Always A Bridesmaid (Left At the Altar) (3 page)

Taking a deep breath, she climbed the stairs to the front door, pausing a moment on the threshold to gather her courage to ring the bell. She'd thought long and hard before agreeing to be Fiona's bridesmaid. She loved Fiona and had remained friends with her since university, even though she lived in Ottawa and Fiona now lived in Toronto. But she was sick of being a bridesmaid. How many times had it been now? Fifteen, sixteen? Twenty? She'd lost count.

Unluckily for her, Fiona had wanted her in her wedding party. She knew it would be expensive, considering the cost of the dress, travel and gifts. With her big project coming up soon she needed to save every penny. But she simply couldn't say no. As usual.

It was too late for second thoughts. She'd made her decision and there was no going back. She pushed the bell.

The door swung open, and for a moment Dani could only stare. Zach Morrison stood holding the door and looking even more handsome then he had a year ago. She'd learned from Fiona that he'd be here, that they'd be paired together in the wedding party. But even though he'd had a starring role in her fantasies for the last year, she hadn't expected her insides to go all mushy at the sight of him.

Finally, she remembered her manners and held out her hand. "It's nice to see you again, Zach."

He took her hand and held it tightly. "It's nice to see you, too. In fact, I'm really glad you're here."

Her mouth went instantly dry. "You are?"

"Yeah." He squeezed her fingers, the look on his face intense. "I know we don't know each other well, but I have a favor I need to ask you. A really big favor."

"Okay." She couldn't imagine what kind of favor he'd want from her. "Why don't I come inside and you can tell me about it."

He looked furtively over his shoulder. "I haven't forgotten your kindness when I saw you last. My mother told me how considerate you were to her and Camp as well. Thank you."

"You're welcome. But I really didn't do anything." Her heart pounded so hard she was sure he could hear it.

"It meant a lot to me. Listen, there's not much time. I wanted to ask you--"

"Zach! Who's at the door?"

Dani started. She knew that voice. Chantal.

Zach visibly shuddered at the demanding tone in Chantal's voice. His blue eyes implored her.

"Please, play along with me. I'll make it worth your while."

"What?"

"Daniella, help me, please!" he whispered.

How could she say no to a handsome man asking for her help?

"Okay, but--"

Before she could articulate a question, he pulled her into his arms, his mouth descending on hers. Dani was too shocked to object. For a full ten seconds she remained rigid and unyielding. Then she relaxed slightly, sighing at the sweet sensation of his lips touching hers. Her hands seemed to move on their own accord, first exploring his muscular chest, then winding around his neck. Her body trembled as it molded itself against his.

"Dani? Is that you?"

Chantal's voice doused the pleasant awareness. She stepped back with a jolt, shocked that she'd been so intimate with someone she hardly knew. She cringed. And in front of an audience, too.

Zach put his arm around her waist, pulling her against him and kissing her cheek. "Just follow my lead. Please," he whispered urgently in her ear. Dani looked up into his eyes and saw his desperation. Without thinking, she gave an imperceptible nod. He grinned and turned to face Chantal.

"I was just saying hello to Daniella."

Chantal looked her up and down. "Since when do you say hello to Dani by sticking your tongue down her throat?"

Dani blushed furiously, but she'd be damned if she'd let Chantal ruin her weekend before she even set foot in the house. She held out her hand.

"Hello, Chantal. It's nice to see you again."

She took her hand. "Do you always make an entrance by kissing strange men?"

"I'm hardly a strange man." Zach tightened his hold around her waist as if afraid she might make a run for it. "Daniella and I have been seeing each other for a while now."

She turned to stare at him.
We have?

Chantal stared at him as well. "You have? Our little Dani? Seriously?"

"Try not to sound quite so shocked," Dani said. It irked her that Chantal believed it impossible for a man as attractive as Zach to be interested in a girl as plain as her. Of course, she couldn't quite believe it either.

But it was the principle of the thing. She was inclined to go along with this lie just to prove a point.

Fiona entered the foyer, followed by her fiancé Todd and another man. With a squeal of elation, Fiona ran to Dani and threw her arms around her.

