The Best of June (14 page)

Since everyone was engaged in a conversation except for her, June stood up and walked by her mom and Mrs. Colchester. They sat drinking tea while talking about the hows and the whens of the wedding. She overheard them giggle and sigh about which flowers to choose.

The wedding would be held in the Colchesters’ backyard. Her parents didn’t have a say on that, especially when Henry’s mom mentioned that about three hundred guests would be invited. When her mother asked why they would invite so many people, Mrs. Colchester said that with such short notice, most invitees would probably decline the invitation because they’d already made commitments. Two weeks wasn’t adequate time to invite more people.

She glanced at Henry. He’d been checking out everything in the living room—picking up figurines, touching little knick-knacks and staring at the pictures her parents had hung on the wall and placed wherever there was a spot. Most of them were pictures of her growing up.

She walked toward him. He didn’t seem to notice her—or he was ignoring her on purpose—so she pulled his sleeve to get his attention. “Henry, please listen. This is crazy. We are not getting married.”

“Yes, we are. It’s done.”

“Done. What is done? Why are you agreeing to this?”

“Because you’re pregnant. That’s why.”

“So?”

“Stop it. Why don’t you join our parents and tell them what you want done with the wedding?”

“I don’t want a wedding.”

“Too late.”

“No, it’s not,” she snapped at him, but Henry simply put his finger on her lips, shushing her. Then he ignored her and picked up a picture of her when she was just two.

Still confused by the turn of events, she leaned against the bookshelf and watched Henry. She didn’t understand. Obviously, he wasn’t happy about the prospect of getting married, but he was going along with the plan.

June didn’t want a wedding. She just wanted to have little Jelly Bean and hopefully see her until she was old enough to fall in love. Not this. No. “I can tell you’re against this. If we go through—”

“We
are
going through with this.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re pregnant.”

“Damn it. We can talk about the baby without involving the marriage topic.”

Henry frowned. “You really didn’t want to get married?”

“No! That’s what I’ve been telling you. I’m sorry about all of this. My parents… I didn’t know. Please. Tell them we are not getting married.” She loved her parents and she understood their intentions, but to go behind her back and talk to the Colchesters? That made her really angry. She couldn’t wait to talk to them.

Henry let out a tired sigh. “Too late, hon.”

June stared at Henry. Was the baby his only reason for coming here? If there was more? What could it be? So many questions. June felt like she was in the middle of a tornado. Everything was hazy, unclear.

“Too late? No, it’s not. Henry, if you want to take responsibility for Jelly Bean, you could do that in some other ways. Marriage is not the only option.”

“June, just accept everyone’s decision. Everybody here wants the baby to have… Did you say Jelly Bean?

“Yes.”

“You know you’re having a girl?”

“No.”

Henry glanced at her belly. “Well, you don’t want Jelly Bean to be born a bastard, so we are getting married.”

Her mom’s and Mrs. Colchester’s laughter reached her. Lord, she wanted to scream. If she could just disappear like smoke or melt like ice, it would be better. At least she wouldn’t have to look at the Colchesters and listen to her parents talk about the wedding. Every time they mentioned the word, she wanted to die from embarrassment. Henry’s presence, however, wreaked havoc on her senses.

Lord. He’ll be my husband!

Despite the situation they were in, she couldn’t stop thinking about him—how he’d kiss her—every part of her. She glanced at his hands, hands that he’d used to please, tease, measure and probe. Oh, yes. He’d touched her where she throbbed. With just his hands alone, he’d pleasured her until she’d gone to heaven. June closed her eyes and imagined him making love to her, sucking on her nipples until she squirmed and her folds grew wet. Oh, how she loved it whenever he’d slide down her body to kiss her between her legs. She wanted him to touch her there again, feel his lips against her skin. She wanted him inside her.

The very center of her throbbed. She opened her eyes and found Henry staring at her. This time with a smirk and a knowing look in his eyes.

Oh, shit.

“What were you thinking just now?”

Minerva and her mother’s laughter saved her from answering. During dinner, Minerva had said only a few words. Her mom was no different. She’d been quiet during supper and looked guilty whenever they caught each other’s glances, but now, neither woman could contain their excitement. She glanced at her dad and Judge Colchester. Both were staring at their wineglasses.

