she’d craftily dodged every time.

  Aside from teaching her how to use the not-so-complicated phone system, there was the internal database he’d vaguely run through with her this morning. Now, as Charlotte clicked around and never ended up on the page she was supposed to be, she started wishing she’d asked a few more questions.

  Still, that would have required more time alone with the man, and she didn’t need that.

  What she needed was a paycheck, though. Eye on the prize, Charlotte.

  The door to Bob’s office opened with a creak, and Charlotte muffled a groan, her eyelids fluttering in annoyance. He lingered in the doorframe, either checking up on her work or looking for attention. Swallowing a sigh, she pivoted her chair. It was the latter.

  Bob, it seemed, was in need of female companionship. He was single—he’d been sure to mention that yesterday morning, about thirty-four minutes into her first day, when he’d suggested they close for a bit and stroll down the street for a coffee. It had seemed so innocent at first, even when he’d insisted on paying, but then there’d been the suggestion of lunch. She’d been smart enough to pack something perishable—a polite excuse that had made poor Bob’s shoulders slump. She’d stolen the few minutes he’d gone to lunch today to call to check on Audrey, smiling when she heard her soft cry in the background, and she’d scooted off to the bathroom when she saw him strolling down the sidewalk, a crumpled takeout bag in his hands, his suit looking rumpled.

  Bob was not an alpha male. Or very smooth with the ladies. Bob, she was starting to realize, was a bit of a sleaze.

  “Just adding these contacts to your database,” she said pleasantly, keeping her eyes fixed on the screen.

  “Oh, you’re on the wrong screen,” Bob commented, coming to stand beside her chair. Charlotte swiveled it when his leg brushed her thigh. “Here, let me show you.”

  Before she could react, he moved his hand onto the mouse, his fingers skimming hers before she could snatch them away. Gritting her teeth, she folded her hands in her lap and focused on breathing through her mouth as she watched him expertly maneuver the database. He’d really overdone it with the cologne today. And she’d thought nothing could top yesterday…

  “I think I understand now,” she said first chance she could, eager to get some space.

  “I’ll wait while you add this contact to make you sure it’s clear.”

  Oh, please don’t, she thought.

  Technically, this was a reasonable thing for him to say. Charlotte knew this, objectively. But she also knew that something didn’t feel right. For example, did he really need to stand that close?

  A little unnerved, she added the next contact on her list. Some poor sod who would be cold-called tomorrow during the dinner hour, no doubt. She grinned when a little alert popped up on the center of her screen letting her know she’d succeeded.

  She glanced up at Bob, seeing this as his cue to move, but he wasn’t looking at the screen. No, Bob’s eyes were too busy ogling the mildest hint of cleavage he could make out through the scoop-neck blouse she wore.

  Charlotte felt her cheeks heat with fire, and she abruptly pushed her chair back and stood, waving her mug with enthusiasm. “Coffee break,” she said, forcing a stony grin. She brushed past Bob and waited until she could hear him settling into his office chair and picking up the phone to make more cold calls before tucking into the bathroom.

  Don’t quit. You can’t quit. She told herself this over and over. She would quit. Once she found something else. Something better. But now…She was out of options.

  Fighting back tears, she tried to imagine coming in here again tomorrow, and the day after, and the day after. And she tried to imagine going back to that dark apartment, and not being able to buy Audrey that sweet little dress after all.

  And she thought of her bedroom back in Misty Point. And the wind in her hair and the sand in her toes.

  She pulled her phone from her pocket. She could call her parents. She hadn’t told them about Audrey yet. Hell, they’d never even known she was pregnant. At first she was too ashamed, and then too nervous that she would make things worse, and then…Well, too much time had passed.

  She’d tell them. She would. But there was someone who deserved to know the truth first.

  She scrolled through her list of contacts, finding Kate’s name. She could call her. She might actually answer this time. And then what?

  What would she say? I’m sorry? How lame was that? Maybe something like How’s this for irony? No, too flippant. Or how about Well, misery loves company. No, too callous.

  She chewed on her fingernail, sighing deeply. She couldn’t hide in here forever; Bob would no doubt start wondering…or knocking. She wouldn’t put it past him.

  She pressed the button before she lost her nerve and with a shaking hand brought the device to her ear. Kate just needed to hear her out. She needed to know the truth.

  * * *

  Kate stared at her phone and with a pinch of her lips, silenced the ringer.

  She finished typing her email to a potential client, made sure to include links to her portfolio, and sent it off. She scratched the item off her list and stared at the next item on her agenda, but her mind didn’t absorb any of the words.

