Exercpt From THE BACHELORETTE
Thursday
Chapter One
WILL, JARED, and Gabe got off the Caesar’s Palace elevator laughing and shoving as though they were still in junior high. Will grinned at his two friends. “Let’s get this party started.” He punched Gabe lightly in the shoulder. “Gabe, Cody is at home with his grandparents, so you are free to participate in late-night drinking fests. Guys, we’re here in Las Vegas with four days and three nights to play and forget my depressing future.”
Jared said, “I vote you figure out an alternative to marrying a woman you think of as a sister!”
Gabe added, “We’re organizing your leap into politics. Politicians are not known for keeping it in their pants, hence the scandals that lead to losing elections. At least start out married to someone you actually want to fuck.”
Will rounded on him. “Because that worked so well for you—twice?”
“Don’t knock it. Yeah, the ex-wife took off. She didn’t want the kid, so good riddance. I got Cody. I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Will’s face flushed. He gave Gabe’s shoulder a shove hard enough to send him into the wall. When Gabe straightened, Will looked him straight in the eyes.
“I think the world of Cody, but being married to someone who isn’t going to stick around, isn’t exactly what I’m looking for. Sylvia checks all the boxes–same social strata, rich parents, lots of contacts, membership in several worthy organizations, beautiful, loyal. She’s ideal.”
Will shrugged and put his hands in his pockets. “Anyway, give it a rest. I want a weekend with some drinking buddies, not an inquiry into the state of my marital prospects.”
Will started to walk down the hallway toward the casino but found his way blocked by Jared’s arm, his hand braced against the wall.
“Wait, man, she’s not perfect. Not for this if she fails the fuck test.”
Will leaned his shoulder against the wall. He ran his hand through his hair and let his head fall back. “Okay, you’re right, Doctor—useful degree psychology. What do you recommend? You know what a God-awful mess backing out of this wedding would be! Plus, Sylvia. I never wanted to hurt her.”
Gabe said, “We know. We all think of her as a sister. No one wants to see her unhappy.”
Jared said, “Well, thinking of her as a sister is taking it a bit far for me, but I agree. None of us want her hurt. But you know, at this point, she’s going to be hurt, whether you marry her or not.”
Gabe grabbed Will’s arm. “Shit. She’s not pregnant, is she?”
Will shook his head. “No, she’s not pregnant.”
Jared slapped his forehead. “Well, how could she be pregnant? He never fucks her, which is the entire problem.”
Gabe blurted, “What? Why not? Never?”
“No, not never, just…we don’t exactly set fire to the sheets. I keep thinking when she’s mine, all the time, I’ll get over the sister complex.”
Jared shook his head. “Yeah, how’s that working for you?”
Will pushed off the wall and started toward the casino again. His friends fell in beside him.
Gabe said, “Okay, so instead of setting off firecrackers in bed, y’all might as well be watching I Love Lucy reruns. You’re marrying her because she’s convenient, solves a problem for you, and is safe. Which, I have to say, is not like you at all, and why the hell is she marrying you? It can’t be because she thinks the sex is excellent.”
“I don’t know. We don’t talk about it.”
“Is she inexperienced? Are you her only?”
Jared slapped his forehead. “That’s it, isn’t it? Maybe we have been a little too protective. You know, kept her in a box. She’s not nine years old anymore.”
Will hated feeling defensive. “She’s an innocent. How am I supposed to show her my lifestyle?”
“Have you tried? Have you ever asked her what she likes?”
“I never heard you telling her about your lifestyle!”
“Well, it sure wasn’t because I thought of her as my sister! I thought she was hands-off for all of us. I figured you dated her when she was in college because she was lonely or wanted cred with her sorority sisters! Lately, I thought you two fell into heat with each other.”
“Guys, I’m not saying you’re wrong, but I need a wife, and I need her yesterday.”
Gabe laughed. “You’re rich. You’re a mega-successful lawyer. You have a great political future. Pick one of the masses and walk down the aisle.”
He added. “Some of the women you show up with would be happy to sign a prenup.”
“Well, duh! But a prenup in a political marriage reeks of suspicion and will not inspire voter trust when it comes out, and you know it would come out.”
Jared stopped the argument before it escalated by putting his hand on Will’s shoulder. “Never mind. Your wingmen are here. There’s a solution. We just have to be drunk enough to see it.”
