"Jack, let me thank you again for not making me the best man," he started. His words were slurring just a little bit. "I would have lost the ring, been late, and there is no way I could come up with a good speech. Besides, Owen will look prettier in the pictures. I am really glad to be here, though, and I'm even more glad that it's because my older brother is marrying someone as awesome as Emma. Emma, you are the sister I never had, and I am excited to get to call you family. That's it. Kanpai!" The Japanese toast hung in the air as he slammed back the last of his wine and sat down, motioning to the waiter for more.
My father glanced around and then stood, raising his glass as well. "I guess it's my turn," he said.
He looked down at his youngest daughter. "Emma, you will always be my little girl. I am so proud that you have found your way in the world. I want you to know that your mother and I are so very proud of you." My dad's eyes grew blurry as he continued, unable to hide the waver of emotion running through his voice. I knew this was hard for him. Emma was the baby of the family.
"Jack, I know you are going to take good care of our baby. I'm proud to finally have a son in the family. Cheers!" Everyone sipped their drink and gave a light applause.
I waited for the applause to die down before I stood up. "I guess that makes it my turn. Jack, you treat my sister the way she deserves to be treated- like a princess. I know you make her happy, because she has this glow that she only gets around you. I've never seen her so happy or so sure of herself. Thank you." Jack tipped his head in acknowledgment and smiled. I turned toward Emma.
"Em, when Mom and Dad brought you home, I said I wanted a puppy instead. I still want the dog, but, today, I'm glad I've got you. I love you, Sis. Thank you for letting me be a part of this." I had intended to say more, but my voice caught and I didn't trust myself not to cry. It didn't help that Emma looked about ready to cry too. She jumped up and immediately gave me a hug.
"Thanks, KayKay," she whispered into my ear. I wiped a tear off my cheek and tried to look at the sky to make the rest of the tears go back to where they came from as I let her go. She grinned at me as she sat down, her eyes shining too.
As everyone settled, a well-dressed waiter came and whispered into Jack's ear. Jack laughed and shook his head, looking over at Emma.
"For once it isn't one of my phone calls that is urgently interrupting." The waiter handed Emma a message. She read it quickly, and then smiled apologetically at the table.
"Excuse me for just a minute. They can't seem to function without me anymore." She stood, kissed Jack on the cheek, and ducked into the main building. Through the window, I could see her pick up a phone.
I wondered what could be so important that anyone would interrupt her wedding rehearsal dinner. Since officially moving to New York, Emma had found a way to merge her dreams of working with animals and living with Jack. She had wanted to be a veterinarian since we were kids, but if she wanted to be with Jack, that wouldn't be possible. Every patient would know she had infinitely deep pockets and would always be looking for a way to get free care or sue for any mistake, no matter how minor.
But, Emma being Emma, she had found a way.
She created the "Daniel Saunders Wildlife and Marine Rehabilitation Program" through Jack's company using their environmental restoration department. Everyday, she was able to work with Jack and with rehabilitating animals. She loved it, and it had been a good way to honor Jack's father, but it kept her as busy as Jack. Honestly though, I couldn't see her any other way. Emma was just too hard a worker to stop just because she got married.
Emma came back out the door, her light blue dress trailing after her in the evening breeze. She smiled at Jack and sat down to finish her wine, the phone call finished. Jack smiled with obvious pride at his soon-to-be-legally-married wife. The table was quiet, everyone sipping on the last of their wine and enjoying the evening.
"Thank you for a lovely evening, but it is time for us to retire," Mrs. Saunders said as Emma sat down. She rose and stood behind Mr. Saunders' chair. The old man was struggling to keep his eyes open, seemingly exhausted by the dinner and toast. Emma jumped up and gave Mrs. Saunders a friendly hug. She was determined to win Jack's mother over eventually. Mrs. Saunders returned the affection and Emma bent to give Mr. Saunders a kiss on the cheek. He beamed up at her, and waved as Jack's assistant, Rachel, wheeled his chair away. The table watched quietly as they disappeared around a perfectly manicured hedge and into the deepening night.
"I think we'll hit the hay too," my dad said as he pushed his chair out. He stood and shook Jack's hand before giving Emma a kiss. Mom gave them both a hug, her eyes bright. Her baby girl was getting married, and she was so incredibly proud and excited. She kissed my head as she walked past. I watched my parents walk hand and hand down the stone path, still very much in love. I hoped to find a love like theirs someday.
"I think that leaves just us young-uns," Jack's little brother said with a grin. "Bring on the tequila!"
"Sorry, Robbie, I have an early morning," Jack said. "Technically so do you, but since you just have to stand there and look pretty, it shouldn't be too hard." He leaned back in his chair, in no obvious hurry to get anywhere.
"What about the amazing bachelor party I have planned?" Robbie asked with mock seriousness.
Jack grimaced and Emma laughed. From what I had heard, the New York bachelor party had been a crazy enough party for Jack. He wouldn't say exactly what they did, but he had refused to drink anything besides water and Gatorade for a week.
