Seduction - Chapter 13
Sunday
“They’re by the willow tree,” I whispered to James.
“Yeah. We probably should have been out here to steer them away from that spot.”
You think? “We had sex there,” I hissed. “They can’t get married right there. It’s practically a sex altar.”
“Hardly. I’m not sure we’re going to have much of a say in this, though. Daphne looks so happy.”
He was not being helpful. I hurried over to them.
My eyes glanced over to the little waterfall.
I remembered stripping right there for James.
Right before he took me under that willow tree and pressed my naked back against the bark and fucked me.
I’m pretty sure I had yelled ‘Professor Hunter’ loudly enough for people to hear us on the terrace.
This golf course was huge. What the hell were they doing right here? Why? Seriously… why?!
I cleared my throat. “Hey guys. Just starting the tour? That’s fun.
Thanks for waiting for us. Let’s go this way.
I think you’ll like what’s going on by hole 6.
” I tried to get them to start walking. And it wasn’t a complete lie.
There was a cute little bridge by hole 6.
They could get married on that. Far, far away from our sex tree.
“No, we chose the spot,” Daphne said. “Isn’t it beautiful? The willow tree is going to look amazing in the pictures. We just knew it as soon as we saw this spot. And isn’t that waterfall so cute?”
“No. It’s…loud.” Yup, that made sense. “The water is definitely too loud for the ceremony. The guests won’t be able to hear your vows. That would be a travesty. Right, Rob? Because I bet you’re planning some hilarious vows.”
“Of course I am,” Rob said. “And I can hear you just fine right now. The water isn’t that loud, Penny.”
“It’ll be louder with all the people though. The voices carrying, mixing with that super loud water? No way. It won’t work. Where is Justin? He’ll have something to say about this.”
“He’s taking pictures.” Daphne pointed to where Justin was. He’d just immerged from underneath the willow tree. He was snapping tons of pictures with his phone while somehow also balancing a planner and taking notes.
“It’s so big under there,” Justin said and looked up from his planner. “Depending on the number of RSVPs, we might be able to have the ceremony under the tree.”
Good God, no.
“Wouldn’t that be amazing?” Justin said. “We could cover it with fairy lights. It’ll be magical and romantic.”
“I’m allergic,” I said. “I’m terribly allergic to willow trees.” I started scratching the inside of my wrist.
“I didn’t realize you had any allergies,” Bee said.
“Just this one. And it’s terrible. My face gets all red and puffy when I breathe in willow tree air.”
Mason tilted his head to the side as he looked at me. “You look okay right now, Penny.”
I tried not to glare at him. Thanks, Mason. Was there a way to make my face look red and puffy right now to make my point? I couldn’t think of anything. “That’s because…I’m not right next to it.” Smooth.
Justin sighed. “You’re ruining my vision with images of red puffy faces.
” He shook his head. “Not under the tree then. We don’t want anyone’s face blowing up.
And we probably will have too many guests anyway.
But we can make a beautiful arch right here.
” He stepped to the side and waved his hand through the air.
“That should be far enough away. And you, Penny, can take an antihistamine just in case.”
Shit. That was a good fix. Damn you, Justin, for being so good at your job. “But what about the terrace? Have you guys seen that? I was thinking that would be really nice. And it’s already covered in case it rains. There’s a cute little firepit and everything.”
“A firepit?” Justin said. “Stop it with your backyard shenanigans. No, no, no.” He stepped forward.
“If we put the arch right here, the beautiful couple will be able to look down the aisle and see that little waterfall.” Justin walked down the aisle he was imagining in his head.
“It’s utterly divine. Pure perfection.” He spun back around. “I can see it. It’s happening, people!”
Daphne smiled and Rob pulled her into his side. They both looked so happy.
I swallowed down the lump in my throat. I didn’t want to mess up their happiness. So what if James and I had had sex right there years ago? No one needed to know.
“Allergic to willow trees?” James whispered as he wrapped his arms around me. “That would have been such a good save if allergy medicine wasn’t a thing.”
I sighed. “Do you think we should tell them? That might make them change their minds. I don’t want it to accidentally come out in a few years and for them to be pissed that we didn’t mention it.”
