Better Than Chocolate (Sweet Somethings Book 1) (11 page)

With a deep breath, I vow to ignore her glares and grumbles, pluck the nearest gift off the table, and hand it to Sadie.

A chorus of “oohs” and “aahs” accompany the reveal of each gift. Crystal champagne flutes for the wedding toast. A set of picture frames studded with what could be real diamond flakes. A racy negligee that makes poor Rose bury her face in her grandmother’s shoulder.

The last gift I hand over is the flat one in silver paper, and while Sadie laughs and tears the package open, I gather the envelopes in the card basket.

“Oh, Carmella, honey!”

Eyebrows raised, I turn back as Sadie holds up a brightly colored platter, the scalloped edges sculpted to look like leaping dolphins. It’s the first genuine grin I’ve seen on her face since the bridal shower started.

My jaw drops. That’s the exact platter I tried to order, but couldn’t. It was unavailable by the time I got to it.

Sadie turns to the other women, who seem less than impressed with the platter and the bride’s enthusiastic reaction to it. “Carmella totally gets my style.” Then she smile sweetly at me again. “Thank you!”

“I didn’t―”

I didn’t order anything off her registry, especially not that platter. And I’d been feeling horrible about it. The saving grace was that Ryan was the only other person who knew about the platter, that Sadie wanted it, and I hadn’t ordered it in time.

Ryan
.

He had to have done it. Ordered it and put my name on the gift card. Why would he do something like this? Maybe to help me save face, or maybe because it’s the last time he could give Sadie something she wanted. Of course he couldn’t put his own name on the card.

My lips pull into a grin, even though my face feels hot from embarrassment. “I didn’t think it’d get here in time.”

“I think it’s cute,” Rose pipes up. “It will be fun to use at parties.”

To mask my thoughts, I drop into the chair next to Sadie and pass her the first of the cards in my hand. The offending platter is whisked out of sight, but all I can think of is texting Ryan when I have a chance to find out if my suspicions are true.

Chapter 12

Change of Plans

On Friday morning, Sadie plops down next to me at my poolside table, where I sit slathering jam on a croissant and trying to decide what to do with today’s downtime. I’m glad for the break in activities. Last night’s bachelorette party went until almost two, and I expect tonight’s rehearsal dinner to stretch into the wee hours as well.

The bride is bright-eyed, however, and practically bouncing in her seat as she waits for me to finish chewing my first bite. Once I swallow, she releases a squeal and claps her hands. “You’ll never guess!”

Between the lack of sleep and the daiquiris I consumed, my disposition is the exact opposite of Sadie’s. In general, I don’t do late night parties. I’m a strict bed-by-eleven girl, even on the weekends.

“Guess what?” I grumble.

She sighs and props her chin in her hands. “Nelson was able to get the yacht.”

“There’s a yacht?”

“It’s huge, it can hold all two hundred wedding guests with room to spare.”

I choke, and Sadie calmly pours a glass of orange juice. Slurping down enough to clear my throat, I set down my croissant and hold up one hand. “I thought this was supposed to be a small, intimate wedding on the beach. That’s what you told me when you called last month.”

“Well . . .” She taps her fingernails on the table. “Originally it was. But when we announced the wedding, Nelson started getting all sorts of congratulatory calls and emails from business associates. And he feels like he can’t snub them by making it family only.”

There’s no point in reminding her she was ready to put that same snub on her sister. “Are you okay with that?”

“Sure, I guess.” She shrugs. “At the end of the day, as long as I get to say ‘I do’, it doesn’t matter where I say it. Beach or boat.”

I take another sip of juice while I formulate my thoughts. “But is it really what you want? And, Sadie-lady, don’t take this the wrong way. Not just the wedding on the yacht thing. But the whole lifestyle you’re marrying into.”

A slight frown creeps across her face as she leans back in her chair. I almost retract the question, but then I realize she’s thinking about it.

“Yes.”

I lean forward. “Yes, what?”

