The Bridesmaid's Best Man (16 page)

17

C
OLE
STARED
AT
the small stone church as he got out of his car. It appeared quaint and picturesque but he knew danger lurked beneath bunches of white flowers and pink luminaries. Guests were already entering the building and he heard the strains of organ music from where he stood. He hoped he wasn't too late.

He fished his phone from his pocket and checked his messages. Nothing. He tried to take a deep breath but his chest was tight with worry. Cole punched the screen and redialed Angie's phone. He felt like throwing his phone when he immediately got her voice mail.

“Angie, why don't you have your phone on? Call me when you get this.” He hung up and rubbed his aching head. When he found her, he was going to make sure she never left his side.

He grabbed his suit jacket and shoved his arms in the sleeves. His movements were choppy and forceful as the panic swelled inside him. Where was Angie? Why wasn't she picking up her phone? Was she hurt? Was her phone dead? Or was she ignoring his calls?

It was bad enough waking up alone in her apartment, but his stomach had made a sickening twist when he found her note explaining that she was back in the wedding.

Back as a bridesmaid, possibly as maid of honor. Either way, she was back to being a target.

His phone rang. Cole checked the screen and saw Angie's number. He felt weak, almost boneless, as the relief poured through him. He immediately answered. “Angie?”

“Hey, Cole,” Angie replied cheerfully as if she didn't hear the urgency in his voice. “I'm sorry I missed your call. And your texts. All twelve of them.”

“Where have you been?” he demanded.

“Didn't you get my note? I put it where I was sure you'd see it. I didn't want you to worry but I had to leave quickly this morning.”

“Yes, I got the note,” he said through clenched teeth as he straightened the knot of his necktie. “You should have taken me with you.”

“I tried to wake you up. I really did, honest. I guess I wore you out.”

He heard the smile in her voice but he wasn't amused. “What are you doing at the wedding? You were banned.”

“Patrick texted me early this morning. He and Brittany want me to be in the ceremony.” She lowered her voice. “I have a feeling it's really Patrick who wants me there but—”

“Why did you accept?” The frustration rang in his voice and he didn't care.

“Patrick is my friend,” she reminded him, “and I know he fought hard to keep me in the wedding. What else could I say?”

“I can think of a few things just off the top of my head. For instance, the bride has it in for you.” He ignored the woman in the floppy hat who gave him a sharp look. “And her assistant is bumping off bridesmaids.”

Angie scoffed. “We don't know that.”

“Also, Patrick should never have allowed Brittany to speak to you in that manner,” Cole continued as he took the steps to the church two at a time. “You tore up your bridesmaid dress in a fit of rage and can't possibly participate....”

“I would never destroy this dress no matter how trashy it is,” Angie said breezily. “You have no idea how much it cost.”

He entered the church and looked around the vestibule. He saw a few guests. The men wore dark suits while the women looked like exotic birds with their brightly colored dresses and oddly shaped hats. He didn't see Angie. “Where are you?”

“I'm outside the bridal room. We're still getting Brittany ready for the ceremony. It's not going well. The woman is on the verge of a breakdown.”

Cole frowned as the phone connection crackled. “We?”

“Robin is here. The hospital released her late last night.” He heard the relief in Angie's voice. “She doesn't have a lot of energy and she looks really pale, but she's determined to see this through.”

“That's great,” Cole said. “I'm glad she's okay.”

“She must really want to be in this wedding,” Angie said. “I think they want me here as backup if Robin can't perform her maid-of-honor duties.”

“Where is Cheryl?” he asked as he went down a hallway, hoping it was in the direction of the bridal room.

“Handling some detail with the minister. You don't have to worry about me. She's too busy to plot my demise.”

“I will always worry about you.”

“That's sweet,” she declared in a soft voice. “I want you to know I wasn't ignoring you. I'm not sure why I didn't get your messages. The connection here must be weak.”

“I've been looking for you everywhere. And—” He turned the corner and spotted her alone, leaning against the wall. Cole stopped as his heart gave a violent lurch. “Holy...”

