Chapter 7
HADLEY
Isit in the booth at Jolly Joe’s, the old soda shop in town that decided jellybeans in coffee for luck and surprise would be what people remember about the hotspot. Well, that, and the amazing ice cream, cinnamon buns, and every carb imaginable.
Overlooking Main Street, I lean my head against the window while I hold my mug of coffee.
Admittedly, I sneaked out before Connor woke.
I may have crooked my head a few times to study the way he sleeps on his stomach, yet his muscles still stayed flexed with pure shoulder perfection.
He smirks in his sleep too; must have been imaging ways to kill me, except I now know his secret.
“Earth to Hadley.” A voice breaks my thought. Looking up, I see Isla waving a hand in front of me. “Shouldn’t you be cooking a warm breakfast for your husband who you are currently dreaming about?” she says, enjoying teasing me.
I roll my eyes and take a sip of coffee.
“He’ll survive. I am sure he has his mom on speed dial if his housekeeper can’t solve his cooking and cleaning needs.
Besides, I had a class of toddlers to teach first thing this morning.
Also, I wanted to catch up with you before I get roped into this photoshoot.
Leave it to Connor’s uncle and dad to turn this around real fast. I woke this morning to about a gazillion emails about an interview with my husband about our blessed union. ”
“Oh yeah? How is that going to go?”
“Fake it till we make it, right?” I shrug.
Isla squints her eyes at me. “You know, alcohol… it tends to bring out our inner inhibitions…”
My palm flies up to stop her. “Do not lecture me. Besides, after the shock when we told our parents wore off, our moms are in a glow of happiness. I’m not going to ruin that in less than a day by saying I’m getting a divorce.”
“Your dad?”
A long exhale escapes me. “He… isn’t pleased.”
“So then why didn’t you tell him it was a mistake?”
“I was going to, but then I figured an accidental marriage is even worse.”
Isla looks at me, not believing my words. “What’s the game plan? You married my boss’s son and brother’s teammate. Classic move, Hadley.” Her sly grin plays on her lips.
I cross my arms. “Turns out Connor is my mystery watcher at my dance studio. His mom let it slip. Either he still harbors a little crush, finds me attractive, or has some twisted perverted thought in his head. My vote is on the latter. All of those options are excellent for using to my advantage to bring him to his downfall. Then, before hockey season starts again, kaboom, our marriage ends with his little feelings in pieces.” My hands accompany with gestures.
Isla laughs, almost hysterically. “Kaboom could also be that you two want to stay married because you both enjoy it.”
I’m about to protest, but my phone vibrates on the table. Flipping the phone to check the screen, I see Connor texted.
Connor
SOS. Where are you?
My eyes bug out from instinct, and I quickly type back.
Me
Oh dear, did you miss me when you woke up? I had to teach a class. I’m surprised you weren’t lurking outside, since we know that’s your favorite pastime.
Says the woman who threw on my shirt with no bra on in front of me. Easy as a breeze. I think someone enjoys being watched.
Shove it.
Mouth or pussy?
I choose to ignore his crass comment.
I’ll see you at the photoshoot thing.
I’m already at my parents’ house. Need you here now. We have a situation.
What kind of situation?
The moms…
I growl in frustration and choose to ignore my phone for a second. He’s being overdramatic.
“Apparently there is an emergency for the photoshoot, and someone can’t put his big boy pants on and handle it himself,” I tell Isla.
My phone pings and a photo pops up. Studying the image, I shake my head.
Clearly someone didn’t get the memo that the photo session was going for casual, as the patio table at Connor’s parents’ house, my neighbors, is covered in flowers, cupcakes, and I’m positive the balloons are filled with confetti.
Growling, I know I need to head there sooner than later.
On my way.
Cooperative.
“Looks like I need to head there now. I’ll let you know how it goes,” I say as I gather my purse.
“Enjoy the honeymoon phase. Have an O or two for me.” Isla smirks as she sips on her coffee.
I give her a warning glare. “Don’t… I learned my lesson once… but maybe I need to sacrifice an orgasm to make him pay. I’ll do it if makes him weak.” It causes Isla to laugh again as I leave.
Inside me, something tingles from the thought of Connor having his wicked way with me, and I hate that the image flashes in my head. I should be stronger when he’s involved.
Looking in the mirror, I try to suppress the smile that wants to spread. My palms rest against my belly as I study myself from different angles.
