One Wicked Night (6 page)

He bent his head and she waited, knowing he was replying.

Her phone vibrated on her lap and she flipped it open discreetly. “I am a dick,” she read. Laughter bubbled up in her throat and her fingertips flew to her mouth. “Sorry.”

She tightened her lips in to keep her amusement from showing. “Don’t think apologizing makes it okay for U to act like a dick,” she sent back, a feeling of satisfaction sweeping through her. She could text message him the things she wanted to say but didn’t have the nerve.

She shot him a glance as he read her next message, anticipating his response. He read it, sat back in his seat and looked at her again, this time thoughtfully. Oh-oh. Had she pissed him off?

He slid his phone back into the case on his hip, picked up his wineglass, then set it down and reached for the phone again. He was typing in his message, when Avery said, “Tyler. What are you doing?”

He looked up guiltily. “Uh. Sorry.” His thumbs made a couple more quick moves and he shoved the phone back on his hip. “A…uh…business call.”

Kaelin’s phone vibrated again. She glanced around the table to see if anyone was looking at her, but no, everyone was frowning at Tyler. She sighed. She’d gotten him into trouble again, dammit. One handed, she flipped open the phone to read the message. “U R right. Did I tell U how hot U look tonite?”

Heat flooded her, rushing from her chest up over her face to her hairline, all the way down to her toes. When she looked at him, he wasn’t looking at her but was smiling wickedly.

She so wanted to message him back, but dammit, she had to stop it. What was he doing, telling her she looked hot?

Just trying to push her buttons, as usual, most likely. He’d always been like that, charming apologies and flattery dripping off his tongue—or thumbs, in this case—to make up for the stupid things he did. And since it always worked for him, he knew he could get away with pretty much anything with anyone. Well, except for his parents.

She swallowed some wine. Well, he couldn’t make up for what he’d done to her ten years ago with a cheesy compliment. Sent by text, no less. Geez.

Margot poked at the chicken with prosciutto, rosemary and white wine, her appetite nonexistent. The rehearsal had gone well, although she knew Avery’s refusal to let her father walk her down the aisle had disappointed him. She glanced at her husband, talking to Scott’s father about the stock market. She suspected the only reason he wanted to walk his daughter down the aisle was so that people would see him doing it, because that’s what people expected, and not out of any real sentimental feelings of giving his little girl away. She sighed.

Now Tyler was sitting there, scowling and looking bored and, for god’s sake, sending text messages on his cell phone that were apparently business. Then he snapped his phone shut, smiled that devilish charming grin that had gotten him his own way too many times, but that still melted her heart. And he too started talking to his father and Scott’s dad about the stock market, sounding impressively knowledgeable.

The stock market was probably the last thing Margot was interested in, but she was happy to sit and listen to her son talk, warmth and pride swelling inside her. And then Scott’s dad asked Tyler a question about his business, and she was even more happy to listen to him talk about that, so smart and talented and articulate.

“New platforms—mobile, internet, gaming—are definitely changing the dynamic of the business,” Tyler said. “But that just makes it more exciting. Lots more opportunities for creative talent to really stand out.”

She almost trembled with maternal pride, smiling and listening.

Soon the dinner was over and it had gone off without a hitch, which of course it would after her careful planning, attention to detail and numerous phone calls to the hotel to check on things. And then she heard Tyler talking about taking Scott and his best man, Hardeep, out somewhere for a drink. Oh dear lord.

Kaelin focused on the dinner conversation again, Tyler now looking interested and actually participating. Apparently Scott wanted to go out with the guys for a last single night and Tyler was agreeing to take him and Hardeep and show them the local watering holes.

Oh dear lord.

Kaelin looked anxiously at Avery, but she was all for it. “That sounds like a great idea!” she said to Tyler. “It would be good for you and Scott to get to know each other better.”

“Yeah,” he agreed, seeming sincere. “I’ll call Nick and see if he wants to come too.”

“I don’t know,” Mrs. Wirth said, a hand at her throat. Her eyes darted around. “That might not be a good idea. You don’t want to be tired tomorrow, or…”

“Hungover?” Tyler supplied.

She frowned. “Well, yes.”

“Don’t worry, Mom, I’ll behave. We’ll just go have a couple beers somewhere.”

Mrs. Wirth chewed on her bottom lip.

