ChapterTwenty
The rehearsal and the dinner were seriously awkward affairs. While everyone in the wedding party seemed determined to put on a good face for the bride and groom, they fell far short of their goal. The evening was uncomfortable and filled with sideways glares, snarky comments, and dead silences. Caroline had extended the rehearsal dinner invitation to the guests who were coming overnight, including Ethan’s parents and his girlfriend.
Delaney choked down salmon that was probably quite excellent, but tasted like sawdust. She survived until Caroline’s father made his toast and she made a quick escape, hoping to avoid Ethan for a short while longer. Heavy footsteps followed her out onto the porch. Her tactic didn’t work.
She turned and came right up against Ethan, his arms coming up to grasp her upper arms and hold her in place.
“You’re a hard woman to pin down.”
“I hardly think you’d notice, as occupied by your girlfriend as you seem to be.” She spat the last words, finally giving vent to the anger that had been a low simmer all day.
He released her and ran a hand through his sandy blond hair, taking a few steps to the railing. “Delaney, I swear, she means nothing to me.”
“Isn’t that what most cheaters say?” Her hand flew to her mouth. “Oh my God. I’m the piece on the side, the mistress, the slut stealing her man. How could you do that to me?”
“Oh, Jesus. You’ve spent too much time with Anna this week. Stop being so dramatic. Yes, she is someone I’ve seen casually, nothing serious. Neither one of us are serious. How can we be, when she’s in Houston and I’m on the vineyard?”
“Have you told her that, or your family? I don’t think they got the memo.” She crossed her arms and stayed just out of his reach.
“She knows. And we’re not dating now and haven’t been. It was always for events, nothing else.”
Delaney cocked her head. “So, why is she here? Apparently, someone thinks you two are together. She certainly thinks you have a shot. You might want to clue her in because she thinks you two are a couple.” Her voice raised on the last notes, echoing in the growing darkness.
He made a sound of frustration and threw his head back, staring at the ceiling as if asking for strength from a higher power. “Okay, you’re right. I’ll talk to her. But trust me, there were never any promises between us and my father, and Kira knew this. I don’t know why they’re doing this, except out of some misguided attempt to play matchmaker or manipulate me. But it’s not my game.”
She sighed. “Fine, I believe you.”
He stared at her for a long moment. “Just like that. You believe me?”
She folded her arms and cocked her eyebrow. “Shouldn’t I? Look, I know Kira hates me. Lord knows she’s made no secret of that over the years, poking her nose in at the museum, trying to get me fired all the time. I can see her playing this game. But Ethan, you have to know they’re doing this to keep us apart. They’re using her and this situation. Cami seems like a nice girl. She doesn’t deserve to be led on like this.”
“I know. You’re right.” He sighed and stepped up to the porch railing, staring out into the night. “After we broke up, it was hard going to events alone. She was someone I could take when I needed a date, nothing more. We tried a relationship, but it was like dating my sister, only less lethal.” He looked at her. “She’s not you.”
Delaney’s heart lurched in her chest, and she pressed a hand against her stomach. “Ethan, I don’t know what to say.”
He took a deep breath. “Look, I’ll send her home tomorrow. The ferry isn’t running anymore tonight, but she can be on the first one tomorrow, if that’s what you want.”
Delaney’s arms dropped, and she stepped around him to the railing. “No, don’t do that. It only makes me look like a jealous and petty bitch. It might cause issues with your parents and the wedding.”
He stepped up close to her, not quite touching, but heat radiated off him, warming her back. “What do you want me to do? I’ll do anything you want.”
She sighed, resisting the urge to lean back into his strength. “I don’t know what I want, Ethan. Maybe to turn back time to yesterday.”
“I want that too,” he replied fervently. “Trust me. Cami means nothing to me. We’re just casual dating partners.”
“With benefits?”
“Benefits? The only benefit we share is keeping our families off our backs and a plus one for events. Nothing more. I swear.”
She turned and faced him. “Ethan, maybe we’re kidding ourselves. Your family...”
He pressed two fingers to her lips, silencing her. “Say nothing more. Just trust me about Cami. Let’s get through this weekend, then we’ll deal with everything else.”
She leaned into him, and he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. “Are we kidding ourselves with this? Can we really have a second chance? Your family will never accept me now.”
He pulled back and tilted her head to look at him. “You don’t know that. Kira is Kira. Nothing will change her, but my father can be persuaded. In fact, he wants me to return to the business and said it might be a way to help you recover your reputation.”
She stepped out of his arms. “Recover my reputation? Weren’t you the one who said none of my father’s crimes were my fault? If you believe that, then why do I need you to redeem me? Is there anything wrong with who I am now?”