Chapter 25
Rylie stood by the mirror, watching as Tonya’s mother slid the veil into her daughter’s intricate up-do. It was a bittersweet moment for her, as she knew that when her time to get married came around, she wouldn’t have a mother to help her get ready or her dad to walk her down the aisle.
She shook herself out of her doldrums, refusing to shroud one second of Tonya’s big day with sadness. Of all the weddings she’d ever been a part of at Something Borrowed, she had a good feeling that this couple had a real chance at the rest of their lives.
“You look gorgeous,” Tonya’s cousin, Glenda, said. Glenda was kind of a ball buster and had given Rylie a ration of shit for not having alcohol at the slumber party last night. When she’d explained that there would be plenty of drinking going on at the reception and they didn’t need to be hung over for the ceremony, she’d just huffed and pouted until Rylie had brought out the “Man-Candy” movies and “Last Night of Freedom” snack mix. After that, they bonded over abs and sweet and salty popcorn.
But in this instance, she was right. Tonya was beautiful in her strapless ivory dress that glided down to the floor. Her hair was smoothed back from her face in a thick bun, threaded with silver thread and pearls under her veil.
“Thank you. You all look wonderful too,” Tonya said.
Rylie agreed. Tonya’s best friend was short and curvy, while both of her cousins were five foot ten and stacked up top. The off-the-shoulder dresses were flattering and the wine color looked amazing on all of them.
“What about your mother?”
Tonya stood up and went over to her mom, kissing her on the cheek. Her mother was an older version of Tonya, only her hair was straightened and hit just below her chin. Her dress was a formal silver dress made out of chiffon with capped sleeves.
“You’re beautiful, Mama.”
Rylie’s eyes stung and she desperately tried to blink back the emotion.
Someone knocked on the door and when they all said come in, Tonya’s father, Governor Richard Rolland, popped his head in. His graying hair did nothing to detract from the imposing figure he cut in his black tux.
“Are we ready to get this show on the road?” When his gaze landed on his daughter, he stepped all the way into the room and held his hand over his chest. “This can’t be my baby girl.”
Oh, God, I’m going to lose it. Rylie’s eyes filled with tears as she watched them embrace, so much love in the room it was overwhelming.
“I’m ready, Daddy.”
Her father led Tonya and her mother from the room, followed by the maid of honor, her two cousins, and Rylie pulling up the rear. When they stood just outside the double doors of the chapel, Rylie’s heart flipped in her chest as Dustin came through and held his arm out to Tonya’s mother. He looked amazing in his tux, and she didn’t blame Tonya’s mom one bit for giggling.
“My, you are a handsome devil.”
“Mom,” Tonya scolded.
“What, he is. I’m married, not dead. Right, honey?” she teased her husband.
Her husband shot Dustin a stern look. “You just be sure to keep your hands to yourself, young man.”
“Of course, sir. Besides, my girl would skin me alive if I didn’t.”
Rylie’s jaw slid open as he winked right at her and then disappeared behind the doors.
All eyes swung her way and Tonya tsked. “Someone’s been keeping secrets.”
Rylie hid her face behind her bouquet, praying they wouldn’t have time to ask her any questions.
Luckily Blake’s college friends joined them, holding out their arms to Tonya’s cousins and her relationship was forgotten for the moment. Rylie waited impatiently for Dustin to return, her emotions warring between excitement and horror. She hoped that Tonya didn’t tell Kelly they were dating before she got the chance. Technically, there was nothing in the employee contract about dating coworkers, just groomsman, but she still didn’t think Kelly would be thrilled.
When Dustin came back through whistling his way to her side, she shook her head. “I can’t believe you said that. What if Kelly fires us?”
The bridal procession lined up and since they were up first, they walked to the front.
“Kelly won’t fire you because I already quit.”
Rylie stumbled and was grateful that they hadn’t opened the doors yet for everyone to see her klutzy move. “Why would you do that?”
“Well, as you pointed out, I don’t need the money. And there was the whole tell-all book I was planning to write.”
“What?” Rylie cried, earning a roomful of sour looks.
“Maybe we should talk about this later,” Dustin said. “We’re almost there.”
“Then you better slow your pace, ’cause I want you to explain that last part to me.”
But there wasn’t time and as they stood across from each other, Rylie worried her lower lip. Dustin had joined Something Borrowed in order to write a tell-all? Was that why he’d let her stay at his place? Because he wanted more dirt on other clients? Is that why he’d given her the commission? So he wouldn’t be held to their non-disclosure agreement?
Okay, I need to calm down. He never once asked me any questions about my clients.
Still, the other questions nagged at her, but after the ceremony and pictures, she lost him. She was searching for him when she bumped into Kelly coming out of the restroom.