“Do you really think Rob cares if we’ve had sex right there? He’s not exactly ashamed of sex. He’ll probably just high-five you.”
He was right. Rob wouldn’t care. “What about Daphne?”
“Look how happy she is.”
Daphne and Rob had started dancing. He dipped her and then pulled her back up, her laughter flitting through the air.
I sighed. I didn’t want to ruin anything for them. “Okay, fine. But the bridge at hole 6 would have been perfect if you ask me.”
“Where would you get married if you were having your wedding here?” James asked.
I looked up at the beautiful willow tree. “Right here. But that’s because we have history with this tree.” I had very fond memories of us getting down and dirty here.
“Really? Or is it because it’s the most beautiful spot on the golf course? There’s a reason we stopped here that night. The fireflies lit up the water. Don’t you remember? It was perfect. It was almost magical.”
It really was perfect. And it was a beautiful spot to get married. I nodded. I could easily picture Justin’s vision. Rob and Daphne were going to be so happy here on their wedding day.
“Besides,” James whispered. “We had sex under the tree. And you saved us from having the ceremony right at the spot.”
That was true. This could have been so much worse. Instead I’d just be staring at the tree during the whole wedding, biting my lip, remembering James thrusting inside of me. I swallowed hard.
“About that firepit,” Justin said and walked over to us. “We need to see it. Because if there is already covering on the terrace, it could be a good place for the reception.”
I smiled. “Not too backyard for you?”
“We shall see, won’t we. Oh my, I do see your face turning red.”
What? I touched my cheek. I was pretty sure I was blushing thinking about having sex with James under the willow tree. Sold it!
“Let’s get you away from this tree. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll be driving back to the terrace with Rob and Daphne. James’ driving is too rugged for my delicate sensibilities. And yours too, Penny.” He spun around and hurried over to the happy couple’s golf cart.
I laughed. At least he wasn’t calling Daphne a barbarian anymore.
I looked up at James. It was so tempting to wait behind and pull him under the tree.
But he said we were waiting for sex tonight.
So…I stood up on my tiptoes, leaning in for a kiss.
But at the very last moment I paused. “Race you back!” I yelled, leaving him hanging.
I hopped into his golf cart, thinking that it was faster than mine.
“Who’s the cheater now!” he yelled after me.
***
The weather was perfect today. There wasn’t even a chill in the air as we all sat out on the terrace sampling tray after tray of appetizers.
It was like I’d died and gone to pregnancy heaven.
All. The. Food. And I was putting it away.
I was made for taste-testing right now. I grabbed my second quiche and sighed.
If this wasn’t on the menu, I was going to sneak into the kitchen on the wedding day and demand some. So freaking good.
Justin had never experienced Daphne around food before. I was pretty sure he was horrified, but he was being cool about it. Although his eye definitely twitched after she shoved away her twelfth sample.
“So what was wrong with the quiche again?” Justin asked while making rapid-fire notes. “It looked like you liked that one.”
Daphne shook her head. “Well I loved the spinach, but what kind of cheese was in there?”
Justin looked down at the menu. “Swiss.”
“I’m not a fan of Swiss cheese,” Daphne said. “Do you think we can start making substitutions?”
“You can make whatever substitutions you want. But that requires you to actually be able to make a choice about what you’re substituting.”
“I’m making choices. I want there to be cheddar in the quiches. Wait. No! How about provolone? God, I love provolone. But does it pair well with spinach?”
“Swiss and spinach are a perfect pairing. Cheddar or provolone would send the whole quiche off balance. How about we put them down as a maybe?”
Daphne shook her head. “Nope. No to the quiches then.”
Darn. I agreed with Justin. Swiss and spinach were a perfect pairing. For being so particular about her food, Daphne was making terrible choices. Or rather…no choices at all.
“But you’ve said no to everything on the first three trays,” Justin said.
“Let’s hope the fourth tray is better,” Daphne said.
“My girl knows what she likes,” Rob said and wrapped his arm behind her back.
“There is no fourth tray,” Justin said. “That was all the appetizers on the list for your package.”
