Dangerous Exes (Page 54)

And there it is.

I grinned.

Her lips twitched.

I pulled her into my arms for a hug.

She stiffened at first and then leaned up and kissed my cheek. “You’re getting married, then?”

“Did I ever really have another choice?” I rolled my eyes.

“No,” she said in a serious tone and lightly tapped my cheek. “You did not.”

“Thought so.”

“Goo-Poh, since it’s the day of confessions—”

“What?” She looked so hopeful.

Yeah, Jessie better knock me up soon.

I should be petrified.

Instead it only made me laugh.

With our luck . . .

“I love you,” I said.

She nodded and then shoved more food in front of me. “Eat. You look too thin.”

Her way of saying “I love you” back.

Close enough.

Chapter Sixty-Three

JESSIE

“What if she doesn’t show up?” I checked my watch again. Everything was perfect. Goo-Poh had outdone herself, and the owners of the event center had made everything look gorgeous.

We went with soft purple lighting against white backdrops. All of the tables were topped with a dragon—not my doing—and while it was an intimate wedding with only close friends and family, Goo-Poh had managed to fill the entire place with people from her retirement home, Stanley included, though he didn’t look happy about it.

“She will,” Colin encouraged again, checking his watch too.

It wasn’t even that I would be embarrassed to be stood up.

It was the simple fact that she would be saying goodbye.

I wasn’t sure I could take it.

And when Wayne and Vanessa walked in and sat down, I was ready to puke my guts out.

“Were they invited?” I said out of the corner of my mouth.

“Nope.” Colin nodded to them. “Weird.”

“I may strangle those two. I can’t go to prison on my wedding day.”

“And I can’t commit . . . what’s the word for killing one’s sister?”

The wedding march started.

I sucked in a breath. “Is she here?”

Guests looked around.

Suddenly the doors burst open and there was Goo-Poh, with Isla on one arm and a knowing smile—the first one I’d ever received from her and probably ever would—firmly planted on her face. Head held high, she even winked at me.

And then my eyes fell to Isla.

Her dress.

That dress.

My mouth went dry as my eyes strained to take her in. It had capped sleeves and lace embellishments, but my favorite part? She’d added pieces of red lace on the bottom.

And short red gloves with a red-and-white bouquet.

I’d never been happier to see that color in my entire life.

Her eyes met mine.

And instinct took over.

I ran toward her.

I was done waiting.

I met her in the middle of the aisle right next to Wayne and Vanessa.

“I love you,” I said in a hoarse voice. “I’m so—”

She wrapped her arms around me and kissed me, fused her mouth to mine in a way I’d been dreaming of for a week. I picked her up and twirled her as people cheered.

I got smacked in the back. I put Isla down while Goo-Poh shook her head. “After the ceremony.”

“Right.” I walked with them to the front and looked around. Who the hell was officiating, and why hadn’t I noticed that nobody was standing there?

Goo-Poh cleared her throat.

And Stanley, very slowly, went to the front and held out a Bible. “Who gives this woman?”

“I do!” Goo-Poh said, then added something in Chinese.

Stanley stared at her a few seconds before mumbling, “Then do it, already.”

“Pain in my ass,” Goo-Poh said under her breath before kissing Isla on both cheeks and placing her hand on mine. “You will have good fortune. Many children. You will be happy.”

With a nod she went to her seat next to Blaire and pulled out a tissue.

We faced Stanley, who looked like he’d rather be anywhere, hell included, than in this room.

“If anyone is against this marriage, speak now or forever hold your peace.” He looked into the crowd.

People gasped as someone stood.

I froze and turned.

Vanessa had tears in her eyes.

Oh, hell no, she wasn’t going to ruin this for me.

Wayne nodded at her and patted her hand.

“It’s not what you think,” she whispered. “I just wanted to say . . . be . . . I’m . . .” Wayne eyed her like this was her punishment. “Sorry. And be happy.” He nodded again and she sat.

“Well, that wasn’t normal.” Stanley peered around at Goo-Poh. “Alright, marriage is—”

I tuned him out and focused on Isla. On the feel of her palm pressed against mine.

The way she said her vows.

The clear expression of love she sent me.

And hopefully forgiveness.

“You may kiss your bride,” Stanley said.

“Finally.” I mauled her with a deep kiss, then lifted her into the air while people cheered. When I set her down, she had tears in her eyes.

Mine mirrored hers.

“This is crazy,” she said.

“Yeah,” I agreed. “But it’s right.”

“It is,” she whispered before kissing me again in front of everyone.

It wasn’t until Goo-Poh started yelling that we broke apart. And even then, all I kept thinking was, I can’t wait to show this woman our home.

Chapter Sixty-Four

ISLA

He wouldn’t let go of my hand or stop touching me.

I just wanted to leave.

To talk to him.

Kiss him.

Show him his wedding gift.

Instead we were stuck at a reception with old people.

They even brought the ones with the walkers, who were currently trying to perform “Thriller” out on the dance floor.

A cane went flying at one point, narrowly missing the cake.

Goo-Poh just shook her head.

Stanley brought her wine.

I think it was his way of drugging her, because she sniffed it before forcing one of her minions to take the first sip.

Sigh. Some things never change, do they?

I glanced up at Jessie, and some things . . . have no choice but to change.

I squeezed his hand.

“Isla.” Wayne’s voice had me ready to run for the hills.

Slowly, I turned. Wayne looked . . . tired.

Vanessa wasn’t by his side, then again I wasn’t actively searching for her.

“Wayne.” I cleared my throat as Jessie wrapped a possessive arm around me.

“I hope that was adequate.”

Adequate?

“Pardon?” I was so confused. “What do you mean adequate?”

“For everything that happened.” Now he looked confused. “The tapes? The information on Dirty Exes? I thought you knew?”

Jessie was the first to speak. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“You didn’t get Danica’s name by accident. When I noticed the money leaving the account I shared with Vanessa, I knew something was up.” Bad idea there, buddy, sharing an account with that woman, I thought. “I confronted Vanessa and she confessed everything: how she set you up and tricked your friend into giving you Danica’s name, how she paid Danica double the amount you did for the information she collected. I’m sorry. Had I known, I would have put a stop to it right away.”

Yeah, keep her on a tight leash. I shuddered.