Gabe ran his hand through his hair. “Great idea. Let’s quit analyzing our feelings and find a drink. You’ll be okay as soon as you hook up with a gorgeous woman to remind you what fucking is all about.”
❖
Elizabeth, wearing a black T-shirt with ‘Bride’ emblazoned in large neon pink letters across the chest, was supposed to be celebrating her bachelorette party. She tried to get off the Caesar’s Palace elevator. She really did, but she felt her feet rooted to the floor and wished fervently she could go back upstairs to her room. She would have too, but Melody, her maid-of-honor, pulled her out into over-the-top Roman opulence.
“Come on. You’ll feel better when we find some brunch.”
Elizabeth looked over at her best friend. Melody, a colorful tattoo of a hummingbird visible on her shoulder blade, wore one of her standard skimpy outfits–a one-piece shorts romper made of fluttery pink scarf material with a camisole top. Elizabeth suspected that outfit came from the lingerie department, but what did she know? She wore panties and a tank top to bed and shopped in the business section.
Melody had added pink western boots and tucked her spiky pixie-cut platinum hair under a pink sequined cowgirl hat.
Elizabeth wore jeans and the bride T-shirt. Her single concession to fashion was three-inch heels, which she had worn only because Melody nagged her into them, and which were at the moment pinching her toes. Despite the heels, Elizabeth felt plain, but then, she thought, most people felt plain around Melody.
She turned to Melody and said, “I can’t believe I let you talk me into wearing this dumb T-shirt. I swear I’m going to take it off and shove it over the head of the next person who comes up to me and coos about my upcoming wedding! And these heels! Why did I agree to wear shoes designed to cripple a woman? They are a two-hundred-and-fifty-dollar opportunity to break my ankle.”
“You are wearing those shoes because you are not going to a board meeting. Quit complaining. We have flats for walking around outside. We’re here to be a little wild. Don’t you want to look ready in case we meet some hot guys?”
“The way I feel right now, if a hot guy comes on to me, I’ll take off my shoe and brain him!”
Elizabeth’s normal wardrobe consisted of well-tailored dark conservative suits, whose skirts fell an inch below her knees, white blouses, medium black heels, and for formal occasions, expensive but conservative floor-length formal gowns.
She was comfortable filming video interviews and talking from a podium. She was comfortable at political fundraising affairs and boardrooms, persuading powerful men to donate a portion of their corporate profits to WIN, the company she owned with Melody and two other friends from college, Olivia and Carey.
She was not comfortable trolling for hot guys while wearing a black bride T-shirt and three-inch heels that had her walking in fear of ending up in a cast.
She had the fleeting thought that perhaps she should have indulged in some cuter clothes-something more appropriate for Vegas-but somehow, she couldn’t work up any enthusiasm for shopping before the trip, plus it seemed silly to spend money on something she would never wear again. Still, she hovered between wanting to fade into the woodwork and wishing she made more of a splash.
She stroked her engagement ring with her thumb, turning the stone around into her palm. It was so heavy that it often turned around by itself, which was annoying. She chastised herself for feeling annoyed by a three-carat diamond, but her mood did not improve.
Melody said, “Maybe you would be more into the whole party thing if we spent some time at the spa—had a massage and got our hair done.”
Elizabeth had to admit that her hair was probably feeling ignored. For corporate meetings and public appearances, she pulled her long brown hair back in a sleek bun at the nape of her neck. This morning, though, trying to exhibit lightheartedness, she had pulled it into a tousled knot on top of her head. She thought it showed a certain casual attitude that went with being a bachelorette. It hadn’t worked. She did not feel casual, nor did she feel the excitement she thought should go with being a bachelorette.
She kept her eyes focused on the end of the hallway.
Melody nagged, “Elizabeth Smith, you are about to marry a guy you don’t want to marry. Given that piece of idiocy, you are digging in your heels about a four-day party in Vegas? Enjoy it while you can because I guarantee you that being married to Howard will be boring, boring, boring.”
“You’re right,” Elizabeth said, making an effort to climb out of her black mood. Let’s find a bar, get a drink, and make a list of stuff to do. Shopping, lying by the pool, taking advantage of the spa, seeing a couple of shows..”
