Chapter 12

Ella unlocked her front door. She’d planned on getting up early and home long before now. Thanks to Striker, her plan got derailed. Rather than be awoken by the alarm she’d set, she’d been woken up by Striker’s lips slowly kissing their way down her stomach before settling between her legs. He’d then proceeded to make love to her with his mouth and tongue. Only after she’d drifted back down from the stars had he entered her and sent her over the edge again. Afterward he’d made them breakfast. He’d tried convincing her to shower there with him, arguing she had to do it anyway when she got home, so why not take care of it here with him instead? She’d known better. If she’d joined him, they would’ve found themselves back in his bedroom.

She tossed her keys onto the table and they landed near the letter from France. When Striker mentioned applying for a passport, she should’ve told him the truth. She told herself she’d lied Wednesday because she wanted to see his reaction. See if he’d try to change her mind or simply walk away. He’d done neither. So now she had no reason not to tell him she didn’t plan on accepting. Still, she’d kept quiet last night. Even when it reflected poorly on him, like admitting he’d slept with other women while they’d been apart, he continued to give her the truth. He deserved the same from her.

“I’ll tell him this weekend,” she said. The only question was, should she tell him she’d never even considered taking the position, or simply that she’d decided not to go? She’d clear her conscience if she admitted she’d lied. But was doing so worth ticking Striker off? No one liked to be lied to. And right now, things were going well. Did she want to jeopardize that? Worry about it later. Get dressed now.

While she had plenty of options available, she decided on the gown she’d worn to Mack and Jessie’s wedding. After today, who knew when she might get another chance to wear it? It was simply too gorgeous to leave hanging in her closet. Unlike yesterday, this morning she put extra thought into her underwear choice as she searched through the drawer. Friday morning, she hadn’t even planned on seeing Striker, never mind making love to him. When she’d gotten dressed for work, she’d picked one of her favorite, most comfortable pairs of undies, a pair of purple cotton ones covered with comic book superheroes. She paired them with a green-and-white-striped bra. While she’d worn her less than sexy underwear around him before, she owned much more provocative sets. She went for them whenever she wanted to feel sexy or turn Striker on.

“Just in case,” she said, pulling out a pair of the see-through lace hip huggers and matching strapless bra.

Ella finished her makeup and recapped the mascara as the doorbell rang.

“You look gorgeous.” He gave her the same sexy smile that attracted females to him like moths to a flame. “But I prefer the outfit you had on earlier.” His eyes dropped to her breasts and then lower. Her skin prickled under the inspection as she remembered his lips moving down her body hours ago.

“I don’t think an old North Salem football T-shirt is right for this wedding.”

Striker closed the space left between them. His hands cupped her butt and he pulled her against him, his erection pressing into her. “That wasn’t the outfit I meant, amoureux.”

The previous Christmas he’d asked her how to say “sweetheart” in French. Afterward he’d started using the French version of the popular endearment. He hadn’t used it once since asking for a second chance. Hearing it now after so long, she realized how much she’d missed it.

“Not appropriate for this wedding, either, unless there are some details you know and I don’t.”

“Nope. But with a Hollywood celebrity involved, you never know.” He kissed her forehead, an odd spot in her opinion. “I figured you don’t want me to mess up the lipstick.” Striker dropped his hand and stepped back. “And since you probably don’t want me tearing your dress off, we should leave before I decide we should skip the wedding.”

Ella’s smartphone rang before Striker finished backing out of the driveway. “Kelsey,” she explained after pulling it from her purse. Pressing Accept, she answered the call, already suspecting why her friend was calling.

“Hey, have you left for the wedding yet?” Kelsey asked.

“We just backed out of the driveway. Why?”

“You’re with Striker.” She sounded disappointed. “I should’ve guessed you’d be with him.”

Yep, Kelsey wanted a ride. “We can pick you up on the way.”

Kelsey hesitated before she answered. “Only if Striker won’t mind.”

“We’ll be over in a few.”

“Kelsey needs a ride?” Striker asked after she lowered the phone.

“Yeah. She doesn’t want to arrive alone.”

Rather than head toward the center of town and the church, Striker turned left.

“You don’t mind, do you?”

He stopped at the stop sign. “Nah, just seemed last-minute. Thought maybe her car wouldn’t start or something.” Striker pressed the accelerator again. “She went to Mack’s wedding alone, didn’t she? What’s different about today?”

Ella considered her answer before settling on the truth. “Drew McKenzie will be there today. She’s hoping she’ll blend into the crowd and he won’t spot her. And I guess showing up with us instead of alone might help with that. Or at least make it less likely he’ll ask questions she doesn’t want to answer.”

***

She’d never seen so many limos in one place. Limousines and super-stretch SUVs lined one side of Union Street. The parking lot next to Saint Mark’s overflowed with all types of cars. News vans from various stations were parked behind the long line of luxury vehicles. Already reporters and their camera crews were set up, waiting to catch a glimpse of not only the bride and groom but also all the celebrities who’d turned out today. She had agreed when Jessie said today would be a media circus, but still, she hadn’t been prepared for this.

