Friends With More Benefits (17 page)

Brian shook his hand. "Congratulations."

A tear slid down Jillian’s face, and she said,
"We love her. This is wonderful. When are you going to
propose?"

"That's just it. I want to do it here. It's
gorgeous, but I don't want to take any of the attention off your
day. I was hoping I could do it Monday morning after the
wedding."

Jillian said, "Don't be ridiculous. You can do
it whenever you want. Announce it to everyone. We won’t mind." She
glanced at Brian, and they shared an approving nod.

"It wouldn't feel right about doing it before
the ceremony."

Jillian smiled. "Well, how about this. Do it
Sunday night after we've left the reception. You'll both be dressed
and standing out on the beautiful patio with champagne and great
food. Rather than doing it some sleepy morning or while sweaty and
wearing a bathing suit. You want it to be memorable."

"You really wouldn't mind?"

"Jimmy, I can guarantee you that after we leave
the reception, we won't be worried about what you guys are doing.
It will be all about us." She gave him a naughty grin, but he
didn't need it. He had already received the message.

"Thank you," Jim said. Jillian hugged him again
as he felt tears welling up inside. He pulled away from her while
curling his lip. "I've got to get out of here before I, uh, lose
it."

Brian and Jillian smiled, and she reached out to
hold his hand, and they watched Jim go. She moved to Brian and gave
him a hug. She pulled back with her mood the complete opposite of
what it had been three minutes ago. "I don't care about the lawsuit
or the book or any of it. All I care about right now is marrying
you. No matter what happens, I promise I'll be in a good mood for
the rest of the trip."

Brian smiled as he asked, "Does that mean I
don't need to give you a rub now?"

Jillian glared at him in mock anger as she said,
"Just get the oil."

The next morning, Victoria
woke just after sunrise
.
She lay in bed thinking about Jim and obsessing
about when and exactly how to tell him about the baby. She wanted
to tell him soon and vowed to herself that she would tell him at
the first opportunity. She moved out to the pool area with a cup of
tea and curled up on a lounge chair to enjoy the spectacular
weather. Jim woke up a few minutes later; he lay in bed, obsessing
about the proposal. He walked to the balcony and spotted Victoria
by the pool. He headed down, leaving Caroline sleeping
soundly.

Jim sat in the chaise next to
Victoria. "It's incredible here." She nodded and at the same time,
they each began, "There's something I need to…" Victoria finished
that sentence with
tell you
while he finished it with
ask you
.

They shared a grin, and she said, "You
first."

He began, "I, uh, know we haven't known each
other very long, but I'm going to ask Caroline to marry me."

Victoria's eyes widened, and she smiled at him
blown away. "That's amazing news."

"I know. I feel weird telling you and asking you
this, but I feel like I should. I mean I already cleared it with
Brian and Jillian. I didn't want to take anything away from them on
this trip, you know."

"So what do you want to ask?"

Jillian told me I should propose Sunday night
after the wedding. Now I want to be sure it won't make you feel
awkward or anything like that. We did share all that…you know
months ago, and you know I still have strong feel…uh, I'm not sure
what I'm trying to say."

She looked at him with her heart melting as she
said, "You're just about the best guy on the planet. You don't
worry about me. All you should worry about it making the perfect
proposal. You've got to do it right. Let me see the ring."

He pulled it out of his pocket. "I was hoping
you would ask. I haven't shown it to anyone yet."

Jim glanced around and then up to the house to
be sure no one was watching. Then he handed her the box. Victoria
opened it, and her mouth shot open as she gazed at the nearly
flawless and colorless pear-shaped diamond. She looked at him
speechless and then back to the ring. "You picked this out all by
yourself?"

"I saw it in the window, and it just seemed
perfect."

"I love a pear-shaped diamond."

"It’s one and a half carats. Do you really think
she'll like it?"

"She'll love it."

Victoria put her hand out to him, and he took
it. She squeezed his hand and then gave him a sincere look that
bordered on tearful as she said, "She'd be crazy to not say yes."
Their emotions began to get the best of them. She handed him back
the box, and he tucked it away in his shorts as they both attempted
to collect themselves.

