Always A Bridesmaid (Left At the Altar) (11 page)

Dani smiled. "I was glad to do it. But I think you'd better thank Zach instead of me. I'd probably still be driving around Oakville looking for the bakery if I'd been on my own, assuming I made it that far. I'm really not very good with manual transmissions."

"In that case, thank you Zach."

"You're welcome." He turned to Dani. "I thought you said you could drive a stick shift."

"I said I could drive a stick shift. I didn't say how well."

"Now the truth comes out."

"My only experience consists of one lesson when I convinced my brother Tony to teach me how to drive his truck. I stalled it in an intersection during rush hour traffic and couldn't get it started again. For some reason he wouldn't give me a second lesson."

Everyone at the table laughed at her story. He wished she didn't feel the need to turn every remark, every compliment, into a self-deprecating story.

"I think you took a big risk sending Dani to get the cake," Chantal said. "There was a time she would have eaten three cakes that size before lunch. You're lucky it made it here intact."

She laughed uproariously at her own joke, but no one else joined in. Dani smiled, but he caught the tremor in her hand as she took a sip of her coffee. Anger filled him when he saw the hurt in her eyes, hurt Chantal had deliberately heaped on her.

"Dammit Chantal--"

"Zach, don't you think," Jonathan said, "a person's character counts more than what they look like?"

He blinked. "Of course it does."

"You and Dani proved what a good team you are together. And to me, having friends willing to go the extra mile, figuratively and literally, matters more than anything else."

Zach stared into Jonathan's earnest face.
What exactly is he trying to tell me?

"Jonny is right." Todd raised his wine glass in a toast. "To Dani and Zach, great friends who saved the day."

"To Dani and Zach."

A blush rose up Dani's cheeks. She lowered her gaze. "Thank you."

He could see how uncomfortable the praise and attention made her. He took her hand and squeezed it. She looked up at him and smiled, but the pleasure he'd seen in her eyes earlier when he'd told her how beautiful she looked was gone.

For the remainder of the evening, he watched as she chatted with the others, smiling and making polite small talk. But she didn't tell any more funny stories, or exhibit any of her natural exuberance. It was as if a light had gone out inside her. He found himself wishing he could do something, anything, to put the joy back in her eyes.

Finally, the evening ended. He said goodnight to Todd and Jonathan's parents and thanked them for hosting the evening, and then gratefully retrieved his coat and Dani's so they could leave. When he returned from the cloakroom, Chantal stood waiting with Dani.

"Zach, you forgot my coat. Would you be a dear and get it for me?"

There was no way to get out of driving her back to her grandfather's house, short of knocking her over and racing to the exit. "Sure."

He helped Dani put on her coat and then went back for Chantal's fur. When he returned, he helped her put it on. She gave him a wistful look, regret in her eyes.

"You always were such a gentleman. I miss that." She turned to Dani. "I'm so sorry about that stupid remark I made about the cake. It was totally uncalled for. I hope you can forgive me."

Dani took a deep breath and glanced away before turning back to her.

"I think we'd both like to forget it. So let's do just that."

Chantal took both her hands in hers. "Thank you, Dani. You're such a good person."

Her apology took him by surprise. Just when he thought he'd finally figured her out, that he'd finally seen her for the self-centered, vindictive bitch she was, she went and did something to totally throw him off balance.

The three of them drove home in silence. When they arrived at the house, the rest of the group was having a night cap in the living room.

"Come join us, you three," Foster said. "Tomorrow is going to be a crazy day. Let's take a few minutes now to relax."

"I'm sorry, but if you'll excuse me, I think I'll head upstairs," Dani said. "It's been a long day."

"Goodnight," Chantal said, kissing her cheek. "Sleep well."

"Thank you." She glanced at Zach. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

He watched her leave the room. She'd made no effort to keep up the boyfriend/girlfriend pretense by kissing him goodnight. Was their fake relationship over?

Zach shook his head. It seemed he wasn't any better at fake relationships than he was with the real ones.

"Don't worry about Dani," Fiona said in a quiet voice meant only for him. "She's the strongest person I know. She'll be okay."

