Outrageously in Love by Jen Morris
35
The ceremony is absolutely beautiful, and the weather is perfect: sunny but crisp and cool, with the blaze of fall colors surrounding the courtyard making for a stunning setting. I can see why they chose this time of year.
Everything goes smoothly, but it’s not until we are milling in the reception hall, waiting for Alex and Michael’s entrance and sipping champagne, that I start to relax.
“This is such a wonderful venue,” Geoff says, glancing around the hall.
He, Cat and Myles arrived at lunchtime today. Myles is really nice, and exactly the kind of guy I imagined Cat to be with: medium height, chestnut hair and scruff, a tattoo snaking up his right arm into a dress shirt with rolled back sleeves. He’s smitten with her; he hasn’t left her side since they arrived. Cat strikes me as being tough and fierce, but there’s something about the way Myles makes her soften that tells me he’s a good guy.
It’s been great having these three here. They came early to see how Alex was getting on and to check if we needed help with anything. Geoff has been on parent patrol since he arrived—making sure they’re happy and not letting Mum bother Alex. I have it on good authority he’s been talking Michael up so much that even Mum is starting to come around.
My eyes meander around the room and land on Luke. He’s standing dutifully beside Dena, but she’s enthralled by another conversation with William. I can see what Luke means about those two getting on well. No wonder he’s afraid to tell his dad.
He sends me a tiny smile, bouncing his eyebrows ever so slightly and tipping his champagne glass in my direction. He doesn’t do anything more, but the sparkle in his eye—the one that’s reserved only for me—sends pleasure melting right through me. I know he’d much rather be over here on my arm, and the thought makes a satisfied little smile nudge my lips.
And boy, does he look good today. He’s wearing a tux, which highlights everything that’s gorgeous about him: his tall frame, his broad shoulders, his dark hair. Okay, I can’t see his forearms, but the rest of it is divine enough that I can live without them for a few hours. He groomed his short beard for the day, so the dark edge of the bristles emphasize his Adam’s apple and the lines of his jaw. I never thought I’d be the type of woman to like a beard on a man but it’s so incredibly masculine and sexy. Every time I look at him there’s a rush of heat between my legs that makes my thighs squeeze together. I’m desperate to drag him into a broom closet somewhere, to hike up my dress and have him press me against a wall from behind. God.
He was pretty forthcoming with compliments for my dress, too. We had a brief moment alone in the hallway this morning while Alex and Michael were getting ready in their separate rooms, and he pulled me to one side.
“Harriet, you look so beautiful,” he’d murmured, checking the hallway for others. “Seriously, that dress, your hair…” His gaze swept over me and his fists flexed at his side, like he was fighting the urge to touch me. When his eyes met mine, they speared me with a look that was pure lust. “I wish we could be alone.”
I wanted to tell him how orgasmic his tux was, but Mum appeared in the hallway asking if she could see Alex, and I knew I couldn’t let her go into Alex’s room alone. I had no choice but to give Luke a faint smile and walk away. It nearly bloody killed me.
And now, as he basically eye-fucks me from across the room, I have to force myself to turn my attention back to the others in case the raw, primal need on my face gives everything away.
“Ugh,” Cat says as she takes a glass of champagne from Myles and casts her gaze across the room. It’s teeming with guests, only a handful of whom I actually know, but they all seem very friendly. Except Mel, of course. I follow Cat’s gaze and see she’s staring right at Mel, who’s wearing a floor-length, off-white gown that plunges low. It’s the most inappropriate thing I’ve ever seen anyone wear to a wedding, but thankfully Alex has been too busy making heart eyes at Michael to care.
Mel is even more terrifying than I remember. And, I’ve noticed, she seems to be quite close with Dena. I didn’t see that coming but I guess it makes sense. They were, after all, married to brothers. They probably spent summers at the lake and had Christmas and holidays together. In fact, I wonder if Mel knows they’ve divorced?
So much for Mel coming to support Henry, though; she’s barely spent two seconds with her son, who has been sitting with Michael and Luke’s Nana—Henry’s great grandmother—the whole time in the corner. I checked in with him to make sure he was okay, but he seemed happier away from the commotion. I don’t blame the poor guy.
“I can’t believe Mel is here,” Geoff murmurs. “And she had to bring Mark.”
“Who’s Mark?” I ask, passing my eyes over the guy she’s with. He’s tall and lean, with short brown hair and a silver chain glinting around his neck from under his dress shirt. Mel has one hand protectively on his bicep, her nails blood-red against his white shirt.
“Cat’s ex-husband.” Myles’s gaze narrows in their direction as he tucks Cat into his side and presses a kiss to her pink hair.
