Epilogue #4
All of my bridesmaids came out, laughing and pulling me into the center of the floor.
I didn’t know what was coming, but I hoped it wouldn’t be too embarrassing.
That’s when “Tipsy” by J-Kwon came over the loudspeakers.
It was one of the songs I’d stripped to while Reynolds had been watching me in the audience at Sugar.
We all laughed and broke it down together, bumping and grinding all over the dance floor and having a great time. I heard a familiar voice say, “hottest fucking wedding party I’ve ever seen in my life. I wish all weddings were like this.”
I turned and wasn’t surprised to see Leo Salazar staring at all of us while the friends he was standing with agreed.
But I was more aware of a different set of eyes watching me.
Reynolds, looking debonair and as handsome as I’d ever seen him, stood back and watched my every move.
The look he gave me when the song ended sent a little shiver down my spine.
I couldn’t wait until we were on the plane to Grand Bahama Island, where we planned to honeymoon for the next three weeks.
Something told me we wouldn’t be venturing far off the grounds of his beach villa.
When the dance was over, Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song” started up and the groomsmen joined us for a line dance. I noticed that Jelly was paired up with the same tall, handsome groomsman she’d walked down the aisle with. They seemed to know each other, but I wasn’t sure how.
“Who’s that dancing with Jelly?” I asked Reynolds, whose hands were tight on my hips.
“That’s Paulo Lanetti. We went to boarding school together.”
“Why haven’t I seen him around?”
“He’s a surgeon. Busy all the time.”
“Oh my God.” A puzzle piece just dropped into place. “That’s her boss at work. She’s… not a huge fan,” I said.
He chuckled. “He says he’s not either. But look at the two of them together.”
I watched them. Jelly gave him a cold look as he hooked his arm through hers and did the line dance next to her.
It didn’t seem to bother him, though. He looked down at her the whole time.
He never took his eyes off her, while she basically ignored him.
Their bodies moved perfectly in synch though, and he seemed pretty possessive with the way his hands moved over her during the dance.
Reynolds and I exchanged a look. “Huh,” I said. “I think there’s more to that story for sure.”
“Agreed, honey.”
We continued our dance, and I twirled in Reynolds’ arms so we could look at each other while his hands stayed wrapped around me.
I noticed Will Adams standing with Leo and some of the other Salazars. He was drinking and watching Madeline, while she danced and pretended she wasn’t glancing over at him from time to time.
“Why isn’t your friend Will dancing?” I asked Reynolds.
He chuckled. “I heard Madeline tell him to get his hands off her. I’m not sure how they know each other, but there’s a story there, too.”
“Jeez,” I said. “So much drama and intrigue in our wedding party.”
“Yep. Never a dull moment, it seems.” Then he pulled me away from the line dance and held me close to him for a slow dance that didn’t fit the beat of the song at all.
No one cared a bit, least of all me.
After the dancing, dinner went by in a blur of champagne and laughter. There was more dancing, but Reynolds and I just stood holding hands while we spoke to everyone who wanted to wish us well.
“I’ll be back in a sec,” I whispered in his ear.
He grabbed hold of my hand and pulled my back against his chest, one large hand holding my abdomen. “I don’t want to let you out of my sight, angel,” he whispered in my ear. “You’re too damn beautiful to leave you alone around any of these guys.”
“You’re welcome to come with me,” I said, batting my lashes at him.
“Where are you going?”
“Bathroom,” I whispered.
“Yeah, I’m walking with you.”
I smiled. “You’re so protective.”
“You’re so gorgeous, honey, and half the guys here wanted you for themselves at one point or another.
” He looked around. “See?” He gestured to the bar where Enzo and Nico were drinking and watching me.
The two of them grinned and raised their glasses to us.
Reynolds flipped them a bird, but they just laughed and turned back to talk to each other.
“They’re your groomsmen, Reynolds. You know they wouldn’t try anything with me.”
“I know. But I still would rather walk you since it’s kind of a trek across the grass. In fact,” he swooped me up into his arms, and I wrapped one arm around his neck. I laid my head against his chest and looked up at the stars.
