Chapter 4
AINSLEY
My hands are shaking. I clasp them between my knees, but it’s no use.
Now it’s my arms that are shaking. All because I’m in a car with a stranger who gave me the idea he wanted to kill me and wear my skin the first time we met.
It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve ever jumped to the wrong conclusion or jumped at my own shadow.
Okay, it’s more than that. I need to stop downplaying my feelings, a habit after everybody around me has done it for so long, I guess. You’d think I’d be nicer to myself.
If he was going to hurt you, he could’ve done it by now. At the apartment, while you were alone. Why would he wait until you were out in public, riding around in a ridiculously flashy sports car that’s bound to attract attention?
A good point, but I’m not in a place where logic has much room. I’m too busy trying to ward off nervous sweats.
I slide a look his way and try not to focus too hard on his sharp jawline.
I might start crushing, and I’m still not sure I can trust him after he freaked me out at the pet shop.
He’s not awkward and creepy now. No, he’s the picture of confidence behind the wheel, one hand on the gear shift as we zoom down the street.
How many dates must he go on to afford a car like this? I feel like I’m in some luxury car ad, only I am not the sexy, slinky bombshell one would expect to find climbing out from the passenger seat.
But I am with him. It’s not a matter of deserving to be. I am, and we’re approaching the church now. He drove me to our destination, not the woods, to be killed and dismembered. Relax. Maybe it’ll be fun.
Now I see what he meant about feeling underdressed compared to me. Because compared to everybody walking into the church as we pull into the parking lot, I’m overdressed.
It seems like the only exception to that is the parents of the bride and groom. Aunt Lisa and Uncle Charlie, Caroline’s parents, exchange a look with each other when they see me approaching with Talon at my side.
Right away, I start to feel clammy. I should’ve gone with a dress that had sleeves so I could put something under my arms to catch any sweat.
“That’s the bride’s parents,” I murmur to Talon as we walk up the steps to where they’re greeting guests at the entrance to the church.
“Got it.” He doesn’t seem the least bit nervous, but then why should he? He never has to see any of these people again. Me? I’m stuck with them for the rest of my life. And I have an entire lifetime’s worth of inadequacy to fight against.
“Keep your chin up,” he mutters out of the corner of his mouth just before we reach them.
My aunt makes a big deal of widening her eyes when she sees me. “Ainsley, that is a heck of an outfit you’re wearing. You’d better be careful, or you’ll outshine the bride.” I’m going to take that as a compliment.
My uncle reminds me how much I’ve never liked him by laughing almost uproariously—way too loud for the entrance to a church. Something tells me he started celebrating a little early. “Please, we all know that’s impossible. Nobody can outshine our little Car-Car.”
Ugh. Like that nickname didn’t get old by the time we reached puberty.
My aunt turns to Talon, and I know she’s sizing him up when her brows lift. I’ve seen that expression enough times. “I’m sorry, are you a friend of the bride or of the groom?”
“I’m a friend of Ainsley’s,” he explains. “So I guess you could say I’m on the bride’s side.”
“Our Ainsley?” Her voice goes so high pitched, I’m glad there isn’t a flute in her hand that could shatter.
And now I just know she’s going to waste no time tracking down my mother to ask for every last bit of information on him.
Needless to say, she’ll be wasting her time, and I wish she wouldn’t make a big deal about it.
But I should have known I’d be in for it.
This is the first time I’ve ever shown up to an event with a date.
“And as far as I’m concerned, the bride is in trouble.” He slides an arm through mine, winking down at me. “It’s almost unfair.” My aunt and uncle are rendered speechless while I can’t help but thank my lucky stars that he happened to be the escort assigned to me. He knows just what to say.
We murmur our goodbyes before continuing into the lavishly decorated church.
“It looks like there’s space for us toward the front,” I whisper, spotting my mother’s bright red hair a few rows back.
Dealing with her will be the real challenge.
We walk down one of the side aisles, and I pretend not to notice or care when I catch one person after another staring openly at me.
Obviously, the gown was a bad idea, and not only because I have to be careful not to knock over the candles on stands at the end of every row—pressing the skirts to my side for fear of setting the place on fire.
But Talon thinks I look beautiful. I’m sure half of what he said back there was to make me feel better, but he seemed sincere when he complimented me at the apartment.