  Charlotte w
asn’t going to stop. She was going to keep calling, and keep trying, and…

  Kate couldn’t deal with this right now. Not when she had a wedding in a matter of days, a job on the line, and a date with a guy who was all wrong for her in an hour.

  She shook her head clear. It wasn’t a date. No, it was a meeting. A meeting, she told herself firmly.

  She stared at the phone, waiting for a beep that would signal a voice mail, holding her breath until enough time had passed and she was certain that there wouldn’t be one.

  Small favors, she thought. It was hard enough to see her sister’s name keep popping up on the screen. Knowing that there was a message, with her sister’s voice, trapped in this device?

  She pushed back her chair and smoothed her skirt. She walked to the kitchen, got a glass of water even though she wasn’t thirsty, and came back and emptied it onto her desk plant.

  She wouldn’t think about Charlotte right now. Or why she was calling.

  She would stay busy. Return a few more emails, clear her desk, and get ready for her dinner meeting.

  She worked for half an hour more and, once she was sure that Meredith had left for the day, slipped into the bathroom. From her bag, she pulled out a brush, deciding just a touch-up would do. But her heart was starting to beat a little faster when she realized she would have to leave soon, and when she found herself reaching for the blush, she stopped herself.

  What was she doing? Primping for this guy? She hadn’t even really agreed to this dinner, had she? No, she hadn’t. She had technically inquired about his suggestion, and he had taken that as a yes.

  She muttered under her breath. Yep, arrogant. Used to getting his way.

  Still, it would be rude to cancel, and she did need to discuss that best man speech, just in case, and really, he had helped her out the other night. She sighed. Truth be told she enjoyed his company. There. She’d said it.

  In her head. No way would she ever be making those thoughts known. To Alec. Or anyone.

  Kate looked down at her cell phone, curiosity over her sister’s call piquing her interest for only a second, before she tossed it into her handbag and then reached for her lipstick. She swiped it over her lips quickly, telling herself it was only because she was going out in public and not because of her dinner date. Make that dinner companion.

  Checking her reflection in the small mirror one more time, she reached behind her head and plucked at her hair clip, allowing her hair to fall freely around her shoulders.

  She smiled, noticing the way her eyes were alive and dancing. She hadn’t seen that look on her own face in a long time, and the shock of it made her worry a little. She was getting carried away. Excited. And she couldn’t take another fall right now.

  Kate watched as her smile faded and she quickly slammed the compact shut as she caught a glance of her frown. She had struggled too hard for too long to just end up hurt again.

  Before she could talk herself completely out of the night, Kate grabbed her handbag and hurried out of her office. She still had a job to do, and that included making sure the best man gave an appropriate speech. Given the strained relationship between Alec and the bride, Kate could only assume that Alec needed all the help he could get.

  “Kate!”

  At the sound of her name, she stopped walking and glanced across the street, where Elizabeth was standing at a crosswalk, waving to grab her attention. Kate’s stomach knotted.

  “Hey!” She managed a watery smile and held up her hand, waiting as Elizabeth jogged across the street in a pale pink cotton shift dress, looking every bit the radiant bride-to-be that she was.

  “I knew that was you!” Elizabeth gushed, and gave her a peck on the cheek. Pulling back, she skimmed her eyes over Kate and exclaimed, “You look all dolled up!”

  Dolled up? So much for not trying to make an impression. Kate looked down at her A-line work skirt and sleeveless top. She had the sudden urge to wipe off her lipstick with the back of her hand.

  “Hot date or something tonight?” Elizabeth winked.

  Kate’s cheeks burned with guilt and she struggled to find an explanation that her best friend wouldn’t see through. “Ha-ha,” she said lamely, but Elizabeth wasn’t buying it.

  Elizabeth’s eyes turned sharp. “Oh my God. You do have a date! I knew our little talk over tea sunk in. So go on,” she urged. “Tell me more. I need details, and lots of them.”

  Kate lowered her gaze to the cement below her strappy sandaled feet (she should have stayed in her work pumps; then she might have dodged this awkward moment!), knowing that this time, she would have to come clean. She couldn’t hide from Elizabeth forever, and she didn’t want to, either. It didn’t feel good. Besides, Kate was Elizabeth’s wedding planner and Alec was the best man. It made sense that she would have to meet up with him.

  Even to her own ears, the excuse sounded weak. Very, very weak.

  “It’s nothing,” she stammered. “A business meeting. No biggie.” No biggie? Yep. Couldn’t lie to her best friend.

