A Tricky Proposition (12 page)

“He doesn’t want to fall in love.”

Missy surveyed the three Case men as the minister guided them into position near the front of the church. “So make him.”

Rather than lecture Missy about how hopeless it was to try changing Jason’s mind about love and marriage, Ming clamped her lips together and forced a smile. What good would it do to argue with a newly married woman who was a poster child for happily ever after?

As she practiced her walk up the aisle on Nathan’s arm, she had a hard time focusing on the minister’s instructions. Casting surreptitious glances at Jason, standing handsome and confident beside Max, she fought against despair as she realized there would never be a day when the man she loved waited for her at the front of the church. She would never wear an elegant gown of white satin and shimmering pearls and speak the words that would bind them together forever.

“And then you separate, each going to your place.” The minister signaled to the organist. “Here the music changes to signal that the bride is on her way.”

While everyone watched Rachel float up the aisle, her happiness making it appear as if her feet didn’t touch the ground, Ming stared down at the floor and fought against the tightness in her throat. She was going to drive herself mad pining for an ending that could never be.

Twenty minutes later, the wedding party was dismissed. They trooped back down the aisle, two-by-two, with Nathan and Ming bringing up the rear.

“How’s Emma doing?” she asked. Nathan’s wife was five days past her due date.

“She’s miserable.” Nathan obviously shared his wife’s discomfort. “Can’t wait for the baby to come.”

“I didn’t see her. Is she here tonight?”

“No.” A muscle jumped in his jaw. “I told her to stay home and rest up. Tomorrow is going to be a long day.” Nathan scowled. “But if I know her, she’s working on the last of her orders to get them done before the baby arrives.”

Nathan’s wife made some of the most unique and beautiful jewelry Ming had ever seen. Missy’s wedding set was one of her designs. From what Jason had told her, Max and Rachel’s wedding rings had been created by Emma as well.

“I’m worried she’s not going to slow down even after the baby arrives,” Nathan continued, looking both exasperated and concerned. “She needs to take better care of herself.”

“Why, when she has you to take care of her?”

Nathan gave her a wry grin. “I suppose you’re right. See you tomorrow.”

Smiling thoughtfully at Nathan’s eagerness to get home to his wife, Ming went to fetch her purse. When she straightened, she discovered Jason standing beside her. He slipped his fingers through hers and squeezed gently.

“I missed you this week.”

Shivers danced along her spine at his earnest tone. “I missed you, too.”

More than she cared to admit. Although they’d talked every day on the phone, their conversations had revolved around the dental practice financials and other safe topics. They hadn’t discussed that Evan was in love with Lily, and Ming wasn’t sure Jason even knew.

“I don’t suppose I could talk you into coming home with me tonight,” he murmured, drawing her after the departing couples.

Although tempted by his offer, she shook her head. “I promised Lily we’d hang out, and I have an early appointment to get my hair and makeup done tomorrow.” She didn’t like making up excuses, but after what she’d started to suspect earlier, the only thing she wanted to do was take the pregnancy test she’d bought on the way to the church and see if it was positive. “Tomorrow after the reception.”

Jason walked her to her car and held her door while she got behind the wheel. He lingered with his hand on the door. The silence between them grew heavy with expectation. Ming’s heart slowed. The crease between his brows told her that something troubled him.

She was the first to break the silence. “Evan’s in love with Lily and she’s decided to stay in Houston.”

“How do you feel about that?”

“I’m thrilled.”

“I mean about how Evan feels about her.”

With a determined smile she shook her head. “I’m happy for him and Lily.”

“You’re really okay with it?”

“I’m going to be a mom. That’s what I’m truly excited about. That’s where I need to put all my energy.”

“Because you know I’m here if you want to talk.”

“Really, I’m fine,” she said, keeping her voice bright and untroubled. She knew he was just being a good friend, but she couldn’t stop herself from wishing his concern originated in the same sort of love she felt for him. “See you at the restaurant.”

He stared at her for a long moment more before stepping back. “Save me a seat.”

And with that, he closed her car door.