"Do you think you can make it through the
proposal without crying like a baby?"

"I hope so," said Jim. As he stared out to the
pool, he remembered that Victoria had wanted to say something. "Oh,
so what did you want to tell me?"

She glanced at him in shock. "Uh, I, uh…wanted
to tell you that if you needed someone to bounce your wedding toast
off, then just let me know. I'd like to get an opinion on my
toast."

Jim’s eyes widened in alarm. "Oh shit! I
completely forgot about the toast. I've been so busy worrying
about…" He stood. "Thanks for reminding me."

She watched him leave while shaking her head and
vowing to never tell him about the baby.

Natalie and Josh settled into their seats on the
plane bound for St. Barts at the same time that Tim Dale, who was
using the other plane ticket billed to Albert Blair, was heaving
his heavy carry-on bag into the overhead bin just six aisles back.
Albert was waiting for his plane at airport ten miles away.

Jim rushed up to his room, and while Caroline
continued to sleep, he went on the balcony with a pad and paper and
worked on his toast. Ten minutes later, Brian stepped out onto his
balcony and saw Jim next door.

"Hey."

Jim looked up from his pad. "Good morning."

"What are you doing?"

"Working on my toast. What do you think?"

Jim stood and moved to the railing. He stretched
the three feet over to Brian to hand him the pad.

Brian read out loud, "Jillian and Brian are—" He
gave Jim an odd look and then nodded with a sarcastic grin. "It's
short."

"I just started."

"It's a good start."

Brian handed back the pad and then paused in
deep thought while staring into Jim's room without really focusing.
Caroline was still asleep. She was naked and one of her perfect
breasts was in full view outside the sheets. Brian exhaled deeply.
Jim noticed his brother’s odd expression and followed Brian’s gaze.
When he spotted Caroline's exposure, he said, "Dude."

Brian shook his head and then focused in on
where his eyes were looking. "I swear I wasn't looking, well until
now…wow, she's…"

"You creep."

"At least I didn't shower with her."

"Hey, I was in the shower first, Jillian's the
one who—"

"Good point." Brian interrupted. "I swear I
didn't see her until just now. I was just staring at nothing and
thinking about the wedding and my job and, oh…the lawsuit and
everything."

"I believe you."

Brian looked his brother in the eye. "But she's
cute."

"I know, right?"

"Fuck the toast. Get in there."

They both looked into the room just as Caroline
turned, exposing her even more perfect ass outside the sheets. They
slowly turned to each other, and Jim said, "I'll just knock this
out later." Brian had to take one more peek as Jim slipped back
into the room and closed the blinds. Brian looked down to his groin
and thought, This no-sex rule is killing me.

Two hours later, brunch was served at the house
and at the resort the rest of the group was also sitting down for a
meal. Soon after that a bus transported the wedding party group to
the resort where they picked up the other guests. From there, they
all set out on a tour of the island.

After the breathtaking
five-hour tour, everyone returned to his or her room to freshen up.
Dinner and activities were planned for those who remained at the
resort, but some close relatives headed to the house. After a quick
wedding rehearsal on the grounds of the mansion, the group of
twenty sat down at 8:30
P.M.
for the rehearsal dinner.

Brian's parents and a few of Brian and Jillian's
friends, who were staying at the Eden Rock, joined them for a
spectacular meal, featuring lobster, steak and scallops. It was all
expertly prepared by the resident chef and served in the large
outdoor covered dinning area. The food was excellent, the mood was
jovial, the alcohol was flowing, and everyone was having a
blast.

All twenty guests’ appetites
were more than satisfied. All were a little tipsy except for
Victoria, who was drinking apple juice that she claimed was white
wine. Brian's parents and a few of Jillian's friends headed back to
the resort before desert was served at just after 11:00
P.M.
As the crème brûlée
was being tasted, Victoria felt a little nauseous. She stood up as
she said, "I'll be right back. Does anyone need anything from the
house?"

