A Jersey Kiss (Jersey Romance Series) (31 page)

She looked to his left, coming eye to eye with Luke. Her breath caught in her throat; he looked so gorgeous. Her stomach did a lustful flip as they stared at each other. He gave her a little nod and smiled.
“Okay?” he mouthed. Bea nodded, uncaring that she’d almost made a complete prat of herself outside moments before.

Joyce waved at her, breaking the spell. Bea passed Paul, already dabbing at his eyes with a hankie. Guy rolled his eyes heavenward and Bea tried not to giggle. Poor Paul, the emotion of the last twenty-four hours was beginning to take its toll on him, too.

“Bea,” whispered her stepmother as she reached the end of the aisle. “We’re sitting over here. Girls, come along.” She noticed Luke talking to Grant and showing him the two wedding rings. Bea was certain Luke would be too well organised to ever forget something as vital as the rings. Grant patted his best man on the back; she was glad that Luke had been asked to take part after all.

The music changed and everyone turned to see Melanie begin walking down the aisle, one arm linked through their father’s. Bea couldn’t help smiling. She looked so beautiful and he so proud. He winked at Bea and she felt her throat constrict. Someone cleared their throat and Grant took a deep breath as he waited for his bride to reach him. Even by Joyce’s high standards, Bea could see Grant had scrubbed up well. She couldn’t help thinking how lucky her younger sister was to be marrying the man of her dreams in such beautiful surroundings.

Bea looked over at her sister and Dad walking slowing down towards them. He looked so handsome in his suit and cravat, she wished he’d kept some pictures of his wedding to her mum around for her to see; they must have made a beautiful couple. She pushed the thought away. Mel smiled from one side of the church to the other, then over at Grant, her affection for him unmistakeable. Mel held out her heavy bouquet and Bea stepped forward to take it, as arranged. She caught Luke’s eye just as a stray tear escaped down her carefully made-up cheek. His smile vanished. He stared at her briefly, before concentrating ahead of him.

The wedding ceremony was soon over, and after seemingly endless photos, Bea was relieved when they were ushered into the waiting cars to be driven back to the house for the reception. She was beginning to feel as if her body was working automatically. Bea wondered how Shani was getting on and, stifling a yawn, she took her place in the queue with the other guests waiting to walk down the red carpet past the assembled line-up. She listened vaguely to the conversations going on all around her, knowing she had never met most of these people before, and would probably never see them again.

She was grateful to finally reach Mel. Bea swallowed a lump in her throat. She felt sure her sister had never looked more beautiful or serene. She congratulated Grant and was getting into the flow of taking a hand, thanking the person who proffered it when it dawned on her that the large tanned hand she had in fact taken hold of was Luke’s.

“
Why have you stopped?” he teased, his eyes glinting mischievously. “Don’t think I didn’t notice you’d kissed practically everyone else before me in the line-up.” Bea laughed, feeling strangely winded and lost for words. “Anyway, why aren’t you standing here greeting people, too?”

She lowered her voice so Joyce couldn’t hear her.
“Because I was determined not to be.” She went to give him a kiss on the cheek, amused at his annoyance, only for him to turn his face at the last minute and ended up catching him on the mouth.

“
That’s more like it,” he whispered.

Bea, embarrassed to have been caught out by such a simple prank, took a breath to say something to him, just as she was unceremoniously pushed forward by a tank of a woman with a harsh blue rinse.
“Move along young lady, you’re not the only person in this line-up.”

Grateful not to be seated at the top table, but next to Guy, Bea couldn’t help glancing every so often at Luke who, she admitted, looked more attractive than any man deserved to.

“He really is a perfect specimen and don’t think I didn’t notice that kiss he gave you. Not what you would expect from a soon-to-be married man.” Paul sat down beside her and Guy kissed her on both cheeks. “Where’s what’s-her-face, I would have thought she’d be here taking notes and making sure her efforts over-shone Mel’s?”

