"Still Best Man, as far as I know."
Jake nodded. "So, who was it then? If not the cougarlicious Cherry, then whose bra was that? Though, really, I should have known it couldn't belong to her. Her boobs would never be contained by that scrap of lace you've got in your pocket." He held his own hands several inches in front of his chest, demonstrating the size of Cherry's large fake breasts.
"It was someone else." Mark said absently, reaching into his pocket to touch the bra he'd tucked there for safe-keeping. Personally, he thought Serena's breasts were perfect. Cherry's massive mammaries didn't even come close.
"I get it." Jake nodded knowingly. "You don't know who she was. Just some random nymphomaniac wandering around in the maze? And you offered to show her the way out, for a price." He wiggled his sandy eyebrows suggestively.
"What? No, nothing like that. You watch too much porn, you know that?"
"C'mon. I gave up my porn collection years ago. But who was here then? Someone important? Future girlfriend maybe?"
"Future wife, I'm hoping. Why are you so interested?"
"Oh." Jake took a huge bite of pizza, chewed it thoughtfully and then downed half his beer. He belched impressively and then looked up at Mark. "Well, we thought you and Serena would end up together, so I'm kind of surprised that you're serious about someone else."
"Who's 'we' exactly?"
"Well, Lacey and I were talking and we realized what's going on with you two."
Mark raised a sarcastic eyebrow and leaned against the stair railing. "And what's going on exactly."
"Glad you asked. Remember when Jack and Lacey were working together, and she had that crazy idea that they couldn't screw around AND build her house?"
"Yeah. Hard to forget. Jack was not in a good mood. He fired me twice during that fun time."
"Are you kidding? Jack was like a bear with his dick caught in a steel trap. He fired me three times. And I'm a partner."
"Okay, but what does that have to do with Serena and me?"
"Well, you guys are just like Jack and Lacey, except you've got years of sexual frustration built up rather than a few measly months. If you two idiots would just do it, then zip-zap, there wouldn't be anymore tension."
Mark stared at him in shock for a moment. Then started laughing. "You're completely nuts, you know that? Doing it will not solve the problem. Believe me. Serena has been trying to get me fired since the second I came back to town. When she isn't insulting me, she's avoiding me. That's more than a little tension. That's actual burning hatred." He took a gulp of his lukewarm beer and grimaced at the flavor. But at least it was a distraction from Jake's bizarro theory.
"Laugh all you want, man. But it makes sense. Serena is not your average girl."
"You got that right."
"What I mean is that she was brought up around a lot of guys. Some girls wouldn't have been influenced, but she totally was. She wanted to be just like Jack. She followed him around, and even tried to talk like him. It was weird seeing this little girl, so cute and blonde, swear like a truck driver when she was like eight-years-old. You remember?"
Mark nodded. He did remember that. She had been adorable and funny as hell. He and Jack had been fourteen and just learning to curse properly and she had joined in, not quite understanding that her new vocabulary would not be appreciated by her mother.
"So, she has sensitive, touchy-feely emotions like a woman but thinks it's weak to act on them. So she denies them. And gets more and more frustrated. Which makes her bitchy as hell."
"Wow. When did you turn into Oprah?"
Jake flipped him the bird. "If you think about it, you'll realize I know exactly what I'm talking about."
"So, even if I believed your crack-pot hypothesis, how exactly would a guy get her to open up and admit she had some real feelings for him?"
Jake stopped eating and looked at him suspiciously. "Why do you care? I thought you were really into this wood-nympho who left her bra behind as a souvenir."
Mark gaped. When did Jake become so perceptive? "Hey, I care about Serena. You know that. I don't want her to end up alone and miserable. So, in theory, what would a guy have to do to get past all her issues?"
"No idea. I may have figured out the why, but it's up to the poor bastard who falls in love with her to figure out the rest."
"Great. That's very helpful."
"Don't mention it. But I will tell you this. The guy who Serena falls for won't try to dominate her or crush her independence. If he does, she'll blow him out of the water. If he wants her, he's going to have to let her be the boss."
