“Our marriage is not the end of your dreams, Henry.”
Henry looked up. “What? I didn’t say that.”
“You don’t have to. I can see how dejected you are.”
“June, I’m just thinking—”
“Thinking about how your life turned upside down? You’re still free to do what you wish, which I am sure you’ve already told yourself. All I’m saying is, don’t look so sad. Despite what you believe, I didn’t really destroy your life.” She’d apologized to him many times already. Another one wouldn’t make any difference. Henry despised her. And that was that.
“June, this marriage…”
“It’s okay, Henry. I understand. You’ve made everything clear from the very beginning. I won’t expect anything.” She let out a sigh. “You’re probably imagining Stacey’s the one standing here with you right now. I’m not Stacey and never will be. She’s educated, beautiful and—”
“Don’t compare yourself to Stacey.”
June took a deep breath. Her nose stung. Tears blurred her vision. God, how much more of this could she take? “I’m sorry. I know I can’t compare—”
“No. Just stop. You can’t compare, June. I hoped to God I showed you how amazingly beautiful you are, June,” Henry snapped.
“But you didn’t kiss me back,” she whispered loud enough for Henry to hear.
Oh, God.
Mortified, she tried to change the subject. “Would you like to know where I hid the garter? Just above my left knee. Or would you like me to give it to you? You can just pretend to be looking for it.”
“Wouldn’t people—”
“Or, we can forget about it. I don’t think anyone will ask.” She lifted the hem of her gown and pulled the silver garter down. She looked for a place where she could put it. Spotting the potted plant, she walked toward it. Later, she’d retrieve it.
“Give it to me.”
June stopped and looked at Henry. “Are you sure?”
Henry placed his wineglass on the round table that held the biggest bouquet June had ever seen. “We don’t want the housekeeper finding it in the flowerpot.”
“Right.” She handed Henry the garter, which he put in his pocket.
“June.” Henry took her hands in his. “We should go back out there to meet and greet everyone. The sooner we start the sooner we can leave to go to the apartment.”
“Apartment?”
“Yes. I didn’t get a chance to tell you. I purchased an apartment. Put it under your name.” Henry squeezed her hands. “It’s a wedding gift.”
“Why?”
“Why? Aren’t we supposed to give each other a wedding gifts?”
“Yes, but…I just got you a tie like the one the main character wore in
Fifty Shades of Grey
.”
“You read that book?”
“Books. There are three.”
“You like them?”
“Not really. Interesting books, but not my cup of tea. Being tied down in bed naked is not my thing, and I can’t tolerate pain.” She pointed at the greenish dot on her upper arm. “See this?”
Henry stood closer to her and leaned forward. “Seen that birthmark. Many times, in fact.”
And he’d kissed it many times. “Right.” Feeling her cheeks getting warm, she went on with her explanation. “Actually this is not a birthmark. This is my first and last tattoo.”
“What? That’s a tattoo.”
“Yes, it is. I didn’t tell you about this?”
“No.”
“Well, this is supposed to be three hearts to represent me, Mom and Dad. But I freaked out because it hurt so much, so I ended up having Earth.”
“Earth.”
“Yeah. It’s round like Earth. You thought it’s a birthmark? I guess it could pass for one. Vivienne had a bluebell tattooed on her lower back. She never showed it to anyone, though. Except for whoever she was dating at the time then—”
Henry shook his head. “Did you know that when nervous you talk too much?”
“Sorry. I am nervous. Did you see those people staring at us?”
“They’re supposed to stare.”
“I don’t like it.”
“I know.”
June was taken aback. “You do?”
“Craig told me you don’t like to be the center of attention.”
“Oh.”
“So you really got me Christian’s tie?”
“I didn’t say it’s—you
have
read the book! Admit it!” She poked him in the chest.
Henry laughed. “Not the whole series, no. Like you, I didn’t find the character’s sexual preferences to be exciting. Mine don’t involve pain—only pleasure.”
June knew it too. “I was just kidding when I said I got you a tie because I don’t have a present for you. I’m working on it, though.”
“It’s all right. The apartment is still yours and the baby’s.”
Not ours.
Was the apartment his roundabout way of saying he wouldn’t be living with her? The feeling of happiness brought on by their easy conversation was doused quickly. God, she wanted to cry. “For me and the baby. Thank you.”
“Someone’s in charge of transporting your things and the presents to the apartment.”
My things.
“What about you?”
“I’m moved in already. Two days ago.”
