Lies Inside (31 page)

“I’m thinking maybe a little shopping spree. You’ve got to get something to wear for your wedding night.” Rylan lifted an eyebrow as she pleaded with Lucy.

“Rylan, hush.” She eyed the people seated around them in the crowded food court in the mall. “You know all the plans for this weekend are still on the down low.”

“I know, but I’m so excited. I can barely contain myself. Aren’t you excited?”

“Yes, I’m excited. I’m thrilled. And to be completely honest, a little bit terrified.”

Rylan scooted her chair closer to Lucy as she whispered, “Oh God, not because I told you about how much it hurts and all that the first time?”

“No,” Lucy whispered back. “I know I’m ready, and I think Finn is, but I don’t want him to think we
have
to, you know.”

“Oh. If you aren’t going…you know…you should at least have something sexy to sleep in. I know this little boutique. Please, please, please, Lucy. I promise it will be quick.”

Lucy knew she did need something. She really didn’t want to spend her wedding night in a pair of flannel pants and a tank top. Finn had seen her whole collection of sleepwear. It would be her only wedding night, and she did want to look attractive for Finn.

“Fine. Something sexy, but not slutty.”

Rylan jumped out of her seat and pulled Lucy up into a hug.

“Rylan!”

Rylan pulled back when she saw more than a few people staring at them.

“Sorry.” She let Lucy go as her face turned scarlet.

The two of them were gathering up their things to head over to the boutique when they heard an all too familiar voice.

“Lucy. Rylan. Wait up.”

Lucy turned around to see Dave and his familiar jet-black hair and green eyes. He wore a Clarkstown High t-shirt.

“Hey, Dave.” Lucy was polite as he walked up to them.

“Wow. I thought I was going to miss you guys.” He put his hands on his knees attempting to catch his breath. “I wanted to say hi. I haven’t seen you since you got back, Lucy. How are you doing?”

“Good, Dave. Thanks for asking.”

“So...What are you guys up to?”

“Just a little shopping,” Rylan spoke up. “I’m trying to ease Lucy here into the rewards of retail therapy.”

“Oh, alright.” He fidgeted nervously. “I was just thinking, if you guys want, you could come by Mitch’s party this weekend. I know it’s your birthday and all, but I’m sure the gang would love to see you.”

“Thanks, Dave, but we have plans this weekend.” Lucy tried not to laugh. “Finn and I are doing something special since we really didn’t get to celebrate his birthday.”

“Right.” He nodded as his gaze went down to his feet. “How is he? I mean he looked like he was doing okay on TV, but...”

“He’s doing much better. I’ll let him know you asked. I promise, we’ll get together with the whole gang. Give us a couple more weeks. We’re still getting adjusted.”

“Yeah, sure. Well...I better get back to the guys. I’ll see you around.” Lucy knew he was talking more to her than to Rylan, which was flattering but still a little creepy.

“You too.”

As Dave walked out of sight, Rylan grabbed Lucy hand and pulled her from the food court.

They ran to the Bug and hopped in, making it to the boutique in a matter of minutes. Lucy didn’t even have time to find her favorite station on the radio. All the O’Malleys drove like maniacs, Rylan most of all.

“I found a blue one. It matches your wedding colors!”

She held a little, blue, baby doll negligee in front of Lucy.

“I don’t think so. Plus, the fur trim on the bottom is a little much.”

“I thought it might feel good to rub on his skin. Jack has a thing for my pink boa and feathers.”

The image of her brother, naked, being tickled with a feather was a hard one for Lucy to shake, and she shuddered.

Lucy spied something she liked, walked over to a rack, and picked it up. “This is perfect.”

Rylan followed and fingered the sheer fabric. “Wow. I think you’re right. Sexy, but wedding night sexy. It’s on me.”

“No, Rylan. I can...”

“No, I insist. This can be a birthday present.”

“I know you’ve already bought me something else.”

“So? I can’t spoil my new sister?”

Lucy squinted as she pursed her lips. “You know I can never say no to you.”

“Then that’s settled.”

She walked toward the register with Lucy’s birthday present and the blue baby doll.

“Rylan, I said I didn’t like the blue one.”

“I know. It’s for me. Jack will love it.”

Lucy just rolled her eyes as Rylan pulled out her credit card.

“Happy birthday, Luce.” Finn pecked her on the nose as she wound her arms around his neck. She rolled over on top of him, the sheets tangling around her legs.

“I can’t believe it’s finally here.” She kissed his lips at least a dozen times before laying her head on his chest. “Why are you already dressed?”

“I had to get ready to give you your first present.”

She pulled her head up and rested her chin on his chest. “What did you do?”

“Well, it’s more from Aiden, but I had a little to do with it.”

“Oh, God.”

“It’s not that bad. I promise. Just get dressed and meet me down in the living room.”

She reluctantly rolled off him. He rushed out the door to get downstairs and get everything ready.

Jack, Rylan, and Aiden were all in the living room when Finn got there.

