“You sure about this, bro? A baby’s involved.”
“I signed a contract, man. Dad threatened to ruin my name and my company if I break it. He doesn’t give empty threats.” Henry wanted to rip off his bow tie. He hated wearing a suit. So uncomfortable.
“So, while waiting for your six months, what are you going to do with your wife?” Trey asked.
“Get an apartment in Woodway Highlands. Furnished and everything.”
“Highlands. Expensive, classy. Surrounded by trees, away from everyone. Planning on hiding her?” Nolan frowned.
“Just doing what I’m told to do, bro. Marry June, buy a nice place for her and wait until the baby is born.”
“Damn. Wish Joanie’s dad would’ve asked me to do the same.” Nolan shook his head. “I would’ve married Joanie in a heartbeat.”
“You sure you want to use June, Henry? That’s not you at all,” Julian whispered.
“I’m not using her, bro. June is getting what she wants—my name. She’s not a victim here. I’m just making the best out of this situation.”
“Use your inheritance, you mean.”
“Imagine the number of jobs we’re going to create. People we’re going to help.”
Trey waved at the women who’d been ogling them. “You don’t feel the guilt, because in your book, June used you.”
“She did.”
“But you still don’t know why?”
“Her friends are tight-lipped. All I know is that she wanted a baby.”
“Understandable. All women want babies. It’s in their DNA. Whenever they see a baby, they wanted one too. I think a woman’s biological clock starts when she hits twenty,” Julian explained.
John grinned. “And Henry found one who seems desperate to have a baby. Do you think Vivienne wants one too?”
“Don’t know, John. And I don’t care.”
“Still in love with her?” Julian asked the question so casually.
Henry frowned at Julian, but his friend just started laughing.
The instrumental music he’d personally picked started playing. Henry’s friends shoved him playfully then they took their seats like everyone else. He glanced at his parents. His mom beamed as well as Rebecca, but his dad showed nothing but boredom. Stacey gave him a meaningful smile.
“I’ll meet you at my condo tonight,”
Stacey had whispered to him earlier. Crazy, really. Tonight would be his wedding night, but his girlfriend wanted him in her bed.
“Time to take your spot, bro, unless you’d rather we run to the Cabin Tavern.”
“Can’t. I’m ready.” Trey walked with Henry toward the gazebo.
“I’ve been an agent for years, but your case made me scratch my head. June must have another reason for wanting to have a baby. I’d bet my life she would have done it with another man if you weren’t available.”
Henry stopped where he was supposed to stand then looked at his friend. “You think so?”
“I think so. Somehow, you’re the pick of the litter. The question is—what made you
the
one.”
“Don’t know.”
“Maybe she was already in love with you.”
Henry was saved from answering when everyone hushed them and looked toward the arch doorway where June was supposed to appear. Photographers started snapping pictures. Henry hated those fucking cameras. Some of the pictures would most likely end up in local papers.
“Well, let’s hope your marriage ends up like Julian’s.”
“Don’t know man.” He thought about what Trey had said. June would’ve really slept with a different man if he weren’t so gullible? Damn it all.
“I can’t wait to meet the woman who trapped Henry Colchester and made him achieve his dream in the process.” Trey chuckled.
Henry ignored his friend’s comment. His dream in exchange of marrying a woman with whom he felt unreasoned passion and intense sexual desire. Damn, he needed a drink.
Vivienne first appeared at the beginning of the path covered with scattered orchids. She looked fantastic in her gown, a small flower tucked behind her ear. She definitely got the men’s attention, even the married ones. Henry looked at Trey. Even his friend wasn’t immune to Vivienne’s beauty. Trey openly stared.
Henry elbowed him. “That is Vivienne. The waitress.”
“Fuckin’ A.”
Vivienne gave Henry a big smile, which she quickly replaced with a frown when he raised an eyebrow at her. God, what a brat. He glanced at Trey and caught him winking at Vivienne. She replied by looking heavenward.
“She likes me, Henry,” Trey whispered.
“Bro, she rolled her eyes at you.”
“Which means she likes me.”
“What?”
Trey’s reply was a big grin.
Everyone hushed again.
