Every word, every syllable that Henry uttered, stabbed her slowly and painfully. She couldn’t even breathe from the pain. She turned to avoid Henry’s hard stare. She gripped the banister as if it was a lifeline.
What am I going to do?
She thought about the days when Henry kissed her as a lover would and held her like a precious woman he didn’t want to let go. When they moved in together and times got rough, she’d go back to those memories, then maybe life with Henry wouldn’t be so difficult. “I understand,” she whispered.
“Good.”
“But, Henry, I will talk to my parents. Do the same.”
“No. After what you’ve done, the least you could do is give in to our parents’ wishes. You’ve made them worry. I’m sure they’ve lost sleep over your foolishness. Do this at least.”
“That’s not fair, Henry.”
“It is,” he snapped.
“Please don’t be angry.”
Henry cupped her face with his warm hands. “Honey, I am beyond angry.” Then he kissed her.
Chapter Eight
“It’s going to be all right, June.” Vivienne squeezed June’s hands, let go then fingered the ivory silk ribbon on her wedding dress.
“God knows I’ve tried getting away from all this.”
“I know. But your parents made good points, June. You don’t want Jelly Bean to grow up a bastard. It’s already tough living in our world. Let’s not make it even tougher for your baby.”
June knew Vivienne spoke from experience. Vivienne had grown up without a father. Her mom had jumped from one boyfriend to the next. The last one had even tried to rape Vivienne.
“You’re right. Who would have thought our plan would backfire, huh?”
Vivienne smiled. “I think what happened is delicious. Imagine. You slept with drop-dead gorgeous Henry, you are now pregnant with his baby and you two are getting married. My God, June. I’m salivating just thinking about you two in your marriage bed.”
“Weren’t you listening when I told you what he said?”
“I know! He’ll sleep with you only if he feels like it.”
“So? What’s so delicious about that?”
“Whatever.” Vivienne waved her hand in the air. “You know what? I think Henry finding out about the baby is good.”
“Why?”
“We could ask him for help. When—”
“No. He told me not to expect anything from him. This marriage is a sham, Vivienne.”
Vivienne’s shoulders sagged.
“Vi. We both know that he’ll most likely file for a divorce after a month.”
“And in that short month, he might fall in love with you. Maybe the ring is the sign.”
“I don’t know, Vi. But it would be wonderful if he loves Jelly Bean.” Then if she didn’t survive her ordeal, Jelly Bean would still have a parent to dote on her and love her. But what would the possibility be?
“Vi, he gave me the ring before he found out about the baby. And the ring is just a reminder that I can go to him if I need help. And I’m supposed to return it when I find my soul mate.”
“I still think it’s romantic that he gave you his ring.”
“He probably regrets it now. I don’t even know what’ll happen to this marriage. It seems stupid to me to do this. He has a girlfriend, for criminy sake.”
“Well, let’s not think about the negative stuff. It’s your wedding day. I can’t believe you’re wearing this gown.”
June sighed. “Me either.”
Henry’s mother, Minerva—Mrs. Colchester, as she called her—had insisted that June wear this gown. The mermaid style dress, also known as the fit-and-flare, hugged her body then flared out at the knee. Afraid that her little bump would show, she hadn’t wanted the dress style. But once she’d tried it on, something had happened. She felt so beautiful, sexy, luscious, lusty. Dear Lord, she wanted Henry to notice her hourglass shape.
The price for the dress, she’d learned, was exorbitant. She’d have to work for years to be able to afford this dress. But Henry’s mother had surprised her by saying that the gown was hers and Judge Colchester’s wedding present.
“I’m sure every woman downstairs will be jealous.
I’m
jealous. And the men—oh, la la! Their nuts will be so heavy they’ll reach the floor when they see you. They’ll think Henry is one lucky bastard.”
“Except he isn’t. He’ll be saddled with a woman he doesn’t love nor wish to marry.”
“I don’t know. You said it yourself. Why would he agree to marry you? I’m thinking that maybe he’ll also feel that magic that you told me about the first night you slept with him and that continued to swirl around you both for the next three days. That could be his reason.”
Magic. Yeah, that night had been magical. But like Cinderella, she’d been back to being an ordinary woman as soon as she’d said goodbye to Henry. “He’s just trying to save his family name because my parents threatened him.”