"I'm so glad you're here!" She held her at arm's length. "You look wonderful! Have you lost even more weight since I saw you three weeks ago for the final dress fitting? I hope the dress still fits you."

"Don't worry, Fee. The dress fits just fine." She squeezed her hand. "You look wonderful, too. Obviously, love becomes you." She smiled at the two men. "It's nice to see you again, Todd."

Todd Woodman wore wire framed glasses over dark brown eyes that shone with intelligence and good humor. He was tall and a bit gangly, the poster boy for computer geeks everywhere. Fiona had proudly told her he'd just opened his own computer consulting firm and was doing booming business. From her short acquaintance with Todd, she knew he adored Fiona and treated her like a precious jewel. Despite her model good-looks, Fiona was shy and something of a computer geek herself. They made a perfect match.

"We're glad you could be in our wedding party, Dani."

"I'm happy to be here," she said politely, glancing at Zach. Happy may not be quite the right description. Dazed and confused seemed more appropriate.

Todd turned to the man standing beside him. "This is my brother, Jonathan, my best man."

Jonathan Woodman was as tall as his brother, but with shoulders impressive enough to belong to a linebacker. His eyes, like his brother's, were dark and intelligent, set in a face almost as handsome as Zach's. It seemed she would be surrounded by male beauty this weekend.

Dani shook his hand. "Nice to meet you, Jonathan."

"Nice to meet you, too."

"And you know Zach Morrison, my other groomsmen."

"Oh, she knows him all right," Chantal said with a roll of her eyes. "Fee, Zach says he and Dani are dating! Do you know anything about this?"

"Dating? Really? That's wonderful!"

"I still can't get my head around this. How in the world did you two get together?" Chantal asked.

"Well..." Dani looked at Zach, desperately trying to come up with a believable lie.

"We ran into each other a while back," Zach said. When she blinked up at him, the tender look in his eyes surprised her into silence. "Daniella is funny and kind, and we've become good friends. And maybe something more."

"Why didn't either of you tell us you've been dating?" Fiona asked. Dani could tell by the look on her face that she felt hurt they hadn't shared their news.

She gave her head a shake. What was she thinking? There hadn't been any news to share.

"As you can imagine, I'm a little gun shy," Zach said. "We haven't told anyone we're dating."

Adele Morrison entered the foyer. "No, he didn't tell anyone. Not even his mother."

Zach's mother wore a plain white blouse and a navy skirt with sensible black flats, her dark hair cut in an attractive bob. "It's wonderful to see you again, Daniella." She shook Dani's hand.

When she smiled, Dani noticed for the first time that her eyes were the same shade of blue as her son's.

Considering she thought they were dating behind her back, Adele was being very pleasant.

"It's lovely to see you again, too, Mrs. Morrison. Everyone calls me Dani."

"Please, call me Adele." She turned to Zach. "So, were you ever going to tell me about Dani?"

He had the good grace to blush. "Of course. Eventually."

"Well, I think it's wonderful news," Fiona said. "Two of my favorite people together. I believe this calls for a toast. Do we have champagne, Adele?"

"We do. It's on ice in the kitchen as we speak."

"Fantastic. I'll get the champagne flutes. Guys, can you give me a hand? You too, Chantal."

"Fine." With another roll of her eyes, Chantal swept past Dani, her chin raised in haughty disdain. She shook her head. Why was Chantal so pissed at her? The last she'd heard, she was engaged to remarry Harry, her first husband, the wedding crasher. What did she care if Zach was seeing someone else?

Todd and Jonathan followed Fiona and Chantal into the kitchen. Adele turned to Dani. "You know Fiona's parents, don't you? Why don't you say hello before I show you to your room so you can freshen up before dinner?"

"I'd love to see them again." Dani's heart skipped a beat at the thought of lying to Margaret and Foster Campbell about her relationship to Zach. Aside from her uneasiness about lying, even for a good cause, she had no idea if she could do it convincingly. She hadn't had a lot of practice.

"And Fiona's grandfather," Zach said. "You remember Camp, don't you?"

"Yes, of course." She didn't mention the last time she'd seen him had been at his non-wedding to Chantal.

"Don't worry. He doesn't bite. Much."

