Page 73 of Blue Hawaiian
Like then, she was now operating at her maximum stress level. If Jess didn’t defuse the situation, a meltdown was certain to follow.
She spoke calmly, knowing she’d aggravate her sister more if she rushed. “Did you see the text I sent? Brody’s kind of…wasted.”
Gabi rubbed her forehead. “Because of Taylor? That sucks.”
Was she annoyed on Brody’s behalf or because he was inebriated? Jess chose to give her the benefit of the doubt. “The poor guy’s miserable. And he’s too drunk to be giving a speech.” She gnawed on her lip. “Do…do you want me to say a few words about Big Bear? Otherwise, Connor could do it.”
At the mention of Connor’s name, Gabi scowled. “Not a chance. He’d tell a bunch of raunchy stories just to get a laugh.” She stood up. “I’ll go talk to Marc. He can do it.”
As Gabi flounced off to Marc’s table, Jess tried to rein in her growing irritation. She would have been happy to give the tribute, especially since she wasn’t scheduled to give a toast at the reception. But Gabi hadn’t even considered her offer.
Luisa gave her a sympathetic smile. “Don’t take it personally. Gabi’s wound up tight from fighting with Paige. She and Marc were arguing right before I got here.”
“About Brody or Paige?”
“About everything. Marc was asking her to calm down, but you know Gabi. When she’s like this, telling her to calm down is like pouring gasoline on a fire.” Luisa lifted her wineglass in a salute. “If I were you, I’d have a drink and enjoy dinner.”
Luisa was right. Jess had done all she could to salvage the situation. If Gabi wanted Marc to give the tribute, then so be it.
As the waiters brought out the appetizers, Jess put Brody out of her mind and focused on the delicious food in front of her: coconut-macadamia shrimp, sesame crab cakes, lomi lomi salmon, tropical fruit kebabs, and mango spring rolls with avocado. Caught up in the conversation and lulled by the wine, she allowed herself to relax. The food was excellent, and she got into a lively conversation with Victoria about mystery novels. Like her, Victoria was an avid reader with strong opinions about her favorite authors.
Not until dinner was almost over, when Marc stood and tapped his wineglass, did Jess’s earlier anxiety return. She looked over at Brody but couldn’t tell if the food had helped counter the effects of the alcohol he’d consumed.
“If I could have your attention, please,” Marc said. “I want to thank all of you for coming. Having you with us, as we take this big step, means more than I can say.” The guests broke into applause, but Marc held up his hand. “I also want to thank Gabi for accepting my proposal. I’m so grateful to have her in my life, and I can’t imagine anywhere I’d rather be than here, in this idyllic setting, about to make her my wife.”
Jess wiped tears from the corners of her eyes. She wanted to believe that someday, she’d be as lucky as her sister. She’d meet someone who would love her unconditionally and put up with her impulsive behavior. Who would treat her like she was worthy and special. She let her gaze drift over to Connor, who was focused on his cousin. Of all the men she’d dated, Connor was the only one she’d ever dreamed of marrying.
Marc cleared his throat. “My cousins and I thought it might be fun to pay tribute to Big Bear, since that’s where Gabi and I met. We made some unforgettable memories, and I’d like to highlight a few of them, so—”
Brody stood and pulled his crumpled note cards out of his pocket. “I’ve got this.”
Marc paled. “Um… Brody? It’s okay. Gabi asked me to take over.”
“Nope. I prepared a whole speech. With funny stories and everything.” Brody swayed and clutched the table but straightened himself out. He gestured for Marc to sit. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to take my shot.”
Marc hesitated a moment and then sat down. When Jess caught Connor’s eye, he shook his head ruefully.
Not good.
“My fellow wedding-goers,” Brody said. “I’m so glad to see all of you. Even though it’s a long trip across the Pacific Ocean, you all made it. Well, not all of you. Not Taylor, the woman who was supposed to be at my side. The woman who claimed she loved me. She decided it wasn’t worth the effort to spend a few days in paradise, not if it meant she’d be stuck with me.”
Jess sucked in her breath. Gabi’s mouth was set in a grim line, as if she knew things would get worse.
Brody lifted his glass and took a long drink of wine. “Yep, Taylor screwed me over royally, but Marc’s more fortunate than I am. Because Gabi is as loyal and faithful as a woman could be. Look at her, everyone. Isn’t she lovely? A round of applause for the bride.”
Gabi smiled and ducked in her head in false modesty, but Jess sensed she was seething inside.
“None of this would have been possible if we hadn’t spent our summer vacations at Big Bear,” Brody said. “Fortune favored us, fifteen years ago, when we met the Chavez girls, who were staying at the cabin next to ours.”
Jess shot a nervous glance at the other tables. Everyone was listening intently, as if eager to hear more stories. Even if Brody was drunk, he’d gotten back on track.
He continued. “We created some incredible memories—swimming, boating, hiking, making bonfires, and occasionally getting drunk on Blackwood Cellars wine when the folks weren’t around.” He raised his glass in a salute to the senior Blackwoods. “Sorry, guys, but we pilfered a lot of wine.”
“We figured as much,” his father called out. “We may be old, but we’re not completely oblivious.”
Brody laughed. “I guess we weren’t as sneaky as we thought. Anyway, I always knew there was something special between Marc and Gabi. Right from the day we met, when Gabi challenged Marc to that infamous swimming race, I could tell they were meant for each other. As we grew up, the two of them slipped away more and more, leaving us to wonder what they were up to.”
Jess let out a sigh of contentment. She could look back on those days without regret, now that her memories weren’t tainted by heartbreak.