“Yes, I want all of it.” She grins and pushes her sunglasses up like a tiara. “I do have an inkling of what it’s all going to mean. I’ve been here for a month and a half now, so I’ve seen Nelson’s lifestyle. He’s rich, but he’s not a high-roller like you’re thinking. He is a dad, after all. It’s not diamonds and champagne twenty-four-seven.”

“That reminds me. I haven’t seen you take a single sip of alcohol since I got here.”

“What do you mean?”

My gaze drops to the pitcher of orange juice. “You’ve always liked to party. You were in a sorority in college. I’ve never seen you at a social event without a drink in your hand.”

“Oh.” She sighs and fiddles with her ring. Sunlight catches the giant diamond, and flashes of light dance on her cheeks. “I guess I just don’t see the point anymore.”

“You changed your habits that fast?”

“Nelson’s not a big drinker either.”

I shrug. “If you say so. I’ve seen him drink this week.”

“But maybe only one or two at dinner, right?” Her earnest glance meets mine. “You thought he was using alcohol to keep me here, didn’t you?”

Heat rushes into my face. “I never said―”

“You didn’t have to say it, honey. I know how worried you were about this whole thing, and I appreciate it.” She pats my arm. “It surprised me that he didn’t keep trying to buy me drinks when we met. It was the opposite of every other guy I’ve ever dated.”

That’s not completely true, and I have to point it out. “Ryan never did.”

My quiet statement draws another sigh from her. An odd look comes over her face. “You’re right,” she concedes. “But we were friends first for a long time.”

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have brought him up.” Forget that he’s been on my mind since the bridal shower. He never replied to my text asking if he was behind the dolphin platter.

“It’s fine, honest.” She shakes her head, then stands. “I’ve got a massage in a half hour. What are your plans for the day?”

I stutter for a second or two at the sudden change in topic. “I figured I’d find a beach umbrella and read for a while. Just relax till it’s time for the rehearsal.”

“Don’t forget your sunblock, then. I’ll see you later!”

Shrieks and high pitched laughter catch my attention as I wander onto the beach, floppy hat and book in hand. Shading my eyes, I look around at the assorted resort guests lounging on the sand. A few dozen yards away, Josh chases his nieces through the surf, alternately lifting them to his shoulders and swinging them around, then letting them tackle him.

A reluctant smile eases across my face. Since our little adventure earlier this week, I haven’t seen much of him. What glimpses I have had seemed to prove my initial impression true. Flirting with waitresses and other resort guests alike, he gives off that womanizer vibe. A lot of flash and grin with no meaningful substance. Fortunately, my maid of honor duties have kept some distance between me and his attempts at seduction.

But as I watch him play with Katrina and Rose, I admit to myself that he does have a heart.

And he doesn’t look too bad in swim trunks either.

Rose spots me, raising one hand in an enthusiastic wave. I return the greeting, and both girls sprint toward me, their wet braids flopping around their shoulders. Josh ambles after them, hands on his hips in a pose that accentuates his abs. I wish, yet again, he wasn’t so good looking. I still can’t decide if he’s just an annoyance or if I should be on my guard.

Or if the fact that my stomach flips over when I see him in bare-muscled glory is due to the dearth of dates I’ve had in the past four months, or something else.

Katrina, perpetually bouncing, distracts me from Josh’s pectorals and deltoids. “Did Sadie tell you about the yacht? Wait till you see it. Daddy just had it all refurbied last month.”

“Refurbished,” Rose corrects. She smiles at me. “The four of us will take it on a big trip after the wedding. Dad and Sadie didn’t want to leave us home when they go on their honeymoon.”

“That’s nice of them.” I squeeze her hand. “Gives all of you a chance to spend some time together before you go back to school.”

Katrina hops toward Josh, grabbing his arm and tugging him in the direction of the resort. “Can we go get some ice cream now? You promised.”

