Page 58 of Love on Deck
Because there were very few people we could claim such longevity with. I got it. I really did. But at some point, it was okay to recognize the toxicity in a relationship and let it go.
“You’re too nice for your own good.” Cara walked toward the door. “Now, let’s shake that off and go find your groom.”
She drew in a breath and nodded resolutely. “Sounds good to me.”
* * *
If I’d had any residual doubts about Kevin’s love for my sister, his face when we stepped onto the dock put them all to rest, six feet under with a granite gravestone on top. He lit up, and I caught it on camera for Amelia to watch over and over again. She walked up to him slowly, holding the tropical bouquet we’d preordered from the cruise ship. Her grin split her face, and he picked her up right in the center of the dock and spun her slowly, kissing her like someone had just pronounced them husband and wife.
A little premature, but the moment was magic. When he set her down, he put a fist in the air and yelled. “I’m getting married today!”
People walking along the shops lining the water shouted their support. Weddings were universally happy events. I was thrilled to have gotten the whole thing on camera.
My gaze slid behind the couple, where Jack was standing, his attention squarely on me. The weight of his stare settled, leaving my chest humming. The guys wore tan pants and white dress shirts open at the collar, and I was here for it.
Amelia had wanted a barefoot-on-the-beach wedding, and thus far, everyone looked perfect. Relaxed but nice, which was pretty much Amelia in a nutshell. Her long white gown was elegant and simple, her hair wavy and falling down her back. Oh, tears, please hold off. I was too cheap for eyelash extensions, and I couldn’t afford to have my mascara run before the pictures.
Jack walked up to my side. “Where’s Sydney?”
“Somewhere on deck wearing a long white dress.”
He raised his brown eyebrows. “Yikes.”
Even a man knew that was a big fat no-no.
“Amelia told her to take a hike?” he asked.
“She asked Sydney to change, and Sydney stormed off.” I leaned closer and lowered my voice, inhaling his aftershave. “I’m kind of relieved. She never should have been here. She’s too selfish and she always has been.”
“But you’re worried?”
“How did you know?” I started down the dock after Cara, Lucas, and the happy couple. We resembled a wedding march already, in a way. “I’m afraid the guilt is going to ruin Amelia’s day.”
Jack took my hand, sending butterflies to my stomach. “We won’t let it.”
I looked down. “Is this necessary touching?”
“Completely. I don’t want to trip on this uneven dock. I need your stability.”
“Probably in more ways than one.”
Jack drew in a fake-dramatic gasp. “Are you offering to make a spreadsheet for me?”
“Don’t tempt me.”
He smiled, the lazy curve of his lips reaching through my chest.
Ugh. Why did I have to feel things for him? For Jack Fletcher of all people.
He bumped his shoulder lightly into mine. “I love your hair, by the way.”
“It was Cara’s idea.”
“Remind me to thank her later.”
A blush stole up my neck, but I pretended not to be affected by his praise. I didn’t know if I was doing a very good job of it, though. Probably in part because my feelings toward Jack had changed, regardless of how hard I’d tried not to let myself fall for him. He was charming and kind, and if it wasn’t for the voicemail on my phone that made me feel low and ridiculous, we could have really given this whole dating thing a shot the first time around. It stood to reason that when there was chemistry during a fake relationship, it would cross over into the real world a little, right?
Or maybe that was the problem. It wouldn’t cross over into our real lives, and I was just fooling myself. That was much more likely.