"Bring another bottle of that white wine,"
Jillian said.

Rob was seated between Victoria and Laura.
Laura's hand was resting sensually on his knee. She was anxious to
get him back to their room because the alcohol had accentuated her
libido.

"How's that wine?" Rob asked Laura.

"I didn't have any."

Rob glanced around the table, spotted Victoria's
glass, and picked it up and took a whiff. He smelled the apple
juice, frowned, and then glanced back toward the house to catch
Victoria as she stood outside the house trying to steady herself.
He studied her suspiciously and then took a quick sip of the
juice.

Jillian said, "Oh, Brian would you run in and
tell her to bring the German wine, not that other one?"

"I'll just use the intercom," he said with a
smug grin.

"Good idea."

As Victoria entered the house, her nausea had
disappeared. She entered the kitchen, grabbed a glass, and filled
it with water. As she took a sip, Brian’s voice came over the
intercom.

"Victoria. Hey, Victoria, if you're not too
drunk, please report to the intercom." The laughter of everyone
outside was also flowing out of the speaker. She smiled and headed
over to the box, which was on the wall. She glanced at it confused.
"Yes?"

She heard Brian say, "I'm not sure how this
thing works. Maybe she went to the bathroom or something."

"Can you hear me? Brian?" Victoria studied the
box, which was filled with buttons, shook her hands in confusion,
and then hit one button after another while saying, "Brian?
Brian?"

"Oh, good. You’re there. I'm in no condition to
make the long trip to the house… please bring the German wine not
that other crap."

"Sure thing."

"Thanks," Brian replied.

Victoria continued to hear the loud talking over
the speaker until she hit a button that cut it off. She turned away
unaware that she had put the system in a broadcast-only mode. She
moved back to the counter and grabbed the glass of water. She
opened the refrigerator, and the strong combined odor of all the
food wafted out. She was quickly overcome.

Victoria rushed to the bathroom just as Rob
entered the kitchen area. He heard the sounds of her vomiting and
became concerned. He knocked on the door. "Are you okay?"

"Oh yeah. I'll be right out," she said.

When Victoria emerged from the bathroom, she
spotted him standing in the kitchen. She approached him with a
smile. "I think I drank too much wine."

"Uh, huh. How is that wine?" he asked
skeptically.

"Oh, it’s really good."

Rob shook his head and just stared at her.

"What?"

"I know you're drinking apple juice."

Victoria looked away. "I just switched over with
that last glass."

Outside there was a lull in the conversation and
laughter just as Rob asked loudly, "You're pregnant aren’t you?"
The sound flowed out as clearly as if he were standing right there
at the table next to them. All heads turned to the box on the wall.
Everyone stared at it stunned.

In the kitchen Victoria shook her head, "I don’t
know what you're talking about."

"Let's see…you're not drinking and you just
threw up. I haven't seen you in a bathing suit since we got here,
and you're normally running around nearly naked. And your tits are
huge. So unless you recently got implants…"

She glanced down to her chest with a big smile,
"Really, you think they look…" Her smile melted away to a frown,
and she continued, "I, uh, just haven't been feeling well."

"Let me see your stomach," Rob said firmly.

Victoria looked at him nervously. "Why?" She
glanced around the corner to the door that led to the pool area and
didn't see anyone. She looked back to him, put her finger in the
air, pointed out the window, and then said softly, "Keep your voice
down."

He glanced down to her stomach, grinned, and
said in a quiet voice, "You totally have a baby in there." He
paused thinking, and then his eyes lit up, "That's why you had me
take that blood test. There's no ancestry gift thing. That's a load
of shit…I knocked you up, didn't I?"

Jillian's jaw hit the table, and Brian looked at
her concerned. Everyone else stopped eating desert and watched the
box with mouths agape as the conversation continued over the
speaker. Rob added, "That night we had sex we didn’t use a condom.
We, uh…" There was a long pause and then he continued, "I was
pretty drunk, but I remember you gave me that blow job, and then I
went down on you. And uh, I didn't pull out and shoot on your tits
or anything…"