Every move she made, Lucas watched her. At first, she thought she was paranoid, but she’d caught him several times. She’d never fought so hard for composure as she had the last hour. If she made it through the next twenty-four hours without a nervous breakdown, it would be a miracle.
Thank goodness the evening was almost over. They had performed a full run through, save the music. Soon, she’d be on her way home. She’d go home, kick off her heals, have a talk with Cecily, that take a long, hot bath.
It was time for final remarks, then she could leave. “I would like to say thank you to everyone for being amazing tonight. I’m confident tomorrow will be a beautiful celebration of Tom and Lacey’s love. Please make sure to arrive no later than ten, earlier if you’ll need to dress and do hair and makeup. Photos will be taken promptly at ten-thirty.”
After that, she dismissed them, then started toward the office to let them know they were leaving. Lacey called out for her to stop.
The nine-month pregnant woman walked slowly to meet her halfway. “You’re coming to the rehearsal dinner, aren’t you?”
“I hadn’t planned to.” Though she’d attended a few, it wasn’t customary. Not to mention this was one dinner she didn’t want to participate in.
“You have to. After all the time we’ve spent together, you feel like part of the family.” Lacey’s bottom lip protruded. “Please.”
“I really can’t.”
“Why not?” Lacey grinned, apparently oblivious to the tension running between Serena and Lucas all evening.
Serena took that as a good sign that she’d maintained some semblance of professionalism, but, goodness, did stubbornness run in that family. “There is still much to be done by tomorrow.”
“You’ve taken care of every last-minute detail.” Lacey grabbed Serena’s hands. “Please. It won’t be the same without you.”
“What about the reservations?”
“Senator Allen always adds several spots for occasions such as this. You never know when extra guests will show up.”
She opened her mouth to voice another protest, prepared to use Cecily as an excuse, but stopped short. The last thing she needed was anyone talking about her daughter. Under the circumstances, maybe she should go, let Lucas know she wasn’t afraid of him.
That was such a boldfaced lie, she laughed. Right there in front of Lacey. Where was the hole to climb into, and how could she politely get out of dinner?
Lacey stared at her, waiting for a response. “You might as well say yes now since you know I won’t take no for an answer.”
“Okay, okay.” She forced a smile through the terror building within her.
“Good.” The smile on Lacey’s face showed her pleasure. “But if you really don’t want to, I won’t force you. I act pushy, but I’m really not.”
This was her out, but she’d already agreed. She’d rather eat a chopped liver and peanut butter sandwich than attend, but part of her job entailed keeping Lacey happy. “It’s fine. I’ll go.”
“Do you need directions?”
She adjusted her purse strap. “I know where it is.”
“Great. We’ll meet you there.”
In no hurry to go, Serena dragged her feet to her car. She called Pawpaw and told him she’d be home later than expected, leaving out the part about Lucas. Then she talked to Cecily and was relieved her daughter had calmed down since they’d spoken earlier.
With her excuses emptied, she drove into Lafayette. One prevailing thought consumed her mind. Did Lucas’s family know what transpired between them? Had they noticed the angry glint in his charcoal eyes?
It wasn’t fair he looked so good, but then, life wasn’t fair, was it? His years in the military had defined his muscles and turned the lanky boy into a well-built man. He wore his coffee brown hair in a close fade and sported a day’s worth of facial hair growth. Was he indulging in his freedom not to shave while on leave?
Whoa.She slammed the brakes on her train of thought. What had possessed her to take that mental path? It didn’t matter if he looked like a model or a troll under the bridge. Lucas was a blip on her history, and after tomorrow, she’d be content to go another thirteen years without seeing him.
She pulled into the parking lot of Bleu on the Bayou, a quaint but famous restaurant that sat on the banks of the Vermillion River. The wedding party gathered near the front steps, in no apparent hurry to go inside. Were they waiting for her? As if she didn’t feel awkward enough attending when she didn’t know them well. Small talk with strangers had never been her strong suit. Some days she wondered how she’d succeeded in Texas when she’d had to search for clients, but that was different. That was making a living for her and Cecily.
She folded down the visor mirror and gave herself a quick onceover. After applying a fresh coat of matte burgundy lip color—that absolutely wasn’t an effort to look better for Lucas but to maintain a professional appearance—she left the safety of her car.
Lacey greeted her as though they hadn’t only seen each other minutes ago, then Senator Allen took charge. The entire wedding party including her followed the hostess to a reserved room overlooking the water. She noticed several men strategically sat nearby, and she recognized them as part of the senator’s security detail.
Senator Allen directed everybody to a seat. If Serena had known there would be assigned seating, she would have declined the invitation at all costs. Because as the last-minute guest, she’d be sat with the other last-minute guest. Which was Lucas. Of course.