Oh crap, Mark thought to himself. Was Jake right? He was closer to Serena than anyone. He would know what Serena needed? But some kind of weakling, new age, sensitive guy? One of those freaks with manicures who liked watching Lifetime movies, and talking about their feelings? That didn't seem right. If so, then he was out of luck.
This afternoon it had taken a monumental effort to allow her out of his sight. Then tonight, when she'd slipped away in the dark, he'd nearly chased her down in the street. If it hadn't been for his stupid bum knee, he would have dominated the hell out of her both times. It went against his nature not to try and control her. Not because he didn't believe she was capable of taking care of herself. She was. He just felt it was his job to protect her and make life easier for her. Because he loved her and that's what men in love did, even if it did drive their women crazy.
Mark sighed and picked up the last slice of pizza in the box. Had Jake actually hoovered nearly the whole pie in ten minutes? "C'mon, let's get back to work on the gazebo. I want to show it to Jack and Lacey tomorrow and we've wasted enough time tonight."
Jake smiled to himself. Mark was all business now but the wheels were obviously turning in his head. That's all the encouragement Jake needed. That fifty bucks was going to be his. His oldest brother, Jack, had bet him earlier that day that he couldn't get Mark and Serena together by the wedding. Judging by Mark's obvious interest in his harebrained theory, which he'd made up on the spot, and the fact that Serena's car had been parked up the street when he'd arrived, these two love-struck fools were already together, they just didn't know it yet.
All he had to do now was get them to acknowledge their relationship publicly and Jack would have to cough up the money, and admit that he was the better match-maker. As an added bonus, he would really enjoy watching Mark trying to deny his alpha nature in order to win Serena. He couldn't wait to see how that would unfold.
Chapter Eleven
Three Weeks Later
Jack's second wedding was a truly fabulous party. Cherry, the Wedding Planner, had taken Mark's simple garden and gazebo and created a lush and colorful oasis in the middle of the maze. Multi-colored flower petals were spread everywhere, and the white tent constructed beside the gazebo was filled to capacity with tables of food, fine china and sparkling crystal.
The late fall weather cooperated and the gazebo steps provided the perfect setting for Jack and Lacey to exchanges their vows. Lacey, of course, cried throughout most of the ceremony. She'd never expected to get married, let alone to this incredible man. And yet there she was, promising herself to him. It was wonderful, kind of scary, and exactly what she'd always wanted. Her life had suddenly become so much more than she'd ever dreamed. All because of one Open House.
Given her emotional state, no one was really surprised when the happy couple announced that they were pregnant during the speeches. Jack would deny it later, but his eyes were suspiciously glassy when he told his brothers that they were going to be uncles in about six months. This, of course, resulted in much back-slapping and toasts to the next generation of Kingston Brothers.
A local band was playing classic rock as the wedding guests danced, flirted, ate and drank way too much. Everyone was having a great time. Well, everyone except Serena and Mark. Especially Mark. He looked like a storm cloud was brewing over his head whenever Serena came within shouting distance of him. And Serena, well, Serena s
eemed quiet. And thoughtful. In other words, quite unlike herself.
She did, however, look undeniably beautiful. While in Hawaii, she'd dyed her hair back to its natural sandy blonde, and it was piled up on top of her head in a sophisticated arrangement that left her tanned neck and shoulders completely bare. The modest Grecian style of her silk gown wasn't form fitting, yet the drape of it against her slim curves was subtly sensual.
She was sitting at one of the far tables, nursing a glass of wine, and watching two of her cousins flirt with any and all available females at the reception. Liz Chamberlain, Lacey's friend and fellow nurse, was dancing closely with Jeremy, the second oldest Kingston brother. The statuesque redhead also looked fabulous in her scarlet bridesmaid's dress, and was boldly running her hands over Jeremy's broad shoulders. Serena fully expected that Jeremy would be spending the night at Liz's cottage down the street tonight. The next day he would be with someone new. He was that charming, and the women he hooked up with didn't even seem to mind because he was just so direct and honest with them.