Then there was his bride, flanked by her parents. Henry couldn’t believe what he was seeing. He knew she was beautiful, but right now, she looked like an elusive mermaid every man wished to see. It must be her hair adorned by a crown of flowers, or the sparkle in her eyes. The gown added little to her charm. She could wear anything and she’d still look like Helen of Troy. Men would do anything to have a taste of her. Unlike him. He wouldn’t have to fight for her. She was his.
What a beauty.
But this Goddess or mermaid held a secret she shared with her friends—one that he would find out before their contract was over. Earlier, he’d had a chance to talk to James. It was brief and it wasn’t a happy congratulatory kind of conversation either, but a conspiratorial one. They both knew the deal. Six months and this marriage would be over.
“I’ll have her back in no time,” James had told him. “She’s not yours to keep.”
He did not intend to keep June, he wanted to say. But the words were stuck in his throat. So he just replied with a nod. That was it. James left him alone. June lied to her parents about how they’d met. Why? So fucking annoying.
Now, here they were. Henry looked at his bride. So, she was a loaner, a beautiful one at that.
Henry noticed how June clung to James’ hand, as if she didn’t want to let go.
“I love you, Junie.”
“I love you too, Dad.”
James kissed June on the forehead. Love for his daughter was obvious and so was June’s love for her father. This man would do everything to protect June, including saving her reputation—a reputation that June had carelessly thrown aside to have a baby then hid the truth from her parents until she started showing.
Honey, what are you hiding?
Henry met James’ eyes. Right then, he realized James intention. It was clear. Greenwald may have had a beef with his dad, but the man had obviously created the contract with June in mind. He just loved his Junie. For some damn reason, he wanted to tell James he’d take care of June, but they both knew this marriage had ended even before it started.
Sighing, Henry looked at June. She was wincing. He took June’s hand. “You okay?”
June shook her head then surprised him when she hung on to his arm for support. Then she did something unusual in a wedding ceremony. She took her shoes off.
“Now I’m okay. They pinch my feet,” she whispered.
The deafening sound of camera shutters joined the guests’ loud whispers. June just gave everyone something to spice up the news about their wedding. He almost laughed aloud when he glanced back at his parents and saw their reactions. His dad looked like he’d eaten a bad fish and his mother was ready to pass out. Damn. Their expressions were so funny.
“You don’t mind, do you?”
“Not at all.” He knew exactly how June felt at the moment. He wanted to loosen his tie, take off his coat and just walk out of there in his shirt. He hated looking like a shark in a suit.
They both faced the minister, who wore a black suit and held a bible.
Fifteen minutes later, they were wed in the eyes of God and the rich.
Chapter Ten
She’d never dreamed her wedding would be like this, with hundreds of people—most of whom she hadn’t even known were in attendance. A vine-covered gazebo with thin, gauzy fabric hung around the entrance, Flowers, ribbons, chamber orchestra, a bridesmaid, groomsman and a breathtaking groom who despised her, completed the whole scene. She’d even spotted reporters. It felt like she had been transported into a dreamland.
But this wasn’t the wedding she’d dreamed about for herself. A simple wedding in front of their fireplace would have been fine as long as she could say ‘I do’ with a man who loved her.
Well, she loved him. And somehow, that thought made this wedding special.
June let out a sigh. All day, she had been fine until she’d actually stood by the arched door. She’d really thought about running away, but when she’d turned around to flee, her dad hung on to her arm with a vise grip then whispered, “You’ll be okay.”
June looked at her bouquet then giggled. There were only a few flowers left on it.
“What’s so funny?”
“This.”
Henry grinned when she showed him the bouquet.
“Here, June. I’ll take whatever’s left of your bouquet,” Vivienne whispered, her eyes big. She looked like she was about to burst out laughing.
June handed her the bouquet. “Thank you.”
Without anything to hold, she didn’t know what to do with her hands. She had been okay until she felt everyone’s stares boring on her back. She began to feel uncomfortable. Hundreds of people were most likely staring at her butt, judging her hair, commenting on her complexion. She hated being the center of attention.
Her gown didn’t have pockets so she started picking her fingers. Henry, however, must have sensed her discomfort. He took her hand and laced their fingers together.
