Page 70 of House of Desire

“Are you nervous?” I ask Charlie as she and Courtney join me for a moment. The restaurant gave us a section of tables and all the remaining guests are moving around and mingling as the evening starts to wind down. My feet throb in time with my pulse and I can’t wait to get these shoes off when I get back to the room.

“The only thing I’m nervous about is crying off my makeup,” she says with a smile. I watch Alec and Lorelei talk to Charlie’s parents, and the conversation has brought out the groom’s smile.

“While we have a second, I just want to thank you, personally, for letting me come. This place is amazing and I’m honored to get to be a part of your special day.”

“I’m glad we have a chance to get to know you better,” Charlie says. “Lore only has good things to say.”

“Especially since Parker is head over heels for you,” Courtney says, smiling as she takes a sip of her drink.

“Courtney!” Charlie exclaims.

“He’s not head over heels for me.”

The girls look at each other, the look they share saying more than words ever could. Charlie sighs as they look back at me.

“Anastasia, listen, Parker didn’t tell me what happened between you until I pushed and even then all he said was he was a world class asshole.” I shift my weight back and forth as she takes a hold of my hand. Her blue eyes hold me prisoner. “I know I’m his best friend, so you might not believe me and I wouldn’t blame you, but I have to help him if it’s in my power. I can see how he looks at you. And I can see the connection between you both.

“Whatever he said, probably hurt. And I’m not dismissing your very real pain or saying that you don’t deserve an apology. But what I am saying is that in all the years I have known Parker, I have known him to be an incredibly kind, compassionate, loving man.

“There are things in his past—”

“I know about Brittany leaving him,” I say, trying to get this conversation to end because I know she’s right about the man Parker is. But that doesn’t mean his words didn’t cut me.

“He has been working so hard to get past that and he’s not perfect. I have a feeling that whatever happened, it tied back to that for him. All I want is for you to give him a chance to apologize. That’s it. If you don’t want to have anything to do with him after that, then everyone will respect your choice. We won’t try to force you into the same room together.

“And just so you know, I was in your place, so I know how it feels. When Alec and I started, he said some things that hurt more than I’d like to admit and yet here we are. If you still care for Parker, I promise you that he can be the best thing that’s ever come into your life. I know he is for me. We wouldn’t be standing here right now if Parker hadn’t stepped in to help me. I hope you won’t hold it against me that I’m doing the same.”

A lump forms in my throat at the bright love in her eyes for Parker and I know she’s right. We need to talk. I want to give him the benefit of the doubt and trust the man I have seen in every other moment since I met him. But he definitely has some groveling to do first.

I open my mouth to agree to giving him a chance to apologize until Lorelei lets out an ear-splitting squeal.

Charlie drops my hand as we look around for the reason behind her reaction and that’s when I see Tank hobbling across the restaurant on crutches with a boot on one leg. Lorelei runs to him, weaving her arms around his midsection, giving him a hug. They talk for a moment before coming back to join the rest of us.

Charlie, Courtney, and I push up from the table and go to meet everyone in our group.

“What did you do?” Alec says.

“One of the guys stepped on my foot just right and somehow broke a bone in my foot. The doctors said it’ll heal just fine and there shouldn’t be any lasting issues, but I can’t bear weight on it right now so I can’t play. Since I’m on the DL, the coaching staff was okay with me flying out here for your wedding and not being on the sideline.”

“We are so glad you’re here, Tank!” Charlie says, giving him a hug.

“Sorry, about the foot, Bruiser,” Courtney says.

Everyone mingles for a second as I make my way over to Lore, grabbing her hand.

“Hey, I’m going to go talk to the front desk and see if I can get my own room so you two can have some privacy,” I tell her in a hushed tone.

“What? No! You don’t have to do that. You’re welcome to stay with us.”

“Yeah, Anya. I’m not kicking you out. I can get a cot or something,” Tank says, his arm around his wife’s shoulders.

“You’re going to sleep on a cot with a broken leg? Not on my watch. I’ll just go talk to them,” I say, folding my arms over my chest.

“I’ll go with you,” Lorelei says.

We say our goodbyes to the group and start to make our way out of the restaurant. Right as we are about to cross the threshold, Charlie yells at us to wait, and makes her way to join us.

“I’m coming, too, and don’t even say anything. I’m the bride and I can do what I want.”

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