Page 4 of Bear's Midlife Bridesmaid
“I do. We’ll have to talk about it some more.” Jace eased back on the engines and prepared to drop the anchor. “In the meantime, it’s time for the first event of the week. Our guests are ready for happy hour.”
They opened the large glass doors that separated the helm and the lounge from the aft deck. This created a large, comfortable area for the guests to assemble. The long row of cabinets that formed an entertainment center quickly turned into a cocktail bar for happy hour, and Ian helped Marissa bring up trays of hors d’oeuvres.
“Oh, this is just lovely!” Gretchen cooed as she clasped her hands beneath her chin and took in the view.
“Anything for you, my dear.” Hugo Bradford put his hand on the small of his bride’s back, but he looked bored as he took it all in. “Really, though, I think we should’ve chartered a larger boat for this. Things are a bit cramped, don’t you think?”
“Whatever you say,” she purred, “although I certainly don’t mind being close to you.”
He rolled a shoulder slightly. “It’s nice, but Hugo Bradford wants more than just nice. I want luxury. This is fine for a week, but we’ll definitely need an upgrade when I purchase one for us.”
“That sounds wonderful, dear. Cosmopolitan, please.” This last directive was aimed at Jace.
“Yes, ma’am.” Jace passed the order over to Marissa, who scooped ice into a shaker. With his back turned to the couple, he frowned. He knew he was right in correcting Ian about the way he spoke about their guests. They really did have to maintain a professional attitude and do the job they’d agreed to do. But maybe Ian was still right about a few things.
“What’s that, Hugo? You’re finally going to dive into buying one?” Archie Young nudged the groom with his elbow. “I’ve been telling you for quite some time now. You’re really going to enjoy it.”
“Oh, don’t give him such hell, Arch.” This came from Phillip Downs, who barely glanced at Marissa before saying, “Whiskey.”
“What?” Archie countered. “A man of Hugo’s wealth and reputation ought to have a boat or two under his belt.”
“Sure, but have you seen the machines he’s got inhis garage?” Phillip let out a low whistle. “Now, those are something!”
“Oh, you boys,” Gretchen giggled as she took the drink Marissa handed her. “I’ll let you talk about your toys.” She flitted off to the women who’d just come up onto the deck.
Jace felt every hair on his body stand on end. The dull conversation about expensive sports cars and even more pricey yachts funneled out of his hearing. It wasn’t the dazzling bride who had his attention, nor was it her giggling girlfriends. The tall, willowy woman with the constantly bored look of a runway model didn’t do anything for him, either.
It washer.His bear heaved inside him when he caught sight of her dark hair. Jace could feel her presence. In fact, he was pretty sure he’d been able to sense her the entire time she’d been on board. He knew what that meant, but could it really be? After all this time? And in such an odd circumstance? He would need to find out more, but he had a job to do right now.
As Marissa prepared drinks for the men, who were now weighing the merits of various brands of wristwatches, he glanced over his shoulder. The bride hadbrought her flock to the oversized wraparound couch. The two giggly ones flanked her, squealing every now and then and gesturing wildly with their hands as they spoke. The tall one perched herself neatly and carefully in an armchair, displaying herself like a museum piece.
Shewas a little further back, situating herself in the corner of the couch. She watched and listened to the conversation but wasn’t really a part of it. One finger spiraled around a lock of hair, twisting it into a thick rope. While the other women wore bright, lightweight sundresses, she’d opted for a pair of loose black trousers and a fitted tank top.
The beast inside him didn’t give a shit about the job he was there to do, and it was getting impatient. Jace stepped over to the group of women. “Can I get you ladies anything to drink?”
“Oh, just get me a cosmo like Gretchen has!”
“Same!”
That took care of the first two. Jace turned to the tall one, who let out a long exhale through her nostrils at having to go to the trouble of looking at him.
“Sparkling water with a squeeze of lime,” she commanded in a low voice.
Jace then turned to the last one, whose name hehad yet to learn. In fact, she was the only one whose name he cared about. “And for you?”
Her green eyes flicked up to meet his. They widened for a moment and then quickly turned away. “Nothing for me, thank you.”
Even as he relayed the drink order to Marissa, her presence continued to pull at him. His eyes returned to the sofa, but she was gone. It only took him a moment to spot her. She’d left the small crowd on the deck and slipped off to starboard on the narrow spit of decking that ran around the cabin and toward the bow. He thought for a moment before he grabbed something from the fridge and slipped out the side door.
She stood with her elbows on the railing, leaning slightly out as she gazed over the water. She appeared to be lost in thought, and she hadn’t heard him come out. The breeze blew her hair back slightly from her face, letting him see more of the structure of her cheeks and the line of her jaw.
“You shouldn’t be the only one without a drink of some sort.” Jace stepped to the railing next to her and handed her a cold can of soda.
She startled a bit but then laughed when she saw what he was trying to give her. “I figured a boat like this was too fancy for a simple soda.”
“You never know what you might find here.” He’d certainly found something unexpected. “Jace Brigham.”
She glanced at him again, those green eyes flashing for just that moment before she glanced away. “Erin O’Leary.”
