Chapter 17
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Campbell
I’m standing in the pavilion with a sister flanking me on each side and Thea circling us like a bulldog. January called Jamison and invited her to the luncheon. She practically begged her.
Mom’s avoiding her sister-in-law. Every time the woman comes close, Mom unapologetically darts in a different direction. Mom’s taken to standing by me, since my aunt keeps a wide berth around me.
I love my family.
For the millionth time, I peek over my shoulder at the handsome bartender mixing a cocktail for one of January’s childhood friends.
The woman’s flirting with him, but his expression is impassive as he rattles the metal shaker.
As if he senses my attention on him, his gaze slides over.
Like every other time, he gets the barest hint of a smile.
The girl across from him probably can’t tell.
But I know, just like I know it’s for me.
He’s been making me feel like the sexiest woman alive.
I’m in a subdued gray dress with white trim, sandals, and my sunglasses perched on my head.
I’m not a guest. Avery and Thea are dressed like they’re going to the derby, minus a fascinator, although Thea’s cowboy hat could almost count as one.
Avery’s taller than me and Jamison, her wedge sandals boosting her even higher, and her linen baby-pink romper shows off her tan and her highlighted hair.
Thea always shocks me with the way she can style her hair to make her cheekbones and eyes intimidating. Maybe I should cut my hair short. Wear a power romper. Then maybe I would tell off someone who screws me over instead of absorbing all the blame because that’s what I’ve always done.
Jamison pushes at her boobs. She’s wearing a maternity dress she had for Kacey and flip-flops. She’s dressed for comfort and gives zero fucks. “I can’t believe how fast these things fill up.”
Iverson’s at my parents’ house with Tavis. It’s not a long drive, and if he needs to bring my nephew here for some food, Jamison can ditch this show and nurse in the lodge. So far, she’s sticking it out.
Staff dressed in black polo shirts and black jeans bustle into the pavilion with wagons of food they wheeled from the lodge. Chef is probably in his element, but stressed at serving so many people so far from the kitchen.
I glance at the sky. It’s beautiful outside. No chance of rain. The logistics would’ve been hell with a thunderstorm, but it’s not fair that cloudless skies and perfect June temperatures are forecasted for the next several days of wedding festivities.
So far, the couple’s time at the Hawthorne Ranch couldn’t have gone smoother. I’m the only wrench in their plans, and that’s self-inflicted. I can’t be blamed for that without them seeming like the villains they are.
“I’m going to make you sit.” Mom cups Jamison’s elbow and glances at me, Avery, and Thea. “You guys coming or are you going to chat for a while?”
Thea dips her head. “I’ll come with you. We got dibs on the table in the back, right?”
“It’s our assigned spot.” January’s family is supposed to be up front. Sydney hasn’t arrived yet, but that sister drama isn’t mine. Other than my aunt and some cousins from her mom’s side, January has no other family with her.
Avery and Thea exchange a look.
Thea shoves a thumb over her shoulder. “I’m gonna go sit.”
I’m alone with Avery. Warning prickles over my skin just as Avery crosses her arms.
“You and Durban?” she barely asks as a question.
I stiffen and hug my tablet to me. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“I mean the way he undresses you every time he lays eyes on you. Or how you blush when you two exchange a look that would give Mom a heart attack. I bet if I check him out right now, he’ll be focused on your ass.”
“There’s nothing going on.”
She stuffs her hands in her pockets and casually turns around, putting her back to everyone else. Her gaze lifts to Durban for a second. “Yep. You’ve never been able to lie well.” I scowl at her, but she only shrugs. “I can ask him.”
“Stop it,” I hiss. I’ve lost this game before it even started. Avery’s cunning and observant, and she won’t drop something when she thinks she’s right. “We’re just using each other, okay?”
Her eyes go cold. “He’s using you?”
There are times I appreciate her older-sister protectiveness, but not today. “We’re using each other. I’ve been so wound up with this whole month-long wedding celebration, and he just got out of a long relationship.”
“And you two are in a situationship of your own?”
I nod, but there’s a tug on my heart. “I’m not romanticizing it. When this wedding is done, he’ll move on, and I’ll have a business to build.”
“What the hell does that mean?” She flicks her narrowed gaze to Durban and back to me. Growing up, people used to think Avery was the quiet, timid one. She’s blunt and takes no prisoners, and she’s only gotten worse—better?—since moving away from Huckleberry Springs.
