The Running Series Complete Collection: 3-Book Set plus Bonus Novella (171 page)

Hoonanea is the epitome of luxury and indulgence.  Lounge chairs surround a sunken spa tub, while white silk fabrics divide the spacious area into smaller, intimate stations.  Overlooking a large floor-to-ceiling window is a dining room table set for a feast of fresh fruit, homemade breads, and all sorts of juice.

Once we’ve been shown around the facilities, the receptionist helps us to coordinate our services.  Wanting my skin to glow on my wedding day, the first thing I ask for is a facial.  “Oh, no.  That’s out of the question.  Facials can leave your face red for at least a week.  I suggest a visit to the sauna to sweat out all those nasty toxins and cleanse your skin.  Speaking of which, did you bring your makeup today?”

“Um, no, I ... ”

“Yes, it’s right here,” Camilla interrupts, handing over a small bag.  She notices my confusion and explains,  “Trying new products on your face today is a no-no.  You could have an allergic reaction, it could dry your skin, or even make it too oily.  We can’t let that happen.”

I had no idea.

One by one, each of us selects a variety of treatments – everything from hot stone massages to seawater body treatments, manicures, pedicures, hair and makeup.  Reese avails herself of the spa menu and orders lunch for everyone.

Emmy and I are sitting in the pedicure station when a hotel employee brings me a large sealed manila envelope.  It says,
Read Immediately
.  Hurriedly, I pull apart the clasp and pull out a copy of a local newspaper.  There is a Post-it note with two words printed beside an article. It reads,
It’s over
. 

Body Of Missing Colorado Man Found

According to the article, David Jorgenson’s body was found floating in the White River with an apparent gunshot wound to the head.  Police suspect the murder was an organized crime hit tied to gambling debts.

Oh my God.  David is dead.  He is no longer alive.  I should be ecstatic to know that he can’t harass and intimidate me anymore.  But all I feel for the boy I once knew and cared about is pity for him and sympathy for his family.

I refuse to give one ounce of my happiness away to that man.  He has taken too much from me already.  This is good news.  I can move forward with Evan without fear of what may be waiting for us when we return home.  It’s the best wedding gift I could have asked for.

After the pedicure, Reese and I are escorted to the sauna while the others are taken for massages and body treatments.  As we walk in, I breathe in and feel the dry heat inside my nose, and the heat washes over me like the ocean.  At first we sit quietly and listen to the singeing of the rocks as they expand and contract with the heat, and enjoy the smell of warm wood and sage crackling on the rocks.

“Reese, can I ask you a question?”

“Sure, Jette, anything.  Today’s your day.  Let her rip.”

I try to take in a deep breath before I explain, but the dry heat fills my lungs, making it difficult.  “Do you think we’re going to make it?  So many couples end up divorced.  Look at my mother.  She can’t stand to even hear my father’s name spoken out loud.”

Reese looks at me like I’ve grown another head.  “First of all, you are not your mother.  You and Evan have already survived some serious bumps in the road.  He’s seen you when you were sick, when you were in the hospital and didn’t shower for days.  He’s seen you at your very worst and at your lowest point.  And he wants to marry you anyway.”

“Ha, ha, ha, very funny!”  She might be joking with me, but she’s right.  If anyone can beat the odds, it’s Evan and me. 

“It’s funny because it’s true,” she tells me.  The buzzer goes off, signaling the end of our sauna treatment.  Reese and I immediately head to the warm yet refreshing water of the Jacuzzi, where a lovely attendant brings us each a bottle of spring water.

Slowly my core body temperature begins to normalize, and I begin to relax just as the masseuse comes in. “Hello, Juliette.  Are you ready?” Not quite. But I’m getting there. 

“O
nly clear liquids.  No alcohol.  No caffeine.  And make sure you eat.  The last thing we need is for the bride to pass out from low blood sugar.  Got it?”  I nod my head as Callie runs through her pre-wedding checklist for me.  I look out the window at the subtle beauty of softly changing colors of twilight.  Soon the sun will set, painting the sky with an amazing color palette of inspiring warm and vibrant colors.  It is under this backdrop that I will declare my love and exchange vows with the man who will become my husband.

There’s a knock on the door, and a dashingly handsome young man enters our suite.  Dressed in sharp khakis, a crisp white shirt, and simple loafers, Auggie stands before me grinning like a schoolboy. 

“Auggie, you look so handsome.  Are the boys ready?” I ask.

“We are.  But I have to tell you, the groom is a nervous wreck.  He’s pacing in circles and I think he’s wearing holes in the carpet.”

“Hold on, we’re not ready yet.  I know it’s superstitious, but we couldn’t let you get married without something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue,” Camilla explains.

“We want to bring in a little good karma and keep away the bad juju.  It’s just a little extra good luck on your wedding day,” Emmy agrees.

Evan's mother Jill uncovers my dress and motions for me to come take a closer look. "Evan wanted to be the one to give you something blue on your wedding day,” she explains.  Inside the bodice, in the place nearest my heart, there is a blue heart embroidered in the lining.  I am speechless.

I’ve had dreams about the man I would marry one day.  Would he be kind?  Would he be gentle?  Would he be patient and tender?  Evan is all those things, wrapped up in the most amazing package. 