  “But you’re all gussied up! You have on fresh lipstick. And your hair…”

  Kate’s hand reflexively darted to her head. “What’s wrong with my hair?”

  Elizabeth’s lips curved into a satisfied grin. “I knew it!” she squealed. “You wouldn’t care what your hair looked like if you weren’t going somewhere special. Now dish. Who is he? Anyone I know?”

  Oh, he’s someone you know all right. Kate took a measured breath and locked Elizabeth’s curious gaze with her own, gauging her friend’s reaction. “It’s Alec,” she finally admitted.

  The smile immediately fell from her friend’s face. “Alec?”

  So much for admitting her muddled thoughts that had no business being there in the first place. Kate thought fast. “It’s his best man speech. I wanted to meet with him to look it over, just to be sure it’s okay. You know how guys are.” She rolled her eyes to drive home the point.

  Elizabeth stared at her pensively before her shoulders shrank with obvious relief. “I was a little worried about what he would get up and say on Saturday. Thanks for looking out for me and William.”

  Kate laughed nervously, feeling sick with herself. “Of course.” She swallowed hard before saying, “You know I would do anything for you, Elizabeth.”

  “I know.” Elizabeth nodded. “Heck, you’re spending your evening with Alec Montgomery of all people, for my sake. If this isn’t the sign of a true friend, I don’t know what is.”

  Kate gritted her teeth into a smile. “I should probably get going,” she said, motioning to the WALK sign.

  “Well, don’t let him get to you,” Elizabeth said as Kate began to edge away. “He has a way of getting under people’s skin.”

  “I won’t,” Kate replied. But the problem was that he had already gotten under her skin. Just not in the way Elizabeth could have ever expected.

  * * *

  Alec was leaning against a light pole when Kate approached. He was dressed in khaki shorts and a crisp white T-shirt that accentuated every ripple in his chest, and Kate’s resolve since her conversation with Elizabeth had already weakened. Considerably.

  It had just been too long since she’d touched a man, that was all. It was a natural reaction that surely anyone would have to someone of the opposite sex after all this time. Especially one who looked like Alec.

  “Hey!” He flashed her a big grin as she closed the distance between them.

  She brightened at the sight of his friendly smile, wishing the response wasn’t so automatic. “Hey.”

  Alec gestured to the door of Bistro Rouge. “It’s full, but the wait should only be a few minutes.”

  “I don’t mind,” Kate said, glancing at the customers who had filled the stretch of sidewalk tables that were tucked behind tall planters overflowing with colorful blooms. It was a romantic restaurant, one of the best in Misty Point, but she knew better than to assume this was why Alec had chosen it. He was visiting town, it was close to his hotel, a
nd from an outsider’s point of view it probably just looked like a decent place to eat. Besides, he was probably used to picking the finest options. It was surely nothing more than that.

  And she shouldn’t wish it to be.

  Just thinking of how betrayed her friend would feel to know that Kate was siding with the enemy was enough to make her come up with an excuse and leave. Going through with this dinner at this cozy little spot would make her the worst kind of friend there was. She knew too many people like this already, and she didn’t want to follow in their example.

  She stole a glance at him, taking in the strong width of his back as he casually studied the menu outside the restaurant, his hands thrust in his pockets, his hair wavy and dark and just begging for her to tangle her fingers through…Stop it!

  She opened her mouth, knowing she had to say something, but not knowing quite what, when she saw him. Jake. He was coming around the corner, laughing that laugh, smiling that smile, without a care in the world. He was rounding the bend, coming in her direction. She watched in frozen horror, not knowing whether to hide or run. Her mind ran wild with every worst-case scenario. Was he coming to the restaurant? Would he speak to her? What would she say?

  What was he even doing here? He was supposed to be gone, long gone.

  And then she remembered. The phone calls. Charlotte. Panicking, she darted her gaze, searching for her sister, not knowing what she would say if she saw her. There were many things she could say. None of them positive, of course. But silence…silence had been the best option. Until now.

  “Alec.” Her voice locked in her throat, coming out strained and forced.

  He turned to face her, his eyes growing wide at the sight of her. “Are you okay?”

  “I need you to do me a favor,” she whispered urgently. Her heart was pounding as her eyes zipped from Alec to Jake and back again.

  He hadn’t noticed her. Not yet. But he would. And soon.

  Alec rolled his eyes in a joking way. “Do the best man duties ever end? What do you need me to do now? Arrange flowers? Frost the cake? Oh…I know. Kiss the bride?”