“Nothing to be nervous about.”
“God, am I that obvious?”
Henry squeezed her hand. “Imagine it’s just us here and no one’s watching.”
“How?” she whispered.
“Think of the nights we made love.”
Surprised, she looked up at his face and found him smiling at her. She didn’t know what to make of it. Since she was already looking at him, she took inventory of her groom’s appearance. He could pass for a model. His tailored suit showed his perfectly sculpted shoulders. The tips of his newly cut hair were already curling on the ends. She was kind of glad that he didn’t have them cut shorter. He looked marvelous in longish hair.
“You’re not wearing your ring.”
“The one that you lent me? I use it as a necklace so my parents wouldn’t see. I have it in my purse. You want it back?”
“No. Do you want to give it back?”
June shook her head. “There are so many people here.”
“I know. Don’t mind them. They’re just here for the food, gossip and to be seen. Just do what I said and you’ll forget they’re behind us.”
“What if I started moaning here? That would be embarrassing.”
Henry laughed.
Smiling, she took strength from his tight hold.
The whole ceremony lasted only a few minutes and she found herself wed to the most handsome man in the room.
She knew Henry wished it were Stacey beside him. His kiss, however, had made her want to think differently. But then it could just be an act.
From here on out, she didn’t expect a happy marriage. But she would show Henry that marriage with her wasn’t all that bad. She would try to work everything out. She would keep a warm home, she’d be a good wife. No matter how long or short, she’d try to give this marriage a shot, even if she died trying.
Henry’s hold on her waist was tight, kneading her flesh. When he placed a hand on his belly, everyone clapped.
Including Stacey.
Vivienne was right. For a woman who had just lost her man, she looked unaffected at all. Stacey smiled and looked genuinely happy for them. Maybe Henry had told her that the wedding meant nothing, just a pretense to save their families’ faces.
June took a deep breath. She shouldn’t entertain negative thoughts right now. Enjoy today and deal with the problems tomorrow.
She looked at her parents. Love and pride, like a rainbow, arced above them. She smiled and waved at them before letting her groom lead her back inside the house where they were supposed to have time together as husband and wife for the first time.
Once inside the house, Henry let go of her hand then let out a long sigh. “Finally. That wasn’t painful, was it?”
Painful?
Why would he say something like that? What about, ‘you’re beautiful’ or ‘your gown is pretty’. Not painful. Feeling like a brick had hit her chest, June willed herself to just breathe.
It’s my wedding day. I should be happy.
She forced a smile on her face. “Not as painful as my shoes.”
“You made a scene.” Henry unbuttoned his long-sleeved shirt.
“I’m sorry.”
“My mom almost passed out.”
“Really?”
Henry nodded, his eyes twinkling with merriment. “Dad’s eyes popped out of their sockets.”
“I suppose we got even with him for giving you that scar.”
Henry gave her a lopsided grin. “Yes, we did. You okay?”
“Yeah. Just a bit tired. Been up early.”
“Me too. Do you need anything? Are you changing or keeping this gown on? You need help?”
“I’m keeping this on, but I have to pee.”
Henry took a step back while staring at her belly. He looked unsure of what to do.
For the first time today, June found a reason to laugh. “Henry, I didn’t say I’m having a baby. I said I have to pee, and I don’t need help. As long as I can still see my toes, I’m good on my own.”
“Okay. I’ll wait here. We have ten minutes, right?”
“Half an hour, actually. I guess the wedding planner figured that would be enough time for us to get accustomed to the idea of being married.” She turned to leave but stopped. “Thanks for the earrings, Henry. They are lovely.”
“You’re welcome.”
Before her good sense knocked her brains out, June placed her hands on Henry’s arms, tiptoed then kissed him on the lips. She lingered for a bit, waiting for Henry to kiss her back. He didn’t. Embarrassed, she turned around quickly. “I’ll be right back,” she said then left in a hurry lest Henry saw her face reddening.
Henry was still on his spot holding his wine when she came back. He was looking down, staring at the marble floor. He seemed lost. June felt a painful stab in her chest. Today was their special day. They should be laughing, celebrating, kissing. But no. Henry looked depleted, all because of her.