Disconnected (22 page)

             
"Scott. We already talked about this. Pretend this is a scene, ok? You're a man in love, proposing to the love of your life. You're her prince charming. She adores you and you've been waiting for this day for your whole life. Now...close your eyes and be that guy. Not the freaking out, sweaty-palmed Scott you are right now."

             
He leans back on the wall, shoving his hands into his jean pockets as he collects himself. "You're right. I can do this. I'm an actor; I do much more nerve wracking things than this. But this is real life...I don't get a do-over if I screw up."

             
I smile at him and shake my head. "I don't think it's possible for you to screw up, man. You got this. Now come on, let's go see what these stylists picked out for us."

             
Scott and I walk down the hall and grab the garment bags out of the closet before stepping into one of the empty bedrooms.

             
I lay my garment bag on the bed and unzip it to reveal a crisp, blue, long-sleeved button-up shirt and charcoal gray slacks with a matching jacket inside. 

             
"Not bad," I mutter, yanking my t-shirt off and throwing it onto a chair in the corner.

             
Once I'm changed into my suit I turn around to look Scott over. He has a sleek dark green shirt and black slacks and light jacket to go along with it. 

             
"You look good, man...just try not to sweat through that shirt. It looks expensive."

             
He glares, walking over to the full length mirror, "Ha ha. I'm good, really. I'm cool."

             
I nod and walk out to grab our dress shoes out of the closet. "Do you think the girls are done yet?"

             
He checks his watch and shrugs. "You never know where Krista is involved." He smirks. "And they've got Alicia and Billy working on them. Those two like to make their people perfect. I don't know how long perfect takes."

             
"Me either. How about we go to the dining room and wait?"

             
"Sounds like a plan." We walk down to the formal dining area and take in the decorations. A black satin tablecloth covers the table, there's a bouquet of pink roses in the center, and the chairs have black satin covers over the backs. In each corner is a perch for the violinists to stand, and there are even black and white balloons on the ceiling.

             
"Wow...nice job," I tell Scott approvingly. "I think she's gonna love it."

             
He smiles, looking everything over. "You can't even tell there was only a small four-person table and chair set here earlier."

             
"Who knew movie magic could work in real life, too," I smirk, sliding my hands into my pockets as Scott and I hear, "Oh, boys!"

             
I tilt my head and my eyes widen when I take in what Katy's wearing. Her dress is black, strapless, and hits just under her knees. It even has some kind of design on it in little bitty beads. She looks amazing. I look her over from her curled and twisted up hair down to the heels, those heels. Katy was right, those were definitely worth seeing on her. 

             
My eyes travel back up her body and she gives me an amused smile before crossing the room and taking my hands. "Wow...you look red carpet ready.”

             
"I could say the same about you, baby...you look beautiful.” I kiss her softly; careful to not ruin the masterpiece Alicia just created, and put my hand at the small of her back to guide her to the table.

             
Krista and Scott follow right behind us and Scott holds out a chair directly across from Katy for Krista to slide into. 

             
"So tell me," Krista leans her elbows on the table and sets her chin in her palm, "what's this whole setup about?" 

             
Scott clears his throat and shifts in his seat when a server walks over with a tray of wine glasses that he takes eagerly. I laugh under my breath before taking one for myself and passing one to Katy as Scott hands one to Krista.

             
I lift my glass in the air and look around the table at each person sitting with me. "Here's to new beginnings, letting go of the past, and making all new memories."

             
They each raise their glass and clink them with mine. "Cheers!"

             
Scott looks over at me before taking Krista's hand in his and dropping to one knee in front of her. The musicians begin to play a soft, slow song, and Krista's eyes widen as she looks at them before she turns her attention back to my very nervous best friend.

             
"Krista Alayne Quinn...I love you more than I can ever express. You've become the center of my whole world and I want to keep you right there forever.               Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” he asks as he reaches inside his jacket pocket and pulls out a small gold box.

             
"Oh my God," Tears start flowing down her face as she throws herself into his arms, knocking them both down onto the floor. "Yes! Yes! Yes!"

             
Scott kisses her, twirling a curl around his finger before wiping the tears off her face. 