“Wait,” I say, slowly playing catch-up. “Michael’s ex-wife is dating your ex-husband, Cat? How do they know each other?”
Cat twirls her champagne glass, releasing a sigh. “Mel and I used to be friends. Good friends, or at least I thought we were. We were neighbors when she lived upstairs with Michael, before their divorce. Then I found out she was hooking up with my ex not long ago, so”—she shrugs—“that was the end of our friendship.”
I glance back at Mel and Mark, shaking my head in disbelief. “Wow.”
“You have no idea.” Geoff pushes his glasses up his nose with a humorless laugh. “Not only did she screw Cat over with Mark, she also tried to run her out of business. And she tried to get Alex fired.”
“Really?” Alex never mentioned any of this.
Geoff nods.
“What is wrong with this woman?” I mutter. “Someone needs to put her in her place.”
“Yes,” Myles says fiercely, and we share a frown.
Cat snorts. “It’s not worth it.”
I’m about to say something more when a hush falls over the room. We collectively turn to the doorway, where Alex and Michael enter. The room explodes into applause and I join in with whoops and cheers. Emotion wells up inside me as I watch them, glowing with love and happiness.
Before I can stop myself, my eyes veer over to Luke. He’s gazing right at me, his eyes shining, and I have to glance away in case I start blubbering like a fool. I don’t know where all this sudden mushiness has come from. I must have had too much champagne.
Alex and Michael do the rounds, greeting everyone and being congratulated, before we all sit down to dinner. I’m thrilled to find Luke is sitting right beside me—he must have switched the seating arrangements, and given we’re maid of honor and best man it’s not exactly suspicious—but it makes it hard to focus on eating. Well, that and the fact that I can feel Dena watching us from two tables away.
After dinner, there’s the clinking of a glass and we turn our attention as the toasts begin. I know I’m Alex’s sister and the maid of honor, but I’m not making a toast and neither is Luke. Alex told us that after all the work we’d done, we didn’t need to give toasts. I think, actually, she knew I would be uncomfortable getting up and speaking to a room full of people. Either way, I’m more than happy to not be the center of attention.
Michael stands with his glass and we all settle down to listen. “I just want to say a few words. First of all, Alex and I have to thank my brother, Luke, and her sister, Harriet, for taking care of a lot of the last-minute wedding details. Both Alex and I have been really busy with work and these two stepped up, without a word of complaint, and made sure everything was perfect.”
Pride bubbles up inside me. I glance at Luke with a grin, so pleased that after everything, they got to have the wedding they wanted and nothing got in the way. It’s all been worth it.
“They worked tirelessly,” Michael adds, “day after day, late into the night.”
Heat blooms in my cheeks and I peel my gaze from Luke’s. I mean, we certainly were up for all hours of the night, but…
“We are so very grateful,” Michael continues, raising his glass. “Thank you, guys. We’d also like to thank all our friends and family for making the trip here, especially Alex’s family who have come all the way from New Zealand. We’ll be coming for a visit very soon.” He grins, tipping his glass in the direction of my parents who beam back at him.
Oh bless, Geoff. You’ve done it.
Michael turns to Alex, his eyes twinkling. “And I have to say something about my beautiful bride.” He gazes at her and they exchange a secret smile. “A year ago I was trying to buy a sandwich when a girl spilled coffee all over me.” He shakes his head with a chuckle. “When she turned out to be my new neighbor, I wasn’t happy. Things in my life had been…” He pauses, running a hand over his beard. “They’d not been very good, for a while.”
I glance at Mel. She shifts in her seat, lifting her chin defiantly.
“But it didn’t take long for me to fall in love with Alex,” Michael continues. “She’s beautiful, she makes me laugh, and she’s the sweetest, most optimistic person I’ve ever met. She accepts me for who I am and supports me in everything I do. And she’s an amazing step-mother to Henry. She loves him as if he were her own son, and we are both so lucky to have her in our lives.”
I squirm in my seat, stealing a look at Mel again. Even I’m feeling uncomfortable on her behalf now. Her glare has turned icy but her head is still high.
When I turn back to Alex, she has tears streaming down her face and delicately pats at her cheek with her napkin. She’s such a sap.
“I never thought I could be as happy as I am,” Michael says, his own eyes moist. “Alex, I cannot wait to spend every day of my life with you. I’m the luckiest man in the world.”
My throat cinches tight as we raise our glasses. Under the table I feel Luke’s hand on my leg, brushing and gently squeezing, telling me something without words. When I let my gaze meet his, my heart expands at the tiny, almost shy smile on his face. And in that moment, I can’t deny it anymore.
I’ve fallen in love with him.