June listened in on the conversation.

“Thank you for agreeing to hold the wedding at our house,” Mrs. Colchester said. “I’ve been dreaming about having one in the backyard. Now, what do you think about the flowers, Rebecca? Orchids, maybe?”

Rebecca clapped her hands. “Orchids would be fantastic.”

June was so close to rolling her eyes. She didn’t care about the wedding, but they should at least ask for her opinion. Damn it. She’d prefer a bouquet of angel’s breath—cheap and simple.

She needed fresh air. June didn’t want to hear any more. Quickly, she left Henry by the fireplace and walked out of the room.

At the verandah, she leaned her hips on the railing. She wrapped her arms around herself as the soft breeze kissed her skin.

Their house may be small and in desperate need of repair but they had a great view of the Puget Sound. She could watch the sunset every day. Most houses around them had been sold and renovated into monstrous multimillion-dollar houses. Theirs had remained the same since her dad had bought it thirty years ago. She never wanted to leave this place. But if she married Henry, where would she live?

June peeled the old paint off the railing until she sensed someone standing behind her. She knew who it was. His cologne gave him away.

Henry leaned his forearms on the wood railing. “Nice view,” he said.

“Water.”

“I remember. You like the view of the water. Always different.”

“Right.”

“They want you back inside. My mother wants to know who you’re going to invite.”

“I don’t know anyone except for Craig and Vi.” She faced Henry. “I didn’t know my parents had talked to your parents—but you did. You should have told me. Then we could have talked about this.”

“I thought about it, but then what’s the use of talking? We need to get married, and that’s that.”

“I’m sorry. You weren’t supposed to know.”

“That you’re pregnant?”

“Yes.”

“Did you think that was fair? You’re carrying my baby, for God’s sake. Why did you do it?”

“You mean get pregnant?”

“No. Why did you—and I’m guessing your friend, Vivienne—fool me?”

“I didn’t deceive you. It wasn’t meant to be that way.”

“Tell me, then. Why would a woman like you, with parents who obviously care and are willing to give you everything they can afford, offer her body to a man she didn’t even know? You made me think that you’re…”

“A prostitute,” June supplied.

“Why pose as one?”

“You wouldn’t understand.”

“What? You just wanted to know how it was like to sleep with a man? But it wasn’t your first time. Was it some kind of an experiment or a deal you had with Vivienne? Did you lose a bet?”

“No. I would never bet on anything like that.”

Henry let out a resigned sigh. “I don’t fucking understand. So, what did you tell your parents? About us? Do they even know? Are they—?”

“They don’t. I told them that we’d met and had a one-night stand.”

“They don’t know about the three days on my yacht?”

June shook her head. “No.”

“Why are you lying to your parents? To me? Everything you said that night was a lie.”

“Not all, Henry. I lied about being someone’s present for you. The rest was and is all true. I’ve never told anyone about…about my dreams. Only you.”

“So why sleep with a stranger? Was it all an act of a rebellious daughter, then? Never mind. You don’t have to explain. You’ll probably lie again anyway.”

June’s heart dropped to the floor. “Please, you have to believe me. I didn’t mean for this to happen, for you to know.”

“How can I believe anything you say now, June? You said it was safe. Tell me. Just be honest for once.”

“What do you want to know?”

“Were you pregnant before you slept with me?”

“No!” June squeaked. “I’ve never slept with anyone since…since…”

“Since you lost your virginity?”

Heat flamed in her cheeks. She didn’t want to be reminded when and how she had lost her innocence. “You’re the dad. But as I said, you weren’t supposed to know. I told my parents who you are, but I didn’t think they’d find you. They talked to your parents without consulting me first. It was wrong for them to do that.”

“You’re not making any sense.”

“I just want…a baby.”

“Why? What will you do with the baby? It looks like you and your parents are barely making ends meet. This house looks like it’s ready to fall in on you. Is this place even safe? How are you going to raise a baby? What do you hope to happen, June? Find a rich man to support you and your family so you can get out of this life?”

“No. We don’t have the kind of money that you have, Henry, but we are not starving. We’re fine.”