“All right. Our plan didn’t work as we hoped it would be, but things happen for a reason. Now, please smile. You’re ruining this dress with your sad face.” Vivienne adjusted her crown of orchids. “Henry kissed you at the verandah. Fate, my friend, is planning something delicious. Let’s wait and see what it is.”
The kiss.
June shivered thinking about that open-mouthed kiss followed by a gentle sucking on her neck. It never failed to make her hair stand on end. It was a kiss with savage intensity. Henry had sucked her lips so hard she’d felt pain before he pulled her against him to leave a kiss mark on her neck. He was angry and only meant to punish her, she knew. But she wanted that kiss again.
“He couldn’t punch me so he kissed me instead. He was angry, Vi.”
“Oh, la la. Then make him angry all the time.”
“Vi, stop.”
“He’ll get over it. Henry’s a nice guy, and nice guys know how to forgive. All right, June, this is your wedding day—a chance to forget about our problem. Think about tomorrow later. Now, smile.”
“You’re right.”
“So, how do you feel? Any symptoms at all?”
“My lower back aches and I’m nauseous. But that could be the result of pregnancy.”
“As soon as the baby is born, we have to tell your parents, June. We have to.”
“We will.”
Doctor Sanders had warned her that she shouldn’t wait, that the pregnancy wasn’t a good idea and she should have frozen her eggs instead. But freezing her eggs was expensive too. And she wasn’t even sure if they were good. Plenty of things could go wrong. Eggs might not survive the freezing process or fail to create feasible embryos—or might not attach to her uterus when the doctor implanted them. Freezing eggs would be a gamble, an experiment she didn’t want to take.
“June.
“Yeah?”
“Craig doesn’t believe that we did a good thing.”
June sighed. “We know how he is.”
“A guy who lives by good moral and character, but dreaming about licking a man’s Popsicle.”
“Vi!” June laughed.
“It’s true!”
Craig, at six feet two, hazel-eyed and with longish, dark curly hair, was a girl magnet. He’d been that way since middle school where they’d all met. No one would know just by looking at him that his heart beat for men alone. He was good at hiding his true self from other people, but not with her and Vi.
She’d asked Craig about coming out. Craig replied that someday—when he met his match—he wouldn’t have to shed his skin. His soul mate would know who he was and what he was just by looking at him. When she asked how, he’d just said that it was all in the eyes.
“You know, Craig is really worried.”
“Don’t I know that? He didn’t believe I’d get sick like this. Vi, Craig seems different since we told him about my cancer. We didn’t tell him I’m dying, did we?”
“No. But he most likely jumped to that conclusion when we told him you wanted to get pregnant so you could leave your parents a little Junie.”
June sighed. “He’s been calling me almost every day and during weird hours too. He says he can’t sleep and has been thinking about me. He’s getting weirder.”
“You know what? I told him it’s nobody’s fault that you’re sick, because he’s been acting as if
he
gave you cancer.”
“He cares too much. He’s been that way since we were in middle school. But I don’t want to be blamed if he loses his job. He said he can’t think at work and that he’d trade places with me if he could.”
“Sheez. Don’t worry about his job. He has enough money coming out of his ears. Too bad he’s gay. I’d let him bone me anytime.”
“Vi! God…” June laughed. “You are horrible. He’s our best friend.” Just like that and her spirit was buoyed. “Thanks for making me laugh.”
“Of course. I’ll make sure Craig laughs too. He needs to enjoy this day. Maybe introduce him to some of the hunks downstairs.”
“Maybe you should. Vi, if you’re here, who is Craig with?”
“Last time I saw, he was suffering with three gorgeous women flocking him. One looked ready to take her top off as she tried to win Craig’s attention. I could have saved him, but I’m needed here.”
“Thanks, Vi. Glad I was able to tell Mom to see to Dad. I couldn’t stand any more of her attention. She’s driving me crazy.”
“Saw her downstairs. She’s walking on clouds.” Vivienne looked at her watch. “Ten minutes, June. You ready?”
“No. I’m thinking about climbing out the window then running.”
“Silly. Have you seen the guests?”
“Haven’t been downstairs. I’m afraid to see them.”
“Well, just imagine the scene in the James Bond movie where 007 went to the casino and everybody was dressed impeccably. Women dripped with jewels, and the guys—total gods. That’s what those people downstairs look like. And they’ll be looking at you, June.”