Melody smiled and added, “Don’t forget the hot guys.”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “You’re only saying that because you’re not sexually disabled like I am.”
“What are you talking about?”
“The fact that I have a better time in bed with my vibrator than I have ever had with a guy. I’m not even sure I know what to do with a hot guy.”
“Really? You mean you come with your vibrator but not with men.”
“That’s it.”
“You either need therapy or a different guy—all the more reason to ditch Howard and shop around. Let’s find a bar and some drinks. We’ll start your therapy there.”
When Elizabeth’s cell phone buzzed, she tried to pull it out of her pocket, but her wedding ring hung, and she had to stop walking to get it worked loose. Finally, she got the phone out and glared at the screen. “It’s Howard!”
Melody smiled at her with a conspiratorial wink. “Just don’t answer it. You can always say you lost your phone. I’ll bet cell phones get lost a lot here in Vegas.”
“He’ll just keep calling, and I don’t want to turn it off.”
“Why not? Who else is going to call? Your friends know we’re doing a bachelorette weekend in Vegas. Carey and Olivia would be here with us if they weren’t at home in bed with the flu! They won’t call.”
Elizabeth closed her eyes. “It just seems rude. It could be something important.”
“Right. Ten to one, he wants to caution you against doing anything wild and come out and join us.”
“That’s ridiculous. He knows this is a girls-only trip.” Elizabeth let her breath out in a huff. “Okay, I’m going to see what he wants. If you’re right, the phone goes off.”
She touched the screen to answer the call. “Howard, what is it? Is something wrong?”
“No, of course not. I just wanted to make sure both of you are safe. Vegas can be a dangerous place for two beautiful women.”
“Howard, I’m twenty-nine years old. I have lived in Manhattan all my life and managed to avoid being mugged. I think we’ll be fine.”
“Seriously, Elizabeth, Vegas is a tourist playground. Scams abound. Strip clubs are big business in Vegas. The demand is high, and the promoters are aggressive. You may be approached by individuals trying to peddle their clubs. Don’t take even one of their brochures to be polite as this will just attract other advertisers. This is something to avoid because some of the material being circulated is extremely lewd. There are even advertisements for the legal prostitutes in the area.”
Elizabeth gritted her teeth, “Seriously, Howard, I doubt either of us will be offended or surprised by possibly lewd advertising, and I think we are safe from prostitutes.”
“Are you sure you wouldn’t feel safer if I were with you?”
Elizabeth sighed and rolled her eyes as she mouthed to Melody, “You won.”
“No, Howard, we’re grown women. We can take care of ourselves. A bachelorette weekend is girls only.”
“Elizabeth, you know I worry. I expect you to call me each evening.”
“Howard, stop worrying! I’m not calling you every night. I’m hanging up now and turning off my phone. I’ll see you when I get back.”
Without giving him a chance to say anything else, Elizabeth clicked her phone off and turned to Melody. “Let’s go. I definitely need that drink now!”
❖
Will, Gabe, and Jared sat in a bar inside Caesar’s Palace. They lounged in the richly upholstered leather chairs surrounding a low table. Jared raised his highball glass and said, “Here’s to our bachelor weekend.” Gabe clicked his glass with Jared’s and added, “And may Will dodge the bullet and remain a bachelor!”
Will chuckled and held his glass high. “I’ll drink to the weekend and hope you guys will either shut up or come up with a solution.”
Jared drained his glass and waved the waiter over to order a second round. “The solution is obvious. Grow a pair and admit what you want.”
Gabe tossed back his drink and clapped Will on the shoulder. “How about we find you a woman so totally amazing that you stay shacked up for three days and three nights and finally emerge on the fourth day, drunk on Jack and sex, determined to find a wedding chapel.”
Will smiled, still holding his glass. “What? My wingmen won’t save me from Las Vegas fever?”
Jared picked up his second drink. “Hell no. We do promise not to let you get a tattoo.”
Will tipped his glass up and downed the remainder. “Thank God for small favors. With friends like you, I need a lot more booze.”
Jared picked up his second drink and let his eyes wander around the bar. There were a few before-lunch drinkers, but not many. He swirled the ice around and said, “After this round, I suggest the casino. Not much to see here.”
His eyes went to the doorway, and he said, “Wait. Check out the two lovelies walking in. Gentlemen, our luck is about to change.”