“It means that we’re friends with benefits,” I say quietly. Almost all the guests are seated, and the staff is starting to pass out the starter salad. My stomach rumbles.
“You used to irritate the crap out of him.” She taps her chin. “That’s why I always suspected he wanted to fuck you.”
“Avery!” I snap my mouth shut. That came out way too loud.
January focuses on me like she has laser vision set for destruction. Her mouth forms a flat line. She scoots back and primly walks toward us. I hold in my groan, but Avery doesn’t.
“Is everything okay?” she asks with a polite smile, her head tilted like she’s talking to a kid.
“Of course.” I make sure my grin is a thousand watts. The staff is approaching with the carts full of the starter salad. “You’re going to love the salad. Strawberries are super sweet right now, and Chef sources the spinach from a local greenhouse that gets an early start.”
January considers me. “It doesn’t feel polite to eat when all of my guests aren’t sitting.”
My facial muscles strain with the effort of holding my smile. “Avery was just taking her seat.”
Avery flings her ponytail over her shoulder and gives my arm a squeeze. “Brides, am I right?” she mutters. She gives January a patronizing pat on the shoulder. “Relax and have fun. It’s your big day.” She says it with false excitement.
I want to both laugh and cry. January’s eyes shimmer. Avery never could stand her, and I was surprised Avery was on the invite list at all.
January sniffles, and my shoulders drop.
I am the planner. I’m cursed with professional pride and the urge to fix this.
She’s a client, and she wants a good start to her happily ever after.
Just because I don’t have one isn’t her fault.
Well, technically, it is, but she saved me from Stanford, and no matter how much she loves him, their marriage is going to end in her heartbreak. Stanford will take care of himself.
What should I tell her to make her feel better that doesn’t sound like I approve of this marriage? “It’s very considerate of you to include Jamison.”
My cousin gives me a self-deprecating shrug, like it’s the least she could do when in fact it was the least she could do.
“I want my dream wedding to be perfect, and that includes having the most important people around me.” She shoots me a supportive smile.
“Feel free to enjoy some leftovers when a seat opens up. I’m sure there’ll be extra plates on the cart and some water glasses left untouched. ”
As she sashays away, my temper rises until my heart beats around my skull. I tried to help her feel better, and she turns around and demeans me?
I’m not touching any damn leftovers or unused water glasses.
Two days.
Two more days.
I just want to tell her to kick rocks—right up her ass and out that smug expression. I did once, and that’s how I ended up planning her happy day. January can be petty, but I never thought she’d stoop to this level. Was our whole friendship a lie?
Leftovers. Spare water.
My heart rate soars. A blood vessel in my head is going to pop if I stand here much longer.
I suck in a few deep breaths before I cross to Mom and touch her shoulder. “I need to dip into the lodge for a bit. I’ll be back before the meal’s done.”
Avery and Jamison frown at me. If Mom senses something’s wrong, she doesn’t stop me, only nods and shoos me away.
My face is hot as I pass Durban. I refuse to look at him. I’ve talked to him about all of this, but now’s not the time. Maybe tonight, when it’s dark, and we’re alone, I can spill my heart out about how much this moment hurts.
I’m across the lawn and in the lodge in record time. I head straight for the meeting room. It’s dark, and I leave the lights off when I enter.
I’m about to shut the door when a big body comes through. “What’s wrong?”
“Durban,” I whisper-shout, whirling around. “You can’t be here. You have to serve cocktails.”
He comes in and closes the door. The light is off, but sunlight pokes through the slats of the blinds at the window. His face is carved from shadows, and my stomach somersaults. I could stare at him for an eternity and never get tired of the view.
My dull headache infringes on my admiration of him. I prod my temples with my fingertips. This wedding is messing with my head. I want what January has. I want Durban. I’m ready to throw myself down the aisle at him. Miss Independent right here.
How can I trust my feelings when I spent so long with a guy who was very wrong for me? I had no idea my best friend would bury a knife to the hilt in my back.
“Thea jumped in for me,” he says. “Claimed she was ready to punch the snotty bride and that she put herself through college bartending. Avery’s distracting your mom from going after you. I told them I had to grab some supplies from the bar in here.”