“You didn’t tell me. I could’ve helped.”
“Then the apartment wouldn’t be a surprise.”
“Right.” June looked at the grandfather clock. They still had fifteen minutes left to be alone, but she’d rather go back outside where people would openly stare at her than listen to Henry talk as if she’d be living in the apartment on her own. So depressing. “You’re right. We should go out there now.”
June turned around to leave, but Henry caught her by the waist. “I’ve never seen a more beautiful bride than you.”
June looked away. She should rejoice at his praise, but whatever fire she tried to burn inside her during this wedding was quickly doused with talk of ‘you’ and not ’we’.
“Look at me.”
“Why?”
“You know why I didn’t kiss you back?”
She frowned at Henry. “Because I’m not the bride you—”
“Shut up.” Henry framed her face with his hands. “Because I thought we had only ten minutes to stay here.”
“So?”
“Hon, if I started kissing you, I’ll need more than ten minutes to finish it.”
“Would that be so bad?”
“Guess not.”
Then he kissed her. June closed her eyes. Euphoric sensation wrapped around her, causing her body to tingle. God, she felt as though she was floating on air. Deep in her belly, a wondrous pleasure resided. Right that moment, she knew her love for Henry would last.
June reeled from Henry’s kiss. Her husband may be unhappy about their wedding, but at least he still desired her.
“Ready, Mrs. Colchester?”
June looked at Henry. Mrs. Juniper Colchester. Yes, that’s who she was now. “I am.”
As soon as they stood outside the door, someone announced them as the new husband and wife. Deafening cheers greeted them. June scanned the crowd for her parents. She spotted them right away. They waved back at her. Her parents were both crying.
Vivienne and Craig were the first to reach them.
“Guess what?”
“What?”
“I heard someone call you Barefoot Bride.”
“Really?”
“I thought you didn’t want attention,” Craig said gruffly. “Here are your shoes.”
“Thanks, Craig.” She took the shoes but instead of putting them on, she hooked her fingers in the heels.
“Hi, Henry. Nice wedding.” Vivienne smiled.
“Yeah, thanks to you.”
June looked at Henry. He was smiling. Was he really thanking Vivienne or he was being sarcastic?
“Someday, Captain Colchester, you’ll thank me for real.”
Henry frowned, but did not comment on Vivienne’s remark.
“June, there will be dancing after all,” Vivienne whispered. “That’ll be cool.”
“I don’t know how to dance,” she whispered back.
“Congratulations, June.”
She turned around to find a very attractive man. Earlier, she’d seen handsome like her husband.
My husband. I am married. To Henry. Lord, oh Lord.
“June, this is my friend John.”
June offered her hand, but John pulled her in for a hug instead, then he gave her a quick kiss on the lips. “This’ll be the only time I get to hug and kiss the bride and no one will think any of it.”
June didn’t know what to say. She looked at her husband. He was staring at John but didn’t say anything. Actually, no one said a word.
“Did I overstep?” John asked.
“Mauling someone’s wife is never acceptable, John. Hi, June. I’m Julian, Henry’s best friend. Well, one of the three. And this is my wife, Joanie, and our daughter, Sam.”
“Oh, hi.” So she’d finally met one of the members of Blue-eyed Four. Julian was so pleasant to look at and his wife was exquisite as well.
Joanie gave her a hug. “They’d told me you were beautiful. Seeing you, I say you’re more than that. You’re like a painting I just want to stare at.”
“Thank you, Joanie. Hi, Sam.”
The little girl waved then hugged her daddy’s leg.
“Hey, June. I’m Trey. Let me know if Henry is misbehaving. We’ll cuff him in your bedroom—naked.”
“And you can have your way with him. Twenty-four-seven. Hi. I’m Nolan. Congratulations.”
June laughed. “Thank you. Nice meeting you all.”
The Blue-eyed Four. She’d heard everything about them from Vivienne, but meeting them in person was totally different. Just like Henry, the other three were breathtakingly attractive with amazing blue eyes. “Thank you for coming to our wedding. Everyone, these are my best friends, Vivienne and Craig.”
June noticed Craig’s cheeks quickly turning red when he shook Trey’s hand. Craig liked Trey, but he was also stealing glances at Nolan and John. Trey’s and John’s gazes, however, were focused on Vivienne.
Oh, dear.
“Thank you for standing as Henry’s best man, Trey.”
“He paid me handsomely and promised to give me more after the wedding.”