Eleven

J
ason had never been so glad to be done with an evening. Sitting beside Ming while toast after toast had been made to the bride and groom, he’d never felt more alone. But it’s what he wanted. A lifetime with no attachments. No worries that he’d ever become so despondent over losing a woman that he’d want to kill himself.

Logic and years of distance told him that his father had been in an extremely dark place after the death of his wife and daughter. But there was no reason to believe that Jason would ever suffer such a devastating loss. And if he did, wasn’t he strong enough to keep from sinking into a hole and never coming out?

And yet, his reaction to that photo of her dancing hadn’t exactly been rational. Neither had the way he’d demanded that she declare herself to be his. Oh, he’d claimed that he didn’t want to lead her on. The truth was he was deathly afraid of losing her.

“I’m heading home.” Ming leaned her shoulder against his. Her breath brushed his neck with intoxicating results. “Can you walk me to my car?”

“I think I’ll leave, too.” The evening was winding down. Sebastian and Missy had already departed.

As soon as they cleared the front door, he took her hand. Funny how such a simple act brought him so much contentment. “Did I mention you look beautiful tonight?”

“Thank you.” Only her eyes smiled at him. The rest of her features were frozen into somber lines.

They reached her car and before he could open her door, she put a hand on his arm. “This is probably not the best place for this…” She glanced around, gathered a breath and met his gaze. Despite her tension, joy glittered in her dark eyes. “I’m pregnant.”

Her declaration crushed the air from his lungs. He’d been expecting it, but somehow now, knowing his child grew inside her, he was beyond thrilled.

“You’re sure?”

“As sure as an early pregnancy test can be.” Her fingers bit into his arm. “I took one at the restaurant.” She laughed unsteadily. “How crazy is that? I couldn’t even wait until I got home.”

Jason wrapped his arms around her and held her against him. A baby. Their baby. He wanted to rush back into the restaurant and tell everyone. They were going to be parents. Reality penetrated his giddy mood. Except she didn’t want to share the truth with anyone. She intended to raise the child on her own.

“I’m glad you couldn’t wait,” he told her, his words muffled against her hair. “It’s wonderful news.”

From chest to thigh, her long, lean body was aligned with his. How many months until holding her like this he’d feel only her rounded stomach? Or would he even get to snuggle with her, her head resting on his shoulder, her arms locked around his waist?

“Of course, this means…”

Knowing what was coming next, Jason growled. “You aren’t seriously going to break up with me on the eve of Max’s wedding.”

“Break up with you?” She tipped her head back so he could see her smile, but she wouldn’t meet his eyes. “That would require us to be dating.”

But they’d sworn never to explore that path. Would they miss a chance to discover that the real reason they were such good friends was because they were meant to be together?

Are you listening to yourself? What happened to swearing you’d never fall in love?

Frustrated by conflicting desires, Jason’s hold on her tightened. Her breath hitched as he lowered his head and claimed her mouth. Heat flared between them. Their tongues tangled while delicious sensations licked at his nerves. She was an endless feast for his senses. A balm for his soul. She challenged him and made him a better person. And now she was pregnant with his child. They could be happy together.

All he needed to do was let her in.

He broke off the kiss and dragged his lips across her cheek. What existed in his heart was hers alone. He could tell her and change everything.

The silence between them lengthened. Finally, Ming slid her palm down his heaving chest and stepped back.

“We’re just good friends who happen to be sleeping together until one of us got pregnant,” she said, her wry tone at odds with her somber eyes.

“And we promised nothing would get in the way of our friendship.”

She sagged against him. “And it won’t.”

“Not ever.”

*

Our baby.

Jason’s words the previous night had given her goose bumps. Almost ten hours later, Ming rubbed her arms as the sensation lingered.

My baby.

She tried to infuse the declaration with conviction, but couldn’t summon the strength. Not surprising, when his claim filled her with unbridled joy. It was impossible to be practical when her heart was singing and she felt lighter than air.

