Page 140 of Champagne Fizz

“And you didn’t think to call me?” I snap.

“You were busy with Olivia,” Mason shoots back. “And he wasjusthere.”

“I need the two of you with me, right now,” I say, walking them toward the resort. “Neither one of you leaves my sight until we find him. Got it?”

They both fall in line, even though Mason says something under his breath that causes Connor to smack him. I really hope Ned isn’t near the pool where he might see Olivia before he’s supposed to.

I curse under my breath. Everything reallywasgoing so well, and I knew better than to get comfortable.

“Where’s the men’s restroom?” I ask as we head up the boardwalk toward the resort. “I’m assuming he’s in there or his suite. Any chance he forgot the rings and went back to get them?”

“No, I’ve got the rings,” Connor says, tapping his chest pocket. “This isn’t like Ned. He believes in being early to everything.”

“Maybe he’s got the shits,” Mason offers. “Nobody wants to be sayingI dowhile clenching—”

“Thank you, Mason!” I interrupt. “No one needs the vivid details. We get your point.”

“Oh shit,” Connor says in a tone that makes my stomach jump into my throat.

“That better be your follow up to Mason’s comment,” I snap, wanting to pretend everything is fine—but I know better.

Connor has already stepped off the boardwalk and is headed away from me in the sand.

“Connor?” I call after him, running to catch up. But when I see where he’s headed, I get my answer.

There’s a grove of palm trees and pink bougainvilleas next to the resort, and we’ve walked far enough that they’re conveniently out of view of the wedding ceremony and guests.

Ned is standing in the middle of that grove of trees.

And he’s yelling at his mother.

40

KENDALL

“No, no, no, no, no!” I say under my breath, kicking off my shoes and picking them up so I can race barefoot up to my groom. Connor beats me to them, and I gasp when Ned turns to Connor and violently grabs his lapel.

“You knew about this!” Ned snarls at his brother. “You invited her to my wedding without my permission!”

Connor flinches, and I think they might start throwing punches.

“Ned! Ned!” I race into the grove of trees and try to separate them. “Stop, please! This is my fault.”

“No,” Ned growls, not looking at me, his knuckles turning white as he yanks Connor closer to his face. “Kendall, you didn’t have our parents’ contact information. This guy, on the other hand—”

“I forced Connor to give me your mother’s information,” I blurt desperately. “Please, just—!” I try to pry them apart without messing up their suits or crushing the delicate pincushion boutonnieres Becca made. But my efforts are fruitless, they’re both much bigger than me.

“Hello, it’s wedding day!” Mason says loudly, stepping up and reminding Ned what he should be worried about. “You’ve got one job today, and it’s walking down that aisle.”

Mason grabs Ned’s wrist and does some martial arts move that forces him to release Connor.

“Owe!” Ned growls.

“Damn! When did you learn Karate?” Connor asks Mason, impressed as he brushes off his suit coat from his brother’s assault.

“Aikido,” Mason corrects, pulling Ned further away from his brother with his wrist held.

“Dammit that hurts!” Ned hisses, managing to wrench out of Mason’s grasp.

---