Angie wore the most provocative dress. It faithfully followed every line and curve of her body. It was designed to gain a man's attention.

“Cole.” Her expression brightened when she saw him and turned off her phone.

He strode toward her and gathered her close. It felt good to have her in his arms.“You are in so much trouble.”

“For what?” she asked as she held on to him. “For not answering my phone?”

For the phone. For not listening to him. And definitely for the dress. He took a step back and stared at her. The dress was shiny and a strange shade of green, but it fit her perfectly. The low-cut dress hugged her pert breasts and thrust them out like an offering. The skirt clung to her hips and was perilously short. It would ride up her legs and would draw every male's attention to her bottom when she walked.

“That dress,” he said slowly.

She pulled away and crossed her arms. “Trashy, isn't it.”

“No.” He grabbed her wrists and held her arms out as he took a longer look. The dress emphasized her breasts and hips. “You look...wow.”

“Stop teasing me.” She tried to escape his hold but he wouldn't let her.

“I'm serious. Wear this dress for me some time,” he asked as his gaze lingered on her long, bare legs. He saw the delicate high heels and changed his mind. “Forget that. Just wear the shoes and nothing else.”

He saw a naughty gleam in her eyes before she dipped her head. “No way.”

“Why not?” Cole asked as he held her hands above her head. Her breasts threatened to spill out of her dress and she tilted her hips as he leaned into her. She was soft and yielding as her body cradled his. Desire for her pulsed right through him and he grew hard as stone.

“This is not me,” she insisted.

“Yes, it is.” He glanced around the hallway, wondering where he could whisk her away.

“No, it's not,” she said in a biting tone. “I can't pull this look off. Do you know me at all?”

“I know every side and every facet of you,” he said as he lowered his arms and caressed her cheek. “This is you. It was you last night.”

“I would never choose this dress. It's too revealing. Too sexy. It promises something I can't deliver.”

“You are sexy.” His voice was rough and low as he brushed his knuckles down her throat. “It's driving me wild.”

She gave him a skeptical look. “I thought I was sexy in sweatpants and an oversize T-shirt.”

“You are. Because that's when you feel confident and comfortable. Because you can hide in those clothes.” He cupped her breast and shuddered as the lust whipped through him. “You can't hide in this.”

“Don't tell me that,” she said, smiling and thrust her breast into his hand. “That's the last thing I need to hear before I walk down the aisle.”

He let go of her and gave the dress another look. “How do you get out of this?” he asked as he licked his lips with anticipation.

Angie flattened her hands against his chest. “Don't even try.”

“I'm surprised Brittany is allowing you to wear this,” he muttered as he crushed the skirt with his hand. “You're going to upstage the bride.”

“I look like a joke.”

He hooked his finger under her chin and tilted her head up, forcing her to look into his eyes. “Angie, you don't need a dress to show that you are a beautiful and sexy woman. But don't think you have to hide in sweatpants because you're afraid of being noticed.”

“Cole, you don't understand.” She brushed his hand away from her face. “What you see is hours of work from a team of professionals. This is as good as it gets. And I don't... It's not...”

“I see you. The real you. Behind the makeup and...what the hell is this?” He rubbed his fingers together. “Glitter?”

“Yeah.” Angie said roughly as her chest rose and fell as she drew in each breath.

He bumped his forehead with hers and stared into her eyes. “Hide as much as you want, but it's a waste of time. I don't care if you are walking down a runway or limping across the finish line. I will always see you as a strong and sexy woman.”

She lowered her lashes as her cheeks turned pink. “Cole...”

He didn't want her to feel shy. He wanted Angie to feel safe with him. “Just know that you don't have to hide from me.”

The loud creak of a door echoed in the empty hallway. Angie was startled at the sound and looked in the direction of the bridal room.

“Oh, my God. Really?” Robin said and planted her hands on her hips. “Cole, do not smudge her makeup or wrinkle her dress. In fact, do not touch her at all.”