Pulling into the parking lot of the salon Susan Case had selected based on their excellent reputation, Ming spent a few minutes channeling her jubilation over her baby news into happiness for Rachel and Max. It was easy to do.

The bride was glowing as she chatted with her sister, Hailey, Missy and Susan. As Ming joined the group, two stylists took charge of Rachel, escorting her to a chair near the back. Rachel had let her hair grow out from the boyish cut she’d had when Ming had first met her. For her wedding look, the stylists pinned big loops of curls all over her head and attached tiny white flowers throughout.

Unaccustomed to being the center of attention, Rachel endured being fussed over with good grace. Watching the stylists in action, Ming was certain the bride would be delighted with the results.

Because all the bridesmaids had long hair, they were styled with the front pulled away from their face and soft waves cascading down their back. When the four girls lined up so Susan could take a photo, the resulting picture was feminine and romantic.

Although the wedding wasn’t until four, the photographer was expecting them to be at the church, dressed in their wedding finery by one. With a hundred or more photos to smile for and because she’d skipped breakfast after oversleeping, Ming decided she’d better grab lunch before heading to the church. She ended up being the last to arrive.

Naturally her gaze went straight to Jason. Standing halfway up the aisle, model-gorgeous in his tuxedo, he looked far more stressed than the groom. Ming flashed back to their senior prom, the evening that marked the beginning of the end for her in terms of experiencing true love.

“Don’t you look handsome,” she exclaimed as he drew near. Over the years, she’d had a lot of practice pretending she wasn’t infatuated with him. That stood her in good stead as Jason pulled her into his arms for a friendly hug.

“You smell as edible as you look,” he murmured. “Whose insane idea was it to dress you in a color that made me want to devour you?”

For her fall wedding, Rachel had chosen strapless empire waist bridesmaid dresses in muted apple green. They would all be carrying bouquets of orange, yellow and fuchsia.

Ming quivered as his sexy voice rumbled through her. If he kept staring at her with hungry eyes, she might not be able to wait until after the wedding to get him alone. A deep breath helped Ming master her wayward desires. Today was about Max and Rachel.

“Susan proposed apple green, I believe.” She’d never know how she kept her tone even given the chaos of her emotions.

“Remind me to thank her later.”

Ming restrained a foolish giggle and pushed him to arm’s length so she could check him out in turn. “I like you in a tux. You should wear one more often.”

“If I’d known how much fun it would be to have you undress me with your eyes, I would have done so sooner.”

“I’m not undressing—” She stopped the flow of words as Emma waddled within earshot.

“I don’t know what you’re planning on taking off,” the very pregnant woman said as she stepped into the pew beside them, “but I’d start with what he’s wearing.”

Jason smirked at Ming, but there was no time for her to respond because the photographer’s assistant called for the wedding party to come to the front of the church.

With everyone in a festive mood, it was easy for Ming to laugh and joke with the rest of Rachel’s attendants as they posed for one photo after another. The photographer’s strict schedule allowed little time for her to dwell on how close she’d been to her own wedding six months earlier, or whether she might be in this same position months from now if things continued to progress with Lily and Evan.

But in the half-hour lull between photos and ceremony, she had more than enough quiet to contemplate what might have been for her and to ponder the future.

She kept apart from the rest of the group, not wanting her bout of melancholy to mar the bride and groom’s perfect day. Shortly before the ceremony was supposed to start, Jason approached her and squeezed her hand.

“You look pensive.”

“I was just thinking about the baby.”

“Me, too.” His expression was grave. “I want to tell everyone I’m the father.”

Ming’s heart convulsed. Last night, after discovering she was pregnant, she’d longed to stand at Jason’s side and tell everyone they were having a baby. Of course, doing it would bring up questions about whether or not they were together.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?”

“The only reason you wanted to keep quiet was because you didn’t want to hurt Evan. But he’s moved on with your sister.”

“So you decided this because Evan and Lily are involved?”

“It isn’t about them. It’s about us. I’m going to be in the child’s life on a daily basis.” His expression was more determined than she’d ever seen it. “I think I should be there as his dad rather than as Uncle Jason.”