             
"I love you so much, Scotty." She puts her hand over his and smiles. "You made me ruin my makeup.”

             
"I love you too, Krissy," he tells her. "Now, before I ruin your pretty dress along with your make-up, how about we get back in our chairs?"

             
She laughs, scooting off his lap and smoothing down her dress as she stands. Scott helps her into her chair and then finally slides the ring onto her finger. 

             
He smiles as he kisses her hand and looks up at her. "Perfect."

             
Katy stands up and walks around the table to hug the both of them, "Congrats Krista and Scott! Thank you for making my best friend so happy,” she says to Scott, smiling and squeezing his arm before returning to her seat beside me.

             
"I feel like I'm dreaming." Krista shakes her head, looking around at everything. "Like this a movie scene or something. Only, ya know, I'm not an actress."

             
"He sure made it feel like one." Katy smiles and follows Krista's gaze around the room. "You know what? Now we get to plan weddings together!"

             
"Oh my gosh, we do... I have a great idea!" She smiles and claps her hands together.

             
I look across the table at her and raise an eyebrow. "What?" 

 
              "A double wedding, we can do this all together, just like we have everything else." She reaches over to squeeze Katy's hands before turning to face Scott, "Hey, Scotty?"

             
"Hm?"

             
"Do you want a long engagement?"

             
"Not really...why?"

             
"How about a super short engagement, then? We're in the middle of an island. Lots of security around, and we have a private jet at our beck and call as well as stylists who have already approved of us calling them if the need arises."

             
I shake my head, looking over at her. "Krista, what are you getting at, exactly?"

             
She puts her hands on the table. "Do you think it’s possible to send the jet to pick up all of our parents over the next week?"

             
"Yes..."

             
"So do it! And Kate and I can arrange for Elize, Becca, Billy and Alicia to come and find us dresses and every other accessory we need, and to do our hair and make-up." She rambles on and Katy puts her hand on her arm to make her stop.

             
"What she's saying is....we can have our big wedding here. Like during this time we have the vacation booked. It's perfect!” Katy grins over at me and I smile back, thinking it over. It really could be perfect. We're in the middle of nowhere, we already have some hair and makeup people here that are the best in the business, and a private jet that can come and go without causing any suspicion. This could work. 

             
"Are you ok with this, man?” I ask, looking over at Scott. 

             
"I am...the sooner I can call her Mrs. Adams, the better.” He grins, leaning over to kiss his new fiancé. 

 
              I cross my arms and lean back in my chair. "Ok."

             
Katy cocks her head to the side. "Ok?  You’re really ok with this whole plan?”

             
I nod, scooting her chair closer to mine. "M-hm...Because that just means I get to take you on a proper honeymoon even sooner," I whisper, kissing just under her ear. 

             
She smiles shyly before turning back towards Krista, "Sounds like we have some planning to do!" 

Chapter 31

              After we were done with dinner last night, Krista told Katy that she had been planning her wedding since she was 5. She must not have been exaggerating, because she dove headfirst into wedding planning. Becca and Elize were able to get several racks of wedding dresses brought in overnight from boutiques all over Hawaii, and as soon as we walk out of our room in the morning, Krista grabs Katy and drags her to another building in the resort to go through them. 

             
Scott and I don't get out of trying on stuff, either. For every dress the girls have, we have a suit to try on. I never imagined there were so many different styles of suits. We end up spending hours going through one suit after another until Elize declares that the ones we have on are "it" and we were done. Thank God.

             
By the time I drag myself back to our room, Katy is laying on the bed watching the large flat screen TV that's mounted on the wall.

             
"Hey there, beautiful," I smile at her, climbing up onto the bed and pulling her into my arms.

             
"Hey, yourself," She smiles up at me. "How did your suit hunt go?"

             
I groan, shaking my head. "I can't even tell you how many different suits I tried on, white, black, dark blue, pinstriped. You name it. Elize proclaimed one 'it' finally, so I'm done with that, at least. What about you? Did you find a dress?"

             
She shakes her head with a sigh. "No. None of them felt like the right dress. Krista sure had fun playing dress-up with me, though," she says with a smirk.

