Page 38 of Big Stick Energy
“Yeah.” My brother’s birthday is coming up. It’s still six days away, but my mother always gets extra weepy. She hates July, too, because that’s when my brother died. And then there’s all the holidays…
Maribel looks distraught. “Maybe I should have chosen different dates for the wedding.”
“No,” I insist. “No way. People get married in the summer, Maribel. And I’m glad you ended up with these dates because it means that I can be here to see it.”
She gives me a grateful look. “I’m glad you can, too.”
I let go of Darcy’s hand and pull Maribel into a hug. “You have no reason to feel bad, Belly. Not a single one.”
“Thank you,” she whispers against my lapel. “Can I ask you a favor?”
“Anything.”
She pulls back, catching both my hands, and gazing earnestly up at me. “If your parents don’t make it to the ceremony, would you be the one who gives me away?”
“Ofcourse,” I say immediately, in spite of the fact that my throat is closing up. “It would be an honor. Don’t worry about a thing.”
She smiles, but there’s a sheen of tears in her eyes. “Thank you, Eric. Thank you.”
Another couple finishes dancing, and Maribel turns toward the stage and applauds on cue.
I turn back to Darcy, wondering if she’d like another drink. I find her gazing back at me with gentle eyes. “The captain of all things,” she says softly.
The praise makes my neck heat. “Want another cocktail? I’m switching to ginger ale, but you don’t have to drive.”
Her gaze lingers so long I don’t think she’s going to answer. “Two ginger ales, then, for the likely winners of the dance-off.”
Chapter 15
So Many Questions
Darcy
I have so many questions,” Zoe says over speakerphone the next morning as I style my hair in the bathroom of my hotel room. “In the first place, did you win the dance-off?”
“No idea. It didn’t occur to me to ask.”
My friend—the Olympic skating medalist—gives an impatient sniff. “You’ve got to give mesomething. Was Eric a fantastic dancer?”
I catch myself smiling in the vanity mirror. “He moves really well. But he was oddly nervous.”
Zoe lets out a squeal of delight. “What I wouldn’t give to see that.”
“It was…” I think of his hands resting lightly on the silk of my dress and give a little shiver. “It was fun,” I admit.
“But now your whole family thinks you’re dating? I’m going to need frequent updates.”
“Updates? There won’t be any. This so-called relationship will expire next month before the bridal bouquet.”
“You never know,” she says. “This could be the beginning of something big. Maybe someday you’ll be telling the story to your grandchildren. ‘Auntie Tessa was a skank and hit on Grandpa. So he pretended to be my boyfriend and now we haven’t spent a day apart in fifty years.’”
I snort. “Dream on. Even when it’snotfake, I never last more than three dates with anyone. Eric doesn’t date, either. He sleeps with underwear models, and then he pushes them away the second they get clingy.”
Just ask Mona. According to team gossip, she’s still turning up from time to time at Eric’s apartment building, hoping he’ll relent and invite her in. Poor girl.
“Let’s break this down,” Zoe says. “You can only last three dates because you always swipe right on assholes. And then you act surprised when things don’t work out. I’m not exactly sure what Tremaine’s deal is, but maybe he’s just been dating the wrong women.”
“His deal is that he’s a rich, attractive guy. Getting bored and moving on is part of their DNA. And even if he settles down someday, it will be with some superhuman who’s also the CEO of her own charity. And runs marathons for fun.”
