Chapter 18 #2
“Not if he follows his family into politics. Even this wedding isn’t what we wanted. He said it would keep Bitsy happy, but . . . Well, she’s not exactly sunshine and roses.” Lila gave a rueful look.
“Here’s an idea,” Brooke said, hating how defeated her bride-to-be looked. “How about we let Bitsy worry about Bitsy, and focus on giving you a dream wedding?”
Lila smiled. “You’re sweet.”
“I mean it,” Brooke insisted. “This is your day. You’re only going to do this once, right?”
“Here’s hoping.”
“So, forget about Bitsy and the Cartwright way and Massachusetts crab,” Brooke grinned. “What do you want?”
“To be on a beach in the Caribbean with nobody else around?”
“OK, second choice,” Brooke said.
Lila paused a moment. “I did love the lilacs,” she said slowly. “And the peach cake, and all those gorgeous antique books you suggested.”
“Done,” Brooke declared.
“Really?” Lila bit her lip. “Bitsy won’t be happy.”
“Bitsy doesn’t have to know.” Brooke grinned. “This is about you and Justin, and I promise, you’re going to have the wedding of your dreams.”
Lila smiled, for the first time all day. “Thank you. For everything. Seriously, I don’t know what I’d do without you. Justin said he’d be here for all the appointments, but he’s busy, and there’s no time, and my team are already freaking out in LA?—”
“It’s my pleasure,” Brooke cut her off. “You worry about saying ‘I do,’ I’ll take care of everything else. Now, want to try out another round of appetizers?”
Lila shook her head. “You know, I think I need to take a walk and clear my head. I can make my own way home.”
“Are you sure?” Brooke didn’t want to strand her without a ride.
“Yes, I’m fine.” Lila smiled again, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Thanks for everything. I’ll talk soon.”
She exited the florist shop and started walking across the town square. Brooke watched her go, feeling a lurch of apprehension in her stomach. She was used to skittish brides getting cold feet—but never with just a week to go before the big day.
Note to self: keep Bitsy far, far away from any future wedding plan sessions.
If there was even a wedding left to plan.
“Shall I put in the order?” the florist assistant asked.
“What? Oh, yes, please.” Brooke filled out the invoice. Luckily for her, the Cartwright deposits were non-refundable, so even if this whole thing fell apart, the hotel would be covered.
Her career, however? That might be a whole other thing.
Brooke finished up at the florist, then stepped back out into the Sweetbriar Cove town square.
She’d blocked off the whole morning for Lila, so she had some time before she needed to be back at the hotel, and even before she could think about it, she found herself strolling towards the pub on the corner.
She could drop by and say hi to Riley—and maybe even get another kiss, or two, or three, to last her for the rest of her day.
Brooke smiled. One night together, and she was already craving her next fix. Whatever that man did, he did it well.
But when she stepped into the pub, she found another man behind the bar. “Hi,” Brooke said, approaching. “I’m looking for Riley?”
“Why settle for him when you can talk to me instead?” the man replied with a teasing blue-eyed smile. There was something familiar about him, and Brooke wondered if she’d seen him around town.
“I’m not sure about that,” she said. “Is he around?”
“Just on a call,” the guy replied. “He’ll be back in a second. By which time I’ll have charmed you so much, you’ll barely remember his name.”
Brooke laughed. “We’ll see about that.” She took a seat on a barstool to wait. It was quiet in the pub, just a few locals enjoying their lunch, and the new bartender leaning back against the counter, watching her with an assessing look.
“Drink?” he asked.
“Sure, just a lemonade, thanks,” Brooke replied.
“Coming right up.” The man poured and slid it over. “I’m Max.”
“Brooke.”
His eyebrows shot up. “Ah, the famous Brooke. It’s a pleasure.”
She paused. “Famous?”
“Riley may have mentioned you,” Max said.
Brooke sipped her drink, not sure what to say—or what Riley had said about her.
“Don’t worry.” Max must have seen her hesitance. “He hasn’t said a thing. In fact, he’s been uncharacteristically tight-lipped. Care to fill me in on all the salacious details? Since I’m family and all.”
“Oh, you’re his brother,” Brooke realized. The familiar blue eyes, the cocky flirting . . . Now it made sense. “You know, I can see the resemblance,” she added. “You’re both too charming for your own good.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.” Max grinned. “So, is my big brother behaving himself?”
“Does he ever?” Brooke asked.
He laughed. “Touché.”
“What brings you out here?” Brooke asked, relaxing. She was curious now, getting a window on Riley and the rest of his life. “You live on the West Coast, right?”
“He’s here to annoy me,” Riley interrupted, entering through the back door. He gave Brooke a questioning smile. “This is a surprise.”
“A good one?” Brooke asked.
“Always.” Riley leaned over the bar and kissed her, the kind of slow, lazy kiss that sent shivers down her spine and made Brooke forget for a moment they had company.
Then Max cleared his throat loudly. “Let’s keep things PG-13, people.”
Brooke pulled back, flushing, but Riley just chuckled. “See what I mean about annoying?”
“Aw, he likes having me around, really,” Max said. “So, what are we doing tonight? We should all grab dinner and get to know each other.”
“Nope,” Riley answered, at the same time as Brooke said,
“I’d love to.”
“Great.” Max grinned. “Meet around seven?”
“I’m working,” Riley reminded him, looking irritated.
“That’s OK,” Max said. “Brooke and I can spend some time together. Isn’t that right?” He smiled at her, and Riley’s scowl deepened.
“I’ll get someone to cover.”
Brooke looked back and forth between them, interested to see their sibling dynamic.
It was obvious they were used to bickering like this, but despite the barbed words, the affection between them was clear.
But the show was interrupted as Max’s phone buzzed.
“I’ve got to take this, but I’ll be seeing you later. ” He winked and strolled away.
Riley let out a sigh.
“Don’t worry.” Brooke patted his arm gently. “It’ll be fun.”
“You don’t know Max,” he said darkly, and Brooke had to laugh.
“Let me guess, he’s a smooth-talking, charismatic player?” she grinned. “I guess he learned that from you.”
Riley didn’t look any happier, so she leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Relax. You’re still my favorite Ford brother.”
“Want to blow off dinner and show me just how much?” Riley suggested, his smile returning.
Brooke laughed. “Dinner first, fun later.”
Riley gave her a smoldering look. “I’ll be holding you to that.”