Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
ALEX
F inn stands inside the marquee, checking his watch for the tenth time this morning. “He should be here by now. I don’t know what’s taking him so long.”
“Has he got the rings?” I ask.
Sebastian’s the sort of guy who would be shacked up with a bridesmaid or two, but he’s not usually one to let Finn down.
Finn taps his jacket pocket and relaxes his shoulders a little. “No, I have the rings. Just missing my best man.”
“I’m sure he’ll turn up. You have about fifteen minutes before the ceremony, and the brides are always late for these things.” I place my hand on his shoulder and give it a squeeze. “Relax.”
He takes in a few deep breaths and straightens the lapels on his grey suit. “I just want today to go well for Shelly, you know.”
“Son, as long as you’re here, I don’t think Shelly will even care who else made it. She just wants to be married to you. She doesn’t strike me as the sort who cares about the wedding.”
His phone buzzes in his trouser pocket. “Where the fuck are you?” Finn whisper yells down the handset. “I’ve been calling you for the last hour.”
“I’m sick, man. You do not want me at your wedding, trust me.”
“What’s up?”
“Not sure, but something hasn’t agreed with me. I’ve spent all night in the bathroom.”
Finn nods. “All right. Well, if you need anything, let me know.” He slips the phone into his pocket and stares at me, chewing on the inside of his mouth.
“I need a best man, Dad. How about it?”
My throat closes up with emotion. I know he’s only asking because I’m here and it’s convenient, but it feels good to step up when he needs me. “I’d be honoured, son.”
He hands me the rings as the marquee fills with guests. “Thanks, Dad.” He fiddles with the collar of his jacket again. “I know we haven’t always seen eye to eye?—”
“You and your mum mean everything to me, son. You’re both the reason I worked so hard, but I realise now that working perhaps hasn’t always been the best use of my time.” I bat his hand away and straighten his tie.
“I know you’ve always done your best.” He wipes his palms on his jacket. “Mum says she thinks you’ve changed.”
“I want to be a better man for her.”
“If you hurt her again, I’ll never forgive you.”
My head nods in agreement. “I’ll never forgive myself.” I’m still ashamed of my actions all those years ago. The truth is, I didn’t deserve her back then, but I want to do things right this time. I just don’t know how when she lives halfway around the world. It’s like I’m at a crossroads, finally building a relationship with my son on my doorstep and a grandchild on the way. Do I sacrifice my time with them to move to England to be with the woman I love?
Love.
The word rings in my head like the ringing of wedding bells as the band plays.
Merry sprints down the aisle with Celeste, and they take their seats at the front. Her brows pinch as she looks around, then mouths, “Where is the best man?”
I whisper, “Sick.” Then turn to face the entrance as the curtain to the marquee is pulled back. Light pours into the tent, giving the bride a golden halo. Marley, all in cream, walks by her side looking every inch the proud father.
Finn’s never looked this happy. He’s completely captivated, eyes locked on his bride as she floats down the aisle. The string quartet plays softly, filling the air with a gentle melody, but it’s the sound of her entrance that steals the moment—the gasps of awe at her beauty and individuality as the soft clink of shells dangle from her shawl. Her lace dress, with its frills and flow, reminds me of the waves and fishtails, as if the sea itself dressed her for this day.
Pride fills my chest, knowing this girl’s going to be a part of my family. I couldn’t have wished for a better woman for my son. She believed in his dreams even when I was blind to see what he could achieve with his talents.
Merry dabs her eyes and I pull the spare handkerchief from my pocket that I brought for this very purpose.
She takes it, silently thanking me as the couple say their vows.
Gazing at my ex-wife, I’m transported back to our wedding. It was kind of a rush after finding out we were expecting. Maybe we were too young, but it didn’t feel like we were at the time. The world was our oyster, and we were ready to take on whatever surprises life had to throw at us. Merry wore a sophisticated dress that clung to every curve of her hips and showed off her round, pregnant stomach.
I’d never been happier, just like our son is now, beaming at his bride. I don’t know if it’s the Christmas magic in the air or the wedding bells, but my heart is light for the first time in years. I can see a glimmer of hope in our future. I’m not sure how we can make it work, but if this woman can make me feel things that have been dormant for years, that has to be worth holding on to.
“Wonderful service,” Marley says as he lifts his glass of prosecco as if to say cheers. The setting sun catches the glass, giving it a warm glow under the dusky sky.
“It was. They make a great couple.” I search the area outside the marquee for a server. “Have you seen the girl with the canapés? The little puff pastry things were delicious.”
“I just saw her floating around here somewhere.” Marley spins on his heel and weaves through the crowd.
In my search, Janice, my PA waves at me from the path leading to the beach. “What’s she doing here?”
“Sir,” she says, out of breath as if she ran here. “I’ve been trying to call you. The phone at the office hasn’t stopped ringing all morning.”
“I’ve had my phone on silent for the ceremony. What on earth’s happened?”
“It’s the development in Candy Cane Key. The land owner’s changed his mind about selling. He’s backing out of the deal and the word is that Exclusive Escapes Enterprises want the land for a holiday-themed resort. The owner is over there now with the landowner, drinking eggnog and smoking cigars. It’s all over social media.” She thrusts a phone in front of my face with the two of them, enjoying a drink on the very land I wanted.
“Dammit. This is six months of work down the drain.” I tug at what little hair I have left on my head, fisting the short grey strands in frustration. “Do you think he wants more money?”
“I’m not sure, sir. Bob at the office spoke with him and he said if you want to discuss, he’ll meet with you today.”