He wasn't so sure. He'd seen the vulnerability in her eyes. Had Chantal's earlier remarks left her as unscathed as Fiona believed?

He and Chantal joined the rest of the group for a drink. A short time later Camp set his empty glass on a side table and got to his feet.

"It's time for me to say goodnight, children. I'll see you in the morning."

"Goodnight, Grandfather," Chantal said. "Sleep well."

"Goodnight, dear." Camp shuffled off towards his bedroom.

Foster finished the last of his scotch. "I guess that's my cue to say goodnight as well."

"Yes, tomorrow's a big day for me," Fiona said with a smile. "I'm going to try to get some sleep." She turned to Todd. "The next time you see me, I'll be walking up the aisle on my father's arm."

He kissed her forehead. "I can't wait."

The plan was for the groom and his groomsmen to head over to the hotel early in the morning and get ready for the wedding in Todd's parents' suite. Fiona kissed Todd goodnight and left. A few moments later Todd and Jonathan finished their drinks and said their goodnights as well. Only Zach and Chantal remained. He got to his feet, uncomfortable to be left alone with her.

"Time for me to say goodnight, too. See you in the morning."

She shot to her feet, laying her hand on his arm to stop him from leaving. "Wait. I need to tell you something, Zach. I need to tell you that I'm still in love with you. Please, please can't we try just one more time?"

He stared into her beautiful face. Her eyes welled with tears that threatened to slip down her silky cheeks. Her tears had always been able to bend him to their will. He'd do anything to keep her from crying.

He felt that old familiar tug, that irresistible force that had pulled him back to her before, even when he knew going back to her would only bring him more heartache. But then a strange thing happened. A picture of Dani popped into his mind's eye. He saw her jogging beside him on a crisp autumn morning, her ponytail bobbing as she laughed up at him. He felt her in his arms, heard her soft sigh as her lips met his.

Maybe she was his talisman after all.

He gently pried Chantal's fingers from his arm. "It's no good. We're no good. I'm with Dani now and you'll just have to accept that."

She stood motionless, stunned disbelief etched on her face. "You can't be serious. Dani? Think of all the good times we've had. Think of how good we are together. Dani will never give you what I can give you."

"No, she won't." She simply didn't understand the turmoil she'd put him through. "And that's why we're together."

He turned on his heel, relief making him a little lightheaded. For the first time, he'd actually said no to Chantal. He had Dani to thank for that.

"I'm not giving up on us, Zach. I'm not going to let you throw away your life," she called after him.

He didn't respond. He hurried out of the living room, anxious to escape her. He may have avoided her attentions for the time being, but he didn't want to test the strength of his resolve. Taking the stairs two at a time, he found himself in front of Dani's bedroom door, without consciously realizing he was running to her.

Dani wrapped herself in a blanket, tucking her bare feet beneath her as she curled into the window seat. The sky, or at least the tiny sliver visible through her bedroom window, was dark and starless.

It figures. Can't even wish on a star tonight.

She sighed. Wishing and hoping did no good. It would never make her beautiful, and it would certainly never make Zach forget Chantal.

And it definitely wouldn't make him fall in love with her the way she'd fallen in love with him.

She pulled up her knees and wrapped her arms around her legs, squeezing her eyes shut to stop the useless tears.
Stupid, stupid, stupid.
She never should have agreed to the farce she was playing with him. Hell, she never should have agreed to be Fiona's bridesmaid. She'd known being around Zach would be difficult. But as usual, she put her desire to please a friend ahead of her own best interests.

She banged her fist against the window seat.
Stupid, stupid, stupid.

A knock sounded at her door, so soft her banging almost drowned it out. She jumped to her feet, listening.

"Dani, are you awake?"

It was Zach. She tamped down the sudden elation at hearing him at her door. He likely just wanted to talk about Chantal, or worse, check to see if she was all right.

She closed her eyes. She couldn't bear his pity.

But she couldn't make herself pretend to be asleep and leave him out in the hallway either. She wiped tears from her face with the back of her hand and opened the door a crack. He smiled, and her foolish heart fluttered.

Stupid heart.

She did her best to steel herself against him. "It's late Zach. What do you want?"