Cole raised his hands in surrender and took a step back. He noticed Robin wore the same dress as Angie. He didn't spare a second glance at the maid of honor. Angie was a living, breathing fantasy.

Angie sighed and turned her attention to the maid of honor. “What do you want, Robin?”

Robin pointed at the door she just exited. “I'm having trouble tying the corset in Brittany's gown. I need help. I need muscle.”

“And you thought of me,” she said. “I'll be right there.”

“Good,” she said as she returned through the same doorway. “I swear, I can't turn my back on you for a second.”

“I'm sorry, Cole. I have to go.” She bit her bottom lip and gave him a hopeful look beneath her lashes. “Are you going to attend the wedding?”

“Yes.” He grabbed her hand and raised it to his mouth. Brushing his lips against her knuckles, he promised, “I'm here for you.”

* * *

“W
HY
ISN
'
T
IT
fitting?” Brittany shrieked. She stretched the corset one way and then another, and pressed it to her stomach. “I swear this dress fit perfectly two days ago.”

“Breathe in,” Robin suggested.

“I haven't eaten solid foods for a week,” Brittany swore as tears sparkled in her eyes. “I didn't cheat once. Not once! This should fit.”

“It will,” Robin promised. “Don't cry or we'll have to redo your makeup. Angie, how's it going back there?”

“Are you pulling as hard as you can?” Brittany asked.

“Yes,” she said through gritted teeth as she pulled the pink ribbons that crisscrossed in the back of the corset. The mermaid gown was of the palest pink but there was nothing innocent about the dress. The plunging neckline and flared hips dramatically accentuated Brittany's curves. Angie didn't know how Brittany was going to breathe, let alone walk.

Angie pulled so hard she thought she would get rope burn but the corset didn't budge. “I'm afraid to pull any harder,” she said. “I don't want the dress to rip.”

“Rip?” Brittany whirled around and gave Angie a hateful look. “What did you do to my dress?”

“Nothing!” Angie said as she rubbed her reddened hands. “The dress is fine.”

“Stay away from me.” Brittany teetered on her heels as she took a cautious step back. “I don't want you touching my dress.”

Angie looked at Robin. “I give up.”

“Where is Cheryl?” Brittany asked as she examined the back of her dress in the mirror. “Why isn't she here helping me?”

Robin shrugged. “I haven't seen her since we arrived at the church.”

“Call her,” Brittany ordered. “Call her right now.”

“I have.” Robin flopped into a seat next to the bride and held her head in her hands. “Constantly. I don't think we get cell reception here.”

“Go find her,” Brittany screamed. “She'll know what to do.”

“I'll do that,” Angie volunteered. She'll do anything that didn't require her to be locked in a room with Brittany.

“Hurry,” Robin pleaded. She looked at the clock. “We don't have much time before the ceremony starts.”

Angie hurried out of the room with Brittany's wails ringing in her ears. She took a few quick steps before she stumbled and tripped on her heels. Angie grimaced as she twisted her ankle. She pressed her lips together as the pain shot through her leg.

It didn't seem to matter that she had practiced walking in the shoes for hours, Angie decided as she limped down the hallway. It was practically guaranteed that she was going to trip as she made her way down the aisle.

No, she won't. Angie rolled her shoulders back and held up her chin. She could master these shoes. She could wear this dress. She wasn't about to be nervous over the height of her hemline or heels. All she had to do was find Cole and concentrate on him while she came down the aisle. When he looked at her with a mix of awe and desire, she would find her confidence.

Angie saw an open door that led out to the church garden. “Cheryl?” she called. “Are you out here?”

“Yes.” Cheryl appeared from behind a flowering bush. “I'm getting the place ready for the photographer.”

“Brittany needs you.” Angie watched Cheryl and frowned when she noticed the assistant wore the same shoes as the bridesmaids. She even had the same polish on her toes. It was bubble-gum-pink. Yet Cheryl didn't get a pedicure with the rest of the bridal party.

“What seems to be the problem?” Cheryl asked as she walked up the stone steps.