“Tell him Ed Sheeran. SEVENTYYYYY,” Haven shouted.
“Did you catch that?” Willow asked.
“Yep.”
“Do you know why she’s yelling his name and a random number?”
Favorite artist and song with that lyric in it. He’d make sure it was the one they danced to first. “I do.”
“Good. Anyway, sorry to bother you. I hid her phone, but she found it and texted you before I could stop her. Girl can’t hold her liquor.”
“No, she can’t. Why is she drinking tonight?”
“This is her bachelorette party.”
“What about Daisy and Bella?”
Willow got quiet for a moment. Then, “Haven, lay down and I’ll be right back.”
Heath sat up in bed. What had he said that made Willow leave the room?
“They’re on the other side of the world, Heath, each married to their very own Prince Charming with the whole fairy-tale ending.”
Yeah, he knew Bella had her prince charming now. He hoped like hell she was happy with her choice. “They wouldn’t want to celebrate with her?”
“She’s marrying one of her best friend’s ex-boyfriends to keep her business from being sold out from under due to her misguided grandparents’ will. What do you think?”
“I see.”
“Do you, Heath? Do you really see her? Because she’s looked at you for years, and you never treated her as anything but a thorn in your side.”
“Maybe that’s because she’s always acted like one.”
“Have you ever thought to ask why?”
“Have you?” he countered.
“I’ve known for her as long as you have—I don’t have to ask her why because I already know the answer.”
With that, she ended their call and left him staring up at the ceiling, wondering what the hell he was missing.
Chapter Eight
‡
I
n the two days that followed, Haven’s life became inundated with wedding plans and Ambroses, but not the Ambrose she did and did not want to see. Instead, cousins, aunts, soon-to-be sisters-in-law, and of course, her soon-to-be mother-in-law descended upon her like a plague of locusts dressed in Lily Pulitzer. And they all had two things on their minds—bridal showers and bridal gowns.
Which was why she was sitting in the middle of the Ambrose living room, covered in ribbons and wrapping paper. She’d been opening presents for what seemed like hours and growing more and more uneasy with each one.
They were so thoughtful and so cute, right down to the matching Hello Kitty salt and pepper shakers. It was like they got her, or Willow had given them suggestions. Either way, the fact they bought something so undeniably nontraditional meant a lot to her.
“Do you have a gown, sugar?” Leah asked, placing her teacup on a dainty saucer. “My son sprung this on you so quickly that I’m sure you haven’t had time to think, much less shop.”
A gown? Holy crud. She hadn’t even thought about a gown. Panicking she searched for Willow while trying to stall, “I—that is—”
Her friend, bless her heart, didn’t miss a beat. “It’s gorgeous, Mrs. Ambrose. All antique lace from the 1920s, and the most precious hand-beading you’ve ever seen. Every Crawford woman wears it on her wedding day as good luck.”
Every single lady in the room sighed at once, including Haven, but hers was of relief, not because of a romantic family tradition that did not exist.
“Can we see it?”
“No,” Haven all but shouted. The room turned silent and she blushed. Where in the heck would she get a dress that matched Willow’s description? And in under twelve hours. She was getting married tomorrow.
Panic started to set in. Her skin began to itch, began to feel too tight. There wasn’t enough air in the room. Willow moved closer to Haven, as if she could sense her distress.
She placed a cool hand on her bare shoulder, whispering, “It’s okay,” before raising her voice, “Haven wanted to surprise you with it today, but there was the tiniest of rips in the hem and that wouldn’t do. As soon as we’re done here, I’ll be working on that this afternoon. You don’t mind not seeing the gown until tomorrow, do you, Mrs. Ambrose?”
It was all Haven could do to keep her mouth from dropping open. She hoped that meant Willow actually had a gown.
Leah’s eyes rounded. “Of course not.” She leaned over and placed her hand over Haven’s. “At least he did right by you and proposed with a proper engagement ring.”
Haven bit the inside of her cheek to keep from blurting that his proper engagement ring was a fake diamond she’d bought for twenty dollars at Target.