She sucked in her breath and stared at him.
What the hell have I gotten myself into?

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't tease you. Don't worry. Camp already likes you."

Zach offered his hand and she hesitated a moment before taking it. His much larger hand enveloped hers with warmth and gave her a sense of confidence. She couldn't help the goofy grin that spread across her face as he smiled at her. This whole thing was crazy, and she was probably in way over her head, but with Zach beside her it somehow felt right.

How utterly ridiculous.

She followed Zach and Adele into the beautifully decorated living room. Two white leather sofas faced each other in front of a massive brick-fronted fireplace. Another cozy sitting area with three plush chairs and a round occasional table had been set up in front of the large bay window. The walls were painted a muted gray and accents of black and yellow gave life to the room. The room remained comfortable while still looking elegant and chic.

Camp Campbell sat close to the fireplace, his thick white hair a stark contrast against the black leather of the armchair he was seated in. Foster and Margaret sat together on one of the leather couches, wearing the confident air of the elegantly rich. All three watched Dani closely. Zach addressed Camp first.

"You remember Daniella DiPietro, don't you? She's to be Fiona's bridesmaid. She and I are dating."

His face brightened. "Really? It's very nice to see you again, young lady. I haven't forgotten your kindness to Adele and me last year. It's about time Zach stuck his toe into the dating pool again, especially when he's made such a fine choice."

"You make it sound as if I've been living like a hermit the past year," Zach said.

"If the shoe fits."

Zach ignored him and guided her toward the couple on the couch. "Margaret, Foster, I believe you know Daniella as well."

"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Campbell. It's nice to see you again." Fiona had invited Dani to her parents' home in Ottawa during their university days, but she'd never felt comfortable there. Margaret Campbell's house was like a show home; immaculate, orderly and perfect, completely unlike the controlled chaos of her family's home. She'd always been afraid of leaving finger marks on the furniture or, God forbid, breaking something.

"Hello, Dani." Foster shook her hand.

"Dani, how lovely to see you again, dear!" Margaret said. She was tall, slim and elegant and, even though she was pushing sixty, still quite beautiful. Or perhaps well preserved was a better description. Chantal and Fiona had obviously inherited their good looks from their mother.

"What's this about you two dating?" Foster asked. "That's wonderful news. Isn't that wonderful news, Adele?"

"I'm tickled pink," Adele answered. Dani inwardly winced at the irony she detected in her voice. Had she guessed this whole thing was a sham?

Zach slung a casual arm around her shoulders. "Why don't we take Daniella upstairs to her room and get her settled, Mom?"

"Good idea."

He grabbed her suitcase from the foyer where she'd dropped it. Dani followed him and Adele up two flights of stairs to the third floor. The landing was wide and airy with tall ceilings and dark hardwood floors. Down the hall, three doors led to what she assumed were bedrooms, while a glass door opened onto a sunroom facing the street. Adele opened one of the doors to reveal a lovely, feminine bedroom in shades of cream and blue, with a window seat in the dormer window, and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.

"I trust you have everything you need?" Adele said.

"More than everything. It's beautiful. Thank you."

"Good." Adele closed the bedroom room, and then turned to face them. "Now, how about telling me what game you two are playing?"

"Keep your voice down, Mom. I don't want anyone to hear."

Adele folded her arms across her chest. "Start talking, Zach. I know you haven't been dating Dani. You barely know her. What's going on?"

"I thought Chantal's fiancé would be here. I thought I'd be safe this weekend."

"Camp said she broke off her engagement to Harry." Anger crossed his mother's face. "She's very good at breakups."

"What do you mean, Zach?" Dani asked. "Are you saying Chantal wants you back?"

He sighed. He hated dragging Daniella into his problems, but he hadn't seen any other way. From the moment he'd arrived at Camp's rented house, Chantal had made it quite clear she wanted to pick up their relationship where they'd left off, as if her cheating on him, and all the pain and humiliation that followed, had never happened.

"Yeah, she wants me back."

"And what do you want?" Dani asked, her dark eyes searching his face as if weighing the truth of his answers. "Do you want to be with Chantal again?"

He looked her straight in the eye. "No, I definitely do not."