Bea had forgotten about Leilani, though she couldn’t understand how she’d managed to do so.
“I’ve no idea. I’m sure she must be here somewhere. I’ve been so busy refereeing the bridesmaids I haven’t had a chance to notice who was here and who wasn’t.”

“
Your stepmother is ranting over there about Shani and ‘he-who-shall-not-be-mentioned’ nearly ruining her table plan.” Paul poured them each a glass of wine from bottles sitting on the table. “She wasn’t impressed with Shani’s timing, and as for Tom, well, put it this way, I hope he’s got leprosy or something nearly as horrible, because I can’t imagine an excuse good enough to allow him to cry off at the last minute like he did.”

Bea took a sip, relieved to be able to quench her thirst, the coolness of the liquid helping her to feel more awake.
“Poor Shani, as if she could go in to labour on purpose.” Bea raised an eyebrow. “This hasn’t been as tiresome as I’d expected, though.”

“
Yes, well you would say that wouldn’t you? Kissing the best man like you did. Slut.” Paul pursed his lips.

“
Shut up, Paul,” she giggled, narrowing her eyes. “You’re sitting far too close to me to be that brave.”

As they were served their meal, Bea was glad she couldn’t see Leilani anywhere in the marquee.
“I wonder where she is?”

Paul shrugged.
“No idea.”

Bea just about managed to stay awake through the meal and then the speeches began. Her father’s was as beautiful as the one she recalled him giving at her and Simon’s wedding. Then Luke stood up, looking more nervous than she’d ever seen him. He looked over at her and then back down to his notes. She watched him speak and the guests laugh at his jokes and all she could think about was how much she wished he wasn’t involved in something that meant she had to keep her distance from him.

Paul nudged her. “They’re calling you, Sweets.” Bea couldn’t figure out what he meant, then Mel waved her over. “Bea, come here and get your maid of honour present.”

Bea blushed. Had they all noticed her staring at Luke, oblivious to everyone else? She walked up and took the gift, thanking Mel and Grant, before returning to her table.
“Look,” she said, touched by the thoughtfulness of the present. “It’s the pink Lalique cross that I spotted in the jewellers the other week.”

The music started up and Paul groaned as the band began to play the intro to
I Will Always Love You
. “Oh, please no.” He put his fingers down his throat in a puking gesture. Bea pretended not to find him funny as Grant led Mel onto the dance floor for their first dance. Other couples quickly followed, eager to get up, she supposed, after so long sitting down. Bea sat feeling vaguely conspicuous when Guy and Paul’s good mood descended into a whispered row over something.

She spotted Luke coming in her direction and looked around for Leilani.
“Dance with me,” he said, as soon as he reached her. Unable to think of a reason not to, she took his proffered hand. “Where’s Tom?” he asked.

“
Tom couldn’t make it.” She didn’t elaborate further.

Luke stared at her for a moment, his expression softening.
“I see, well I can’t honestly say I’m sorry.”

Bea thought it would be rude to agree with him.
“So, where’s Leilani?” Despite herself, she was enjoying his closeness and didn’t really want to know but felt she should ask.

“
California.”

“
California?” She stopped moving and frowned up at him.

“
Keep dancing or everyone else is going to bump into us.” He lowered his head to hers. “She’s modelling, or something. She had an offer she couldn’t refuse.”

“
Just like that?” Bea concentrated on not slipping on the temporary parquet flooring; she didn’t need an encore of her clumsiness from earlier. Why would someone as clingy as Leilani leave him to fly across the Atlantic just when they should be preparing for their own wedding?

“
Yes, so it seems both of us have been left in the lurch. We’ll have to look after each other for today, won’t we?” He pulled her towards him, as the band played another slow song began.

As much as Bea felt she should sensibly keep her distance from Luke, she was too tired from the excitement of the night before to fight her conscience and it felt pretty good being held by him again.

“I’m enjoying this far too much,” he murmured in her ear, his breath sending shivers up her spine. “I wish I knew why you keep your distance from me, Bea.”