“Hey, where are you going? I wanted to congratulate you. You and Dustin did a phenomenal job.”
“Thank you. Have you seen Dustin? I need to speak with him.”
“I haven’t, but is everything okay?”
Rylie’s loyalties fought against each other before she finally blurted, “Did you know he was writing a book about Something Borrowed?”
To her surprise, Kelly wrapped her arm around her shoulders and squeezed her. “Why don’t we pop into this room over here and talk?”
Rylie allowed Kelly to guide her, and when Kelly closed the door, it hit her like a ton of bricks. “You knew?”
“Not specifics, but I knew he was up to something.”
“When did you find out for sure?”
“When he came to my office on Wednesday and told me. Then he quit.”
Rylie was still trying to wrap her head around the fact that Dustin had planned to betray Kelly and yet, Kelly didn’t seem pissed at all. She seemed absolutely fine.
“Why did he tell you?”
“I guess because he decided not to go through with it.”
“But why not?”
“I think you already know the answer,” Kelly said gently.
Rylie stood there, remembering every time she’d told him she needed her job, how important it was to her.
“I am sorry. I didn’t mean for this to happen and I swear, it never affected my job.”
“Rylie,” Kelly said, taking her hands. “You’re fine. We’re fine. Sometimes, you can’t help who you fall in love with. You still have a job at Something Borrowed for as long as you want.”
“Thanks, Kelly. But I want to discuss moving into a different capacity. Maybe baking the wedding cakes, like we talked about?”
Kelly hugged her hard. “Yes. We’ll get the details straightened out on Monday. Although I will hate to lose you as a bridesmaid, I know this is your true calling.”
“Thanks. By the way, what did you get out of him?” Rylie asked.
Kelly grinned devilishly. “What do you mean?”
“Come on, I’ve known you well enough to know that no one gets away scot-free.”
“Do you really want to know?” Kelly asked.
“I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t.”
“When the time comes, Something Borrowed is going to plan Dustin Kent’s wedding—and it is going to be fabulous.”
* * * *
Dustin stood on the edge of the dance floor, scanning the room for Rylie. He was pretty sure she wouldn’t leave the festivities no matter how mad she might be at him.
“And who are you looking for?” his mother asked.
He hadn’t even noticed her move up next to him and he gave her a hug. “Just Rylie. You know, my partner in wedding planning.”
“Oh, I just saw her talking to your employer, Kelly. I have to say, at first, I couldn’t understand you wanting to do this, but after seeing everything you and Rylie put together, I get it.”
“Sorry to disappoint you then, but I quit three days ago.”
His mom stared at him. “Why?”
“Because it wasn’t my thing.”
“Ah. So what are you going to do now?”
“Real estate investments and restoration,” he said.
“Really?”
“Yep. We’ll see how this first project goes, but I’m hoping to bring Charlie in as my partner. Won’t you be happy having two of your boys here?”
His mother’s eyes filled with tears. “I would love it.”
Dustin caught sight of Rylie across the room and kissed his mom’s cheek. “We’ll talk later, okay? I’ve got to run.”
“Give Rylie my best.”
Dustin didn’t have time to respond before he was standing in front of Rylie, holding his hand out to her.
“May I have this dance?”
She slipped her hand into his with a smile. “It’s not time for dancing yet.”
“Well, I have a playlist on my phone, and it’s a beautiful night outside. I think that’s as good a reason as any to dance.”
“I’m only going with you because I want to talk, not dance.”
“You haven’t heard my playlist though…or seen my best moves.”
“Oh, I’ve seen all of your moves and there will be no move making until we have a very frank conversation.”
Dustin led the way, ready to get this over with. Once they’d put the appropriate distance between the reception and them, Dustin dropped Rylie’s hand. He faced her with his arms over his chest, ready for the explosion. “So, I’m waiting for you to blast me. Go ahead.”
To his shock, she stepped into him and wrapped her arms around his waist. “I already talked to Kelly and know that you pulled the book deal. And I also have a pretty good guess that it was because you didn’t want me to lose my job. How am I doing?”
“Spot on, baby.”
“But see, I have a confession too. Kelly actually asked me to keep an eye on you and report any suspicious behavior.”
Dustin quirked an eyebrow. “And did you?”
“No. There was nothing to report, and besides, I couldn’t very well admit that I had slept with the enemy.”
He unfolded his arms with a grin and wrapped them around her. “What a couple of star-crossed lovers we are.”
“Not anymore. Since you no longer work for Something Borrowed, there’s nothing standing in our way… Unless you’ve changed your mind.”
“Nope. In fact, I was wondering if I didn’t have to wait until Monday to ask you out.”
“Oh yeah? What did you have in mind?”
Dustin gave her a deep, fast kiss. “Meet me right here at ten and I’ll show you.”