“Mm-hmm.” She began to fidget in her seat, pulling at her pleated skirt as her leg began to shake. It was a nervous tic left over from childhood. Her so-called perfect plan hadn’t included spending time with people who actually seemed like they wanted to get to know her. They laughed at her jokes and asked get-to-know-you questions. Sure, there were a few who gave her side-eyed looks, but for the most part, Heath’s family was…
nice
.
Guilt rose, like a thorny weed, pricking at her insides. She was so selfish to do this. But, she reminded herself, how else could she keep Chesson House? The only alternative she had would be to buy the place from the trust, but she stubbornly refused to go into debt to own a business she already ran.
Willow made a big show of checking the time. “Oh my word, Haven. You have to go.”
“I do?”
Willow shot her a look.
“Yes, I do.” She let go of her skirt and touched her hair. “Salon time.”
“Different color for the wedding?” Leah asked.
Haven shook her head. “Just a touch up.” That probably wasn’t the answer her mother-in-law was hoping for.
“Wonderful. I love the color.”
“You do?”
Leah gave her a sheepish look. “I think it’s daring. If I weren’t so… conservative, I might try it myself.”
“Maybe you can get one strand done. They have non-permanent hair color like the chalk stuff they sell at the hair product supply store.”
That set off another round of conversations, each woman taking a turn to share a hair disaster or triumph.
Willow bent down and whispered, “Do I need to remind you of the time again?”
Haven glanced around the room, taking in the women chatting so animatedly. “No. I’m good.” For the first time in a very long time, she felt like she belonged.
*
The next afternoon, Haven stood in her bedroom, holding a bouquet of lilacs, lavender, and sweet William while her best friend and mother-in-law fussed over her.
“Gorgeous,” Leah said as she adjusted the tiara in Haven’s hair and stepped back to run a critical eye over her. “The dress is pretty, too.”
Haven fingered her tiara. “The Queen of—ouch.” She glared at Willow.
“Just say
thank you
.”
Or else
hung in the air.
Since she didn’t relish another pinch from her friend, she smiled and said, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Leah glanced at the grandmother clock that stood in the corner of the large bedroom. “I need to go.” She touched Haven’s cheek. “The next time we speak, you’ll be my daughter-in-law.”
Willow stood, narrowing her eyes at Haven from behind Heath’s mom.
“Thank you,” she said.
Once the older woman was out of the room, Haven rounded on her best friend. “Why did you keep pinching me?”
“Because you share weird facts when you’re nervous.”
Willow was right, but still…she never knew how to respond to compliments. “Maybe I should check out a book by Emily Post.”
“What?”
Haven blinked. “Nothing. I’m ready. Are you ready? We’re ready.”
Willow took Haven by the shoulders. “Everyone is ready. Are you?”
“I didn’t get to thank you for the dress,” Haven said. “I’d planned on wearing—actually, I hadn’t thought that far ahead.”
“I know you didn’t.” Willow smiled. “Promise me one thing.”
In light of all that Willow had done for her, she’d promise her anything. “Sure.”
“Consider making your marriage to Heath permanent.”
Except that. “Why?”
“Because divorce sucks.”
“Says the woman who’s never been married.”
“No, but the couples I’ve planned weddings for,” Willow’s blue eyes turned sad, “half of them split up. So, for me, maybe you could try?”
“I’ll think about it,” Haven said grudgingly, but she couldn’t bring herself to promise. She hadn’t even seen Heath since he agreed to marry her.
“Follow me,” Willow sang as she opened the bedroom door.
Heath’s brother, Luke, waited at the side entrance. Wait a minute. That wasn’t Luke—that was his twin brother—
Willow froze in her tracks and Haven almost rammed into her. “Logan,” she whispered.
“Ladies,” Logan began. “I’m hoping you can help me surprise my mother. My unit got back early, and no one knows. In return, Luke
and I
will be y’all’s escorts down the aisle.”
“Sure,” Haven said. At first, she’d planned to walk down the aisle by herself, right after Willow, but this morning when Luke stopped by to offer his escort services to his new sister, she couldn’t refuse.
Logan held out his elbow to Willow, but she still didn’t move. He frowned. “You okay?”
Haven gave her a light nudge, and Willow stumbled. “Fine,” she practically shouted, then delicately cleared her throat. “I’m fine. Just going through all the details in my head to make sure everything is perfect for Haven and Heath.”
