Chapter 8

Bethany

Erica wasn't in the room when Bethany finally got the door open. Cold air hit her in the face as she walked into her room, the layout mimicking Matt and Damon's room. Erica had taken the bed far from the door from what she could tell. It almost seemed odd not to be rooming with her mom, but with her Aunt Patty coming later that day, she wasn't surprised. Her mom rarely got to spend much time with her younger sister. This would be good for both of them.

Bethany checked her phone and smiled, a message waiting on her from Damon.

Damon: Have fun for me. Text me when you get there, and I'll call you tonight.

Bethany: I'm here. It's beautiful, and you're sorely missed.

Damon: Matt losing his shit over Erica yet?

Bethany: How did you guess?

Damon: Welcome to my world. I'll call you tonight, baby. Be in your room by nine.

Bethany: So bossy.

Damon: I am your boss and your man. 9 on the dot.

Bethany: Yes Sir.

She shook her head and searched high and low for a plug for her phone. At least he was responding today. The audit had to be taking his full attention, so his willingness to give her a few seconds meant a lot. She needed to quit picking apart their relationship before it even began.

A knock at her door caused her to jolt. She turned and walked to it quickly, pulling it open and smiling as her mother turned in a full circle.

"Like my new sundress?"

"It's beautiful mom. Looks great on you."

The white dress with large yellow flowers looked really good on her mother, but the smile was what pulled it all together and left her looking beautiful.

"Aunt Patty here yet?"

"Nope. She will be here by two though. We're meeting at one in the large wedding hall on the south end of the resort. I just wanted to stop by to tell you to be there."

"Will do. I'm going to unpack, and I'll come find you guys. Make sure you tell Matt. He needs to get out and be around other people. He's a nervous ninny."

"Crazy how different he and Damon are." She glanced down the hall and waved, Erica walking toward them. "Speaking of, have you spoken to Damon?"

"We talked a minute ago. I told him we missed him and he told me to have fun."

"Great advice." Erica stopped in front of them and ran her hand down Bethany's mother's arm. "You look lovely."

"Thank you, ma'am. A gift from my beau."

"I want one." Erica let out a soft sigh and shrugged her shoulders. The blond was a bombshell. It was no wonder Matt was overwhelmed by her. Her white pantsuit fit her athletic frame exceptionally well. It accented her dark blond hair and vibrant blue eyes. She should be on the front of the latest magazine, not Damon's ex.

Remember to check that magazine out later.

"You want a sundress or a man?" Bethany's mom asked and chuckled.

"Both?" Erica smiled and turned her attention to Bethany. "You like the room? We can totally switch beds if you want. I just grabbed one."

"I'm good actually." Bethany moved back to open the door. "You guys come in here. I just realized I was blocking the entrance."

"I'm good. Just wanted to show you the dress. I'll see you at one. Bring Erica with you if she's done with her business stuff."

"Will do." Bethany leaned out the door and gave her mom a quick hug before the older woman walked off, twirling once more.

"Where are we going at one?" Erica walked into the room and sat down on her bed, tugging her heels off.

"They are decorating at one. You don't have to go if you don't want to. It's probably going to be a lot of me getting in the way. I can't color a picture right much less decorate for a wedding." Bethany shrugged and moved toward the large floor-to-ceiling glass doors at the back of the room.

"I love decorating. Anything artsy fartsy and I'm in."

Bethany glanced over her shoulder, smiling at Erica. Chances are, she was far more like Matt than even he realized.

"Good. You can come do my part then. I'll just supply us with endless wine and jokes."

"Endless wine is something I could go for." Erica flopped back on the bed. "I'm going to close my eyes for a minute. If I pass out, wake me when it's time to go?"

"You bet. Long morning?"

"God, yes. I swear working in Corporate America is a huge drag on my creativity. I'm glad that your dad allows me freedom to just be me. As much as he can, I guess."

"Yeah, he's a great guy." Bethany walked around the large room, fiddling with various things and checking out everything that seemed to be part of the deal. "I think that's the reason Matt runs so hard and fast from the idea of working for Kent. He's worried about being shoved into a mold."

"I get it, but with me protecting him as I do all of my staff, he'll have far more freedom than he thinks." She yawned softly, covering her mouth and apologizing.

"It's all good. Take a nap, and we can catch up later." Bethany opened her suitcase and pulled out a yellow sundress before heading to the bathroom to change. Her mother had the right idea. Wear very little, but remain classy and do it well.

She hoped she could pull it off as well.

***

Bethany woke Erica just before one. The pretty blond changed quickly, and they were on their way to locate the wedding reception room. The wind blew through the open ends of the hall, sweeping in behind and in front of them. The warmth caused Bethany's skin to break out in chill bumps. She wrapped her arms around herself and breathed in deeply.