Striker turned right into Mack’s driveway rather than into the church parking lot across the street. “Glad Mack told me to park in his driveway. There’s no way we’d get a spot in the parking lot.”

“This is nuts,” she said. “No wonder Sean and Mia secretly got married weeks ago.”

“They did?” both Kelsey and Striker asked at the same time.

Shoot. She’d promised Jessie she wouldn’t tell anyone. Thankfully, it didn’t matter anymore. “Sometime in August. Jessie told me. She watched Max for the weekend. They got married on Martha’s Vineyard. One of Mia’s friends has a house there. Only Mia’s sister, Tony, and Cat were there. They didn’t want this craziness spoiling their day.”

Striker turned off the ignition and waved at Grace, Mack’s daughter, who’d appeared on the front steps. “Don’t blame them. Sean must be hating this.”

Ella agreed. Sean was a private guy who didn’t call attention to himself. In the beginning, she’d found it odd that he’d fallen for Mia Troy, America’s Sweetheart. Mia had spent most of her life in front of the camera, first starring on a hit television show and then later in movies. Yet anyone with two eyes could see they loved each other and were happy.

“Striker!” Grace jumped down the steps despite the pretty dress she wore, and ran toward him. “I taught Socks a new trick,” she said, hugging him before he managed a hello.

Striker didn’t hesitate. He hugged her back and gave her braid a gentle tug. Ella remembered him once telling her he considered Grace a niece. And it was clear to see he cared about his best friend’s daughter. “I can’t wait to see.”

“Is she telling you about Socks’s new trick?” Mack asked, coming outside with Jessie by his side.

Grace sprinted back to her father. “Can I show them now? Please.”

“After, Grace.”

“But they won’t be here later.” Grace pouted, reminding Ella of her niece, Kerry, when she didn’t get her own way. “Please, Daddy. I’ll be quick. Promise.”

“We don’t have time right now. The wedding starts soon,” Mack said.

“Tell you what, Grace. After the wedding ceremony, we’ve got some time before the reception starts. We’ll come over then so you can show us,” Striker said, giving Ella yet another reason to love him. “How does that sound?”

Grace considered for a moment before she answered. “Okay, if you promise you’ll come right after.”

“Promise.”

Together they walked across to the church. Although they’d gotten there a little early, many of the pews were already full when they walked inside.

“My parents promised to save us some seats,” Striker said, leading her toward a pew.

“Looks like Gram did the same,” Jessie said, following them since her grandparents and dad sat near Striker’s parents.

“You can sit with us, Kelsey. Looks like there’s room,” Striker said.

Ella watched Kelsey glance around briefly when they stopped, and she knew just who her friend searched for. Then she slid into the pew next to Cat, who was already seated with her parents, and greeted everyone.

“Wow! Is that Anderson Brady over there?” Kelsey asked, her voice low but full of excitement, the most excitement Ella had heard in Kelsey’s voice in a long time. “And I think Heidi Martel is two pews behind him.”

She couldn’t resist looking across the aisle. Sure enough, the two Hollywood movie stars sat on the other side of the church. Since Mia moved to town, Ella had gotten to know her fairly well; not as well as Jessie, but she thought of her as a friend. She knew Mia had made a few movies with Anderson and considered him a good friend. The same was true of Heidi, a woman who actually started out as a fashion model before transitioning into movies.

“Sara Hall is up front, too.” Kelsey nudged her arm.

Ella looked to the front. Sure enough, Sara Hall, formerly Sara Sherbrooke, sat with her new husband, Christopher. She held her and Sean’s nephew, Garrett, in her arms.

“What’s she doing here?” Kelsey asked, preventing Ella from seeing what other famous faces she recognized.

Of the three of them, Kelsey had gotten to know Mia the least. “Sara and Mia are close friends. They met in college,” Cat answered, before her voice dropped lower. “Sean and Mia got married at her and her husband’s house on Martha’s Vineyard. You should’ve seen it. It was gorgeous. And right on the beach. If I had a place like theirs, I’d never leave it.”

With Kelsey’s question answered, Ella went back to looking over the guests. She recognized several famous faces mixed in among the family and friends gathered in the church.

“Oh, man.” Beside her, Kelsey slouched lower.

“What’s wrong?” Ella asked, although she suspected she knew the problem.

Kelsey pulled the hymn book out and opened it close to her face. “Drew just walked in.”

“You can’t hide from him all day.” Ella looked toward the entrance as casually as she could. She hadn’t seen Drew in person in a long time.

“He’s going to find you today,” Cat said from the other side of Kelsey.

Kelsey ignored them both and kept the book open until the music began.

