Chapter 9
Nine
Ginny
Tarryn Paradise is in full wedding-planner mode, which is both terrifying and impressive.
She has a clipboard in one hand, a latte in the other, and a Bluetooth headset that makes her look like she’s about to lead a TED Talk on high-stakes event coordination.
“Okay,” she says, spinning on her heel in boots that are far too cute for mud season, “we’ve got three options for ceremony locations. All different vibes. All stunning. Ready?”
Sadie gives a little clap. Beckett gives a grunt that I think means yes.
Ryker stands next to me in the Paradise tasting room, his shoulder brushing mine like it’s an accident. It’s not. I know it. He knows it. And the fact that we’re not acknowledging this just adds to the tension.
“Lead the way,” I say, trying not to swivel my head endlessly, taking it all in.
It’s not often that I have the opportunity to experience the Paradise Estate vineyards firsthand.
It was bad enough being at their restaurant the other night.
Now, I’m actively trying to stop myself from thinking of this as enemy territory.
The first location is up by the west garden, near a row of peach trees.
There’s a view of the lake in the distance, and the vines will stretch toward the horizon like green ribbons for the wedding.
Tarryn explains the seating capacity, where the string quartet would set up, and how the sun will hit the altar at the golden hour.
“I mean…” Sadie looks around. “That’s kind of perfect.”
“It’s a little soft for us, though, don’t you think?” Beckett asks, glancing down at his phone like he’s hoping a surgery will materialize and pull him away.
I smirk. “You want something less…picturesque?”
“Maybe something with less pollen,” he says.
We move on. The second option is a small clearing just off their barrel room, shaded by massive oak trees and framed by wine casks stacked artfully in the background. Rustic, moody, a little more intimate.
“I like this,” Sadie says. “It feels more…real.”
Ryker dips his head toward me. “You into moody weddings?”
I don’t look at him. “I’m into people minding their business.”
“Feisty,” he whispers.
I bump his arm with my elbow, but I’m smiling, and he knows it.
Beckett looks around. “I’m open to other venues too. Doesn’t have to be here.”
I catch the flash in Tarryn’s eyes before she smooths her expression.
“Just not Black Bear,” he adds with a smirk. “That’d be…awkward.”
My jaw tightens. Sadie shoots him a look, and Tarryn goes very still.
I shrug. “We don’t do weddings. Not our brand. Don’t worry. You’re safe from scandalous cross-vineyard competition.” My jaw aches from the smile I’m faking.
Ryker tenses beside me like he’s about to say something, but I cut him off with a smile. “I’m just here for moral support,” I assure them. “And cake tastings.”
“Speaking of support,” Ryker says as the others get absorbed in the seating capacity and details of this option, “you leaned into me on that hill. Should I start charging a shoulder fee?”
“I tripped on a root.”
“Sure you did.”
Once Tarryn has finished her spiel, we walk over to the third location—a wide-open lawn, framed by wildflowers and overlooking Black Bear Lake. There’s a gentle breeze, and even Beckett stops scrolling.
Sadie breathes it in like she’s imprinting the scene on her memory. “This might be it.”
“It’s got space for a tent,” Tarryn offers. “Room for dancing. Easy access for vendors. And it’s close to the kitchen in case of emergencies.”
“Like running out of bubbly?” I ask.
“Exactly,” Tarryn agrees.
As they discuss layout options and backup plans for rain, my gaze drifts back to Ryker. He’s already looking at me.
“What?” I ask.
“Nothing.” He grins. “Just think this wedding’s gonna be fun.”
“With you around? It’ll be chaos.”
He shrugs. “Same thing.”
I shake my head, but I’m still smiling when I turn away.
If anyone notices how close we stand, how his hand lingers a little too long when he passes me the clipboard, or how my gaze drops to his lips every time he smirks, no one says a word.
But our chemistry is only getting harder to hide.
“I’ve set up appointments with several dress shops,” Sadie says, shifting gears after a minute. “I think we should all go.” She looks at Tarryn. “We’ll make it fun. Dress appointments, Champagne, a little nightlife in Vancouver. A fun weekend in the big city.”
“Maybe the guys should come along,” Beckett muses. “Turn it into a whole thing.”
Tarryn smirks. “What? You afraid Sadie’s going to meet someone else and trade up if you’re not there to hover?”
Beckett looks properly offended. “No. I just think it’ll be fun. And we wouldn’t be with you all day. It’s not like you’re dragging us through every bridal shop.”
“You never know,” Sadie teases. “We might.”
“Then I’ll sneak out to a hockey game with Ryker.”
Ryker grins but doesn’t comment. His shoulder brushes mine again, and I’m starting to feel like my skin logs every point of contact before my brain does.
Tarryn looks at Sadie with a gleam in her eye. “So, where are your appointments for dresses?”
Sadie brushes her hair over her shoulder. “A few different boutiques.”
“Is one of them Bisou Bridal?” Tarryn asks.
Sadie’s eyes widen. “Yeah. I mean, I have them on my list, but everything’s couture. Probably out of my budget.”
Beckett’s head turns fast. “Then we’ll adjust the budget.”
Sadie gives him a look. “Babe—”
“I don’t care what it costs. If they have the dress you want, I’ll manage it.”
That silences the group for a beat.