“Tonight is perfect.”
“It is,” he kissed my forehead and carried me up the flights of stone stairs that led to the back patio, deck, and pool. He accompanied me to the restroom and then carried me again when we reached the wet grass.
“Forgive me, Nadine, but I have to ask because I’m dying to know.”
I looked up so I could meet his eyes. “What?”
“Did you pack any, um, naughty costumes for our trip?”
I giggled. “Do you really want me to ruin such a well-kept secret?”
“Yes.”
I bit my bottom lip. “I might have bought a very elaborate naughty bride set for the special occasion.”
He groaned. “Oh, I cannot wait for that, Nadine.”
“You’re going to have to, big guy…”
“Leave me alone! Do you hear me? Just leave me alone!” A woman’s panicked voice broke through the night.
I gaped up at Reynolds. “Put me down. That sounded like Daisy.”
He was already on the move. “It came from over here.”
The two of us hurried through the wet grass, me lifting the heavy skirt of my gown so I could walk better. We found her behind a tall, well-shaped hedge.
She was pacing back and forth, holding her phone. She didn’t seem to notice that the bottom six inches of her beautiful lilac dress were wet. Her hands were shaking, and she was clearly distraught.
“Daisy?”
She jumped, her pretty green eyes widening. She put a calming hand on her chest. “Sorry, y’all. You scared me.” She tried to smile and pretend she was okay, but I wasn’t buying it.
Neither was Reynolds. “Daisy, who was on the phone?”
She sighed. “Y’all heard me?”
We both nodded.
“Shoot. I didn’t want anyone to know. It’s nothing, really.”
We stared at her, not budging.
“Fine. I, um, well, I seem to have a stalker. He’s been bothering me for months, but things seem to be escalating lately.”
“Jesus,” Reynolds said, running a hand through his hair.
“Oh, sweetie, I’m so sorry,” I went to her and gave her a hug.
“It’s okay.” Her eyes met mine. “Can I tell you something and you keep it to yourself?”
I nodded.
“You, too, Reynolds?”
“Absolutely.”
“Okay. Well, I’m going to be the featured girl in the next auction in a couple of weeks.
I figure whoever wins me can help keep me safe.
Then, when I get the money at the end of the contract, I can get out of West Bay forever.
I want to get away from this guy.” Her face twisted up, and I could tell she was fighting back tears.
“Do you know who it is?” Reynolds asked. We exchanged a quick look. More information had come out over the past few months about the events that led to Candace Key’s murder. She had been stalked for several months before her homicide. Police believed her killer had also been her stalker.
I gripped Reynolds’ hand. I couldn’t stand it if something horrible happened to Daisy. He squeezed mine in return, and I knew, just from that gesture, that he would do everything in his power to keep her safe.
“That’s the thing. I have no clue. It could be anyone. It could be one of your groomsmen for all I know.” The look on her face hurt my heart. I could tell she was terribly worried, and I wished I could make it better.
“I’m sorry to burden y’all with this on your wedding night,” she said, wringing her hands.
“You didn’t burden us. We made you tell us.” I hugged her again.
“Do you need some money now? You don’t have to do the auction if you don’t want to, Daisy. We’d be happy to help you out,” Reynolds said.
I reached out and rubbed his chest. I loved that he’d volunteer to help my friend.
“No,” she shook her head. “Thank you, but I want to stand on my own two feet. If the auction is the way I can do that, then…” she shrugged. “It wasn’t so bad for you,” she grinned.
“No, it wasn’t,” I agreed, putting my hand on top of Reynolds’ which was holding my waist. “Why don’t you come back out and dance? And maybe drink a little champagne? Everyone’s having so much fun.”
She looked reluctant, but she nodded.
I grabbed Reynolds’ hand on one side and Daisy’s on the other and the three of us jogged across the lawn and back to the dance floor.
My friends partied and danced to their hearts’ content on the dance floor, while Reynolds twirled me around and around under the stars on our wedding night.
I don’t think I’d ever had a more perfect night, full of friends, family, and, most importantly, the man I loved.
And I couldn’t wait to spend the rest of my life with him.