“Kaelin and Maddie will come back to our place,” Avery said. “And we’ll have some girl time.”

Kaelin smiled and nodded. “Sure.” As if they hadn’t had enough girl time earlier that day. But it was Avery and it was Avery’s wedding.

Back at the Wirth house, the girls curled up on couches and chairs in the family room with more wine. Well, Maddie and Avery had more wine, Kaelin had had enough, and she had to drive back to her place. It wasn’t long before Maddie and Avery started talking and laughing about things that had happened and people Kaelin didn’t know. She tried to smile and look interested, but that left-out feeling swept over her.

“Hey,” Avery said to Kaelin. “When are you going to come visit me in Los Angeles again?”

Kaelin smiled. “Well, obviously not right away. You’re leaving on your honeymoon tomorrow night.”

“You should move there, Kaelin.” Avery sat up and leaned forward. “Seriously. I miss you so much. We could have so much fun living in the same city again.”

“I can’t move, Ave, you know that.”

“Why not?” Avery’s full lips pouted a bit.

“My whole life is here.” Kaelin gave her a crooked smile and lifted one shoulder. “My job. My family. My house.”

“Your only family here is your Aunt Lara. Your cousins have left. Your parents are gone. And with your experience, you could easily get a job at a law firm in L.A.”

“I have Taz,” she added feebly. “I can’t move to an apartment with him, and I’m sure I’d never be able to afford a house in Los Angeles.”

They’d had this conversation before, but the last time Kaelin had genuinely dismissed the idea. Now, though, she actually let herself think about it. But just for a minute. Leaving everything she knew, everything that was safe and secure and stable, to move across the country to a strange city where she knew no one—that was terrifying.

But once again, that feeling of vague dissatisfaction nudged her. She wasn’t close with Aunt Lara. Her job was fine. She enjoyed it. She had friends in Mapleglen. But not close friends. Her best friends had moved away, all over the country. And her relationship with Brent hadn’t worked out so well. Her insides twisted a little thinking of what she’d wanted from him but had been too afraid to ask for.

She was safe here. Better to stay with what she had and what she knew than to risk it all by leaving.

She shook her head, still with that smile pasted firmly in place. “Well, you never know,” she said. “Maybe someday.”

Avery’s eyes widened. “Well, at least that’s not an out-and-out no. You know I’d love it if you moved closer.”

“I’d like to be closer,” Kaelin admitted. Though she wasn’t sure how well she’d fit into Avery’s new world. She and Scott, and Hardeep and Maddie, formed a neat little foursome and she’d be a…what? A fifth wheel?

“Think about it,” Avery urged her. “I know it’s a big decision. I’m not saying quit your job tomorrow. But think about it.”

And Kaelin found herself agreeing to that, although she suspected it was mostly just to keep Avery happy. She couldn’t seriously think about doing something so life-altering.

“So tomorrow, what time will you come over, Kaelin? To get ready.”

“I don’t know. I have lots to do tomorrow. We have to decorate, pick up flowers, and make sure the cupcakes are delivered and—”

“I’ll help,” Maddie said.

“I will too,” Avery added.

“No, you don’t have to.” Kaelin smiled. “You’re the bride.”

“Thank you, Kaelin. You’ve been so sweet about all this.”

Kaelin just shrugged and smiled, uncomfortable with the praise.

They planned the schedule for the next day. The ceremony was at four o’clock. Kaelin knew she could not get into the hotel ballroom where the reception was being held until noon, so she could pick up the flowers in the morning and bring them to the Wirth house. There were also decorations for the church, and she had to make sure the flowers were delivered there and arranged properly.

A few hours later, Maddie left to go back to the hotel where she and Hardeep were staying and Kaelin smothered a yawn. “I should go too,” she said just as Avery’s cell phone buzzed.

Avery set down her wine and picked it up. “Hi, hon,” she said, surprise tingeing her voice. Then she frowned. “What?” Her voice changed to sharp. “Are you serious?” Then Avery bit her lip and glanced at her mother. “Oh, honey, okay,” she said, smiling, but Kaelin could see how tight that smile was. “Um…okay, we’ll be there in a little bit.” She listened, her eyebrows drawing down and her eyes flickering. “Yes. Yes. Got it. Okay, bye.”

