“What are you going to do?” Xander asked, following his line of vision.
“He’s going to forget about her,” Lucas answered. “Look, she’s in a relationship and didn’t tell you. Worse, it’s with your own brother. Do you really need another reason for Derrick to hate you? I know you like her, but those are the facts. You might as well hook up with one of these lovely, single Georgia peaches just waiting to have a wedding story to tell their girlfriends when they return home. Make sure you mention you’re Dr. Roarke Hawthorne when you introduce yourself. Women love titles.”
Matthew nodded his agreement. “Weddings are the perfect opportunity to get laid.”
Xander shook his head Lucas. “I can’t believe they pay you to give advice. Not every man is trying to see how many women he can nail before he dies.”
“Says the man who married his high school sweetheart and hasn’t had sex with another woman since then,” Lucas said.
“I’m happily married.”
“Good for you. Not everyone wants that particular noose around his neck.” Lucas wrapped his fingers around his own throat in a mock choking gesture.
“Why didn’t you hook up with Celeste’s friend—what was her name . . . Gwen?”
“Too aggressive. I like my women a little more docile.”
Matthew laughed. “Maybe you should invite her to one of your workshops.”
Lucas stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Hmm . . . maybe I should.”
Lucas wrote a successful relationship blog called Why He Won’t Marry You and an advice column in a national magazine. Occasionally, his speaking engagements took him on tour across the country. Men idolized him, but angry women viewed him as a pariah.
“Guys, I appreciate your efforts to cheer me up,” Roarke said sarcastically, “but I’m fine. Pretty soon she’ll be gone, and what happened will be behind us.”
Matthew turned his eyes on his brother. “Until she shows up at another event with Derrick.”
The same thought had crossed Roarke’s mind. If this relationship lasted between her and Derrick, she would be at other family functions, and he would have to pretend not to care. His chest tightened.
“I may have my father’s name, but I’m nothing like him. She and Derrick are a couple. She’s with the man she wants to be with, and whatever the attraction was between us, nothing can be done about it now.”
As he said the words, he recollected her face, and the way she wouldn’t even look at him. There was no doubt in his mind something had changed. But what?
Minutes later, the wedding planner announced the bridesmaids and groomsmen, who came in and took their places on either side of the entrance.
Lots of cheering and loud clapping filled the space when she said, “Mr. and Mrs. Antonio Vega!”
The group of ten walked down the middle of the tent to the dance floor. All of a sudden, the beginning strains of a recorded version of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” came through the speakers. The guests looked around in surprise at the action taking place up front. The wedding party moved in zombie formation, getting into position.
“No, she didn’t! That’s my sister!” Matthew hollered.
The music picked up, and the group started the choreographed dance. For the next four minutes, Roarke watched in awe the precision of the zombielike movements, pelvic thrusts, and sweeping arm gestures. They shimmied across the floor, and the more they danced, the more the audience became excited.
Anyone who had been seated was on his or her feet, and thunderous applause greeted the end of the routine. Cassidy’s beaming face turned toward her brother. Roarke smiled at his little sister. With a heavy heart, he realized this was the last time she would turn to him, seeking his approval. He gave her the thumbs-up just before her husband swept her up into his arms.