“Fuck.” I pull my phone from my pocket and scroll through the missed calls from Bob, my development manager, and Janice, my PA. “Set up a call. I’ll excuse myself from the wedding celebrations for half an hour. I’m sure no one will miss me for thirty minutes.”
“He wants to see you in person, sir. I’ve booked you on a flight this afternoon so you can suck up to him and his family and win him over.”
Merryssa meanders over with a glass of champagne in hand, now that the family photographs are over. At least I made it for the ceremony and the photographs.
Her smile falters when she sees the pained look on my face. “What’s wrong?”
My chest burns with a serious case of indigestion, any thoughts of canapés now making me nauseous. We’ve been here too many times before. And it always seems to hit harder during family occasions. Unable to speak, I run a hand over my face.
Merry looks between Janice and me. “Hi, I’m sorry for my rude ex-husband not introducing us.” She offers Janice a hand. “I’m Merryssa Jones, formerly Fitzpatrick.”
“Hi, I’m Mr. Fitzpatrick’s PA. Nice to meet you.” Janice shakes her hand.
“Would you like a drink?”
“No. I just came to see Mr. Fitzpatrick. I’m on the guest list for tonight.”
There’s a worried expression on Merry’s face as she takes in Janice’s youth and slim-fitting dress, black heels. You don’t need to be a genius to know she’s wondering if I’m having an affair with my personal assistant.
“There’s been a situation at work, Merry.” I want to squash any thoughts of her putting two and two together and making six.
“Oh. Can it be resolved?”
“Yes ma’am. I’ve booked Mr. Fitzpatrick on a flight to the Keys this afternoon.” Janice turns to me. “You need to leave now if you’re to make the flight. Your driver’s waiting for you.”
Merry’s eyes glaze over. A sympathetic smile settles on her face, as if she feels sorry for me. “Can’t anyone else go?”
“The landowner won’t deal with anyone else, ma’am.”
I look back to Finn and Shelly outside the marquee, chatting with guests while the wedding reception tables are arranged.
“Are you going to say goodbye to our son?” Merry says, kicking at the sand where it’s blown onto the grass.
“He’ll understand. He knows I’ve been working on this deal for the last six months. I’ve invested a lot of time and money into this project. If it goes well, there’s a lot of money to be made when I flip it. Millions.”
“He might understand, but is that because he expects nothing else from you?” She continues to kick at the sand. “How much money do you need, Alex?”
I cover my face with my palms and groan out in frustration. I wouldn’t have thought twice about leaving and getting on a plane twenty years ago. This exact scenario is the reason Merry and I divorced. But I’m torn between my heart and my head.
“What shall I do, Merry?” My eyes plead with her, hoping she can give me some sense of direction. Tell me to stay. Give me the ultimatum she gave me twenty years ago.
“I can’t tell you what to do, Alex. Do what you feel is important to you. And if you need to deal with business, then go. I’ll smooth things over with Finn, and I can do a speech on your behalf.”
I’m surprised that she’s giving me the green light to go. The last time we were in this situation, she was mad. But we were married then. “I’m sorry, Merry.”
“You don’t need to be sorry to me.” She turns around and walks away, the spring in her step from this morning gone.
I follow her as she walks to the happy couple.
“Finn,” I say, swallowing the prickle in my throat as if I’ve swallowed a ball of holly. “There’s been a problem with the Candy Cane Key development. Maxwell Cross is getting cold feet or wanting to renegotiate. I have to fly out this afternoon.”
“You’re not serious?” He rolls his eyes. “Can’t someone else go?”
“I’m sorry, son. It has to be me. You know that.”
“Fine. I’ll see you when you get back.” He says it so nonchalantly, as if he’s not fazed or surprised.
“Enjoy your evening.” I squeeze his shoulder, then lean over and give Shelly a kiss on the cheek.
Shelly has the same sympathetic smile as Merry did. Like concern, but with a hint of sadness laced with disappointment.
As I turn around, I hear the faint voice of Finn say, “I told you, Mum. He’ll never change.”
My heart plummets to my stomach. Acid burns my throat like guilt eating away at my insides. The way Merry looked at me with dull eyes and a sad smile makes me think she expects nothing from me either. Like they are so used to me abandoning them, they don’t even get mad anymore.
I slink into the back of the SUV. “I need to get back to the house, Gary, then the airport as quick as you can.”
“Yes, boss.” Gary puts his foot on the gas, leaving a trail of dust behind us. I stare through the blackout window. Everything seems dull and grey, reflecting how I feel. The marquee in the distance grows smaller and smaller like my heart, shrivelling to an empty shell as all the life’s sucked out of it.
My hand runs over my face, tired from the constant flattery and kissing ass for the sake of a deal. I don’t want to spend Christmas with Maxwell Cross any more than I want to spend it with Ebenezer Scrooge. I have three days with my family before Boxing Day when the newlyweds take off on honeymoon and my ex-wife takes off for good.
Gary slows the car down in front of the house and I jump out, climb the steps of the porch and rush inside to pack my bag. If I can get there, sort this out, I might be able to salvage Christmas day at least.
In my closet, the green Tiffany box sits on top of the drawers, taunting me. I open the box and gaze down at the rose gold band encrusted with rubies. Red was always her colour.
My palm rubs the ache in my withered heart. Without her smile to brighten my day, her laugh to warm my soul, I’m nothing. Any good times that lie ahead would be so much better having her to share them with.
I close the lid on the box as if closing that part of my life for good.
I’ve just made the second biggest mistake of my life.