I always knew the Paradise family had money—hell, they own Paradise—but Beckett just said that like dropping twenty-five grand on a dress was nothing.
And Sadie, for her part, is still blinking like she heard him wrong. “You’re ridiculous,” she says softly.
Beckett shrugs. “You’re worth it.” He pulls her in and kisses her.
It’s quiet again, and I pretend to scribble something in my notebook just to keep from reacting too obviously.
Tarryn clears her throat. “All right. Dates. I hear you’re looking at the end of summer, before the crush?”
Sadie nods. “Yep, August twenty-fourth, six months away. Gives us time to pull everything together.”
Beckett nods. “Speaking of pulling everything together, let’s circle back to the shopping trip for a second. I’ve got a connection at the Rosewood Hotel in Vancouver. I’ll get some rooms, and while you guys go dress shopping, we’ll find some other stuff to do. Then we’ll have evenings to hang out.”
My blood goes cold. The Rosewood. Of course.
“Have you ever been to the Rosewood?” Sadie asks.
I paste a smile on my face and nod like that suggestion doesn’t make me want to crawl out of my skin. “Yeah. A couple of times. It’s a great place downtown.”
My ex-best friend, Jill, is a sales manager there. She knew my coffee order, cried when I got engaged, and then decided my fiancé looked better in her bed.
Sadie must see something in my expression because she lifts an eyebrow. But she doesn’t push. Thank God. Sadie has no idea that I know the Rosewood Hotel entirely too well. Is it too late to change my mind about this trip?
Tarryn turns toward me. “Maybe you can come up with some ideas for while we’re there. Fun things to do in the city. You used to live in Vancouver, right?”
“Yeah,” I say. I clear my throat. “I can come up with a few things.”
I can feel the dread seeping in. If I had my way, I’d never set foot in that city again. Too many memories, too much betrayal, and far too high a chance of running into people I’d rather forget.
But I’m the maid of honor. So I’ll go, and I’ll smile.
Ryker leans closer, lowering his voice. “You okay?”
“Totally fine,” I lie.
He doesn’t push, just watches like he sees through me. Like he always does.
I feel hot and cold at the same time. How is that possible?
Tarryn checks her watch. “I’ve got a vendor call in ten. Let me know what you decide on the location. I’ll hold your wedding date for all three for the next week.” She gives Sadie a hug and waves her clipboard. “We’re on track. Don’t screw it up.”
She turns and struts off, her boots crunching on the gravel.
Beckett glances at his phone. “I should head back to the hospital. There are a couple post-ops I want to check in on.” He gives Sadie a soft kiss, the kind that makes you feel like the world’s still a little good.
“Let me know if you need any help, and I’ve already cleared my calendar to make sure I’m free for Vancouver. ”
“Thank you,” Sadie says with a warm smile.
Ryker claps Beckett on the shoulder, and they walk toward the main house. Ryker glances back, and his eyes meet mine. He winks.
It’s just a glint of mischief, but it hits me square in the chest.
Butterflies. Stupid, fluttering butterflies.
I’m relieved he’s leaving, frankly. I need a minute without his heat trailing behind me, every breath I take.
“Are you sure you’re okay with going to Vancouver?” Sadie asks once we’re alone.
I nod and give her hand a squeeze. “This is your party. It’s your call. I’ll go where you go.”
She smiles. “You’re pretty great at this whole maid-of-honor thing.”
I grin. “Don’t get used to it.”
We walk back to the main parking lot together where Sadie hugs me goodbye and heads for her car. I walk the other way to my own car.
Now that I’m alone, my mind takes full advantage of the opportunity to freak out about the Vancouver trip.
The moment I walk through the doors of the Rosewood, I know I’ll feel her presence.
That overly bright smile. The perfume she always wore.
The way she held my hand as I cried, swearing she didn’t mean to sleep with him, that it just happened.
That wound hasn’t fully healed. And now, I’m supposed to walk into her domain, smiling, helpful, a vision of bridal support?
I exhale hard as I spot my car. Then I stop. Ryker’s resting against the passenger-side door, arms crossed like he’s got all the time in the world.
“You stalking me now?” I ask.
He grins, slow and sure. “Just making sure you didn’t need help getting out of your head.”
I step closer before I can talk myself out of it. “What are you doing here, really?”
He doesn’t answer. There’s something in his eyes—not cocky, not smug. Just…open. Like I’m not the only one scared of how far we’ve already gotten into this mess. He steps forward, cups my face, and kisses me.
It’s not rushed or frantic. It’s steady. Certain. Like he knew I’d let him.
And God help me, I do.
I kiss him back, my fingers curling into his shirt, his body warm and solid and familiar in a way that terrifies me.
When he finally pulls away, I’m breathless.
I know this is reckless. Family explosions aside, every step closer to him peels away another layer of the armor I’ve built to keep the past from bleeding into now.
But I’m tired of guarding myself like a locked gate.
And it seems it doesn’t matter anyway. Vancouver has come to find me.
“Is this an invitation?” I ask.
“It is my day off,” he says with a nod.
“Just this once,” I whisper. “I’ll go home with you.”
His thumb traces the corner of my mouth, eyes burning into mine.
Surely, we’ve both realized this isn’t a one-time thing. If it was, we’d be done with it by now.
This is the beginning of something we might not survive.