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Why such a big fucking deal?
“He is, but I think they’re on a temporary break of some kind.”
I knew Natalie well enough to know she’d probably already given her brother ‘the talk.’
She’d kept us apart in high school, despite her knowing what a crush I’d had on him, and she was doing the same thing now. Only instead of working on me, to keep my emotions in check, she’d probably been working on Cody.
“A break? What does that even mean?”
“I don’t know exactly,” she said, but I could tell she was still fudging the truth.
“Will she be coming to the wedding? I believe I accounted for his date, and dates for Gabe and Dustin as well. At the price you’re paying for each plate, you might want to be sure if these women will be attending or not.”
She seemed hesitant, as if she was desperately trying to hold something back from me. Still, I knew how careful she and Bernard were with their money. Hell, most of the big stuff was a gift from various family members, so the idea of blowing a couple thousand dollars on non-existent women would certainly cause her to think twice.
“Um, I don’t know for sure,” she said, but I could tell she was lying. She wouldn’t look me in the eye when she spoke.
“Okay, well, I’ll just ask him and the guys then, because I set up a table for their dates right near the dance floor at the reception, and we certainly don’t want the table to be empty if they aren’t bringing dates. Plus, I would’ve thought they’d be here for this dinner, unless I simply didn’t see them out there in the bar area. Which is possible.”
Natalie had a face that could make a man look twice or three times even if he was with the woman of his dreams—full lips, a perfect nose, big brown eyes, naturally dark, thick eyelashes, silky long chestnut hair, and a smile that lit up any room. She also had a perfect body, that she never hid, but instead made the best of in anything she wore. Tonight, she wore a beautiful sparkly, wine-colored, scooped-neck dress that clung to her curves like paint.
“Fine. None of them are bringing dates. You can reassign the table and make sure the caterer doesn’t charge us for the meals. Bernard wouldn’t approve of that.”
“I will,” I told her as I walked closer. “Natalie, try to breathe and stay calm. I’ve got this. It’s going to be the wedding of your dreams. I promise. Nothing will get in the way of that.”
“You mean it?” she asked, eyes moist from concern. “You promise to give it your full and undivided attention? You won’t get distracted? This wedding means everything to me. It’s the first time I’ve planned anything this big on my own… with your help of course, and I want Bernard to be proud of me. It’s very important that I… we… pull this off without even a hiccup. When Bernard plans an event, it’s always perfect. Nothing ever goes wrong, and I want to show him that I’m capable of the same thing. It means everything to me.”
Once again, she’d gotten to me, and I felt a pang of guilt surge through me. My loyalty to her had always outweighed my devotion to myself. Right before everyone entered the room for dinner, I ran back and switched Aunt Rosie and me back to our original designated places.
Despite my visceral attraction to her brother, my dedication to my childhood bestie outbid my dirty fantasies… at least for now. I couldn’t guarantee what might happen after the wedding, and even during the reception when I’d be officially off the hook, but in this moment, I intended to honor her wishes.
DINNER CARRIED ON without a hitch, and with very little oversight needed on my part. Friends and family seemed to enjoy the many courses and many different options that had been offered. Due to any controversy that might arise over slaughtered four-legged creatures, both Bernard and Natalie insisted that the main protein either swim or grow from the rich, fertile earth of California. Therefore, we chose wild Alaskan salmon or fennel roasted in a fresh tomato sauce as the main course. Any and all side dishes or appetizers were strictly vegan to further guarantee that any food controversy would be rendered useless.
Still, Aunt Rosie, who had been left to sit with the band, kept complaining about the lack of meat at the table, to which Aunt Tammy finally resolved by escorting her to a private table where she and Tammy shared a perfectly prepared fillet mignon, wrapped in a delicate pastry that even Gordon Ramsey would be proud to serve.
Of course, I took that as my cue to take her seat at the table, despite Natalie’s disapproving glare.
I began talking as soon as I sat down, loud enough so that Natalie could hear me in case she wondered why I’d chosen to plop down in Aunt Rosie’s seat. “So, are you guys ready for the reception tomorrow night? I know Natalie sent you a list of songs she wants you to perform for your first set, and many of them are about as far from country as a small town is to a city. I think one of them is a Frank Sinatra song.”
“The Way You Look Tonight,” Cody said, seeming a little apprehensive about discussing it with me when Natalie was so close. “Got everything covered.”
“Yeah? Which one of you will do the honors?” I asked, quickly gazing at all three of the guys. “You know she wants that song performed when she and Bernard dance together for the first time as husband and wife. So, no pressure there.” Damn, but they caused my heart to race. Way too much magnificent testosterone surrounding me at one time. I wasn’t used to it, at least not from guys who I knew I shouldn’t be attracted to. It would cause way too much drama between Natalie and me.
They were so off limits, especially Cody, but I couldn’t help myself. Now I knew what that damn moth felt like attracted to a flame.
But what a fucking lovely way to go!
“We’re all performing the song,” Cody announced.
“We have a great version of it that we think Natalie will love,” Gabe said.
“Did Natalie approve it?” I asked, knowing how much she hated surprises.
“She approved one version of it, but we’ve changed it since then,” Dustin added with a wide grin, and I had a feeling they all knew she would baulk if she’d heard this new version.
“It’s an important moment for her. Are you sure you want to do something she might hate?” I asked, knowing how nasty she could get if things changed after she’d already agreed upon something.
I was pretty easy going about change in my personal life, but I was usually a stickler about last-minute changes in my professional life, especially when I was dealing with someone like Natalie who hated changes of any kind. Always had, even when we were kids. Both Cody and I could pretty much adapt to anything, but Natalie would throw a hissy fit if someone was even five minutes late for a play date.