He watched as Melody ducked into the door towing Elizabeth in her wake. He tapped Gabe’s arm. “Hey, there’s a woman you’ll like. Pink cowgirl boots!”
Gabe glanced over and smiled. ” I’m staking a claim. This could be wife number three.”
Jared said, “Yeah, those shorts got my attention. And those legs. Those are legs with a capital L! “
Will noticed the look that passed between Gabe and Jared. He didn’t have to guess what they were thinking. It wouldn’t be the first time the two of them had shared a woman. Or the three of them had shared, for that matter. He focused on the other woman, the one wearing a black bride T-shirt. Despite her ordinary attire and lack of makeup, there was something about her. He couldn’t pull his eyes away.
When he realized she was looking directly at him, he held her gaze for a few seconds and was mesmerized by the deepest chocolate brown eyes he had ever seen. Jared’s voice broke his trance, and he shook his head, pulling himself back to reality.
Jared was saying, “So Will, the black bride looks like your type. Five will get you ten she doesn’t want to get married any more than you do.”
Gabe gave Elizabeth a closer appraisal. “Okay, Will. We have a possibility for the three-day and night shack-up we promised you. Those full, pouty lips. Man, imagine what she could do with that mouth.”
Will watched her and thought what that mouth would feel like as it closed around his dick. Big mistake, he thought, because now he had a raging hard-on. She started to sit at a table next to the door, but the pink cowgirl grabbed her arm and led her across the room.
As she walked over, Will could tell her legs were long and shapely, even under her jeans, and she had a way of walking in those three-inch heels that made it impossible for him to look away from the sway of her hips.
As Melody and Elizabeth sat at the table next to the guys, Jared said, “We’re in luck, guys. I think we’ve been chosen.”
❖
Melody leaned over and whispered to Elizabeth, “Wow. Those guys are hot! The one on the right–with the black hair, jeans, and boots. He’s dangerous. Him I’ve got to meet.”
Elizabeth muttered under her breath, “Could you be any more obvious?”
Despite her misgivings, Elizabeth glanced over. It was hard to be subtle when the subject of one’s perusal was sitting a mere six feet away. When she walked into the bar, she noticed one of the men, the one with brown hair. She wasn’t sure why her gaze had been drawn to him, just that it was. For a few seconds, she had felt his eyes on her and had the uncomfortable feeling he might know something about her, something she would have preferred to keep private. She told herself to stop being dramatic. She really needed to get out more.
Initially, she hadn’t paid attention to the other two men. But now, her eyes widened at the sight of three broad chests and three model-worthy faces. The dark-haired man Melody had pointed out was tall, she guessed six-two maybe, and slim. His jeans fit in a way that made Elizabeth think he might be acquainted with real horses. He did look dangerous in a badass sort of way.
She turned back to Melody. “None of them seem tame, which is why we should ignore them, have our drinks and sandwiches, and go up to the room.”
Melody smiled, crossed her legs, and leaned back against the soft leather. “Speak for yourself! I’m planning on getting to know them.”
The waiter stopped at their table, and both girls ordered Manhattans. Melody told him, “We’re here to celebrate a wedding, or if I have anything to say about it, to celebrate ditching a wedding, which might take a lot of alcohol, so run a tab and keep the drinks coming.”
Elizabeth was sure everyone in the entire bar had heard Melody’s announcement. She whispered furiously, “Melody, is the concept of discretion completely lost on you?”
Melody smiled. “Well, yeah. Elly, this is Vegas. Stop worrying. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.”
In spite of herself, Elizabeth risked another glance over her shoulder. She guessed the men were in their mid-thirties. Besides the cowboy, the other two men were dressed casually but expensively. All three were definitely GQ-worthy.
They were enjoying themselves as they made off-color jokes at the one with the brown hair, whom they called Will, about his upcoming wedding. Apparently, they were in Las Vegas for the same reason she and Melody were–a long bachelor/bachelorette weekend. Darn. He was off the market, but on the other hand, off the market meant safe, right?
Suddenly he looked directly into her eyes, startling her. She felt her cheeks get hot, embarrassed at being caught staring, and she quickly dropped her gaze.
Melody said, “Oh, I think they noticed us.”
