Page 72 of Blue Hawaiian
“I tried calling Taylor again, but she wouldn’t answer the phone. So, I texted her. You know what she texted back?Leave me alone. It’s over.That’s it. We were together for six months! Do you know how much that hurts?”
He did. More than ever, he regretted the dismissive text he’d sent Jess five years ago. “It’s awful. But you can’t think about it now. We have to go to dinner.”
“Not think about it? It’s all I can think about.” Brody leaned back on the couch.
Connor set the bottle of brandy in the trash. It was completely empty, which meant Brody had downed at least two glasses.
Jess showed up at his door a few minutes later, looking far too alluring in a sleeveless dress made of a soft green fabric that accentuated her shapely figure. She smelled of the delicious floral perfume she’d worn to the luau. A perfume that immediately brought back memories of their passionate encounter on the beach.
He wanted to pull her into his arms and devour her sweet mouth, but not with his cousin watching. Instead, he gave her an appreciative smile. “You look stunning.”
She tugged on his dark blue tie. “Thanks. You’re not so bad yourself.” She offered Brody an encouraging smile. “Hey, bud. How are you doing?”
Brody gave her a salute and collapsed back on the couch.
Jess leaned toward Connor and lowered her voice. “He doesn’t look too good.”
“No kidding. He was sobering up nicely until he found the brandy.”
“Oh, shit.”
“Oh, shit is right,” Connor said.
“I can hear you,” Brody said in a singsong voice. “I’m fine. A little drunk, maybe, but socially acceptable.”
“Please behave yourself,” Jess said. “Gabi’s counting on me.”
Brody responded with a totally fake smile. “Of course. Wouldn’t want to let down ol’ Bridezilla.”
This wasn’t going well. The odds of them getting through dinner without incident were not in their favor.
Chapter 27
Jess eyed Brody warily as they took the elevator down to the lobby. Although he no longer smelled like a distillery, his gait was shaky, and his eyes had a hazy, unfocused look. He was a far cry from the bright-eyed, cheerful friend who’d greeted her at three thirty in the morning when they went up to Mt. Haleakala.
She wished she didn’t feel responsible for his behavior. All she wanted to do was relax and enjoy the rehearsal dinner. At least she didn’t have to worry about Gabi’s video. While she was getting dressed, her mom had stopped by to upload the video to her zip drive. She told Jess the AV coordinator planned to play it after Brody’s speech.
Providing he was coherent enough to make a speech. The evening might go more smoothly if Jess took his place. Even without his notes, she could remember enough funny memories from Big Bear to entertain the crowd. But Gabi might be upset if she took over.
“You doing okay, Brody?” she asked.
He startled, as though waking from a trance. “Yeah. I’m good.”
He didn’t look good. When they got off at the lobby, she took his arm and guided him toward the Sunset Terrace. Although the rehearsal dinner was being held in the same place as the formal dinner they’d attended three nights ago, tonight’s decor was more elaborate. Gabi had obviously spent a lot of time on Pinterest.
The four tables were draped in ivory cloths, accented by brightly colored place settings and napkins. The center of each table displayed a vibrant tropical centerpiece containing orchids, red ginger, and birds of paradise. Encircling the centerpieces were a dozen candle holders, filled with sand, tiny shells, and votive candles. Palm leaves and larger shells were artfully scattered around each table. Both sets of shells were courtesy of Jess, who’d sourced them from shops in Lahaina and Kihei. The place cards were done in gold calligraphy, secured by tiny golden pineapples. A program for the rehearsal dinner was set on each plate.
Jess found her place at a table with her mom, Gabi, and the other bridesmaids. Connor led Brody to the table next to theirs and seated his cousin beside Marc. The two sets of Blackwood parents were at another table, further away. As soon as Jess sat down, a waiter approached and offered her wine. She glanced over at Brody. Another waiter was at his side, filling his glass. Not good. If he started drinking again, he’d never sober up.
She texted Connor.Don’t let Brody drink any more!
He replied quickly.I’ll try! You need to warn Gabi.
She took a sip of wine, hoping the alcohol would ease the tension building up inside of her. Though Gabi was deep in conversation with Luisa, Jess swallowed back her nerves and approached her sister. “Can we talk for a second?”
Gabi let out a long breath. “Please don’t tell me there’s another crisis.”
Jess had seen Gabi like this before, on the afternoon of her graduation. She’d been set to speak as valedictorian, but the cards for her speech had gone missing. Even though she’d committed the cards to memory, she worked herself into a state of panic until she found them.
