The Baby Blitz (Varsity Dads #3)(9)
Author: Lex Martin
Except I want a loving, deep relationship. Like those decadent, eight-course meals I see served up on those cooking shows, complete with those bite-sized crème brûlée tartlets. But all I get served are stale, gas-station donuts and burnt coffee. Those donuts always look good from behind the glass, but once you get in your car and take a bite, you’re instantly smacked with buyer’s remorse.
I’m tired of taking chances. The right guy will have to sweep me off my feet and jump into the deep end of the relationship pool for me to put myself out there again.
Realizing that Sienna is waiting for me to say something, I explain how much I love Kayla. “She’s the big sister I always wanted but never had. Kayla would braid my hair and let me play with her makeup. Do my nails and tell me about the boys she was dating. Let me stay up late. She was always great with Frannie when she babysat.” I run my finger over the dress. “I did her wedding invites over the holidays.”
“It would be really meaningful if you were in her wedding. You should do it.” She lifts an eyebrow. “I bet Olly will look hot in a tux.”
I feel myself turning lobster red. I shrug. Try to play it off, but I’m probably not fooling anyone. Yes, Olly will be devastatingly handsome in formalwear, but the man could wear a paper sack and I’d find him attractive. Unfortunately.
Chuckling, Sienna nudges me with her elbow. “While we’re on the subject, you should be in mine when Ben and I tie the knot next year.”
“Shut up.” I’ve never been anyone’s bridesmaid. “Are you asking me to be a bridesmaid?”
“You’re one of my best friends. You’ve helped me and Ben so much. Of course I want you to be my bridesmaid.”
I’m stunned to hear she considers me such a good friend. I can’t remember the last time I had a BFF. Probably before we moved to Heartland Hills. My dad had died, and we’d moved to a new town. I remember being so overwhelmed and sad. I had people I hung out with, but I don’t think I ever really let my guard down with anyone.
Until Bash brought Michael home one day. He was my first friend in Heartland, which made his betrayal hurt that much more.
I squeeze Sienna in a huge hug. “I’d be honored!”
As she shares plans for her own wedding, I undress and try to squeeze into her dress. Hesitantly, I look in the full-length mirror.
She claps wildly. “You’re gorgeous! Look at you.”
“I want to remind you that I’m headed to a solemn church function and not a nightclub.”
“Kayla’s only requirement was that you wear something in cranberry. And it covers all the pertinent parts. Although you do look cold.”
I glance down to see my nipples poking straight through my bra and the thin fabric of the dress. “My mother would die if I showed up in the wedding photos with high beams.”
Sienna drags me to the bathroom. “Have I ever told you what you can do with Band-Aids? And you’ll need more than one dress for the weekend. Don’t even argue with me about this.”
6
OLLY
My sister guides us through the hotel like she’s a cruise ship director. I like seeing her in all her pre-wedding glory.
She turns to face me, our parents, and Gramps. “Just a reminder. You need to get to the church by four, and the rehearsal dinner is at the restaurant afterward.”
Because our family is strapped for cash, she’s called in a million favors to do this on a shoestring budget, but her fiancé Joe pitched in, which is why we’re staying in a decent hotel this weekend.
As Kayla hands out the keys to our rooms, she jots down notes on her clipboard. “Gramps, your room connects to my parents’ room, so if you need anything, they’re right there. Same for you and…” Kayla’s voice fades when my date Vanessa walks up and gives me a hug.
Vanessa and I haven’t been dating long. Just a few weeks, but she’s a nice woman. Not crazy and emotional like my ex Amelia, who chucked a bottle at my head when I broke things off.
I’m taking things slow with Vanessa. I see how jumping into bed with Amelia made me throw caution to the wind, and I’m too old to make rash decisions when it comes to dating. That’s how life-altering mistakes are made.
Just ask Ben, who knocked up his high school girlfriend. He adores his daughter Lily, so I know he doesn’t regret what happened, but if he could erase all the angst Janelle’s dropped on his doorstep, he would.
I’m curious to see how Vanessa will take to my family. They mean the world to me, and Amelia met them once. Let’s just say it didn’t go well. I should’ve taken that as the first sign we were doomed.
Before I can introduce Vanessa, the sliding doors to the hotel open, and a gust of wind has us all turning to see who’s arrived.
I freeze when I spot Magnolia.
She wheels her small suitcase up to our group and hugs Kayla. Like a mute, I watch as she bear-hugs every member of my family. Well, everyone except me.
My mom squeals—I shit you not—squeals when she sees Maggie. Even Gramps, who hates being fussed over, grins when he hugs her. I’m talking full-out googly-eyed like the Cheshire Cat after popping a few mushrooms.
“Sorry I’m late,” Maggie says, her eyes traveling over our group, barely pausing on me. “Traffic was obnoxious.”
I haven’t seen her in months. Only caught flashes of her running in and out of Ben’s house, but after how everything went down in the grocery store that day, I decided she didn’t need me meddling in her life.
But now I feel like an ass for not checking on her sooner. Is her situation better? Is she making ends meet? Did she get those groceries from her neighbor that Johnny swore she’d deliver?
Maggie’s long, black hair is down and windblown. Her brown eyes are sparkly and bright. She looks so damn beautiful. And she’s wearing… Christ.
Vanessa clears her throat, and I feel a hot flush steal down my neck when I realize I’m checking out Magnolia in front of the woman I brought home to meet my family.
I place my hand on Vanessa’s back. “Guys, I want to introduce my…” Friend? Date? Girlfriend? Fuck. After an awkward silence, I regain my ability to speak. “This is my date, Vanessa.”