Page 29 of Always a Bridesmaid

“I don’t know, but I need to do it tonight because my dad said he might come,” Sarah whispered, looking around as if imparting nuclear launch codes. Not that it was far off, the news she’d just delivered had the potential to cause a blast radius the size of a racetrack.

“Tonight is the most informal of the events and I figured he’d feel the most comfortable. Plus, there are a ton of people from the racing world and my dad works in the racing world.”

“But why wait to tell Henry?”

What Jane knew of Henry’s relationship with his father only scratched the surface, but it was enough to be certain that this kind of news would rock his world—and not in a good way. To see his dad would be hard enough. To see his dad without being able to prepare would be disastrous.

“I hate disappointing people almost as much as I hate confrontation,” Sarah said. “I once changed my number rather than break up with a guy.”

Oh boy. This was going to be a rough night because Jane was getting a sinking feeling in her gut that somehow Sarah was going to claim that this responsibility fell under her rent-a-bridesmaid duties.

“Henry will be blindsided.” She didn’t know why her heart pinched on the last word.

“I know, but I was afraid he would call my dad and threaten him. Tell him not to show up.”

Okay, the woman had a point. Jane could totally see Protector Henry doing that.

“Or he would get all preachy. Or worse, Henry wouldn’t come, and I need him here,” Sarah said, her eyes going glassy. “Henry is walking me down the aisle; he is the most importantmale role model in my life and nothing on earth will change that. But I just wanted to see if my dad would even come, you know? A girl always dreams of having their dad at their wedding.”

What was Jane supposed to say to that? She’d give anything to have her dad walk her down the aisle. Hell, she’d give all four limbs for the chance to tell him she loved him one last time. She’d donate a kidney for one of his hugs.

Jane couldn’t remember the last time she’d been hugged. Roxy wasn’t the touchy-feely type, Georgia lived on the West Coast, and her mom made Roxy look like Mother Teresa. Not only could she not remember the last time she’d hugged her mom, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d talked to her mom when Jane hadn’t initiated the call.

“I’ve been in contact with my dad for a few years. So when I invited him to the party and the wedding and he said he’d try, I got so excited, but I figured why upset everyone if he was a no-show.”

A few years? Crushed wouldn’t even begin to describe how Henry was going to feel when he found out. Talk about betrayal.

“See, these are the details I need to know so that I can do my job. Cut off problems before they arise.”

“Does this mean you’ll tell Henry for me?”

Normally she loved when her gut was right. Not tonight. “No way. This is family business. But I can help with any potential fallout. Separate them if needed.”

Sarah went pale. “Separate them? Do you think they’ll fight?”

Did she think Henry would want to knock his father’s front teeth out? Hell yes. Would he do anything to ruin his sister’s wedding? Nope. She was too important to him.

“No. But it might be best if you pulled your family aside at once and told them before your dad arrives.”

“Oh, they all already know. I needed to let my mum get prepared to face my dad. She’s known that I’ve been talking to him for a while.”

A fierce protectiveness overtook Jane. She didn’t know how else to describe it. The cruelty of it all. After everything Henry had done, continued to do for his family, and this is how they repay him. They keep him in the dark about his dad after knowing how he feels about him.

“So everyone else knows except Henry?” He was going to feel so betrayed. So hurt. She wanted to go to him straight away and tell him, break it to him softly to take the burn away. But there weren’t any words gentle enough to make his impending pain any less. Plus, her obligation was to the bride and that was why getting further involved with Henry was a bad idea.

“I’ve tried to tell him like a hundred times, but it never felt right.”

“Well, your time is up. You need to tell him. Now. Before your dad strolls in.” And somehow breaks his son’s heart all over again. Because from what Jane could gather from the other day at the winery, Henry’s dad was all about Henry’s dad and his own best interest.

Both women looked across the dance floor toward the bar where Henry and his two buddies had taken up residence. He’d spent the night dealing with a steady stream of people congratulating him on his big win—she could tell by the enthusiastic handshakes and smiles. She could also tell by the uncomfortable way Henry endured the attention.

Now his buddy, the American, loved the attention, while the Italian loved the attention of the female population specifically.

As if aware of her gaze, Henry looked up and when his eyes snagged on hers, it was like grabbing a livewire. Even from such a distance the chemistry was cataclysmic.

Under the flashing lights of the darkened club she could still see the heat flicker in his eyes. It was the same way he’d looked at her when she’d opened the door in her robe. As if he wanted to tear it off her—with his teeth.

Jane’s lungs stopped working and her panties went damp at the thought. She’d seen this kind of attraction between other couples, but she’d never experienced it herself.

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