I don’t even know how I know that, but I do. It’s this warm, insistent, exhilarating feeling behind my breastbone telling me that it doesn’t matter that it’s only been two and a half weeks; I’m in love with this man. And instead of feeling panicked, I just feel… calm. This feels right. Because I think he feels it too.
I slide my hand under the tablecloth and interlace my pinkie finger with his, deciding that I’m going to tell him. Today. I’m going to tell him how I feel, and I’m going to tell him the truth about Harriet 2.0. And while I’m not quite as fearless as I told him I was on the plane, I’m also not that far off, because telling him I’m in love with him is a totally different kind of leap—one that’s more terrifying than going on the trapeze, or jumping from a plane. But I want this more than I’ve ever wanted anything, and I’m going to be brave enough to go after it.
Henry stands up next, his cheeks pink as he clutches a piece of paper to his chest. “Um, hello. I just wanted to say congratulations to Dad and Alex.” He pauses to check his paper, then takes a faltering breath. “Last year, Alex saved my life when I had an allergic reaction. Dad said it was a sign she was meant for us, and I think he’s right.”
Alex is blubbering now and Michael squeezes her into his side, pressing a kiss to her temple with a little chuckle.
“I’ve loved spending time with Alex,” Henry continues. “And it’s been nice to see Dad so happy. It’s made me really happy too.”
My gaze swerves to Mel again, and there’s a vein pulsing in her temple. But she’s not glaring at Henry; she’s shooting daggers at Alex. Instinctively I straighten up, as if preparing for battle.
“Congratulations, Dad and Alex. Alex, welcome to our family,” Henry says finally. The whole room erupts into applause and Henry sinks down into his seat with scarlet cheeks. Alex stands and rushes over to him, pulling him into a tight hug. She whispers something in his ear and he grins, squeezing her. I smile as I watch them. Alex has nothing to worry about with Henry; he loves her dearly.
Dad is up next. He gives a gushing toast about how proud he is of Alex and all she’s achieved moving over here and writing her books, which sets Alex off again, especially when Mum nods along in agreement. Then Dad talks about how wonderful Michael is and how pleased he is to welcome him to the family, and makes multiple hints about how he and Mum are expecting grandchildren in the very near future. This earns a grin from Michael in response.
Then William rises to his feet with a loud scrape of his chair, and I tense in anticipation for some kind of rant about what a disappointment his sons are. Of course, he doesn’t do that. His toast is sweet, about how Alex is lovely and he is happy to welcome her to the family—more glares from Mel, but honestly, what did she expect?—and how he looks forward to more grandchildren. In fact, it’s all going swimmingly until he wraps it up with the comment, “Let’s hope this one sticks, eh son?” Then he chuckles merrily to himself, raising his glass.
Crimson creeps onto Michael’s cheeks and Alex, who has been smiling pleasantly throughout, looks down at her lap, her shoulders sagging.
For fuck’s sake, William.Did he really have to get that last line in?
As we lift our glasses, I notice the smile is gone from Alex’s eyes. There’s a twist in my heart and I decide it’s time for me to get over myself and put her needs first.
I pull in a deep breath, grasping my glass, ready to stand and say all the wonderful things I’ve been thinking. But to my absolute horror, Mel pushes her chair back and stands, bashing her knife against her glass to get attention. My eyes whip back to Alex and I see her rosy complexion pale.
Oh, no. This is not happening. Not on my watch.
I summon all my inner strength and stand, stalking over to Mel just as she draws a breath to speak. As respectfully as I can, I lean over and whisper, “I don’t think you should make a toast. Maybe save what you want to say for later?”
But she waves me away, like I’m nothing more than a pesky mosquito. Then she turns to the expectant room, a savage smile spreading across her face. “As you may or may not know, Michael and I used to be married.”
I glance at Alex again, wringing my hands. She looks panicked as her fingers grip onto Michael’s. Even Henry is looking slightly ill.
I have to stop this.
Clearing my throat, I turn to the room. “Thanks, Mel,” I say jovially, forcing a laugh. “We don’t need the prequel.”
There’s a smattering of nervous laughter around the room, and I catch Myles watching with concern. Mel stops, her severe gaze cutting to me. Then—I cannot believe this—she simply turns back and starts speaking again. The nerve!
Now I’m not so much worried for Alex as I am pissed off. Who the hell does she think she is? She shouldn’t even be here right now, let alone standing up to speak. It’s time to put her in her place.
Before I know what I’m doing, I grab her arm and pull—shit, she’s strong—and somehow manage to yank her away from the table and out through a side door into an empty corridor. It’s not until the door has slammed shut behind me and I’ve let go of Mel’s arm that I realize what I’ve done.
Shit.