Page 2 of Something Borrowed
Blowing out a long breath, I glance at Mom. She’s begging me to do this. Anything to keep the drama at bay tomorrow. This is the only wedding she’s going to have, seeing as I’ve point blank refused to ever have one for years. She wants to enjoy it. Tessa’s mom looks like she’s about to get down on her knees and beg any second. I can only image the stress Tessa’s caused her and her husband over the last few months—and I don’t just mean financially. They’re footing the bill for this over-the-top extravaganza. They’re just your average working parents, and I can only imagine they were as blindsided by thisshowas I was.
“I’ve got so much to—”
“Please, Bry. The day’s going to be ruined otherwise.” I think that might be a bit of an exaggeration, but she is the drama queen of the century right now so I guess I shouldn’t have expected anything else.
“I don’t—” The three sets of eyes in front of me drill into me. My skin tingles with their attention and that ball of dread grows even bigger. Tessa’s eyes fill with tears as she prepares for me to say no. I’m about to, but sadly something else falls from my lips. “Fine.”
“You mean it?” She’s up off the bed and engulfing me in a huge hug before I even realize what is happening. “Oh my God. Thank you so much. I’ll never forget this, Sis.”
What the fuck did I just do?
When she eventually releases me, a wide smile spreads across her face, but my more realistic planner side takes over.
“I’m not going to be able to do what I need to do if I’m standing up there with you. I don’t have a dress. I don’t—”
“It’ll be fine. The dress you have is perfect and I have every confidence in your ability to multi-task.”
“Fantastic,” I manage to get out through gritted teeth.
Freddie
Aflat tire and a fuck load of traffic means my plan to get to the hotel in plenty of time for the wedding rehearsal is shot to shit. It’s the first time I’m going to seeherin person in over ten years.
I wanted to be prepared. But as it is, I’ve missed the wedding rehearsal and I’m about to burst into the room where the rehearsal dinner’s being held. As if it’s not bad enough that she probably hates me, I’ll also be ruining her well laid plans.
I might not have had any contact with her since the day I left, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t kept tabs on her. It’s been made easier with her being my best friend’s sister and someone I grew up with. My oblivious best friend never sees enquiring about what she’s up to every now and then as unusual. Although, he’s usually pretty forthcoming with information about her serial dating habit.
The one thing Ireallydon’t need to know about.
Slamming my car door, I drag my case and suit bag from the trunk and race towards reception. The lady behind the desk looks at me with sympathy in her eyes.
“I’ve got a room reserved for Freddie Bison. I’m part of the wedding party this weekend.”
She taps about on her computer and it feels like a year passes before she hands a key card over and points me in the right direction. “Sir, the wedding party are already congregating in the Royal Suite for tonight’s rehearsal dinner. If they’re expecting you, you may need to hurry.”
“Thanks,” I shout over my shoulder, heading towards the escalator. I look back when I come to a stop and find her eyes running down the length of me. She’s hot, and if the situation was different, she might be someone I’d make a play for. But not here. This weekend I’ve got someone else in mind.
Her attention reminds me that I’m nowhere near dressed for a fancy meal. My ripped jeans and V-neck t-shirt don’t exactly scream wedding rehearsal attire.
The second I walk into my room, I begin pulling my clothes from my body as I set about finding the shower. First impressions are everything, and after ten years I don’t want Bryony turning her nose up at the first hurdle.
My phone’s ringing when I step out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around my waist.
“Please tell me you’re nearly fucking here,” Mac barks into the phone.
“Yes, I’ll be down in ten minutes. I just need to get dressed.”
“Hurry the fuck up. Tessa’s about to blow.”
Chuckling to myself, I hang up the phone. I feel for the guy, I really do. Tessa’s been firmly hit with the wedding bug. She’s usually pretty chilled out, but she’s done a complete one-eighty in the last few months. It’s enough to put me off the idea of a big wedding. Not that I’ve ever really thought much about getting married.
Making quick work of pulling my clothes on, I run some wax through my hair and put my phone and wallet into my pockets.
Standing in front of the mirror, I blow out a long, slow breath as I prepare for what’s to come.
By the time I get to the doors for the Royal Suite, butterflies have taken up residence in my stomach and my hands tremble slightly.
I don’t get nervous. Ever. But the prospect of seeing her again and what her reaction’s going to be is enough to have me doubting even being here. We’ve managed to keep what was between us a secret all these years. The last thing I want is for her to give away her feelings for me and ruin Mac’s weekend. Although, it’s not Mac I’m really worried about. I think Tessa would castrate me for causing any kind of drama that took people’s attention away from her.