“Then let’s try the cheaper appetizers,” Daphne said.
“That is highly unusual.”
She shrugged. “Let’s just try those. I didn’t really love any of the expensive ones. Maybe the other list will be better.”
“That’s definitely not how that works.”
Daphne just stared at him.
Justin didn’t look calm anymore. It looked like his head was about to explode. He waved over the waiter that was helping us with this train wreck of a food sampling. “Can we try everything on this menu too?”
“Yeah, I’m sure we can arrange for that. Our chef will need a few minutes though. Are we going for the cheaper package then? I’ll have to notify the chef if we want the other samples for the main course and desserts.”
Justin looked over at Daphne.
“Can we just try all of it?” asked Daphne. “All that you have to offer? Please.”
“Very well,” the waiter said. “Give me a few minutes and I’ll get those other appetizers out for you.”
“Please keep the alcohol coming,” Justin said.
I laughed.
Justin stared daggers at me as the waiter walked away. “Penny, a word?” He set down the menus and walked off.
It seemed like I was in a lot of trouble. I looked over at James. He shrugged. But I could tell he was thinking the same thing I was. That Justin was royally pissed.
Yeah, I was definitely in trouble. I excused myself and followed Justin. He’d walked back inside and was pacing in the restaurant.
“How are you doing?” I asked as the doors closed behind me.
“What the actual hell?!” he shrieked.
“So…not good then?”
“You owe me more than just a few favors, missy. You knew this barbaric woman. You knew she was weird about food. Don’t you lie to me. You knew she’d be a nightmare.” He pointed a sassy finger at me.
I guess he was back to calling Daphne a barbarian. “I’m sorry, Justin. But she’s only weird about food…”
“Food is half the wedding!”
“That’s not true. There’s fancy clothes and dancing and a beautiful ceremony.”
“A ceremony followed by lots of food! We’ve been sampling appetizers for 30 minutes and she hasn’t chosen one. Not a single one!” He grabbed a folded cloth napkin off a nearby table and threw it on the ground.
“Justin…”
“How is she ever going to decide on a band or a DJ? Or when she wants the ceremony to start? Or what kind of flowers she wants for her bouquet or for the arch! There’s a million more decisions to make and she doesn’t like Swiss and spinach together!”
“I get it. I’m with you. Swiss and spinach is a wonderful combination.”
“Then talk some sense into her. We don’t have all day to sample food. I need them to make decisions about more stuff.”
“I’m telling you, she’s only bad with decisions about food. She’s already picked out her dress. And the bridesmaid dresses. And she’s chosen the location. We’re checking things off left and right.”
“We’re going to be talking about appetizers for hours!”
“I’m sure you’ve had bridezillas before.”
“This is not bridezilla behavior. It’s barbarian behavior.”
“Justin…”
“I have more contingencies now.”
“Justin. You already agreed to do the wedding.”
He huffed. “I did not agree to…that.” He pointed to the window. I looked out to see Daphne, her nose scrunched up after she bit into an appetizer that I’m sure was freaking delicious.
I nodded. He had a point. “Okay. What are your new contingencies?”
“Every single person you know that gets engaged…you send them to me. Immediately. Right after you see someone drop to one knee you butt in there and recommend me. You owe me.”
“Okay, done.” I was going to do that anyway. Minus the whole butting into the proposal thing. “What else?”
“Get all the girls to drive back to the city in my car. And let me be chauffeured with the gentleman.” He lifted his chin in the air.
“Um. Okay, I guess I can make that work.” I wasn’t sure how James was going to feel about that. Not just because we didn’t like being apart. But because Justin got handsy the more he drank. And he’d just stolen a glass of something from a passing waiter.
He drank it down in one gulp. “And there’s more contingencies that I haven’t even thought of yet.”
“Okay. If they’re reasonable, I’ll make them happen.”
“Oh, like Daphne is reasonable?”
“Fine, even if they’re unreasonable I’ll make them happen. Come on, let’s go back out there. I’m sure Daphne has found a handful of appetizers she likes and we can move on to soups and salads.”
He groaned. “Thank God it’s my cheat day. Because I’m eating all the carbs. I can’t handle this stress!”