Elizabeth kept her eyes on her lap and lowered her voice. “Oh, terrific. Attention from strange men. I just want to eat, have a drink, and go to the room and figure out which show we’re going to tonight.”
“Boring! The concierge will get tickets in five minutes. On the other hand, attention from men is exactly what you need. You’ll have someone to compare to Howard.”
“You know marriage can be about things in addition to overwhelming lust!”
“Sure. Howard needs a wife to impress his company’s conservative board, and he thinks you will do fine.”
“I’m aware of that, and since I’m okay with it, I don’t see what your problem is.”
“My problem is that while marriage can be about things other than overwhelming lust, I think lust has to be in the mix somewhere. Can you honestly tell me you feel anything approaching lust for Howard?”
Elizabeth took a deep breath and paused before she said, “Melody, would you hush?”
“I’ll hush when you come to your senses!”
Elizabeth realized Melody was staring at something behind her. Elizabeth turned and saw the three men standing around her and Melody’s table. The one with brown hair, the one they called Will, was behind her, and she turned to look at him. He wore khaki pants with creases and a blue button-down oxford shirt. The sleeves were rolled up, showing muscular forearms. He was standing so close she felt claustrophobic. She wished he would go invade Melody’s space.
Mr. Dangerous stood on one side of Melody’s chair. A man with short, cropped dark blonde hair and piercing blue eyes stood on the other. Elizabeth decided she was glad mister-I’m-getting-married had picked her out. He was probably the safest of the three.
He bent his head down as he spoke. “Hi. We thought we might share a drink.” His voice was a warm baritone that seemed to call out for trust, but a slight rasp roughened it just to give it something…more. She didn’t know what more was, just that it was not trustworthy and something to be avoided.
“Do you mind if we join you?”
Elizabeth had gotten lost looking at his face. It had well-defined planes, a perfectly straight nose, full lips, and green eyes that seemed to see beneath the surface, stripping away her clothes right down to her not very sexy bra and panties.
She couldn’t seem to look away from him–not her usual reaction, even when the guy was this gorgeous. But there was something about this one, and she wanted to get to know him better, a lot better.
She realized he had said something and was waiting for a response, but before she could make her mouth move to answer his request to join them, Melody said, “Oh, that would be fun. Please, pull up some chairs,” then she scooted over to allow three more chairs to fit around the low table.
As he sat down, Mr. Dangerous smiled and said, “Thanks. We’re here celebrating the last few free days of life for Will here. He’s getting married next week.” He clapped Will on the back. “Looks like you’re here for the same reason.”
Melody broke in, “Not if I have anything to say about it!”
Elizabeth kicked Melody’s ankle.
She said, “Here, Melody, have another drink. Maybe it will loosen the governor on your mouth even more!”
Melody smiled, picked up her glass, and sipped. “A governor on my mouth isn’t going to help you!”
Will pulled his chair next to Elizabeth. “So, you’re the prospective groom?” she asked. “Can we believe you? You aren’t wearing the obligatory “Groom” T-shirt.”
Will shook his head. “Sadly, my best man was derelict in his duties.”
Mr. Dangerous leaned back and said, “I thought my only job was to organize the bachelor party at which Will here would get laid by any number of beautiful willing women.” He picked up Melody’s hand and said, “Isn’t that on your list for the bachelorette party? Get the bride laid during her last hours of freedom by several handsome, muscular guys devoting themselves to her pleasure?”
Melody smiled and sipped her drink. “It’s my highest priority.”
Elizabeth felt herself turning red. Melody was one of her oldest friends, but she had what Elizabeth considered a very casual attitude toward sex and relationships. Elizabeth supposed her own somewhat stiff view of relationships came from being the daughter of one of the country’s wealthiest men. ‘Don’t embarrass your father’ had been a mantra. Plus, she always wondered whether a man’s interest was in her, her trust fund, or her father’s money and connections.
On the other hand, she thought Melody wouldn’t have been bothered in the least. And, as this trip was pointing out, Melody generally had more fun.
Mr. Dangerous gestured with his drink towards his two companions. “You’ve already met Will, the as yet unlaid groom. I’m Gabe. He’s Jared.”