             
I laugh, running my hand through her hair. "Oh, I can only imagine. She seems to have jumped right in on planning this out."

             
"She has. She's one of those who carries wedding magazines around with her as reading material normally, and I think she had an idea that Scott would be the 'be-all, end-all guy' for her." She laughs, snuggling in closer to me. "But believe it or not, even with all those dresses to choose from, she didn't find one, either."

             
I raise an eyebrow, "Really?"

             
She nods, "M-hm. There were these frilly poofy things, mermaid style, strapless, halter tops, spaghetti straps, you name it...but none that were up to Krista Quinn standards, I guess," she says with shrug. 

             
"Well, now I think some 'Liam and Katy time' is in order," I tell her with a smile.

             
Katy raises an eyebrow at me. "What do you have in mind?"

             
I roll off the bed, tugging her with me. "How about you change into your swimsuit and a cover up and we'll go spend some time down on the beach? I just really want you alone," I tell her, pulling her closer before kissing her. 

             
She kisses me back, running her hands through my hair. "I'd like that."

             
 "Then get changed, baby. I'll meet you outside, or else I won't be able to let you get into that bikini."

             
Katy just rolls her eyes at me, waving me out the door while she gets changed. I'm already wearing board shorts and a t-shirt, so I just go down the hall to grab my flip flops while waiting for Katy. 

             
A couple minutes later she walks out wearing some white cutoffs with a white tank top, and I can just barely see the strings of her black bikini around the back of her neck. 

             
"Ready to go?" she asks, slipping her hand into mine.

             
"You bet." I squeeze her hand and push open the sliding glass door that has a little balcony with steps that go directly onto the sand.

 
              "Are you enjoying the vacation?" I ask as we start walking closer to the water.

             
She nods, smiling over at me. "I am. It's beautiful here. Almost makes me never want to leave." 

             
I pull her into my arms just as we reach the edge of the water. "I can't make that happen, unfortunately...but maybe we can have a getaway house out here, if not on this island, another one. I want to give you the best, baby."

             
Katy puts her hand on my cheek before getting on her tip toes to press her lips to mine. "'Best' to me is just having the best of you, Liam. You don't have to take me jet-setting around the world. I would be happy even just having our home back in Nevada by our parents' houses. All that matters to me is that I get real world Liam Warren, not Hollywood's Liam Warren."

             
"You've got me, Katy. You remind me of where I started, just an actor in Theo's theater, no one special. Not someone who had fan-girls and posters that probably hang on those girls' walls. Just a guy who was trying to get by, do something that made him happy. If I ever get a big head again, I need you to knock me down. Smack me around a little to put me in my place," I tease her.

             
She laughs and walks ahead of me, pulling me by the hand behind her. "I promise to do that. Someone has to." 

             
I drop her hand and scoop her into my arms, and she gasps and grabs onto my neck. 

             
"My place is here, with you, always." I kiss her before running out into the water.

             
Katy screams, trying to scramble out of my arms. "No! No, this water is cold, Liam Elliott! Put me down now!" 

             
I laugh, pushing out farther until we're shoulder deep, and I drop her. She wraps herself around me, holding on tight. "That was so not nice. This is freezing!" she pouts at me.

             
I smile before rubbing her arms and wrapping mine tightly around her middle. "I can warm you up," I whisper, kissing a trail up her neck back to her lips.

             
She starts to kiss me back before catching me off guard and ducking my head under water. "You have to catch me first!" she yells over her shoulder before starting to swim back towards shore.

             
I sputter water out of my mouth and run my hand through my hair to push it back out of my eyes. I'm really glad there aren't any cameras out here to catch me like this!

             
"Oh, I'll catch you, all right!" I yell, pushing off and taking long strokes to catch up with her.

             
Once I'm about even with her, I grab her around the waist and yank her tight against my chest. "See? Told you I'd catch you. And now...I'll warm you up," I whisper before kissing her deeply, and she pulls me closer.

             
"Mmm...Yep, really warm now."

             
"Good," I say with a grin before dunking her under the water. I hear her answering curse as I make it the rest of the way to shore and she comes chasing after me.