He casts an unreadable glance my way and hesitates. “Sure. I did promise.” He winks at his niece. “You and Rose run ahead and decide what you want. I’ll be there in a minute.”

The girls bid me giggling goodbyes, and I settle my hat on my head before turning to Josh. “For a second, I wondered if you’d break the ice cream promise. I don’t think I could forgive you if you had.”

“I wouldn’t break a promise to those girls for a million dollars.” He crosses his arms with an almost defensive huff. “I just thought I might be able to convince you to take a walk on the beach first.”

I smirk, searching his face for an indication of his intentions. He’s quite adept at shifting roles. One minute the doting uncle, the next a playboy on the prowl. He hasn’t exactly hit on me since we went into Christiansted together, but that doesn’t mean he won’t try.

“What makes you think you’d talk me into doing anything with you?”

Well, that sounded a little too much like flirting. A challenge.

He picks up on it. “I think you’d be surprised what I could talk you into.” Leaning forward, he flicks the brim of my hat. “You might even enjoy it, sweet-as-Carmella.”

My smirk turns to a scowl. “Do lines like that ever actually work for you?”

Instead of answering, Josh shrugs and saunters toward the resort.

After a relaxing sojourn on the beach, followed by a late lunch and a nap, I spiff myself up for the rehearsal and meet Sadie in the lobby by seven. When she sees the clingy blue jersey dress, the same one I wore to dinner with Ryan in Puerto Rico, she gives me two thumbs up.

“Carmella, this is almost unfair. Everyone’s attention is supposed to be on the bride!”

The laughter in her voice draws a chuckle from me. “Nobody will look at anyone but you tonight, Sadie-lady. Or tomorrow, for that matter.”

We link arms and head out to the pavilion, where the justice of the peace is waiting with Nelson, Josh, and the girls.

“So, does having the wedding on the yacht change anything about tomorrow’s festivities?” I ask.

“Maybe just adding the chance someone will get seasick,” she quips. “But as long as the water’s calm, no one will even notice we’re not on dry land.”

We climb the steps up to the pavilion, and the men turn our way. Nelson has eyes only for Sadie, but Josh’s glance slides down me from head to toe, an element of surprise on his face. A ridiculous warmth rises in my skin, and I wish I’d worn my sundress instead. He manages to clear his throat and collect himself before we reach the officiant, making a visible effort to remain all business.

The Justice of the Peace takes us through tomorrow’s proceedings, giving Katrina and Rose a few practice runs at walking down the aisle. Satisfied everything will go as planned, Nelson sends his daughters back to the terrace, where a relaxed and informal rehearsal dinner is set up in a circle of tables on the pool deck. Then we sign the witness papers and head back ourselves, the bride and groom in the lead.

Josh hangs back and touches my arm. “You look gorgeous, by the way.”

My eyebrow lifts. “You’re just saying that.”

“Are you sure I can’t talk you into that walk on the beach? Once the champagne starts flowing, no one will notice if we slip away.”

“It’ll take a little more than champagne to get me to agree to a romantic walk on the beach.”

“So a walk on the beach with me would be romantic?”

Carmella, you idiot
.

I press my lips together and take a deep breath. “I think we’re holding everyone up.”

With a sly grin, Josh waves one hand toward the terrace, then follows in my wake as I hurry toward the wedding guests gathering around Sadie and Nelson. Sadie gives me a questioning glance, as if to ask if everything’s okay. I’m about to give her the okay sign, when movement on the edge of the terrace catches my attention.

It catches Sadie’s, too. Her expression turns from curiosity to shock, and she rushes to my side. “Carmella,” she murmurs.

I whip around. My stomach plummets past my feet, and I begin to tremble. “I don’t know why he’s here.”

Her hand closes around mine, squeezing, as Ryan takes a few tentative steps out of the shadows and pauses before us, hands in the pockets of his dress pants.

“Hi, Sadie.” His gaze shifts to me before he speaks again in that calm, measured way of his. “I thought I’d come show my support.”