Elizabeth tore her gaze from Will and managed to smile at Jared. He wore khaki pants with a navy-blue polo shirt stretched across his chest. His blonde hair was sun-streaked as though he spent a lot of time outdoors. Elizabeth thought he would be right at home on a sailboat off The Hamptons. Distracted, she smiled. He responded with a slight tilt of his head and a raised corner of his mouth.
Melody focused on each man in turn. “Pleased to meet you. I’m Melody, and the blushing bride here is Elizabeth.” Looking at Gabe, she said, “We dubbed you Mr. Dangerous.”
Gabe tilted his head, considering. “That works. I’m a good man to have at your back. So is Jared.”
“Backup is good,” Melody said, then gestured toward Will. “What about him?”
“Oh, he can handle himself, but we try not to involve him in the actual fight. He’s a lawyer, and if he got arrested, who would we call?”
The waiter came by the table asking about drinks, and Gabe included the girls when he ordered another round. Elizabeth looked around, wishing the room would stay still. Gabe was leaning close to Melody.
Before Elizabeth could hear what Gabe was saying, Jared turned to her, pinning her with those blue eyes, and asked, “What’s with the black bride T-shirt? Are you zombie-bride?”
She thought that was blunt, but he smiled at his own joke, so she smiled back, not wanting to be rude. Unfortunately, she couldn’t figure out what to say. Everything she thought of led to things better left unsaid.
Melody answered, “Oh no.”
Melody ignored Elizabeth’s glare. “I gave it to her because black mirrors her attitude about this wedding, which is good because I intend to use every hour of the four days we’re here to persuade her to call it off.”
Elizabeth picked up her drink. It was full again. When had that happened? She tossed back half of it. Maybe if she drank enough and passed out, this would all be gone by the time she woke up.
Jared, Gabe, and Will held their drinks up in a toast. Jared said, “Now that’s the most interesting thing we’ve heard since we’ve been here.”
❖
“Okay,” Elizabeth said, trying to hide her humiliation. “We need to leave now.”
She stood up and immediately grabbed the back of her chair when her legs wobbled.
Will smiled at her and took her hand, pulling her down on his lap. “How much have you had to drink, Lizzy?”
“Not sure. Two or three here. A few on the plane a couple of hours ago.” Elizabeth thought her voice may have slurred. “And don’t call me Lizzy.”
“Why not? Melody calls you Elly, which is softer than Elizabeth but not edgy-sexy enough.”
“Melody calls me Elly because she and I met when we were three years old, and Elly is what I called myself. She’s the only person on earth who calls me that.”
“Okay, no argument there. Elly is out because you are no longer three years old. Elizabeth is too formal, but Lizzy is down-to-earth. I like being down-to-earth with you.”
Elizabeth realized his arm was wrapped around her waist, pressing her firmly against his chest. When had that happened? He felt comfortable, warm, safe, and she sort of wanted to stay, but she didn’t do stuff like that, so she wiggled a little to let him know she wanted to get up. He didn’t let go, and she wiggled more, but he held on with enough force to let her know she was getting up only on his terms. After reassessing, she thought she probably wasn’t getting up at all because the room seemed to be swimming, and his lap was better than ending up on the floor.
“You need to eat something,” Will told her, and he signaled the waiter and ordered chicken wings and nachos for the table. Elizabeth tried to focus on her glass. She managed to pick it up and started to bring it to her lips. Will put his hand out and took it from her fingers.
“I think, for right now, you should stick to water.” Jared got up, returning a few minutes later carrying a glass of water he set down in front of her.
Gabe picked up Melody’s hand and rubbed his thumb over her palm. “You okay?”
Melody glanced at their hands and smiled. “I’m fine. I’m not the one trying to drink away my wedding.”
“Right, what kind of situation is she in?”
Elizabeth sat forward, which she realized was a mistake. “Hey, I’m right here.”
Everyone ignored her.
Elizabeth decided to skip the water and searched for her glass, but Will had set it on the other side of the table. “Will someone give me my drink back? I’m not drunk enough for this conversation.”
Jared sat forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Lizzy, let’s cut the crap. This is a conversation you need to have. Why not now? Why not us? We won’t judge unless you whine, and after this weekend, you’ll never see us again. What could be safer?”
Will glared at Jared. “Jesus, man, could you be any more direct?”
Jared shrugged and threw back the rest of his drink. “I’m being straight with her. She needs to talk, and we’ve got nothing better to do right now.”