She closed her phone, still smiling toothily. “Kaelin, hon, are you okay to drive?”

“Yeah. Of course.”

“The guys want us to join them for a drink.”

Now it was Kaelin’s turn to frown. “You’re kidding. Now?”

“Yes. Come on.” She grabbed Kaelin’s hand and yanked her up off the couch. Kaelin stumbled a little and scurried after Avery’s long strides.

“Avery!” her mother called. “Where are you going?”

“Just out for a drink,” Avery snapped over her shoulder. “Don’t worry, Mom, won’t be late. You go on to bed. It’s a big day tomorrow.”

Kaelin grabbed her purse and Avery hustled her out the front door. Her car was parked on the street and she dug for her keys in her purse. “What’s going on?” she asked.

“Hold on. Get in the car.” Avery’s voice was tight.

Kaelin started the car and put it into gear. “Where are we going?”

“To the police station. Scott’s in jail.”

Chapter Five

Margot washed her face and brushed out her hair, looking at herself in the mirror. Without her makeup she looked washed-out and tired. She clicked off the light of the ensuite bathroom and moved into the bedroom where Ken lay, reading a magazine.

“The dinner was nice,” he said, as usual not effusive with his praise.

“Thank you.” She climbed under the covers.

“And you looked beautiful.”

Her head whipped to the side to stare at Ken. “Ah…thank you.”

He laid down the magazine and closed his eyes. “Margot.”

“Yes?” Her heart stuttered.

“I don’t want you to leave me.”

Pressure built in her chest and her eyes ached. “I don’t want to leave you. But I can’t go on like this.”

“But why? I don’t understand…you have the perfect life. You can do whatever you want to do…”

“I can’t do whatever I want!” Outrage had her sitting up straight, staring at him. “Are you kidding me? Our whole life is what
you
want me to do!
You
want me to belong to the country club, to associate with the wives of the other doctors, to host dinner parties. You want me to do charity work, and not that I begrudge the children’s ward at the hospital one moment of my time or one cent that we’ve raised, but that’s what
you
want! When I want to go to the carnival, we can’t because it’s not done. When I want to drive around to the wineries in the hills and taste wine, we can’t do that because it’s too touristy. When I want to go for a walk on the beach in the moonlight, we can’t because you have to get up early the next morning. When I want to travel, we can’t because you can’t take time off work. I can’t do anything I want!”

He opened his eyes and stared back at her, eyebrows drawn down.

“And on top of that, you don’t even want me anymore,” she cried, fingers curling into fists. “I try so hard to stay in shape, to look nice for you, and you don’t even care!”

She almost felt sorry for him at how shocked and uncomfortable he looked at her outburst. “I…I do care.”

She remembered his compliment from moments ago, not the first he’d ever given her but the first in a long time.

“You care because you want me to look good so you look good!”

“That’s not true.”

“It is true. Don’t deny it.”

He closed his eyes. He couldn’t deny it. It was true.

“But I do still care about you,” he said. “I love you, Margot.”

Her eyes stung and she blinked at him through a blur of tears. “Oh, Ken.” He reached for her then, and she fell against him, tears falling. “I love you too. I do. But I need more.”

He tipped her face up and kissed her mouth, once, twice, then longer, deeper. She sank into the kiss, slid her arms around his neck and kissed him back. She still loved the feel of his arms around her, strong and warm. A tingling started down low inside her, quickly turning into a sharp ache of desire. She still loved him.

His hands moved on her body, sensitizing her skin, her breasts.

“You are beautiful,” he murmured against her mouth. “Margot. We’ll figure this all out.”

At that moment, she thought maybe they could. He rolled her to her back and moved over her, heavy and warm on top of her, solid and reassuring as they made love. It was familiar but still hot, comfortable but still exciting. He knew just how to make her come, and she writhed beneath him as pleasure rippled through her, held him tightly through his own release. These moments of closeness were what gave her hope, what made her think they could get through this. They’d had marital problems before—what couple didn’t?—and if it hadn’t been for their physical intimacy, she wasn’t sure they would have made it. Maybe they’d make it this time too.

When she’d been twenty years old, pregnant and scared, he’d seemed so mature, so responsible, like someone who would take care of her forever. And he had, in so many ways. Why did she want more? Was there something wrong with her, that this life of money and privilege wasn’t enough for her?