Logan gave her a friendly smile before turning his attention elsewhere. Haven’s heart sank as she watched them walk outside. Her little friend wasn’t even on his radar.
“You shouldn’t look so sad on your wedding day,” Luke said as the music changed.
“I’m not sad for me,” she said, then wanted to slap her hand over her mouth.
“He’ll find out sooner or later. His girlfriend isn’t even here.” Luke took her by the arm. “She made up some stupid excuse about driving from Virginia in the middle of the week being too much for her.”
She breathed a sigh of relief. Luke had no clue she meant Willow’s unrequited feelings. “Let’s hope for his sake, that he finds out sooner rather than later.”
Luke gazed at her. “I’m glad you and Heath worked out things. I never thought he’d get over… the one who broke his heart.”
“First loves are hard to get over,” she said. In fact, she’d never gotten over hers, and worse, he never even knew she felt that way about him.
As if reading her mind, Luke nodded and said, “Sometimes, you never get over them.”
*
Heath led Haven out onto the dance floor for their first dance as a married couple. He almost laughed at the thought.
This was their first dance
ever
, much less as a couple.
She practically shimmered under the twinkling lights. Her light pink hair was swept up in an intricate style that suited her. The gown she wore was sleeveless, but the heaters that had been turned on in the tent seemed to be keeping her warm.
She shivered in his arms. “Would you like my coat?”
“No.” Her pink tongue darted out to lick her lips. “I’m not cold.”
The first notes came over the speakers, and Haven’s eyes widened. “Do you approve?” he asked with a smile.
“It’s my favorite song. How did you…?” She shook her head. “Did Willow pick it?”
He gathered her closer. “No.”
“Then how?”
“That night we talked on the phone—I listened to you.”
A bemused look covered her face. “Oh.”
“Speechless?”
A fine blush covered her skin as she nodded.
Man, she was pretty. He never noticed just how much until now. Her skin was flawless and her eyes…usually they were narrowed so tightly when she looked at him, that he never knew the exact color. Grey with flecks of blue and gold—an unexpected color combination.
Do you see her, Heath? Do you really see her?
“Guess that’s a first for you,” he gently teased, trying like hell to see past the façade Haven presented him with.
“I’m sure you’re hoping it won’t be the last time,” she said, then smashed her lips together.
The reminder of their temporary marriage threatened to dampen his good mood, but he refused to concentrate on that. Instead, he would dance, laugh, eat, drink, and be merry. He would enjoy this time with his family and friends with Haven at his side.
“It won’t be,” he said in a cocky tone of voice sure to get her riled.
“You’re so conceited.”
“Just the way you like it.”
“I don’t like you.”
“Yeah, you do.”
She fought a smile and lost. “I’ll never admit it.”
“Just the fact that I know you do is enough for me.” He spun her around and dipped her.
She laughed, her breasts rising and falling. He wondered what her nipples looked like. How her breasts would feel in his hands. She was most definitely endowed in that department, and he sure as hell had always appreciated that. Even more so the older he’d gotten. When he was younger, he didn’t give a damn as long as they were actual breasts.
But now, with this woman in his arms… the heat of her, the nearness of her curvaceous figure, was enough to get his erection rock hard. He wanted her, badly.
He wanted inside her. His imagination ran wild, filling his head with images of them at the beach house in the hot tub, her taking him in her mouth. Him pulling her down on his cock. Watching her breasts bounce and sucking a hard nipple into his mouth.
Her laugher died. “Stop staring at me like that.”
There was no way she knew what he was thinking. “Like what?”
“Like you’re ready to do me in the middle of the dance floor.”
Okay, so maybe he wasn’t that good at hiding what he was thinking. “I wasn’t.”
“You were.”
She sounded so annoyed that he couldn’t help but reply, “Actually, I was thinking about our honeymoon. Do you prefer being on top, or would you rather I fuck you from behind?”
Her mouth opened and closed, but she didn’t miss a beat of the music. Neither did he.
Laughing, he kissed the tip of her nose. “Another secret uncovered. All I have to do to render you speechless is do something thoughtful, or talk about sex.”
“Guess I know what I’ll have to listen to the entire drive.”