Jacob, who was giddy after making his own announcement, was dancing up a storm with three eligible young ladies. He had just told the family that he was quitting Kingston Bros. His dream of becoming a police officer was finally coming true, and he was leaving in two weeks to start classes at the police academy. Serena suspected that he had purposely chosen such a public venue for his revelation to avoid a confrontation with Jack. Jacob was an incredibly efficient and talented carpenter, and his older brother would have a difficult time replacing him. Plus, Jack had a soft spot for his little brother and hated the thought of losing him. Especially to such a dangerous vocation.
James, the last Kingston brother, was nowhere to be seen. Serena wondered if he'd already found someone to hook up with. He wasn't as wild as Jacob and Jeremy, but his quiet, gentle nature still drew female attention like kitties to cat nip. He didn't even have to try very hard. Women pursued him and yet he remained oddly sweet and genuine. Not even a bit arrogant, though he certainly had a right to feel smug about his conquests.
The three brothers, with Mark as Best Man, had looked incredibly gorgeous in their dark tuxes, standing up for Jack along the gazebo steps. The bridesmaids, including Serena and Liz, had felt practically dowdy in comparison to their dazzling male counterparts.
Mark, in Serena's opinion, had never looked more handsome. He'd actually had his hair trimmed for the occasion, and though he refused to tie it back, it was at least brushed back from his beautiful, stormy face. It was difficult not to remember the last time she'd seen him in a tuxedo. That had been at Jack's first wedding, not exactly a pleasant memory. But she was determined that this night would end much differently.
She'd been watching Mark all afternoon. She couldn't help it. Her eyes seemed to be drawn to him. Despite all their history and how things had ended so abruptly between them recently, he was still the man she couldn't stop thinking about. She'd tried to deny it at first, but the truth was that she'd missed him terribly over the past three weeks. Unfortunately, right now he looked like he hated her. With good reason, of course, but it was still hurtful. She had, after all, used and abandoned him in this exact spot three weeks ago. Then she'd run away. All the way to her mother's timeshare in Maui. Yup, not her finest hour.
She knew it was a weak and immature reaction to what had transpired between them, but she'd desperately needed to get away. To sort out her thoughts and get her head on straight. And to figure out exactly what she wanted from Mark. Despite her cruel intention to use him and then forget about him, he was in her thoughts constantly now. Having first-hand knowledge of how mind-blowing it was to feel him inside her made it impossible to focus on anything else. Sex with Mark had compounded her obsession with him instead of purging it.
Having hours and hours of idle time to enjoy on the beach in Kihei had been a particularly exquisite type of sensual torture. For perhaps the first time in six years she'd had the freedom to relax and do whatever she desired. And what had she done? She'd spent her hiatus from life endlessly reliving those minutes on her knees in this garden with Mark.
It had been so easy to imagine him beside her in the sand; doing all the wicked things she'd always been curious about but had never really been brave enough to try. She wanted to explore everything with Mark. Because she wanted him. Not just in her bed, but in her life as well. If she could just figure out how to make that happen after she'd treated him so horribly.
Except for recurring thoughts of Mark, it had been surprisingly easy to leave everything behind on a whim. All it took was a phone call to her mom, a text to Jack, and a quick stop at her apartment to gather some clothes and she was free to run away to the airport. Kingston Bros., did not implode without her, and the family didn't fall apart either. It was disturbing but liberating to discover that they weren't nearly as dependent on her as she'd come to believe. Her mother had actually seemed relieved to hear that she was taking some time off and had enthusiastically stepped in to cover all of Serena's real estate obligations during her absence. Fortunately, Mrs. Garrison was a quick study and had worked as a Realtor for Kingston Bros., before she'd retired and let Serena take over.