             
"Ooh, you play dirty!" Katy laughs before jumping on my back, and I laugh, squeezing her hands as they rest on my chest.

             
"You like me dirty, baby."

             
"Sometimes," She shrugs and smiles down at me. "But, Mr. Movie star, I don't know if I like that there are several women staring at your sexy body right now."

             
I look around us for the first time and see several workers that are openly gawking at us. I guess they're getting a show.

             
"Is Katy Warren actually jealous?" I tease, sliding her off my back.

             
She wraps her arms around my waist and pulls me tight against her. "I'd be crazy not to be, I mean, look at you! Every woman in the world wants you."

             
"Well, I don't care about them. They can want me all they want. All I care about is the woman holding onto me right now."

             
She smiles and kisses my chest before laying her head on it, "Very good answer."

             
I sigh, looking over the water at the setting sun. If I could keep us locked away on an island, I would. Sometimes reality just sucks, and being in the middle of nowhere can feel like heaven. And right now, I would do anything to stay in our private little heaven and not face the hell of whatever may be happening outside of this island. 

Chapter 32

              Bright and early the next morning, a loud pounding at the door wakes me and Katy out of a deep sleep.

             
I groan, pulling my pillow over my ears. "Who would be up this early?"

             
"I have an idea...” Katy grumbles tiredly. 

             
 "Kate Parker-Warren! Get your butt out of that bed so we can get busy!” Krista yells through the door, and Katy yanks the covers over her head to block her out.

             
I laugh, pulling them back down.  "Baby, I don't think ignoring her is going to make her go away."

 
              "I heard that! Kate, come on!” Krista's fist meets the door again. 

             
"Fine, fine, Kris I'll be out in a minute!" Katy sighs, kicking the covers away and pulling herself up into a sitting position.

             
"You'd better!” she yells before finally walking away from the door.

             
"She's trying to kill me, I swear. Yesterday with all the dresses, and making Billy test drive hair-dos. I'm supposed to find a non-paparazzi photographer and call florists today." 

             
I kiss her forehead and watch her slide off the bed. "She's just excited. Remember, she's been planning this since she was 5."

             
 Katy just nods, sorting through clothes to find what she wants to wear for the day, and quickly changes out of her pajama shorts and tank top and pulls her hair up into a messy bun.

             
"You enjoy your sleep,” she says, kissing my cheek. "I've got a fun day ahead of me."

             
 "I can't wait to see what dress you end up with."

 
              "I don't even know yet...none of the ones yesterday really screamed 'this is the one!' We'll see,” Katy says with a shrug before opening the door and walking away with Krista. 

             
I sigh, rubbing my eyes. There's no way I can get back to sleep now. Climbing out of bed, I run a hand through my hair to make it somewhat presentable before walking towards the kitchen to grab something quick for breakfast.

             
"Hey, man." Scott says before yawning. 

             
"Hey. I take it Krista woke you up early, too?"

             
He nods, leaning back in his chair, "Yep. She was up and ready to go at five this morning, five freaking o'clock. I don't know how the hell she has that much energy. I sure don't."

             
"Well, thank you for keeping her entertained for a couple extra hours then. I think she would have gotten smacked if she came banging on the door at five. Eight is definitely better." 

             
I walk over to the fridge and grab the orange juice out before walking to the cabinet for a cup, "So. Are you ready to move into your new place when we get back?" I whisper, making sure the girls can't hear. Scott and I have shared a place in LA for the last couple years. It was just easier for us to share a bachelor pad, but now that we're both going to be married men, we've decided that it's best for us to have our own places. That L.A. mini mansion has never been home anyway.

             
"Very ready, I've got all arrangements made. Had to fax in some last minute paperwork about appraisal stuff or whatever, but it should be good to go when we get there. What about you?"

             
I slide into a chair beside him. "I'm ready, too. I can't wait to have somewhere that's really 'home' with Katy." I sigh, shaking my head. "I feel like there's been so much wasted time where I just went through the motions of everything day in and day out during the time that Katy and I were apart. I have so much to make up for, having a place to call our own is just the start of it."

             
"I get it. We're growing up now." He laughs and I join him.