“If you’re going to be on time, you’ve got another hour before I have to take you back to the hotel.”
“Take us to the most romantic place close by.”
All I see is a mouth full of pearly white crooked teeth when Peter smiles again.
“I know just the place.”
Peter takes around a few windy roads up a hill and we end up in a quiet but beautiful location overlooking the entire side of the island.
“Take your time,” Peter says as he sits in the car.
We sit a few feet away on a large rock and take in the breathtaking view. Then Brick does something unsettling.
He holds my hand.
***
An hour later, I run to my suite to freshen up, then arrive at the wedding rehearsal held in the pavilion in a joyful daze. I had the most zen morning touring the island and I’m basically floating in the room as I greet my family. Chatter fills the air, as I notice my mom and distant relatives all wearing smiles in anticipation of the upcoming nuptials.
I can see the lagoon from the pavilion and, like a drug fiend, I’m preoccupied with a different sort of anticipation—the kind that makes my cheeks flush in embarrassment as memories of last night’s encounter suddenly rush back into my mind. I was just with the man fifteen minutes ago, yet my eyes begin searching for him.
It doesn’t take long before I locate him.
He’s standing a short distance away, when his eyes lock on me and suddenly I feel calm. Brick has a dominant yet calming presence, and even though some of my relatives are already swarming around him, he’s calm as a cucumber, giving everyone the attention they want.
“Thank you for coming, everyone,” Dena interrupts. “On behalf of Kyle and I, we’re so happy that you prioritized our big day into your lives.”
Everyone in the room claps and the resort coordinator takes over the rest of the rehearsal. In the middle of her instructions to us, I still feel the pull of his gaze, like a magnet.
“Kay?”
It’s my brother, waving his hand in front of my face as if he’s checking to see if I’m paying attention.
“Hey.”
“Did you bring the rings?”
Most of the room has their eyes on me, waiting for a response. I guess the coordinator asked me about them and I completely ignored her. I can see Brick snickering off to the side, and I want to slap him.
He did this to me.
I’m a sex whipped zombie.
“Yes, of course.” I pull the black velvet ring box out of my purse. “Here they are.”
The rehearsal continues to go off without a hitch. Everyone knows where they’re going to stand tomorrow. My mother’s already crying tears of joy in anticipation of the nuptials. And Brick continues to be the center of attention as he chats with Dena’s parents, telling them some sort of story that’s making their eyes bulge.
“He’s making quite the impression on my folks, isn’t he?” Dena asks and I almost jump out of my skin. This woman has a superhero-like ability to creep up on someone without detection.
I glance away from Brick, feeling a wave of panic. I would make a terrible spy. The entire foundation of our pact is that no one finds out and at this rate, the entire room is going to realize my attraction to Brick.
“Yeah, your parents seem to be smitten with him.”
“They remember him a little from high school, or at least they knew he was Kyle’s friend.”
“They seem to be much more familiar with him now.”
Dena tightens her face. “I know my parents aren’t quite Leave It To Beaver or The Cosby’s, but they’re not that superficial, Kaya.”