"Oh man. I need this serenity so much. Everything has been moving far too fast in my world for my liking." Bethany glanced toward Erica, a flash of red catching her eye behind her.

"You'll have to tell me about it sometime."

Bethany nodded and turned, her eyes locating the source of the brilliant color. Matt.

"Hey, you. Come up here with us. We're going to decorate. I bet you and Erica could get it done in half the time of the rest of us." Bethany stopped and waited for Matt to join them. His bright red shirt had blue and yellow birds decorating every inch of it. It would have been tacky on anyone else, but on Matt it was fitting. He had it tucked into a pair of khaki slacks, which fit him beautifully. He was bigger than Damon, his physique more that of a linebacker than a quarterback.

"I'm coming. Just didn't want to interrupt any girl talk." He moved up between them, offering his arm to each of them. "Erica."

"Hi, Matthew. You look great. I love the shirt. Did you get it here?"

"Sure did. They have a kick-ass gift shop. You'll have to check it out. Like an explosion of color."

"You can take her later this afternoon," Bethany suggested, glancing over at them.

Matt gave her a stern look and Erica nodded, as if thanking her.

"What's on the agenda for today?" Erica asked as they turned to the right, another large hall opening in front of them. The signs on the wall pointed their way to the wedding hall, but the trip was quite a hike.

"Decorating is as far as I was given insight into the future." Bethany smiled and pointed up ahead. "There's the room. Let's see what else we have to get done today."

"Dad mentioned something about a large family dinner tonight. I assume that's every night though."

"Did Kent rent out one of the dining patios? They're beautiful here." Erica moved into the open room, Bethany following her as Matt held the door open for them.

"I'm not sure, but that would be awesome." Bethany moved toward her mother, a thin red-headed woman barking out commands to the poor guys running around with white and light pink flowers.

"What's awesome?" Her mother turned to her and gave a tight smile.

The other woman had to be Kent's sister, Allison. Bethany turned to her mom as Matt called out to the bossy chick. It was Kent's sister.

"There are large patios that you can rent to have dinner on. Did you know that?" Bethany reached out and tugged Erica over to join them, not wanting to leave the woman out of anything.

"Oh yeah. Kent's got one rented for the time we're here. Should be a lot of fun. It's right on the beach. They bring in the chef to cook for the crowd."

"I saw a few pictures on the Internet about it. Looks great." Erica glanced over her shoulder, a frown sitting on her face. "Who is that chick? She has about five minutes to stop telling Matt what to do before I light into her."

Bethany's mother reached out and took hold of Erica's arm. "Oh please go light into her. She's driving me crazy, and we just got here."

"Who is she? The wedding planner?" Erica asked.

"That's Allison. Kent's sister." Bethany turned back to her mom. "What else are we doing today besides decorating and dinner?"

"Nothing. Dinner is at seven, so after this, your afternoon is open." Her mom smiled and moved away from them, walking toward Allison. "The rest of the help is here. Let's get started so everyone can relax a little before dinner."

"Good." Allison turned and pointed to Bethany and Erica. "You two, we're going to weave the white and pink together, creating a lovely design that screams forever."

"No, we're not. Grab the lattice work and come help me. We're going to work together on a design for the opening of the room. People should feel the sanctity of hope and love when they walk in." Erica pointed to Allison and moved toward her.

Bethany stood in shock, her mom not moving beside her either. Allison's face shifted from demanding to welcoming.

"Are you an artist?"

"I sure am. So is Matt. You can simply follow instructions now. Nothing is on your shoulders anymore. All mine." Erica moved closer and put her arm around Allison's shoulders, turning her and walking toward the flowers.

"Wow." Bethany's mom moved toward them, leaving Bethany standing there.

Matt walked up and stopped in front of her, taking her face in his hands and tilting her head up toward him. "You see what I mean? Crazy intimidating."

"I'm impressed. Like really impressed."

Matt released her and turned, looking over his shoulder. "I'm scared shitless."

"Don't shit those pants. I like them. They look hot on you." Bethany patted his back and started to move toward the others. She wanted to get the decorating part over with quickly. The sooner she was on the beach and enjoying the serenity she was after, the better.

"You think so? Think Erica likes them?" He jogged up beside her and elbowed her softly in the side.

"I know she does. I can see it in the way she watches you."

"Do you think I..."

"Stop right there, buddy. Once again, I'm not Damon."

"Damn near close." He laughed.

She couldn't help but consider his words a compliment. Now, if only Damon were there. Then everything would be perfect.