He’d said
us.

Only it wasn’t about her and Jason. Not in the way she wanted. Ming’s heart shuddered like a damaged window battered by strong winds. At any second it could shatter into a thousand pieces. She loved the idea that he wanted to be a father, but she couldn’t ignore her yearning to have him be there for her as well.

“Come on, you two,” Missy called as the wedding party began moving into position near the church’s inner door. “We’re on.”

Jason strode to his position in line and Ming relaxed her grip on her bouquet before the delicate stems of the Gerber daisies snapped beneath the intensity of her conflicting emotions.

As maid of honor, Rachel’s sister, Hailey, was already in place behind Max and his parents. The music began signaling the trio to start down the aisle. The groom looked relaxed and ready as he accompanied his parents to their places at the front of the church.

The bright flowers in Ming’s hands quivered as she stood beside Nathan. He appeared on edge. His distress let Ming forget about her own troubles.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

Lines bracketed his mouth. “I tried to convince Emma to stay home. Although she wouldn’t admit it, she’s really having a difficult time today. I’m worried about her.”

“I’m sure it’s natural to be uncomfortable when you’re past your due date,” Ming said and saw immediately that her words had little effect on the overprotective father-to-be. “She’ll let you know if anything is wrong.”

“I’m concerned that she won’t.” He glanced behind him at the bride. “She didn’t want anything to disturb your day.”

Rachel put her hand on Nathan’s arm, her expression sympathetic. “I appreciate both of you being here today, but if you think she needs to be at home, take her there right after the ceremony.”

Nathan leaned down and grazed Rachel’s cheek with his lips. “I will. Thank you.”

He seemed marginally less like an overwound spring as they took their turn walking down the aisle. It might have helped that his wife beamed at him from the second row. Ming’s stomach twisted in reaction to their happiness. Even for someone who wasn’t newly pregnant and madly in love with a man who refused to feel the same way, it was easy to get overwhelmed by emotions at a wedding. Holding herself together became easier as she watched Rachel start down the aisle.

The bride wore a long strapless dress unadorned by beading or lace. Diamond and pearl earrings were her only jewelry. Her styling was romantic and understated, allowing the bride’s beauty and her utter happiness to shine.

With her father dead and her mother out of her life since she was four, Rachel had no one to give her away. Ming’s sadness lasted only until she realized this was the last time Rachel would walk alone. At the end of the ceremony, she would be Max’s wife and part of his family.

Ming swallowed past the lump in her throat as the minister began talking. The rest of the ceremony passed in a blur. She was roused out of her thoughts by the sound of clapping. Max had swept Rachel into a passionate kiss. The music began once more and the happy couple headed back down the aisle, joined for life.

Because they’d been the last up the aisle, Nathan and Ming were the last to return down it. They didn’t get far, however. As they drew near Emma, Ming realized something was wrong. Nathan’s wife was bending forward at the waist and in obvious pain. When Nathan hastened to her side, she clutched his forearm and leaned into his strength.

“I think it might be time to get to the hospital,” she said, her brown eyes appearing darker than ever in her pale face.

“How long has this been going on?” he demanded.

“Since this morning.”

Nathan growled.

“I’m fine. I wanted both of us to be here for Rachel and Max. And now I’d like to go to the hospital and give birth to our son.”

“Stubborn woman,” Nathan muttered as he put a supporting arm around his wife and escorted her down the aisle.

“Do you want us to come with you?” Max’s mother asked, following on their heels. She reached her hand back to her husband.

“No.” Emma shook her head. “Stay and enjoy the party. The baby probably won’t come anytime soon.” But as she said it, another contraction stopped her in her tracks.

“I’m going to get the car.” Handing his wife off to Ming, Nathan raced out of the church.

Ming and Emma continued their slow progress.

“Has he always been like this?” Ming asked, amused and ever so envious.

“It all started when my father decided to make marrying me part of a business deal Nathan was doing with Montgomery Oil. Since then he’s got this crazy idea in his head that I need to be taken care of.”