Page 68 of Blue Hawaiian
Option two was definitely the way to go.
* * *
Once they were backat the hotel, Connor let Jess go on ahead to avoid anyone seeing them together. He followed a few minutes later, carrying the box of programs. He went up to his room, changed, and downed a shot of brandy. A quick check of the calendar app confirmed the details of the rehearsal:Wedding Rehearsal, 4:00 – 4:45 p.m., Makai Terrace, mandatory attendance for all members of the wedding party, casual dress.
Since dinner wasn’t until six, he could get away with wearing another Hawaiian shirt, which beat the hell out of a button-down and a tie.
When he reached the grassy lawn, most of the wedding party was milling around, chatting and taking pictures. He set the programs down on a table that held the original wedding binder and walked over to Marc, Darren, and Lance, who stood together, waiting for things to get started.
Darren, who was wearing his typical “casual” attire—a Lacoste polo and pleated khakis—regarded him with contempt. “Nice shirt. It’s even more hideous than the one Brody wore to the luau.”
Ignoring his brother’s insult, Connor scanned the crowd. “Speaking of Brody, shouldn’t he be here?”
“He told me he had to pick up Taylor from the airport around two,” Marc said. “But he should be back by now. Maybe her plane was delayed.” He cast a quick glance over at Gabi. “I hope he makes it back in time for dinner, because Gabi doesn’t need any more stress. She already got into it with Paige.”
“Who’s Paige?” Darren asked.
“One of the bridesmaids. She arrived this morning.” Marc sighed. “I won’t go into details, but—”
“Please don’t.” Connor had heard the entire story on the drive back from the print shop. Once again, Gabi was freaking out, this time because her friend Paige had gained a few pounds and couldn’t fit into her custom-made bridesmaid dress.
Marc checked his watch. “It’s ten after. We’ll have to start without Brody.” He hesitated a moment, as if bracing himself for a confrontation. “I’ll go inform Gabi.”
Connor didn’t envy him, not with Gabi looking tenser by the minute. Somehow, Marc got her on board, and the rehearsal went as planned, with Connor standing in for Brody. When they were done, the wedding party dispersed, except for Gabi and Marc, who pulled Jess aside to talk to her.
Connor sidled over to them, keeping his voice casual. “Everything okay?”
Marc shook his head. “Still no sign of Brody.”
“Maybe he’s waiting at the airport,” Jess said. “For all we know, Taylor’s plane could have been late. Look at what happened to me. I arrived eleven hours later than I planned.”
Gabi pulled out her phone. “I already checked. Her plane arrived ten minutesearly. They should have gotten back here by three thirty at the latest.”
“They haven’t seen each other in a week,” Connor said. “Maybe Brody turned off his phone.” He imagined the scorching encounter he could have shared with Jess this afternoon, if he’d let his phone go to voicemail.
Gabi let out an exasperated breath. “We need to find him ASAP. And I can’t deal with it because I have to handle Paige.”
“Why don’t I go look for him?” Jess said. “I can check his room or see if he and Taylor went to the pool.”
“I’ll head up the beach,” Connor said. “Maybe they went for a walk. For all we know, they lost track of time. It happens.”
It easily could have happened to him and Jess this afternoon. When he was with her, he found it easy to lose sight of everything.
“Are you sure?” Marc said. “You both have to get ready for dinner.”
“Dinner doesn’t start until six,” Jess said. “We have over an hour. I don’t mind helping.”
Connor expected Gabi to thank her sister, but instead, she gave a curt nod. “Fine. He’s staying in room 655. Make sure he’s prepared. He’s supposed to give that Big Bear tribute tonight.”
“Why don’t you have him wait until the reception?” Jess asked.
“Not possible,” Gabi said. “That’s when he’s giving his toast as the best man. Having him make two speeches in one day seems excessive. Besides, the Big Bear stories were meant for our families, not for all the wedding guests.” Her gaze swept the area. “Damn it. Paige’s gone. I’ll have to track her down.”
Once Gabi and Marc had left, Connor took Jess’s hands in his. With so much going on, he didn’t want things between them to be strained. “You sure you’re up for this? You still need to shower and dress for dinner tonight.”
She gave him a wry smile. “I have less than twenty-four hours left as Gabi’s maid of honor, and I intend to own it like a boss. I’ll stop by Brody’s room, then check out the pool and the bar. Do you want to cover the beach?”
“On it.” He gave her a quick kiss, then headed for the pathway that led to Ka’anapali Beach.