Elizabeth tried to focus on Jared, which would have been easier if the room would stop spinning. “Are you some kind of shrink?”
Jared pinned her with his eyes. “Well, a Ph.D. in psychology and a license say I can counsel anyone I want.” He released her from his gaze and set his glass down before adding, “but I usually save my counseling for corporations.”
Will explained, “He and Gabe own a company offering corporate retreats, training, and sometimes counseling for upper management. I’m their lawyer.”
Elizabeth shut her eyes. “Oh jeez…”
Melody shook her head with frustration. “Come on, Elly, four of us are sitting here willing to brainstorm solutions to your problem. Let us help.”
Elizabeth dropped her head into her hands.
Melody continued, “Okay, I’ll start since I hope she’ll do anything other than let her deceased father force her into a marriage without lust, even in fine print on the menu.”
Gabe sat forward. “This is interesting. Will, can he force her to marry?”
“Legally, no, but there are many ways to apply force. The question is, which one is he using, and why is she going along with it?”
Will looked at Elizabeth, who refused to meet his eyes. He switched his gaze to Melody. “So?”
“Five years ago, four of us started a company called WIN. It stands for Women In Need. It’s chiefly political but also supports women’s shelters and legal aid. Elly is our voice. She does lectures, speeches, personal appearances, talk shows, writes articles, and posts to blogs. I’m doing the website, social media, and other publicity.” She leaned over at Elizabeth and coaxed, “Tell them what happened.”
Elizabeth sat up and took a deep breath. “Melody, you make it sound a lot more awful than it is!”
Melody leaned forward and set her drink on the table with a loud thump. “It’s a soap opera, and you know it. GT is dead. The man has been dead for five years, and he’s still controlling you! It’s ridiculous!”
Elizabeth tilted her head back and closed her eyes. After taking several deep breaths, she opened her eyes and found herself looking directly into Will’s eyes. “My mom died when I was a toddler. My father never remarried. He was a good man, but he was seriously controlling. I’m sure he wanted the best for me, but an independent woman wasn’t something he could imagine.”
“Like Melody said, he passed away five years ago and left me his assets in a trust fund. It pays me a monthly sum, so I have been thankful to him. But his will stipulated I get control of the trust when I turn thirty, which is this month, in two weeks, as long as I’m married. If not, all the money goes to various charities, causes, you name it. It’s a boatload of money, so I’m not willing to kiss it off.”
Melody broke in, looking around the circle of gorgeous men. “So, she’s decided to marry the wrong guy.”
“Melody, Howard is a perfectly nice man.”
“You mean perfectly boring.”
“Okay, so he isn’t the most scintillating or lust-driven personality, but I’m not sure I want a scintillating lust-driven husband. And since I rarely date, husband candidates are not lining up knocking on my door. “
Melody glared. “And whose fault is that?”
Elizabeth glared back. “Mel, I’m not up for this argument right now, especially in such a public place, in front of men I don’t even know! “
Will broke in. “Lizzy, have you read the will?”
“No, it’s long and complicated. My father’s lawyer gave me the gist of it.”
“I’m a lawyer. Would you be willing for me to read it? Maybe there is something you can do other than marry in haste.”
“Why not?”
“I’ll need your father’s full name and date of death.”
“George Thomas Smith. He died on July 2, 2017.”
Will made a note in his phone. “I’ll get a copy faxed to the hotel, and we’ll see exactly what he said.”
Jared raised his finger for another round of drinks, except for Elizabeth. He sat back and regarded Elizabeth with what she thought was his professional face. At least she didn’t think he was mentally undressing her. “I’m intrigued,” he said, “several questions come to mind.”
Gabe interrupted, “Why don’t you date?”
Will added, “Yeah. You’re beautiful and rich. You are at ease in public, at least when you aren’t wearing a black bride T-shirt. Guys should be lining up.”
Elizabeth propped her elbow on the arm of her chair and rested her cheek on her palm, which made the room feet a little steadier. “Well, sure. But it’s not a recipe for sincerity.” She sat up and shook her head. “Could we drop it? I’m sure you guys can think of something more fun than listening to my pathetically boring love life.”
Jared smiled. “Lizzy, do you have something against a guy getting to know you before heading up and…?” He wiggled his eyebrows. “Seems like refusing to let a person in a little would inhibit sincerity.”
