The Exception(60)

“What is it?”

“I don’t know how to ask you this without sounding like a complete dick.”

She laughed. “Just come out with it.”

“Would you attend a wedding with me on Saturday evening at the Harmonie Club?”

“Is Jillian going to be there?”

Clearing my throat, I spoke, “Yes. She’ll be there.”

“She hasn’t met me yet. So if we walk in together, she may think we’re seeing each other.” Her eye narrowed at me.

“Perhaps.” I folded my hands. “It’s a dick move, I know. You can thank Liam for that.”

She laughed. “I get it. I really do. And yes, I will attend the wedding with you.”

“Really? You don’t think I’m an * for doing this?”

“No. I don’t think that at all.”

“Thanks, Lia. Go buy yourself a new dress on me. Put it on the business account and Liam will babysit Gretchen and Gigi for you.” I smiled.

“Really? That’s great because my babysitter is out of town this week and won’t be back until Monday.”

“Consider it done.”

“The girls will be excited. They like Liam and Avery.”

I gave her a smile as she walked out of my office. Picking up my phone, I dialed Liam.

“What’s up, bro?” he answered.

“Lia is going with me to Jillian’s sister’s wedding on Saturday night and you’re babysitting Gretchen and Gigi for her.”

“Dude, I have tickets to the playoffs for that night and Avery is going out with her girlfriends.”

“Looks like you’re going to have to watch the game from home. Your idea, man. Your idea.”

He sighed. “Fine. I just didn’t think you’d do it so soon. I’ll have Sophie come over so she can keep the girls entertained and I can watch the game. Man, you really suck right now.”

I let out a laugh. “Thanks, Liam. I’ll talk to you soon.”

****

Jillian

Cupping my hands over my mouth, tears filled my eyes as I stood and stared at my sister in her wedding dress.

“Stop it. I’m warning you.” Kristen pointed at me.

“You look so beautiful. Oh my God, wait until Noah sees you.”

“You’re not going to disappear, are you?” She grinned.

I laughed. “No. I’m not going anywhere.”

The door opened and my father walked in. Walking over, he kissed my cheek. “You look beautiful, Jillian.”

“Thanks, Daddy.” I smiled.

Reaching over and taking hold of Kristen’s hands, he spoke in a low voice.

“Are you ready, sweetheart?”

“Yeah, Dad. I’m more than ready.”

Kristen had asked our father the night they met if he would do the honor of walking her down the aisle on her wedding day. He was in shock and it took him a few seconds before he could answer her. He never left New York and told my mother that he was tied up on emergency business and that he’d be flying back home on Sunday. She asked him if he had spent time with me and he was truthful and said yes. He also told her that he met Kristen. My mother wasn’t happy about that. If anyone needed to go in search of themselves, it was her. Things between the two of us still weren’t settled and I wasn’t sure if they’d ever be.

The music started to play and I took my place to walk down the aisle first. Glancing at the guests as I slowly walked to the music, I spotted Drew sitting next to a woman. Perhaps she was one of Kristen’s friends. Yeah. That was who she was; she was a friend of my sister. I wasn’t giving it a second thought because there was no way he’d bring someone to her wedding.

Tears fell as I watched Kristen and Noah exchange vows, and you could hear the sniffles of the guests throughout the room. As happy as I was for them, it broke my heart. Once the ceremony was over and the guests were leaving the room to go up to the reception, I saw Drew and the woman he was sitting next to get up, and he placed his hand on the small of her back. A sick feeling erupted in the pit of my stomach. He did bring someone with him. What the f*ck!

“What’s wrong?” Kellan asked as he walked over to me.

“Nothing. Why?”

“You look really upset all of a sudden.”

“Who me?” I pointed to myself. “I’m not upset at all. Now come on, we have some celebrating to do.” I smiled.

“You can’t fool me, Bean. I know you all too well.” He hooked his arm around me.





Chapter Thirty-Eight


Jillian



I wasn’t going to give it another thought. Nope. Not one. This was Kristen and Noah’s big day and my focus had to be on them. While the two of them walked around greeting their guests, Kellan and I went over to the bar for a much-needed drink. Just as the bartender handed me a glass of champagne, I turned around to see Drew and the girl he brought standing in front of me.

“Hi, Jillian.” He smiled.

“Hi, Drew.”

“I would like you to meet Lia. Lia, this is my friend, Jillian.”

“It’s so nice to meet you.” She smiled as she held out her slender hand.

“Nice to meet you too, Lia.” I flashed my perfected smile.