“That’s supposed to make me feel better?”
“Yes! It’s not every day that people would ohh and ahh at you. June, no one compares with you tonight.”
“I’m a fraud. I shouldn’t be wearing this. Henry’s girlfriend, Stacey, should.”
“Dang it. Please, I don’t want to hear another word about that bitch. I saw her wrapped around Henry like a snake, as if she and Henry are still going out. She was smiling at everyone, greeting them, standing beside Henry’s parents as if she’s a family member. I mean, if I were her, I wouldn’t appear as if Henry’s wedding is no big deal. Really, if you see her, it’s as though she’s not affected at all. Kind of weird, considering only a week ago news about their soon-to-be engagement was the talk of the town. Man, she got dumped.”
Maybe she didn’t.
“She could just be putting on a brave face.” Maybe her role in Henry’s life had changed from girlfriend to mistress. Possible. June’s heart bled a little.
“Let me tell you this, June. Stacey would look like discarded underwear standing close to you. Henry will see that. I know he’ll realize he got lucky finding you.”
June faced her long-time friend. Vivienne had been a hard rock for her, protecting her from bullies at school and guys who’d tried to fool around with her. She’d even took the fall when they were in high school and got caught hiding behind the gym smoking weed. Vivienne wouldn’t tell her how they’d gotten away with that. Vivienne had been a friend she couldn’t live without. “I love you, Vi.”
“OMG. Don’t you freaking cry on me, you crybaby. And don’t hug me either. You are so pristine. I don’t want my makeup to get on your gorgeous gown.”
Vivienne’s eyes grew misty, but she didn’t say anything. One thing she knew well about Vivienne… She never wanted to look weak.
A knock sounded on the door.
“Maybe a butler is knocking. No, maybe the chambermaid bearing the news the lords and ladies are waiting.”
Another knock.
“Better get that, Vi.”
“Oh, and I’m your lady-in-waiting. Tra-la-la!” Vivienne’s long dress made a soft sound on the hardwood floor. June admired her friend from behind. The silver dress she wore matched the color of June’s gown ribbon. It also hugged Vivienne’s body like a second skin. The dress may be plain, but on Vivienne, it looked fantastic. She’d bet Vivienne would attract attention too.
June heard the door open and close.
“All right, June. Big surprise. Told you he’s nice.” Vivienne handed her a blue velvet box. “From your husband-to-be.”
June stared at the box. Why would he give her a gift? “What do you think it is?”
“Duh. Open it.”
With her heart pounding so hard it was as if it was trying to get out of her chest, she opened the box. She couldn’t believe it. A pair of dangly seed pearl earrings with diamonds winked back at her. A small note sat in the corner. June ran her fingers over the jewels. “So beautiful.”
“Damn. They look ancient. See the pearl? Not round, but like the antique kind. And the diamonds…wow. Do you think Henry rented these?”
“Don’t know. Maybe these belong to the family. I could wear them then return them after the wedding.”
“You mean like a princess who gets to wear something that belonged to a queen?”
“Yeah.”
“Probs. Put them on.”
“Wait. There’s a note.” She unfolded the small paper and read the poem written there—Robert Browning’s
Meeting at Night
.
The grey sea and the long black land…
Frowning, she handed the note to Vivienne.
“Man, it’s a poem. Why couldn’t he just write something everyone would understand? I’m never good at poems. You are. Did you tell him, June?”
“We talked about poems.”
“What does it mean?”
“He’s saying that if you are motivated, sacrifice everything and work hard to achieve your goal, success can be reached. By enjoying the hard work, then we’ll find true happiness and love. Success is sweeter. Love is deeper.”
Vivienne placed her hands on her hips, her lips pursed. “Well, hell. I don’t like that poem. It’s as if he’s schooling you about working hard and not taking shortcuts.”
June liked to think that Henry was talking about their meeting that night. But Vivienne could be right too. “It’s a poem. Anyone can interpret it differently.” She picked up the earrings then put them on. “All right. I’m ready.”
“Good. Let’s rock the Colchester’s world.”
Chapter Nine
Two friends and her parents. Aside from her, Vivienne, Craig and her parents, June didn’t invite anyone else to their wedding. She’d told him that she didn’t have family. He’d thought she was just bullshitting him.