"You look great," she said honestly, thinking it didn't get much better than a good-looking man who was prompt and owned his own tux. "I'm going to have to provide a physical barrier between you and Aunt Tully."
"I'd appreciate that. Although I noticed at lunch she seemed more interested in the groom's father."
"Well, wouldn't that cause some fireworks." Katie made a mental note to pass on the info to her mother. Not that she'd forgiven the other woman for the sexual outburst in the elevator. Knowing about parental sex was one thing, but having to hear about the details was just plain wrong.
"How are you holding up?" he asked.
She checked that her room key was in her small beaded evening bag, then pulled the door shut. "I'm fine. Counting down the days until it's all over. What about you?"
"It's not my family," he pointed out. "Although I have decided that when I get married, I want a simple ceremony. And everything done in a day."
"I agree. This is like a special kind of hell--it never ends."
As the party had grown larger, their dinner was to take place in one section of the small ballroom. The ceremony would be held there on Saturday, with the reception to follow in the bigger ballroom.
As they got closer to the party, Katie heard the sound of laughter and the clink of ice in glasses. She mentally braced herself for a whole night with her extended family. When she would have entered the room, he drew her back into the hallway.
"I want you to know you look amazing," he said, staring into her eyes.
She could see his thick lashes, the light of appreciation in his gaze. Even though she'd always wished to be taller, she had to admit there was something to be said for having a man tower over her. At least this man.
"Thank you," she murmured. "You're nice."
His dark brows pulled into a frown. "Excuse me?"
"You're really nice."
The frowned deepened. "I tell you that you look great and you insult me?"
Although he looked fierce, she saw the slight tug at the corner of his mouth. As if he were trying not to smile.
"Who does that?" he asked sternly. "I'm leaving."
She fought back the urge to giggle. "Jackson, wait. I'm sorry. You're not nice."
The frown didn't budge.
"You're actually..." She hesitated, then lowered her voice. "Bad. Very bad. You're the guy my mom warned me about."
"Better." His tone was grudging. "Just remember that."
He leaned in to kiss her. Her muscles tensed in anticipation of a really good time, her breath caught and the nerve endings in her trembling lips did a fair imitation of yearning.
"There you are." A shrill, quavering voice jerked Katie from anticipation all the way into nightmare. "Katie, darling. Come give me a kiss."
Katie stepped back from Jackson and smiled at the tiny old lady teetering toward her. "Nana," she said and moved toward the woman.
Sucking in a breath--for reasons no one could explain, Nana Marie always smelled like fish--Katie leaned in and kissed her papery cheek.
"There's a good girl. Let me look at you."
Katie stood still, then turned when she was directed.
"Very good. I see you're keeping off the weight. We were all so worried you'd stay fat. But you've proved us wrong." Nana Marie glanced at Jackson. "Who are you?"
"Jackson Kent."
"Jackson, this is Nana Marie," Katie told him. "She's..." Katie shook her head. "Nana, how are we related?"
"We're not. I was a friend of your grandmother's." Nana smiled at Jackson. "Aren't you handsome? We're all so happy that Katie finally has a man in her life. That Alex--leading her on and then falling for Courtney. That girl is about as emotionally deep as a potato chip. Not like our Katie."
Nana squeezed Katie's chin hard enough to make her eyes water. "You have a man now. That's what counts. Now I have to excuse myself and go make water."
Katie watched her head toward the restrooms, then wondered if pounding her head against the wall was an option. Sure, it would leave a bruise, but at least that would give people something to talk about that wasn't her weight or her love life.
"I'm sorry," she said miserably. "This is so much worse than I ever imagined."
Jackson moved close and lightly stroked her cheek. "Hey, I signed up for this. Besides, I like her."
"Wait until she pinches your cheek."
He chuckled, then grew serious. "Don't take this wrong, but your family really needs to stop judging you. You have a great job, you're beautiful and sexy. When you're ready, you'll get married. Any man would be lucky to have you. Alex is an idiot for picking Courtney over you."
Katie blinked at him. There were so many wonderful places to start--she couldn't pick just one.
"Thanks," she whispered.
"You're welcome." He put his arm around her and led her toward the party. "We'll circle by Alex and Courtney and the poor guy can get a look at what he's missing."