Serena had expected a tirade from Jack, but his response to her text had been surprisingly understanding and sweet. He'd told her to do what she needed to do, stay safe, and make sure she was back in time for the wedding. Other than that, no one seemed too upset by her complete and utter flakiness. She'd been worried over nothing all this time. Life actually had the nerve to carry on without her. She'd been working herself ragged for no reason at all. Except her own inflated ego.
About a week into her vacation, just when she was getting settled into a routine of lying around on the beach, fantasizing about Mark, and taking afternoon naps, she'd given into temptation and checked her work email. Amongst the non-urgent messages there'd been an email from Lacey.
Subject: Wedding plans & some juicy gossip
From: [email protected]
To: Serena Garrison
Ess,
Just wanted to let you know that we've moved up the ceremony a week. Cherry, our wedding planner, is about to have a coronary over the change in plans but too bad. Mark surprised us with the most perfect outdoor setting for the reception. It's inside the maze! Isn't that cool? He planted the most beautiful English garden you can imagine and Jake constructed this adorable little white gazebo. Can you believe they've secretly been working weekends forever to put this thing together? They are so fabulous. Anyway, we want to take advantage of what is supposed to be good weather that week so hurry up and get yourself back here. Can't imagine getting married without our matchmaker, okay?
In other news, Jacob mentioned that he almost walked in on Mark with a mystery woman in the maze last Saturday night. Mark was all secretive, but he did tell Jake that he was serious about her. The words 'future wife' were actually uttered. Can you believe it? Mark's in love.
Hope you're getting the break you needed and that you find a cabana boy to help you relax. Jack and I certainly found our time there extremely pleasurable. (Wink, wink.)
We miss you.
That particular email had thrown her for a complete loop. Mark, in love, with her? Wife? Had he actually said that? It was fairly obvious that he was attracted to her, but love? Real love? Thinking back on her interactions with him, she tried to remember if she'd seen anything resembling love between them. When they'd been in the maze together, she'd seen something in his eyes. She hadn't wanted to examine it too closely at the time, but there had been something warm and sweet and downright unnerving in his gaze. Could it have been love? Maybe. But what about all the arguments? People in love weren't supposed to fight all the time, were they?
Upon reflection she discovered something pretty unpleasant about herself. She had started most of those heated discussions. Mark, for the most part, had just reacted to her hostility. And why was she so angry with him exactly? Becau
se he'd rejected her ten years ago? Was she that woman? The kind who could hold a grudge for an entire decade? It seemed like such a waste of energy, but that's what she'd done. She'd even attempted to get him fired because she couldn't stand being around him. She'd been sabotaging a man who had just lost his career, and his last living relative. Plus, he was recovering from a life-changing injury as well. Her own lack of compassion was staggering.
It was difficult to face, but once again the truth was impossible to ignore. She had been turning into a selfish, unlovable brat, and yet Mark had still wanted her. Or at least he had before she ran away. Now she wasn't so sure how he felt. And she was terrified to ask. But she would do it. She wasn't running anymore. And if he rejected her, she would accept it and move on. No more petty plans for vengeance or grudges. She couldn't promise to be calm and mature about another rejection that really wasn't her nature. But she wouldn't allow any future slights to consume her. She had wasted enough time indulging her negative emotions.
Despite her resolve to be a better person, she'd still felt nervous getting off the plane this morning from Hawaii. Could she actually do this? Face Mark and settle things between them once and for all? At a wedding and in front of everyone? For him she would try. Walking towards the baggage area she'd actually smiled to herself, imagining Mark's reaction to this new and improved Serena. He was going to be so confused.
She'd just been grabbing her bag off the turnstile when a familiar figure caught her eye. It was a tall, blonde man standing at one of the gates down the long corridor. Going cold, Serena had ducked behind an enormously obese fellow in a blue track suit. Peering around her human shield, she saw that the figure was, indeed, Karl Bauer. She started to panic, thinking he was waiting for her, but then he started walking towards a woman and child who were timidly entering the receiving area.
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