Auggie reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small gift box wrapped in shiny silver paper.  “Open it,” he demands.  “It’s your something new.”

I fumble with the wrappings as I tear away the paper.  Inside, a square jewelry box waits.  I open the box and discover the most exquisite pearl bracelet I have ever seen.  Auggie takes the box from my hand and carefully removes the bracelet, securely placing it on my wrist.  “Do you like it?”

I wrap my arms around him, careful not to get any makeup on his white shirt.  “Auggie, I love it.  And I love you.  Thank you.”

“Don’t you dare mess up your makeup for a second time, Jette.  I don’t want to have to kill you on your wedding day,” Reese warns. 

Emmy comes bustling up to me carrying a small gift.  “It’s your something old.”  Her box is smaller than Auggie’s.  I make quick work of removing the bow and the wrapping paper, revealing another jewelry box. 

“Emmy, you didn’t have to do this.  It’s too much, really.”

She puts her hands on her hips.  “You haven’t even seen what’s inside yet.  Open it.  And it’s not just from me, it’s from all of us.”

All eyes watch as I slowly open the box.  I gasp when I see the diamond teardrop earrings that Evan bought me in Atlantic City.  The very ones I wore to our grand opening, and the same ones I pawned in Denver.  “Oh my God!”  I can’t stop the tears from falling.  “It’s perfect.  Absolutely perfect.  But how?”

“Adam and Derek, mostly, but we all pitched in,” she explains.  “The moment we found out about the wedding, Adam called the pawn shop and your earrings were still there.  We had them overnighted to the hotel.  Evan is going to freak out when he sees you wearing his earrings again.”

“I never should have sold them,” I mutter as I tearfully put on my earrings.  “Now all I need is something borrowed,” I proudly state.

My mother presents me with a small gift bag.  I peer inside and carefully remove a beautiful sapphire and white gold vintage hairpin.  “It was your grandmother’s.  She wore it on her wedding day and she wants you to have it.”

I hand it to Callie and she carefully places it in my hair.  I have a Greek-inspired updo with beautiful twists as accents, and the pin fits perfectly on the top of my curls.  “Thank you, Mom.  Tell Gram I absolutely love it.”

The girls help me to put on my dress, and as I stand in front of the mirror gazing at myself, I am gloriously happy.  I love my dress.  It’s a winter-white lace, cap-sleeved trumpet gown with a keyhole back.

Realization sinks in.  “Holy shit!  I’m getting married,” I blurt.  We all burst into effusive teenage giggles. 

“You’re stunning.”   Callie kisses my cheek and I smile nervously at her.   She is also striking in her simple chiffon gown. 

All my bridesmaids are wearing a different chiffon dress in a variety of neutral hues.  Reese chose a yellow-ivory gown to accent her vibrant red hair and gray eyes.  Emmy selected the perfect shade of grayish taupe that only she can pull off with her tasteful tattoos and pink hair tips.  Camilla chose a pale olive dress and Callie’s dress is a subtle peach. 

Every one of them looks positively beautiful.

Needing a moment to gather my thoughts, I slip away to retrieve my shoes.  I find the box sitting on the dresser.  I open the box to remove the bridal beach sandals, and carefully tucked inside is a note from the groom.  There are more blue hearts painted on the soles of my shoes.

T
here is a gentle knock on the door and Emmy cautiously peers in.  “I think it’s time to go.  Everyone is ready.  It’s time to get married.  Evan McGuire is waiting.”

A Match Made in Heaven

A
dam whispers in my ear, “Dude, would you please stand still?  You’re making me nervous, and I’m not the one getting married today.”

I can’t help it.  I want Juliette’s wedding day to be perfect.  She deserves it.  I tuck my white shirt into my khakis and check my reflection in the mirror for the hundredth fucking time.  “You gotta give that mirror a break, bro,” Marcus teases.

Juliette had originally helped me choose a classic black tuxedo, but when we moved the wedding to Hawaii, Auggie nixed the formality.  Today we’re all wearing khakis and simple white dress shirts with no ties.  But I insisted on wearing a suit jacket.

“Hey, McGuire, think you could tear your ugly ass away from that mirror long enough to celebrate the start of your indentured servitude before you have to start asking for permission to shit?”  Cole is standing there with a smirk on his face and a drink in his hand. 

“Fuck off,” I tell him, swiping the glass from his hand.  I’m so glad he’s here. 

As of today, the most amazing woman I’ve ever known will wear my ring.  A million hearts will break when I take her off the market for good.  I’d be a fool to wait one more day, or even one more minute. 

I knew it the moment I first saw her, sitting helplessly in the sand.  Every time I see a piece of her long, dark hair out of place, I’m reminded of that moment, with her face covered with sand, staring up at me.  She couldn’t move, but she was too proud to let me help her.  She was unbelievably stubborn and incredibly sexy.  Hell, she still is, and I think that’s what I love about her the most. She makes me want to do better, to be better.  She challenges me, and I’m a better man for it.

“Mac, get that ugly ass of yours over here and do a shot with the rest of us,” my brother-in-law Dean calls from the terrace.   What’s with all the “ugly ass” comments?