Chapter 7
“You may now kiss the bride.”
The words snapped him back to attention. In his head he had floated away to a safer place, one in which Tobias wouldn’t skin him alive afterwards.
There hadn’t been too much of a delay, and he had returned within minutes. He doubted anybody noticed. Tobias had, of course. That man never missed a thing, and there would be hell to pay afterwards, but for now, he was safe as long as he mingled with the guests.
As soon as the ceremony was over, he had rushed to congratulate the happy couple before they became surrounded by a sea of well-wishers. “Congratulations, bro.” He shook Tobias’s hand and hugged him.
He was met with Tobias’s clipped tone. “I’ll speak to you later.” Xavier swallowed and turned to Savannah, kissing her and congratulating her.
And then he had escaped and saw Kay. “Hey,” he flashed a smile at her, but she seemed not to notice him and walked past.
“How could you forget the ring?” his father asked.
His mother turned on him with a menacing stare. “One thing, you had to do one thing only.” The crepey wrinkles around her lips furrowed deep. “And you couldn’t even get that right. How could you let him down like that?”
“I didn’t let him down.”
His father tried to reason with him. “It wasn’t much to remember, son.”
“I—” He stopped. What was the point of trying to explain? “I didn’t do it on purpose.”
“But still, Xavier.”
He let out an angry breath. If he had known they were going to guilt trip him to an early grave, he would have super-glued the ring box to his hand. It had been a goddamn accident. “He got married, didn’t he?” he muttered, then stared at his mother in shock. “Aren’t you hot?”
She was wearing what looked like one of her favorite cream and black Chanel numbers.
Jeez.
Even on a tropical island, his mother had dressed as if she was attending a New York society Gala event.
“Where are you going?” his mother called out after him as he stormed away. “I haven’t finished talking to you.”
“To get a drink.” He didn’t need to stand around listening to this.
~ ~ ~
She wasn’t a champagne drinker, ordinarily, but she’d had a sip of the pink champagne when Tobias’s father had proposed a toast to the newly married bride and groom as everyone milled around.
Waiters skirted around with platters of seafood and canapes, and the champagne and cocktails were never-ending.
Jacob seemed especially intrigued by the trays of gargantuan prawns, lobster and crab. He fiddled about with the collar of his shirt. Like Tobias, he had worn casual clothes, beige linen trousers and a casual white shirt. “Can I get changed into my other clothes now?”
“You want to get changed now?”
He nodded.
“You can’t put on your Iron Man swim trunks.”
“I want to wear a t-shirt and shorts.”
She looked around for Savannah. “I need to check with your mom first.” She wasn’t sure if Savannah wanted more photographs taken. “Have you seen her?”
“I think she went inside.”
“Let’s go and ask her.”
They went into the main villa and towards Tobias and Savannah’s bedroom which was sectioned towards a corner of the ground floor. She was about to knock on the door and stopped when she heard voices coming from inside. Her hand stilled.
“Don’t give it up all at once,” she heard Savannah say. “And especially when it comes to someone like Xavier. You need to be careful.”
“I am careful.”
It sounded like Kay.
“Why do you always need to hook up with someone?” Savannah sounded annoyed.
Jacob came up in front of her and before she could stop him, he knocked on the door. “Mommy?” He knocked again.
“Wait, Jacob.” But Savannah had already opened the door.
“Hey, honey.” She was still in her wedding dress, and behind her, perched on the edge of their super king-sized bed, sat Kay, looking visibly upset.
“Sorry,” said Izzy. “We didn’t mean to interrupt, but Jacob wants to get changed.”
“I thought you might,” said Savannah, ruffling Jacob’s hair. “I knew you’d be uncomfortable wearing that all day, so I got you a change of clothes, honey. Over by the chaise longue. Go ahead,” Savannah told Izzy.
Izzy walked in to the room and gave Kay a quick smile.
“I know my son,” said Savannah. “He would have spent the entire day in his Iron man swim trunks. Honey, I’d like you to wear those in case we have any more photos taken. Do you mind?”
Jacob shook his head. “No.”
“You can get him changed in the master bathroom,” said Savannah.
“Come on, Jacob,” Izzy beckoned, and followed him into the bathroom.
“Did anything happen?” she heard Savannah ask, but she couldn’t make out Kay’s reply. They were talking about last night. They had to be. She wondered if Kay had ended up being another one of Xavier’s conquests.
She folded the clothes which Jacob had discarded.
“Are you listening to them?” he asked.
She looked up guiltily. “No.”
He looked as if he didn’t believe her.
“Why can’t you enjoy being single for a while?” she heard Savannah ask. “Why do you always need to be with someone?”
“I don’t! He was there, and he showed me some card tricks, and we got talking.”
“You told me it was more than talking.”
“Okay. So we kissed. He’s a good-looking guy. I’m single, so … what’s the harm?”
“How well do you know him? According to Tobias, Xavier has a girlfriend, and she was supposed to come.”
“He’s got a girlfriend?”
So it was true.
The dirty little rat. Izzy refolded Jacob’s shirt, trying to kill time.
“I feel used.”
“Serves you right.”
“We’re on an island, Kay. You’re away from work, why not enjoy the vacation? Spend time with your mom now that you’re here?”
“I have spent time with her, and with your parents. I don’t know what you take me for, Sav. I’m not that bad!”
“You don’t need to make out with every guy who shows you a bit of attention.”
She heard a squeal of indignation from Kay.
“Can we go?” Jacob asked. Izzy blushed. He could see right through her. Could tell that she was eavesdropping.
“I was waiting for you,” said Izzy, looking away and not able to face Jacob’s searching eyes. He didn’t believe her.
“There’s my champ!” Savannah cried, her face bursting into sunshine as soon as Jacob walked into the room. “That’s much better, isn’t it, honey?”
“Yeah.” Jacob nodded.
Izzy was reminded of what she needed to run by her. “Would it be alright for Jacob to stay up as late as he wants to tonight? He’s been really good, and he went to bed early yesterday. He deserves it.”
“Yes, of course.” Savannah hugged Jacob tightly. “You can stay up as late as you want.”
“All night?” he asked.
“All night.”