Page 22 of Her Fake Island Wedding

Chapter Eleven

Justine certainly knew how to make an entrance, Bryce thought. She timed it perfectly, waiting until the sauce between the buffet and the door was clear before stepping forward and pausing, looking around as though she couldn’t find them even though they were almost directly opposite her.

One poor guy at the buffet dropped his plate, which shattered into a thousand pieces and broke the sudden startled silence which had fallen. Nina and another waitress at once hurried over to clean up, the man hastily retreating, tripping over a chair as he gazed open-mouthed at Justine.

All around the restaurant men — and not a few women — were staring. Justine had dressed to kill in a slinky dress of pale silver satin, cut diagonally off one shoulder and slit well up her thigh on the opposite side.

“Holy shit, that’s Justine Manning,” a man said in the booth beside them, his tone awed, and Bryce saw Lucy wince.

It was at that moment he realised he’d never asked what her mother did for a living.

“She’s an actress,” Lucy muttered, when he leaned across to quietly murmur the question in her ear. “She plays afemme fataleon one of the longest-running British soaps.”

That explained quite a lot, including why Justine looked so impeccably groomed. Her black hair shone, falling just past her shoulders in glossy waves, pinned up on one side with a deep red flower. Lips painted the same colour as the flower, she smiled as several people approached her to ask if they might have autographs or selfies.

“I’m here visiting my daughter,” Justine said loudly as one fan asked eagerly why she was on the island. “She’s one of the resident marine biologists. Come over here, Lucy darling!”

Bryce followed as Lucy got up, the look on her face making it clear she was reluctant to enter the limelight.

“I had no idea you had a daughter!” the woman talking to Justine gushed as Lucy approached. “No — this can’tpossiblybe your daughter! You’re not old enough!”

“You’re so sweet.” Justine’s laugh was like little silver bells… or tinkling razor shards, Bryce thought. Lucy seemed to shrink into herself as Justine wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “I’m very proud of Lucy. She’s terribly smart… and she’s getting married next week, which is why I’m here, of course!”

“Of course, they had to get married during a break in filming,” the woman nodded, looking from Lucy to Bryce with a smile. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you,” Lucy muttered.

Somehow, Justine had managed to make a wedding she hadn’t even known about that morning all about her, Bryce thought with an exasperated shake of his head. She was certainly comfortable in the limelight, expertly handling the fans who came up, excusing herself after a few minutes with a tinkling little laugh.

“I’m starving, my dears! I’m staying for two weeks, no doubt you’ll see me around.”

As though by magic, the little crowd of British tourists who’d gathered around her dissipated, and Justine sashayed over to the booth where Lucy and Bryce had retreated.

“Sorry about that, darling.” She glanced at the empty seat opposite them with a little pout of her lips, but then seemed to accept she couldn’t really ask Lucy to move so she could sit beside Bryce. Taking her seat, she looked at their water glasses.

“Not drinking?”

“I’ve got to take out a night dive,” Bryce explained. “I’ll have a quick dinner with you, but then I’m afraid I’ll have to excuse myself.”

“Oh, what a shame. What about you, Lucy?”

“I was waiting for you. Thought you’d like to choose some wine,” Lucy explained, and Justine seemed pleased by her thoughtfulness.

Dinner passed pleasantly enough. Justine, like Lucy, had a healthy appetite, though Bryce noted she watched Lucy’s plate and made sure to eat just a little less. Even in this, she was competing with her daughter.

To Bryce, despite Justine’s show-stopping appearance, there was no comparison. One was all show, and the other had the substance. This close, he could see how Justine’s artfully applied makeup enhanced her features… and it occurred to him that at least some of her incredibly youthful appearance might be due to Botox or plastic surgery. She looked too smooth, almost plastic, especially compared to Lucy’s fresh, natural appearance. He’d never seen Lucy wear any other makeup than lip gloss. She really didn’t need it, her lightly tanned skin flawlessly smooth, her lashes long and dark, soft lips kissably pink, drawing his gaze inevitably and making him think about their earlier kisses again.

He could see Lucy didn’t feel she came off well in comparisons to her mother, though, and vowed to do his best to reassure her later. He hated to leave the two of them alone, certain Justine would be much more bitchy to Lucy once she had her on her own than she would in front of him.

So he was very grateful when Luke entered the restaurant about five minutes before Bryce would have to leave, coming up to their table with a broad smile.

“Hey Lucy, Bryce. And this must be our newest celebrity guest.”

Justine preened as Luke turned his considerable charm on her. Standing up, she let him take her hand, bowing over it gallantly.

“Lucy didn’t mention you weretheJustine Manning. I just found out from the resort’s Instagram feed going crazy,” Luke said wryly, and Bryce was suddenly quite certain Luke hadn’t a clue who she was. He’d probably Googled her hastily before coming to the restaurant.

“Well… it’s not like I’m here to perform.” Justine flicked her eyes towards Lucy, who hastily rose and made the introductions, presenting Luke as the resort’s general manager.

---