Elizabeth was a little shocked at the crudeness, but she focused on the easiest thing to protest. “Don’t call me Lizzy.”
Will said, “I like Lizzy. Elizabeth is rigid, strait-laced, with a lot of rules. Elizabeth lives in fear of being married for her money. Lizzy is more relaxed. She’s willing to take a chance. I’m going to stick with Lizzy.”
Jared said, “Speaking as a shrink, I can see what is going on. You are afraid of being married for your money and thus being trapped in a loveless marriage. So instead, you picked someone you don’t love and probably never will.”
Gabe said, “Cuts down on the disappointment.”
Elizabeth rubbed her forehead, wishing she felt steady enough to walk out and go up to her room.
Suddenly Jared said, “I may have an idea. Lizzy, you said you rarely date. This decision to marry to keep your inheritance is reasonable–why throw away a boatload of money, but deciding to marry a boring guy you’re not in love with sounds like you’re giving up.”
Elizabeth saw him watching her like a shrink, looking for some sign he was on the right track, and she wished she had a better poker face. At last, he said, “So Lizzy, what have you given up on?”
Elizabeth looked for her drink and realized it wasn’t there. She leaned back against Will’s chest and closed her eyes because he felt so good, and for a minute, she could ignore the conversation.
After a minute, when she still hadn’t answered, Gabe said, “It can’t be something vanilla like you can’t have kids, or you think you’re fat and your mother dresses you funny, which you aren’t, and she doesn’t. It has to be something bizarre. Since you don’t date, I’m betting it’s something sexual.”
When Elizabeth still didn’t answer, he added, “The thing is, Lizzy girl, we’re going to sit here until you give in and tell us, so you might as well spit it out.”
Elizabeth felt cornered. She wanted to get up and run out, but she wasn’t sure she could manage to stand, much less run, assuming Will would let her up from his lap. She put her hands over her eyes and took a deep breath. “The truth is I’m not passionate. I’ve chosen someone I like who doesn’t expect too much because I don’t really enjoy sex.” She hesitated, then blurted out, “But I’d like to. The awful truth is I’d probably marry the first man to give me an…,” and she managed to choke out, “orgasm.”
Jared smiled as though she were joking. “You’re kidding! Not ever?”
Elizabeth thought she couldn’t possibly be more humiliated, which in a crazy way, gave her courage. The worst was over. She looked at Jared and said, “Only during personal encounters with my vibrator.”
“Hey,” Gabe said, “this is kind of like a fairy tale–that one where the princess never laughed, and her father, the king, promised her to the first man who could make her chuckle.”
Elizabeth watched the guys look at each other and smile. Jared patted her knee and said, “Princess, you’ve been with the wrong guys. But we’ve got you covered if you’re willing to give it a chance.”
Elizabeth thought she must have missed something important in the conversation. Maybe this much alcohol caused brain gaps. Before she could even consider the matter or ask a question–surely there were questions she should be asking–she found herself nodding.
“Okay,” Jared said, “first things first. To enjoy sex, you need to feel sexy. I’m thinking you don’t, so we’re going to do something about that. We have all afternoon, so we’ll start with getting your nose pierced and your pussy waxed, then move on to hair and clothing. Then this evening, we’ll all go out.”
“Wait!” Elizabeth squeaked. “What’s wrong with my hair and clothes?”
“Nothing,” Will said. “I think the tight T-shirt and the jeans that are molded to your butt are very sexy. And those heels are over the top. The problem is that you don’t think so.”
“Right,” Jared said, “let’s do this.” He signed the tab and stood up.
Elizabeth was still trying to catch up. How many drinks had she had? Was it four or five? She couldn’t recall. Her glass always seemed to be full. Switching to water had been a good suggestion. Should have done that earlier. She peered around the table, confused. “Where’s our ticket?”
“Already covered,” Will said as she tried to stand.
Her legs were far from steady, but she managed to take a step without falling.
Gabe rose, drained his glass, and grinned. “Sex makeover time.” He reached for Melody helping her stand. He leaned down and said, “You don’t need a makeover, but I’ll bet you will enjoy the spa.” He ran his thumb over her lower lip, then held her hand. Jared put his hand on her back, and they followed Will and Elizabeth out.