He didn’t have to do that. It’s not like I wouldn’t pay him, but I guess he doesn’t know that.
Maybe he’s looking for a tip? It’s not like I would know from experience, having never done this before.
He’s right. I should have at least gotten a photo of him or something, but I was too excited at the thought of having a date at all to think about much else.
“Hi,” I mutter once we reach the pew where Mom is currently whispering something to my father, who hasn’t looked up from his phone since we walked in.
But he does at the sound of my voice, and I don’t know whether his expression of surprise is thanks to my date or to what I’m wearing. Maybe both.
My mother, on the other hand, leaves no room for doubt. “What are you wearing? I swear, you’re twenty-five years old, and you still need somebody to dress you.”
Talon makes a strange, choking sort of sound that, for some reason, gives me confidence. He reminds me I don’t need to take that, even if I don’t really know how to respond.
“Hi to you, too,” I settle for whispering before sitting between my father and Talon, who nods in acknowledgment but doesn’t say anything. Mom is too busy shaking her head and whispering things to herself to greet him.
I’m so glad I found that ad online. Otherwise, I’d be sitting here fighting back the tears.
Nothing I ever do is good enough, and nobody in my family has enough class to keep their opinions to themselves.
For once, could somebody just let me feel good about myself?
I’d feel more confident in a pair of sweatpants than I do right now.
“You know,” Talon whispers, leaning in until his lips almost brush my ear. “I could still go outside and find a squirrel if it would liven things up a little. We could get out of here and go barhopping.”
I have to cover my mouth to stifle a giggle. Once again, Mom glares at me. Her gaze then moves to Talon. I’m looking at her, not at him, so I don’t see his expression. Whatever it is, it’s enough to make her eyes snap forward real fast.
I wonder if he’s available for the holidays, too? Could I hire him continually? Maybe there is a punch card or some kind of loyalty program. I force those thoughts away and try to concentrate on the wedding.
Caroline’s radiant, as always, the way she’s been our entire lives. She’s always seemed to have that certain something I’ve never been able to touch. It goes beyond confidence. She just always knows how to behave, what to say, what to wear. It’s all so easy for her.
It’s so easy for all of them. I glance around, taking in the sight of so many familiar faces. A couple of them snicker when they think I don’t see, including my cousin, Paul. I guess Caroline’s fiancé didn’t care to have him in the bridal party. I can imagine why. He’s always been the biggest jerk.
Thankfully, the ceremony is over quickly.
“I was hoping there would be at least one person standing up to dispute the marriage,” Talon mutters on our way out.
I can’t help but laugh. He seems to get it, like this is more than just a job.
I’m not going to fool myself into thinking he actually cares, of course.
I’m just grateful he’s a nice person, and I feel bad for misjudging him when we first met.
The reception is taking place down the road, and along the way, I give him the rundown of who we’ll be seated with. “My parents, of course. My aunt and uncle, who we met before the ceremony. My other aunt, Mary. And my cousin, Paul.”
“You don’t like him, do you?”
I look at him in surprise. “How could you tell?”
“The way your voice changed a little. Like you were angry.” My surprise only grows at his answer. He is so perceptive, and I can’t help wondering if he’s like this all the time or just with me.
“When we were little kids, he stuck me in a toy chest and sat on the lid so I couldn’t get out. I had nightmares for weeks and still get freaked out sometimes in small spaces.” I can’t believe I’m sharing something so personal with him.
Talon’s eyes darken. “What a little prick.”
“Let’s face it. I don’t like anybody in my family because they don’t like me. They never did.” I have to laugh at myself, more than a little embarrassed. “I’m sure that sounds so immature. I promise I’m not usually like this.”
“You’re not immature. You’re human. What, do you think I can’t see things for myself? I’m surprised you would even bother going to this wedding, the way they treat you.”
It’s like he sees me. So few people ever have.
Watch it, you. Don’t go swooning over basic decency.
I need to be careful with this guy. It would be way too easy to let myself get the wrong idea about his kindness.
And I can’t pretend he doesn’t look good enough to eat in his gray suit and sky-blue tie, which almost matches my dress.
If I didn’t know better, I would think he coordinated with me.