Page 80 of Reckless Curves
Lexie said, “Kendra, Marcus blames Jason for his crash and I was married to Jason at the time. I’m guilty by association. He and I argue about everything. We tolerate each other for Tom’s sake, but we’ll never be buddy-buddy. You better accept that now. Just being honest.”
Stella said, “Did you guys have a thing?”
Kendra swung to look at her best-friend. Stella sounded almost like she was jealous. Possession filled her tone. What was that about? Had she and Marcus… no. Stella would have told her—wouldn’t she?
Lexie shook her head. “Didn’t you hear what I just said? Enough of Marcus. This is a happy day.”
Kendra was more than willing to let the subject drop. “Yes, it is. I can’t wait to marry Tom. It feels like I’ve been waiting for him my whole life.”
Stella played with Kendra’s hair a little, making sure that the updo would stay in place. “You have. I’ll never forget the way you gushed about Tom the day you met him. You’d been given the all clear, and at sixteen the hormones were raging. And you’ve been talking about him ever since.”
Kendra swatted at her hand. “Four years ago I didn’t speak up, I didn’t fight for him, and I lost so much time with Tom. I’ll never make that mistake again.”
“Which is why you’ll be able to tell this little one that they were at your wedding,” Stella said, patting Kendra’s belly.
Kendra laughed and shrugged. “What can I say? We suck at birth control.”
Resting her hand on her stomach, Kendra was thankful that she’d forgotten to get her birth control shot the month before she and Tom had slept together the first time. She couldn’t be sure, but based on the timing, she thought she’d conceived on the night they’d admitted their love for each other. She was ecstatic to be marrying him and adding to their family right away.
Which was why she’d turned down Shaina Collins’ offer to go on tour with her. Selling songs she could do, but she had no desire to be a back-up singer traveling from town to town. Tom was right; sometimes your dreams change. For the longest time, hers had been having a successful music career, and she would—as a song writer—so she could live out the life that really mattered. A life with her family.
Marcus came into the dressing room. “I hear that there’s some crazy woman in here who wants to marry Tom.”
Kendra smiled. “Yes, there is.”
“God, look at you. You’re gorgeous.” Marcus kissed her cheek. “Stella, you look hot as always, and Lexie, you clean up pretty good.”
Kendra frowned at him. “You be nice to her.”
Marcus’ eyebrows rose. “What? That was nice.”
Lexie said, “Yeah. Trust me, Kendra. Thatwasnice.”
Marcus ignored her. “Ready to do this?”
Kendra nodded.
“Will you excuse us, ladies,” Marcus asked.
“Wow,” Lexie said to Stella as they moved towards the door. “He actually called me a lady,” as Stella pushed her out the door and shut it behind them.
Kendra giggled as Marcus shot an annoyed look at the door.
Marcus blew out a breath. “I thought this would be easier.”
“What? Being around Lexie today?” Kendra teased.
Marcus shook his head. “No. Letting you go. I’ll always be here for you, but it’s time that I give you to Tom the way I should’ve—”
“Marcus, don’t.”
“Please, just let me say this, okay?”
“Okay.”
“The only reason I kept you away from Tom was that I didn’t feel any guy was good enough, even my best friend.” Marcus embraced her. “But I was wrong to keep you guys apart. I’m going to make up for that today by giving you to him. I know he’ll take good care of you and Connor, and that’s all that matters. So, come on. Let’s go get you hitched.”
Kendra put a hand on his arm. “I heard you that night, Marcus.”