"I need to talk to you," he whispered, glancing toward Jonathan's door. "I can't do it here. Can I come inside?"

"It's late, Zach," she repeated." I'm tired. Can't we do this in the morning?"

"This can't wait till morning. Please Dani."

She hesitated. She was telling the truth. She was tired. Tired of fending off Chantal's barbs, tired of pretending they didn't hurt. And she was tired of pretending she wasn't in love with Zach.

I'm in love with him.
The thought filled her with elation and trepidation at the same time. How could she feel so much for him after such a short time? How did she avoid getting her heart broken?

Part of her wanted to tell him to go away and leave her alone, but she found she simply couldn't turn him away any more than she could leave his knock go unanswered. She opened the door and stepped aside, wordlessly closing it behind him when he entered. She turned to look at him.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

Here comes the pity.
She made herself smile. "Of course. It takes more than a dose of Chantal to get me down."

"That's good. I'm glad." He paced to the window before standing in front of her once more, his gaze intense. "Chantal told me she loves me and wants me back."

Her heart plummeted. She could barely make herself breathe. Squeezing her eyes shut, she steeled herself for what came next. He'd tell her thanks for her help, but they didn't need to pretend anymore because he was in love with Chantal and wanted to be with her. She just hoped she didn't break down and cry in front of him.

He put his finger under her chin, forcing her to look into his face. "I told her she and I were through. This time I didn't go running back to her when she called. And I have you to thank."

"Me?" She squeaked out the word. Her mind raced as fast as her heart. What did this mean?

"Even though the arrangement between us was just an act, you've shown me what a good relationship should look like. I don't want to go back to a one-sided relationship again, where I do all the giving and Chantal does all the taking. Thank you for helping me realize that."

"You're welcome." She turned away. His gratitude was almost as hard to bear as his pity.

"Dani? Are you okay?"

"Yes, of course. I really wish you'd stop asking me that." She couldn't face him. If he looked into her eyes he'd see the truth. She was
so
not okay. "You deserve someone who wants to make you happy, someone who loves you through everything."

"So do you." He gently took her by the shoulders and made her turn around. "I'm sorry about the stupid remark Chantal made at dinner tonight. It was uncalled for. I know she hurt you."

She tried to laugh it off. "Maybe I should thank her for reminding me how fat I was so I don't overeat."

"Was that why you wouldn't eat tonight?"

"I can always stand to lose a few pounds."

"Why? You're perfect the way you are."

She snorted. "Please, don't patronize me. I know what I look like."

He cupped her cheek, his eyes searching hers. "Why do you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Make a joke or accuse me of being patronizing when I try to compliment you?"

Because I can't believe you mean it.
"I know I'm not perfect, not in looks, not like Chantal. Far from it."

"Maybe I don't want perfect." His thumb traced lazy circles over the delicate skin under her eye. "Maybe I want sweet and kind and funny. Maybe I want someone who makes me laugh, and makes me believe happiness is possible."

She stared at him, his gaze rendering her immobile. She wanted to tell him not to say things like that to her, not unless he was very, very sure he meant them. Because if he didn't really mean it, she might not survive.

But her heart lodged in her throat, making speech impossible. All she could do was pray that when he left her, her heart would still be in one piece.

Zach lowered his mouth to hers. His lips touched hers, softly, sweetly. She wanted more, so much more. She stepped closer to him, stretching on tiptoes to wrap her arms around his neck and press herself against him. His kiss changed in a heartbeat, consuming her, devouring her in a vortex of sensation and need. Nothing mattered except this moment with Zach in her arms.

He untied her robe, then pushed it from her shoulders and let it drop to the floor at her feet. Lifting the hem of her camisole, he pulled it over her head in one swift motion, leaving her breasts bare and exposed. Embarrassed, she tried to cover her breasts with her arms. Her breasts were so large and pendulous, the aureoles so oversized, she felt they were ugly. But he gently pushed her hands away. He took her left breast in his hand, testing the weight, caressing the tender skin, rolling the nipple between his thumb and forefinger until Dani thought she would fly apart from the feel of his hands on her.