Arriving at Connor’s parents’, my mother quickly ushered me to the guest room to get dressed, as the hair and makeup lady was waiting for me.
I didn’t realize we were going all out. I don’t even want to know how this dress was chosen or by who.
It fits me to a T, and although not a wedding dress, it could be if you were going for dressy casual in white.
It dips down my back, cuts off just below my knee, and I feel beautiful.
“I can’t wait to see the photos. You’re so stunning.
” My mom arrives by my side, holding up a necklace.
“Here,” she says as she brings the jewelry around my neck.
“Your dad gave this to me on our first anniversary. I was saving it for your wedding… which I missed.” Her happy tone dips to disapproval before her smile returns.
“So, I will give it to you now and be sure to steal some photos.”
I touch the pendant with a small diamond and smile tenderly at her. “Thank you, I love it.” And I feel kind of guilty too. She wanted to save it for a special occasion, but I guess to her, this is. “How early were you up this morning?”
“Oh, it’s nothing.” She waves me off.
I throw her a funny look. “There is a cupcake tower downstairs.” And she made it because she’s an excellent cook and baker, even works in nutrition.
“I’m up early anyhow. Besides, you used to go on and on about cupcake towers for weddings.”
“This is a photoshoot… one that you and Brielle invited yourselves to.” I laugh.
She brings her fingers together to show size. “We are a little excited for you and Connor.”
“Clearly,” I deadpan.
My mother touches my curled hair that is mostly down. “You know, love hides under the surface. We don’t always embrace it in the right way first, but once you uncover it, then it can be amazing and long-lasting.”
“Is this our marriage talk?”
She nods once with a closed-mouth smile. “It is. Also, remember your father and I couldn’t stand one another until we realized it was because we were completely right for each other. Soulmates.”
“So you’ve mentioned at every opportunity that arises.”
My mom gives me a loving knowing look. “I’m not sure what you two are up to, but I see it. The potential, I mean, and I’m here for it.”
She is dead serious, and I’m taken aback slightly by her conviction. There’s experience behind her words, which means her advice isn’t to be ignored. That unnerves me slightly, as it means there may be truth to what she says.
Clearing my throat, I decide that we should probably get on with this day. “I guess there is a fancy journalist and photographer downstairs that I should get to.”
She nods, and we leave the room to walk down the stairs and head outside into the beautiful day.
The Spears home is much like my own childhood home.
On the lake, with a dock, but they have an outside swimming pool, whereas we have an inside one.
Connor and I both grew up in a life of love from our parents who did their best to give us more than most but keep us humble.
Our parents, two photographers, a journalist, and Declan is here, probably under the ruse of uncle duty. They are all huddled around the table full of refreshments.
But in the corner of my eye, I spot Connor and my dad deep in conversation near the willow tree and away from everyone. It strikes me that they seem serious yet they’re speaking in hushed tones, and I wonder what they are discussing.
My father peers up, and he seems to pause instantly in his sentence, with fondness flooding his face.
Connor is wearing a linen dress shirt and khaki pants.
His back is to me, but when he notices my father hypnotized, Connor glances over his shoulder.
He does a double take before he slowly turns to face me.
His eyes draw a line up and down my body, and his lips tug from a smile he can’t commit to.
But when he steps forward, abandoning my father, his eyes lighten before he gets to me, stops, and touches my elbows with his fingertips, sending a current through my blood.
“You look beautiful.” His voice dips low, ensuring nobody can hear. “Then again, I wouldn’t marry anything less.”
I give him an unimpressed look. Maybe because for a moment, I thought he was being sincere, or he was then ruined it. Both options enrage me somewhere deep within.
Glancing around, I realize we have an audience. I chuckle softly. “Wow, what a spread.”
My eyes nearly bug out at the abundance of fresh flowers, and Connor notices. “They roped my aunt Violet into this event; she dropped them off this morning. Peach-colored roses for Sprinkles, apparently that was in your wedding dream diary.”
“Oh God, I guess my mom really did dig that up. I made that when I was like seven, by the way.”
“Don’t worry, my mom went off the rails too. See the dog?” He tips his head to Puck, their family’s yellow Labrador, who is sporting a little bandana around his neck. “Dressed up for the occasion.”
I snort a laugh before I fix my gaze on my father who walks to us. “Hi, Daddy.”
“You look so pretty,” he notes.