The bridesmaids, some of whom were actually Hank’s relatives, the maid-of-honor, who was Alice’s BFF from grad school, Alice and their father lined up in the anteroom to the church. They managed to corral the flower girl, a five-year-old niece of Hank’s, and led her down the aisle a couple times before the wedding coordinator got antsy and started the music. “All right, everyone, we step out on the right foot. Right, together, left, together, right, together. I know it feels strange, but in your gowns, it will look like you’re gliding, trust me.”
When it came to his dad and Alice’s big moment, his father didn’t exactly do the step- together thing, but he walked casually enough that they looked like father and daughter out for a stroll.
Well damn, good for him.
Mary waved her arms. “Good, good. Remember, Mr. Ronconi, Alice’s gown will be all over the place, so hold her loosely, and keep your feet close to the floor so you don’t step on the train. Let’s do it again.”
Rick didn’t have anything to do but lean against a pew and watch. His glance kept straying to his father’s hair. Jimothy had obviously called Rick’s dad, set up an appointment, taken him shopping, and cut his hair, all without saying anything to Rick. Maybe that was part of the whole Jimothy disappearing act.
Someone stepped up beside Rick, and he looked over to see Mrs. Martinsburg, an attractive, slender woman probably in her fifties with light hair like Hank’s. She said, “I’m so happy to see your father here, Rick. I know Alice seemed uncertain if he’d be able to attend.”
“Uh yes. We’re really happy he’s here.”
“Of course, she never worried because she knows you’re there for her no matter what. I wanted you to know how inspired we all are by your dedication to Alice. She’s an extraordinary woman, in no small part because of you.”
He shook his head and felt heat in his cheeks. “She’s amazing all by herself, ma’am. She didn’t need any help from me. But I’m lucky to have such a great sister.”
She patted his arm. “Well, as you say, she’s remarkable.” They both looked back at the procession for an awkward minute, then she said, “I understand from Alice that you date her makeup artist friend, Melanie.”
He swallowed. “Uh, yes, sometimes.”
“Of course, you’ll be at the head table at the reception along with your father, but if you’d like to have Melanie seated with you—”
“No!” He smiled. “I mean, we only date casually. There’s no need, but thank you.”
“Well, if you’re sure. We want you to enjoy the wedding too.”
“I just want to see Alice and Hank sent off in style. I’ll enjoy that.” He tried to keep his gaze steady and friendly without looking like he was about to fade into the floor. He might have succeeded.
They exchanged a few more pleasantries, and she went back to her family. The wedding procession was on its third rehearsal, and Rick was ready to pass out from a combination of discomfort and antsiness. His dad, however, looked more and more at home, exchanging quips with the bridesmaids and laughing with Alice.
The desire to leave, get out of there, stop the charade, washed over him like a third wave. Nothing went together. He was dressed like he never was, meeting people he didn’t know, and pretending to be someone he couldn’t be. Not anymore. Maybe never had.
His feet started moving before his brain slid into gear. Alice wasn’t looking his way, and he didn’t want to make a deal out of it anyway, so he found himself out the side door and in the parking lot, not having made an excuse to anyone. Shit, he’d ask forgiveness later.
He walked toward the truck.
The door clanged behind him. “Rick!”
Reluctantly, he looked up, and Hank was jogging toward him. Rick raised a hand.
Hank got to him and said, “Have to go?”
“Uh, yeah. I never got to tell Alice I have another commitment this evening, but—”
“No worries. I’ll tell her. Just don’t forget the bachelor party tomorrow, okay?”
“Oh right.” His brain froze. Bachelors?
“Even if you can only come for a short while. It’ll be fun, and you can meet some of my friends.”
“I will, uh, if I can.”
“I sure hope so.” Hank smiled, and it seemed genuine.
“Where is it again?”
“A favorite place of yours, I hear. The Breakers.”
The side door of the church opened again, and Mary leaned out. “Hank!”
“Oops, they’re ready for me. Sure is great that your father showed up. I know you must have had something to do with that.” He gave Rick a friendly punch on the arm. “See you tomorrow night. We start at eight.” He jogged away, leaving Rick staring after him across the parking lot.
Chapter Twenty
“Where are you going looking so delicious?” Felicia banged on the computer keyboard and gave him one eyeball’s worth of attention.
He struck a pose to show off his chocolate-brown skintight jeans and lavender sweater that almost matched his hair. “Would you believe a bachelor party?”
She blinked. “Seriously? Who’s getting married that is so old-fashioned as to have a bachelor party?”
“Alice Ronconi soon-to-be Martinsburg’s fiancé, Hank. And right, who has these things anymore? I’m guessing Hank’s father thought it would be de riguer and put the thing together. I’d never have gone, but Hank called me yesterday special and told me to be sure and come.” He shrugged. “It’s just at the Breakers, so I can sneak out the door in five minutes and be home in ten.”
“The Breakers? How blue collar of you.”
“Yep. Amazement on amazement.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Speaking of collars, is the more significant Ronconi going to be there?”
“I honestly don’t know.” A little of the stab of pain in his chest must have showed on his face because Felicia jumped up from the desk and put an arm around him. “Oh, baby, what gives?”
“Only man’s eternal war between who he is and what he wants.” He put the back of his hand to his forehead in a grand gesture.
She gave him a narrow-eyed glance. “Okay, so who you are?”
“A guy who doesn’t do dudes who are in the closet.”
“Ah. And what you want?”
“To do a dude who’s in the closet.”
She nodded, and her expression got serious even in the face of his sarcasm. “It’s tough, but you don’t want to be the girl who keeps believing he’s going to leave his wife, so to speak.”
“No, I have no such illusions. Any compromise to my values has been based purely on lust, not phony promises.” He kissed her cheek. “Just wish me strength.” With that, he sashayed out the door.
His sass only lasted half a block. The closer he got to the Breakers, a two-block walk, the slower his roll. Come on, you can stay a couple minutes, say hi to Hank, and leave, just like you told Felicia. Besides, you’re gorg, darling, and they should be so lucky as to have you at their party. That semi-convincing pep talk carried him to the door of the bar.