Kelsey watched a little girl and boy maybe around five years old walk down the aisle first. Or perhaps sprint down was more appropriate. Halfway to the altar the little boy dropped the pillow he carried, but kept going. When he realized, he dashed back, picked it up, and sprinted off again. She assumed the flower girl and ring bearer were either related to Mia, or were her friends’ children. Sean didn’t have any family member with children that age. Sean’s much younger half sister, Taylor, followed. It didn’t surprise Kelsey to see Taylor in the wedding. Although Sean had only met his half sister a year and a half ago, Kelsey often saw Taylor in town visiting Sean. She didn’t recognize the young man walking with Taylor, but she guessed it was another of Mia’s relatives. From what she’d heard, Mia had numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Charlie, Sean’s sister, and her husband, Jake Sherbrooke, she recognized. Charlie had grown up in North Salem. And Jake Sherbrooke, once referred to as Prince Charming by the media, had been appearing on magazine covers forever. Not to mention his father was the current President of the United States. Despite his celebrity status, everyone in town assured her he was a nice guy. She’d never spoken directly to him herself.

As Angelina Troy, Mia’s younger sister, walked toward the altar, Kelsey looked around again. Where is he? She’d seen Drew come in, but hadn’t watched to see where he’d ended up. She inched up a little and added his parents and brothers to her search. She assumed they were there, too. It looked like the entire town had shown up. If Mr. and Mrs. McKenzie were there, Drew had probably sat with them.

Instead of finding Drew, she spotted Selena Cruise, another Hollywood beauty, now sitting with Anderson Brady. According to the media, the two had split. Since they were sitting together, Kelsey guessed the media had either gotten it wrong or they’d patched things up. Didn’t celebrities break up and get back together all the time? Next to Selena was Nikki Reese, Selena’s BFF. Behind them sat Milan Novak, a well-known fashion model. But still no Drew.

He must be behind me. Trying to act as if she watched Avery Troy, Mia’s older sister and her maid of honor, come down the aisle, Kelsey glanced over her shoulder at the pews behind her.

Kelsey’s eyes locked on him. Sure enough, he sat with his parents and his two brothers. Look away. She repeated the command again but her eyes failed to listen. Even with all the other celebrities and handsome men in the church, he commanded her attention. Made her breathless and anxious at the same time. And reminded her heart of the silly childhood decision she’d made at ten to marry him.

The music changed, an indication the bride would start down the aisle. Around her, everyone stood and focused their attention on the door. Drew turned his attention toward her instead.

Their eyes locked and her stomach joined her feet on the floor. Crap. She should watch the bride. Heck, watching the sunlight filtering through the stained-glass windows would be better than staring at him. But she couldn’t do it. Her eyes refused to look away.

Someone tugged on her hand, either Cat or Ella, and she noticed Mia and her dad had reached Sean at the altar. Able to think again, she sat while Father Perkins began the ceremony.

Tension snuck into her shoulders and her neck burned. He was staring at her. She didn’t have to turn around to know it. This morning she’d considered skipping the wedding and reception. She should’ve. Maybe Striker could drive her home before he and Ella went to the reception. It wouldn’t take them long. Other than her closest friends and maybe Drew, no one would notice her absence, especially not with so many people there anyway.

Kelsey blew out a breath, frustration weighing down on her. The reception promised to be like none other she’d been to. It was being held at the Harbor House in Boston. She’d never been there, but had read about it. And Gage Larson’s band was scheduled to play. She’d been looking forward to a fun evening with people she enjoyed spending time with. She got so few of them. Plus, she liked Mia and Sean. Wanted to be part of the celebration along with the rest of the town. Is dealing with Drew worth a night out?

“You’re coming,” Ella whispered in her ear.

“What?”

“You’re thinking about skipping the reception. I’m not letting you. You’re coming with us.”

Wow. “Did you learn mind reading in Paris?” Kelsey asked.

“We just know you well,” Cat said, adding her two cents to the whispered conversation. “Ella’s right. You’re coming with us tonight. Even if Tony needs to throw you over his shoulder and carry you in.”

Regardless of the scene it’d make, Kelsey could picture Cat’s husband doing it if Cat asked him to.

Kelsey huffed. “For your information, I was thinking about how beautiful Mia’s gown is.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “And Sean looks great, too. I’m not used to seeing him so dressed up.”

“Sure you were,” Ella said, a sarcastic tinge to her voice. “Don’t bother asking. I won’t let Striker drive you home after the wedding. You’re coming with us.”

Sometimes having such close friends was a real pain in the butt. “I don’t want to miss Tony’s best man speech,” Kelsey said, still trying to convince her friends they were wrong. And it wasn’t a complete lie. Cat had shared how Tony had struggled with his best man’s speech for weeks.

“He was tweaking it again this morning. You’d think he was addressing the entire country or something,” Cat said.

Kelsey doubted she’d changed either Cat’s or Ella’s minds, but at least they both fell silent while Father Perkins continued the ceremony.