"What about you, Kaylee?" Owen asked. He said my name slowly, as though he liked the way it felt on his lips. To be honest, I liked the way it sounded coming out of his mouth, but I was not about to do anything to encourage him.
I shrugged. "I'll probably have an early night. We have a busy day tomorrow."
Owen nodded, his blue eyes intent on mine. "Perhaps I can interest you in a drink before you go?"
I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. I wanted to say no, but it was as if he was hypnotizing me to say yes. The way he held his body, his eyes catching mine and the seductive tone of voice, it was all incredibly hard to say no to. No wonder the guy was a marketing VP.
"Count me in!" Robbie said with a smirk before I could actually answer. Owen gave him a sideways glare. The spell was broken.
"You oversold it. Even I was tempted," Jack said, finishing his drink. Owen gave him a dirty look to match the one he had shot Robbie.
"If I wasn't marrying this handsome man tomorrow, I would have been all over that," Emma said and smiled sweetly at him. Owen raised his hands in defeat. It was easy to tell that his method of picking up women was a known thing among the four of them.
"Fine, too obvious. Question still stands though Kaylee. Would you like to get a drink?" Owen asked, his smile hopeful. I had to nip this in the bud before he could try that hypnotizing look again. Girls probably fell for him left and right with that smolder.
"Sorry, no. I've sworn off men for a little while," I said. I did not want to get burned by a man like I did last time. "Especially men who buy me drinks."
Possibly forever, I thought.
Owen tipped his chin down and gave me the biggest blue puppy eyes I have ever seen. I'm not sure quite how he did it, but it took a lot of willpower not to give in. When he started to tremble his lower lip, I almost caved, but then Jack started to laugh.
"Oh Kaylee, I think he likes you! He never does the puppy thing unless he's desperate," Jack just barely managed to say before he began to laugh. He and Emma were both snorting into their wine at the pathetic face Owen was making.
"You guys are seriously ruining my mojo. This works every time." Owen glared at the happy couple, sparing an angry glance for Robbie, who was cracking up in the corner.
"I think I'm going to go to bed," I said, knowing full well those blue eyes would get me if I stayed. I needed to avoid men for a little while for my own good. Owen smiled up at me as I stood from the table.
"Would you like me to join you?" he asked. He practically oozed charm. It wasn't a bad thing. In fact, it was rather nice to be so obviously desired, but I had no interest in a random hookup. I wasn't looking for a good time, and I certainly wasn't looking for a relationship. Not that he was even offering the latter.
"You are persistent! Thanks, but no thanks," I said, shaking my head. I gave Emma a hug and Jack surprised me with a hug from him. I was liking Jack more and more.
"You sure? I give excellent back rubs," Owen tried again. I knew he was just playing so I pretended to think about it, holding a finger up to my lips.
"Hmm... nope."
"Break my heart!" he cried, falling back into his chair as though I had wounded him. He grinned and gave me a wink as I made sure I had my room key. Robbie came around the table and gave me a big bear hug, practically lifting me off the floor.
"Have a great night, Kaylee," Robbie said with a grin before turning to Owen and adding, "and that's how you do it."
"Well, if that's how it's done," Owen said, rising gracefully. He stepped close to me and my heart started pounding in my chest for no apparent reason. I had told myself I wasn't going to give into him, and I was going to stick by it, no matter how much he made my insides heat.
"Have a wonderful night, Kaylee. Dream sweet," he whispered as he wrapped me up in his arms. For one glorious second, I let myself imagine being his. My body ached to be touched, to be wrapped up with his. His cologne was masculine but not overpowering, his arms strong and confident around me. I honestly didn't want him to let go, but he released me before it could even be considered awkward. I hoped I wasn't blushing too noticeably.
"You all have a good night," I managed to stutter before heading down the stone pathway off the porch. I stepped into the twilight, feeling the warm tropical evening surround me. The waves shushed in the distance and night insects sang in the bushes while the stars twinkled above. It was something that I would have typically enjoyed, but right then, all I could think about was how good Owen had smelled.
Chapter 2
I watched as my dad walked my little sister down the aisle. Or rather, down the beach we had made into an aisle. Dad kissed her softly before reluctantly letting go. Jack grinned like the happiest person in the world as she stepped toward him.
Emma was stunning. She wore a flowing white dress that billowed slightly in the breeze and was just formal enough for a wedding, but casual enough that it screamed Emma. Her long dark hair was half up in a complicated series of braids. and the rest blew softly in the gentle wind. She chose not to go with a veil, instead having tiny white flowers that matched her bouquet sprinkled throughout the dark braids. She looked like something out of a fairytale which, considering the man she was marrying, was appropriate.
She handed me her flowers and turned to face Jack. Everything about her was glowing. Her happiness was infectious. I couldn't have wiped the smile off my face if I tried. The minister began in a deep voice, the audience sitting with rapt attention. My mother kept dotting her eyes, tears of joy spilling down her face.