“You’re an ass, Trey.” Henry shoved him none too gently.
Trey just laughed. “But I’m glad I accepted. It’s not every day one gets to witness a beautiful wedding rich with interesting story.”
Henry exchanged knowing looks with Trey. June had a feeling Henry’s friends knew about everything that had led to this wedding.
Trey surprised June when he pulled her against his side and kissed her temple. “Are you a football fan, June?”
“Yes!”
“I can get us tickets.”
“Really?”
“You bet.”
“You can talk about that later. June and I have to rove. Guests are eager to meet my wife. Excuse us.” Henry took her elbow and started guiding her toward another table.
“I’ll talk to you later, guys.” June waved to her friends then let Henry lead her from one table to the next.
Henry bantered with the guests, shook hands with them, but never failed to keep his hands on her waist—a sign of possessiveness to the eyes of many. She wasn’t sure if his actions were just for a show. Pretending or not, she didn’t care. Today, she would set aside her woes and heartaches. Today she would laugh, eat and dance. Forget the reason behind the wedding. Forget Stacey.
The cool grass felt heavenly on her feet and took her mind off her negative thoughts.
Finally, they reached her parents’ table. After a brief greeting, Henry excused himself. June watched her husband leave. Women ogled him openly, some even tried to get his attention by running their hands on his arm and back. He just laughed at them and pointed at her.
“How are you holding up?”
“I’m okay, Dad. So many people here.”
“It’s a wedding, sweets. I know you are against this whole shebang, but are you at least enjoying yourself?”
June hugged him. “Immensely.”
“If I could get a recipe for one of those salads, I’d be delighted.”
“Mom, those are catered. I doubt they’ll give you the recipe.”
“I know. Sad, isn’t it? How are you feeling?”
“Good. Mom, Henry gave me and the baby an apartment.”
“We were told that yesterday.”
“You already know?”
“Yes. Henry wanted everything ready for you and the baby. You’ll have your own nest to keep. Let us know if you need help moving things around. I heard the apartment is furnished.”
“Henry said someone is in charge of taking the presents there. I’m kind of excited to see it.”
“Kind of?” James and Rebecca said simultaneously.
“Well, it’ll be different from our house, right?”
“Of course, Junie. Your apartment is newer, not like our rundown house.”
“Dad, our house is the best. Now, I want you both to be there when I open all the boxes. Tomorrow?”
Her parents looked at each other.
“What, Mom?”
“Your husband might want to spend time with you, Junie. Maybe we can help with the presents some other day.”
“What do you mean? Are you talking about my honeymoon? Because I don’t know anything about it.” If they were going somewhere, no one had mentioned it. Come to think of it, no one had told her anything.
“Junie, we don’t know anything about your honeymoon. That topic didn’t come up when I met with Minerva. But maybe Henry has made plans. That’s all we’re saying.”
“I don’t know if he’s made plans.”
“Just give us a call. Okay, we don’t want to monopolize you, dear. You have to talk to the other guests.”
“Okay. Be right back.” June grabbed a glass of punch. She found refilling a glass to be a great excuse to leave a table or group of well-wishers. Problem was her bladder screamed to be emptied every other minute.
Looking around for Henry, she didn’t find him. She told an elderly couple in smart clothes that she needed to freshen up and excused herself. Alone, she went back to the house.
She didn’t realize how tiring it was to be paraded around like a pure bred in a dog show. But her ring was the star of the show, really. Everybody wanted to see it. She inspected the ring. It was a simple white-gold band with three tiny diamonds. She loved it.
It was the most precious thing she’d ever owned. She didn’t know how much Henry had spent for it, but it didn’t matter. The important thing was what it represented. June closed her hand and pressed it against her chest.
I’m Henry’s wife now. Jelly Bean will have a dad after all.
Sighing, she wriggled her toes. It felt so good to be alone for a minute. Except for the sound of the grandfather clock, she didn’t hear anyone in the house. Loving the feeling of the cold marble floor on her feet, she took her time walking to the bathroom. She passed by the library, peeked in and smiled. She’d been there earlier. It was her favorite part of the house. Four back-to-back sofas forming a square shape sat in the middle of the room. In the middle stood a table with a bowl of fresh fruits, bottles of wine and glasses on it. The walls were covered with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and the big bay windows with cushions looked so inviting. She could spend hours and hours there reading. She sauntered by the green room when she heard someone giggling. Curious, she stopped and peeked in through the partly opened door.