"Thanks for all your help," Janis said. "I couldn't have gotten through this without you. I keep telling myself that in a few hours, this will all be over."
"That's what I was thinking. I swear, when I get married, I'm going to elope. Or have no more than fifty people."
"Your father and I will spend exactly the same on your wedding as we spent on your sister's."
Katie grinned at her mom. "Can I have the cash instead?"
Her mother hugged her. "With interest."
The ceremony was beautiful and went off smoothly. At the reception, the first dance made everyone sigh, the food was perfect and the cake had a place of honor in the corner.
The bride and groom had decided against a head table. Instead there was a special table just for them--under a fabric-draped archway, with twinkling lights.
Jackson pulled Katie close, moving in time with the music. "Would you be mad if I asked how much longer we have to stay?"
She grinned up at him. "No, because I already have an answer. Fifty-seven minutes. I promised my mom we'd be here until nine-thirty. Then we're free."
"Good. Your room or mine?"
She tilted her head as she considered the question. The soft light spilled onto her beautiful face, illuminating the light dusting of freckles, the shape of her mouth and the humor in her eyes.
"Your room," she said at last. "Mostly because no one will look for me there."
"You're saying I'm little more than an excuse."
"Is that a problem?"
"Not at all."
She laughed, and he felt the sound clear down to his gut. The sense of rightness he felt when he was around her had only grown.
His mother's words still lingered, making him aware that he would have to tread carefully. He wanted to make it clear to Katie and everyone else that she was important to him. He wasn't playing games. She was the one and he intended to have her.
Courtney came up and tapped Katie on the shoulder. "I'm going to throw the bouquet. I'm going to throw it directly at you. You know, for luck." Then Courtney hugged her. "I love you, Katie."
"I love you, too."
Courtney released her and glanced at Jackson. "Thanks for coming to my wedding."
"I thought you hated me."
She giggled the laugh of the very tipsy. "Don't be silly. Although you'd better be careful with my sister. I know all about you."
"What does that mean?" he asked.
Courtney turned her attention back to Katie. "I can tell you really like him. I mean, he's an arranged date and all but he's been nice. Still, be careful. You know how things go with guys. You're not very lucky."
Katie's expression went blank. Obviously she was really great at hiding her feelings.
Jackson wasn't willing to just take Courtney's crap anymore. "Listen," he began.
Courtney's eyes narrowed. "No. You listen. You slept with Ariel. She told me. So don't you hurt my sister. Come on." Courtney grabbed her sister's arm. "I'm throwing the bouquet."
Katie slipped away before he could stop her.
Jackson stood in the middle of the dance floor, watching the woman he loved being led away.
He hadn't slept with Ariel, at least, not in a very long time. Surely Katie knew that. She had to understand Courtney was lying or misrepresenting the truth. Or Ariel was. Katie had to know how much she meant to him. That he would never do anything to hurt her.
"Is everything all right?" his mother asked.
"Fine."
"Katie looked upset."
He had to fix this, he thought grimly. But how? There had to be some way to convince her that she was...
He put his hands on his mother's shoulders. "I need you to get Courtney to hold off on throwing the bouquet."
"What?"
"She's going to do it any second. I need you to get them to delay."
"For how long?"
"Until I'm back." He headed for the door.
"Howie--"
He turned around. "Mom, you have to stop calling me that. I'll explain everything as soon as I can. Just help me."
"All right. But I don't know what I'm going to say."
"You'll think of something."
"This is stupid," Courtney said, sipping champagne and pacing by the edge of the ballroom. "I want to throw the bouquet and get on with my life."
"Mom and Tina were really clear. They want us to wait."
"Fine. But only five more minutes. Then I'm doing what I want."
And damn the consequences, Katie thought wryly. Courtney had her moments of caring about other people. Unfortunately they were widely spaced.
"I'm hope you know I said what I did for your own good," Courtney said.
Katie stared at her blankly. "What are you talking about?"
"Jackson and Ariel. Did you look at her? You don't have a shot. I know that sounds cruel, but it's true. Better that you get over him now than he breaks your heart."
Katie told herself she would sleep better if she assumed the best about her sister. "I appreciate the warning, but Jackson and Ariel aren't together. They didn't sleep together."
Courtney's eyes widened. "Of course they did. Both nights."