Page 93 of Kissing for Keeps
“He talked my manager into letting me come—I don’t even know if I want to know how—and he paid for my ticket because, shocker”—he sighs heavily—“I haven’t been paid yet.” He glances at Troy and nods his greeting. “I better go set up.” He gives me another hug, picks up his guitar, and hops onto the stage like he’s done it a million times. Which he probably has by now.
Jack appears in the doorway, arms full of equipment for Austin. Never has a beast of burden looked so beautiful. I can only imagine how much it cost to fly Austin and that stuff here on such short notice, and Jack footed that bill. Not to mention whatever he did to convince Austin’s manager to let him come. I narrow my eyes, suddenly wondering if his manager is a woman. That would make more sense.
The point is, Jack has come through in every way possible on this wedding, and it’s all I can do to keep my feet where they are.
He sets down his burden, makes a comment to Austin, and both of them laugh as Troy tries to tackle Austin.
I take in a breath to rein in my heart. A woman shouldn’t be allowed to see the guy she’s falling in love with joke around with her brothers.
The guy she’s falling in love with. My mind said it so casually. But as I inspect the phrase and observe Jack, it rings true. So frighteningly true.
A hand waves in front of my face, and I blink at Tori.
“Do you plan to check out Jack the whole evening,” she asks, “or do you want to come eat the dinner you worked so hard to make perfect?”
“I’m not checking him out,” I say with annoyance, walking with her toward the head table. “Just making sure the music is taken care of.”
“Uh-huh.”
We sit down—me next to Madi’s mom, Denise, and Tori next to me—and Denise leans over, wrapping her arm around my shoulders and pulling me in. She kisses me on the temple. “Thank you for making this day perfect for my girl. I wish I could have done more.”
I shake my head. “You were essential, Denise.” Once I was in France, she was the one to handle the things that came up back at home and to bring the things I forgot. The woman single-handedly raised Jack and Madi since they were small children, and it hasn’t been easy for her to make ends meet.
Jack’s voice comes over the mic, welcoming everyone to the celebration and announcing Austin’s contributions to the music. The interpreter Vidal arranged for repeats the same in French.
Madi’s jaw drops at Austin’s name, and she looks over at me.
I smile and mouth, “That was all Jack.”
She looks at Rémy, who pulls her closer and kisses her.
Austin plays instrumental songs while dinner gets underway—not his usual stuff, but music fitting for a reception—and Jack takes his place next to Rémy’s dad at the table. So close and yet so far.
The food is delicious. Probably. My stomach is too unsettled to really savor it. I’m half-tempted to lean across Denise and ask Madi outright what Jack said to her about me. But despite the coup my hormones have staged today, I still have most of my sense intact, so I refrain and remind myself to enjoy this day that’s been so long in the works.
When dessert is brought out, the time comes for speeches. I make it through mine with minimal crying. Okay, maybe notminimal, but I wasn’t hysterical, and Madi was crying, too, so it was only polite of me to play along.
After me, Jack pulls off a best man speech for a guy he’s only known a year and a half, and he does it with the expected amount of pizzazz and laughs but a surprisingly tender toast to finish off.
When the meal is finished, Austin takes the microphone, embracing the role of musician and MC. He holds up the paper I gave to Troy and Jack with the schedule of events and reads from it.
“The bride’s brother, Mr. Jack Allred, will now have the pleasure of leading her onto the dance floor.”
Jack stands up, smoothing his tie, then turns to Madi and offers her his hand, a nervous smile on his face. This has been a big day for him, and knowing that beneath all that cocky confidence, there’s some uncertainty in himself only makes me love him more.
The two of them dance across the floor in front of the head table, whispering in each other’s ears and laughing as Austin serenades them. Denise is watching with a misty look and a soft smile on her face. I’m sure she’s overjoyed today for so many reasons. I am too, mostly.
Even if things don’t work out with Jack, at least he and Madi are closer now. That’s enough to satisfy me. Right? It might have to be—at least in the long run.
My phone lights up with a text, and my heart stops at the sight of Amy’s name. I take in a deep breath and pick up the phone.
Senator Stewart
DO IT. Take the job. You will be fantastic, Siena, just like you were on my campaign. Richard is a great candidate, and he deserves a great campaign manager.
I stare at the words, rereading them over and over and breathing through another bout of heart contractions.
Siena