Bea didn’t reply and resisted him for a moment, then gave in to her instincts, relishing the moment of closeness whilst it lasted. The record finished and was replaced by a faster-paced song.
“Let’s escape outside for a bit. You can show me round your dad’s impressive garden, and maybe we’ll get a chance to chat in peace for a bit. I need to speak to you about something.”

Intrigued, Bea let him lead her out to her father’s treasured koi carp pond. It felt a little clandestine having her hand in his, but at the same time, the pressure of his hand around hers was sublime. How can something so wrong feel so perfectly natural, she wondered, staring at his broad suit-encased back as she walked slightly behind him.

“Shall we sit over here?” he asked, pointing to the wooden bench away from the marquee, where her father came to relax every morning with his coffee, watching over his precious fish before anyone else in the house woke up and disturbed him. She sat down, relieved to kick off the tight shoes.

“
You look very sexy, by the way,” he said softly, sitting down next to her and taking both her hands in his. “Bea, I have to tell you…” he began, just as his mobile rang, interrupting whatever it was he was about to confide. “Damn.”

“
Ignore it,” Bea insisted, her voice barely above a whisper and not bothering to hide her frustration with the caller.

“
I can’t, unfortunately.” He kissed her lightly on the lips and frowned as he answered the call. “This won’t take a moment, I promise.” He stood up and walked a short distance away with the phone to his ear. “Yes? Hi. No, it’s fine, don’t worry.”

Bea waited for a few moments, feeling a little foolish sitting there, then seeing the serious expression on his face as Luke paced across the lawn and sensing the conversation wasn’t going to be a short one, she stood up to return to the reception. Luke motioned for her to wait. When she shook her head slowly, he raised his spare hand apologetically and continued with his call, his face grim. Maybe, she mused as she went back to join the others, it was business. Then again, it was probably his fiancée. The thought gave her a pang of disappointment.

She returned to the marquee, feeling a little foolish for getting caught up in the romance of the day and her suppressed feelings for Luke. Walking through the guests, she was relieved to spot Paul, chatting happily to Paige and Jeremy. She tapped him on the shoulder. “Hi.” He leapt up and hugged her. “Where have you been?” Bea hurriedly explained. “Oh, charming, so he takes you away from the throng and then abandons you to some phone call. So, where’s his fiancée? I would have thought she’d be here taking notes for her big day.”

Bea looked over to where Paige and Jeremy were now in deep conversation, before explaining Leilani was supposedly modelling in California.
“Anyway, enough of that, have you spoken to Shani?” Bea asked, knowing that Paul would have phoned her at some point. She had wanted to give her a call a few times during the day, but didn’t like to bombard her with calls, supposing she must be exhausted after all her hard work having the baby.

“
Happy as a little pig in poo,” he said. “She’s even breast feeding. So revolting.” He winced. “I told her that her boobs would be dragging along the floor, doing something like that, but would she listen?”

Stunned, Bea said,
“Paul, that’s a disgusting thing to say and I’m sure it’s rubbish. Honestly, you must let her get on with it. It’s not as if we’ve got any experience with babies, so you’re not really in a position to boss her around.”

“
She’s decided to call the baby Poppy, I gather.” He nudged her sharply in the ribs. “Look out, here comes gorgeous.”

Bea saw Luke scanning the room, and then noticing her he changed direction and walked over.
“I’m going to have to go,” he said, looking troubled. “Something’s cropped up that I have to deal with.” He kissed her lightly on the lips.

“
You’re leaving already?” She couldn’t help showing her disappointment.

Barrington placed a cool hand on her shoulder. She was very fond of her father’s oldest friend and noticed him give Luke a knowing look before turning to her.
“Let the boy go,” he said, nodding at him. “Thanks, lad,” he said.

Bea watched as the two men shook hands. There was something going on, but she had no idea what it could be. Luke smiled briefly at her. She watched him thank her parents and say his farewells to the newlyweds. Then he was gone.