“She’s getting dressed. Is everything ready?”

“Yep. It’s streaming as we speak. I’ve got everything hooked up.” Aiden was excited and more than a little proud of himself.

“I still can’t believe we pulled this all together so quick.” Finn rubbed his now sweaty palms on his jeans.

“Don’t worry, man. She’ll love it.”

“Don’t sweat it. You know Lucy swoons every time she hears your music. I swear she played that CD Rylan gave her at least ten hours a day.” Jack rolled his eyes. Finn’s first thought...
kill Rylan.

He looked to Rylan and saw her sweet little smile, her head tipped slightly to the side. “It was a combination of some of your recitals. She really missed you. I thought it would help. It was over two years ago, Finn.”

“What was two years ago?” Lucy came prancing down the stairs.

“Since I made you that CD of Finn’s recitals.”

“Oh, that.” She tugged at her bottom lip with her teeth as she took Finn’s hand. “I missed hearing you. I begged Rylan to make me a copy when I heard her listening to it. Don’t blame her.”

“Luce, you never told him that you couldn’t go to sleep without listening to it?” Jack laughed, but Rylan elbowed him in the ribs.

“It’s fine, really. It will make this all the more special. Come here.” Finn pulled her over to sit next to him on the couch. “Whenever you’re ready, Aiden.”

Aiden hit a couple of keys on the laptop hooked up to the big screen. Soon, a live shot of Finn and Lucy’s website popped up. Aiden clicked on the update bar.

“Oh, my God.” Lucy heard the familiar sound of Finn’s music with a little something extra. Aiden had added some additional guitar accompaniment to give it what Finn thought it needed to be complete. Then, the pictures they had taken started to scroll across the screen. “It’s wonderful. When did you have time?”

“Aiden got the photos together, and we recorded the song with the rest of the wedding music while you and Rylan were busy shopping.”

“I love it. It’s on the website?”

“Yep. Aiden put it up this morning.”

Lucy put her hands on both sides of Finn’s face and pulled him in for a kiss. “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I love it.”

She got up and hugged Aiden. “Thank you.”

After that, she hugged her twin.

“Happy Birthday, Jack.”

“Happy Birthday, Luce. Thanks for my present.”

Lucy pulled back to look at him in confusion. “I haven’t given you anything yet.”

“Rylan showed me what you turned down last night. So, thank you.”

Lucy rolled her eyes as Rylan giggled.

“That’s present number one.” Rylan chirped.

“Rylan, I told you. What you bought last night was enough.”

“What did she buy you?” Finn was more than curious because Lucy hadn’t mentioned anything.

Lucy stared Rylan down as she shook her head.

“What?” Finn asked again.

“It’s kind of a...surprise.”

He lifted an eyebrow as his arms wrapped around her waist. “A surprise...for me?”

“You’ll see tomorrow night.”

Knowing Rylan’s taste, it was most definitely lingerie. Not that he thought Lucy needed anything to make her look any sexier than she already was. It didn’t stop him from feeling a little excited though.

“You can’t fill my head with things like that. I might have to call the minister and marry us right now.” He pulled her in for a kiss.

“Come on now. Breakfast is waiting,” Rylan said as she pulled Lucy from him, leading them all to the kitchen.

Claire made an extravagant breakfast. After they finished eating, they lounged around for over two hours just talking as their stomachs settled.

Once they were able to move again, it was time to give Lucy and Jack the best birthday possible.

Finn strapped the girls into the new SUV, while Jack packed all the food and supplies. They drove to the lake to enjoy the glorious summer day.

Lucy looked far more than beautiful in her emerald green bikini. They spent the day swimming and playing games. Chloe and Finn teamed up for the sandcastle-building contest. He thought their castle was the best even though some of the towers were a little lopsided, and it didn’t look much like a castle, neither did any of the others. As the official winners, Finn and Chloe enjoyed the pleasure of stomping their competitors’ castles to the ground.

They grilled hamburgers and hot dogs for lunch. When it was close to dinnertime, they packed it up and drove home for one of Claire’s spectacular birthday dinners.

Finn stole Lucy away after dinner to give her his present.

“Finn. You know I don’t need anything.”

“It’s for tomorrow. It can be your something blue.”

Finn pulled the light blue box with the white ribbon from his pocket.

“Finn, you shouldn’t have.”

“Open it.”

She pulled the ribbon off and lifted the lid. He’d been hiding this gift for over a week.

“It’s...It’s g-gorgeous.”

He took the diamond and sapphire, white-gold bracelet from the box and placed it on her delicate wrist.

He kissed her hand as he saw a tear run down her cheek. “Lucy.”

“I can’t believe all of this is really happening. Today has been more than I could ever hope for. And tomorrow—”

“Is going to be just as wonderful.” He leaned down to capture her lips as the pad of his thumb wiped the tear from the apple of her cheek. “I love you, Lucy Butler.”

“I so love you, Finn O’Malley.”