Page 41 of The Wedding Toast
“We’ll catch you later.”
Jacob shook his head at Bentley as they watched them walk away.“Who’d have thought – my brother and your little sister.”
“Honestly,” said Bentley, “I feel kind of dumb that it never occurred to me before.I mean, they couldn’t be more different, but they couldn’t be more perfect for each other either.”
“You’re right,” said Jacob.“I’ve never known Xander as happy as he’s been since they got together.I just wish they still wanted to live here.”
He turned back to the plane.When Alexandria – Ria, as he had to get used to calling her these days, since everyone else did – called, “Well, hello there.”
“Hi, Mom,” called Bentley.
Jacob just smiled and watched her and her partner, Russ, come down the steps.Russ came to shake hands with him while Ria hugged Bentley, then held his shoulders as she stepped back to look him over.
“You look wonderful, darling.”
“Thanks, Mom.You too.”
Ria turned to Jacob and held out her arms, looking a little awkward.“Am I allowed to hug?”she asked tentatively.
Jacob was happy to wrap his arms around her, and for a moment he held her tight.He had to swallow as he stepped back.She used to be such a formal woman.He honestly didn’t remember ever having hugged her before, even though they’d been close his whole life.
She gave him a bashful smile.“I’m sorry if that was too much, but …”
He shook his head rapidly.“It was wonderful.In fact, if you don’t mind, I think we should make it a new norm for us.”
Her hand came up to cover her heart.“Mind?I’d love that.”She held his gaze.“Especially considering what you’ve asked me to do this weekend.”
Jacob’s heart sank.He hoped that what he needed to talk to her about wouldn’t spoil things.
She must have sensed the change in him and frowned.“Although, of course, if you’ve changed your mind, I understand …”
“It’s not that I’ve changed my mind,” he said hurriedly.“But I would like to talk to you about it.”
Russ grasped his shoulder.“How about the two of you have a chat while Bentley and I catch up?”
Jacob gave him a grateful nod.
Ria glanced back at the plane.“Smoke said he wants to do something or other before he takes off again.Honestly, I think he was just giving us time to say hello before he and Laura come down.”
“That’s fine.I don’t need long,” said Jacob.“And if you don’t like the idea, feel free to say so.I just … I had to ask.”
He was surprised when she slipped her arm through his and started to walk away from Bentley and Russ.
“I won’t mind anything, darling.I was honored that you asked me to be there with you.But if you’ve changed your mind …”
“It’s not that I’ve changed my mind,” he said hurriedly.“It’s just …” For a moment he felt terrible.What was he even thinking?How could he expect Alexandria DuPont to be happy about sharing what she considered to be an honor with his cook?
She gave his arm a squeeze.“Spit it out, then,” she said with a smile, making him laugh.
“Okay, I’ll tell you straight.I do still want you to fill the role of a kind of stand-in mother of the groom.However … how would you feel about sharing it?”
She frowned.“Sharing it?With whom?”
He made a face.“This is the part … you know Elena?”
Her reaction couldn’t have surprised him more.She clasped both hands together and held them to her chest.“Oh my goodness, Jacob, you must ask Elena.I feel terrible that it didn’t occur to me before.She’s wonderful; she’s been part of your family forever.Of course you must.”
It was his turn to give her arm a squeeze.“Slow down, please.I do want to ask her, and you’re right, she has been part of the family – for longer than I have, if we’re honest.But I don’t want herinsteadof you.I want both of you.I just didn’t know how that would feel.”