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to insult you.” Henry sighed. “There are other ways, you know. Decent ways to make ends meet, to stay ahead or even. You didn’t have to stoop so low. Not like this. If you still need help, let me know. I could find you a job or help your parents somehow.”

“Thank you, but I don’t need help right now.”

“Right now. What about when the baby is born?”

“We’ll manage. Henry, you don’t want to get married. I know. So let’s tell them there won’t be a wedding.”

“I’m already involved.”

“But…” What was the use? He hated her, thought the worst of her, so why defend herself? Nothing she’d say would change the way he saw her—cheap, a liar, a user. She looked away. “What do you want me to do, Henry? Run away? If the only reason you’re agreeing to this mess is because I’m pregnant, I can’t do anything about that. I’m keeping the baby. I’ll go back inside and tell them they’ll have to drag me away and tie me down if they want me to walk the aisle.”

She made a move to leave, but Henry grabbed her arm.

“Everything is set. All you have to do now is show up at the wedding.”

Frustrated, she pulled her arm free from his grip. “See, that’s the thing. Nothing is set. We’re both grown-ups. All we have to do is say no.”

Henry shrugged. “Come on now. There’s no reason to put up so much drama. You could be an actress, you know. A beautiful seductress out to set her trap on unsuspecting victims.” Henry shook his head. “That night, you made me think that I held a lost, mysterious young woman in my arms. Yes, lost and vulnerable. I felt horrible for taking advantage of your situation, but at the same time, I don’t regret making love to you. I enjoyed every minute of what we shared and wished we could have extended it. I even considered finding you. I thought of you—where you were, what you were doing. And that’s when I realized I’d failed.”

“Failed?”

“Yes, failed. I told myself that I could have helped you so you wouldn’t have to exchange a night with a stranger for money. Because that’s what I thought you were doing. Little did I know, you and Vivienne had set out to trap me. You weren’t on the pill. You intended to get pregnant. Stupid me, I believed you. Now here we are. Our parents are talking about our wedding. You’ve won.”

“I’ve won? What did I win? You’re making me so mad.”

Henry glared at her. “Me? I’m making
you
mad? Who started this?”

“Fine. I got pregnant because I wanted to get pregnant. But you? You want to take the next step and get married. You’re obviously against it, but you’re not saying no. Why?”

Henry stared at June, his gaze softening. “We’re getting married, hon.”

June didn’t know what else to say then something struck her. “You’re just agreeing with your parents, but you’re filing for a divorce.”

“What?”

“That’s why you don’t care if we marry. You’re going to divorce me, but you wouldn’t feel bad at all because you think you’ve done your duty and so you can just leave later. Am I right?”

“Honey, let’s get through the wedding first before we talk about divorce. How’s that? We’ll pacify our parents then we’ll make our own decisions later.”

She’d rather they didn’t marry if they were going to end up in divorce court. But she supposed divorce would be inevitable. Their marriage had already ended before it had even begun. “I’m sorry,” she whispered so low Henry probably didn’t even hear her. “Henry—”

“Like you, I opened my heart that night. Told you my dreams, plans.”

She remembered everything he’d said that night. June’s heart constricted. She ached for fooling Henry, but how could she undo what had already been done? And if she could, her baby wouldn’t be growing in her belly.

“Are you even aware that there are people who are hurt, disappointed and angry because of what you’ve done?”

“I don’t know how else to tell you that I didn’t mean for this to happen.”

Henry looked at the water. “You want my name. I’ll give it to you. But I can’t promise you anything more.”

June understood. He would be her husband on paper only. “I won’t ask for more than what you are willing to give. What about you? Why are you agreeing to a wedding you so despise?”

“To save our name. Your parents threatened to make noise if I don’t marry you.”

“My parents did it for the baby’s future. But I am asking you. What are
you
getting out of this?”

“You.”

Henry’s reply jarred her. “What do you mean?”

Henry turned to face her. He leaned down until their mouths were only an inch apart. “When I feel the need, when I want to fuck, I’ll have you. I’ll exercise every right I have as your husband. I’ll enjoy you, Juniper Ivy. We’ll get married. Have a repeat of what we had on the yacht. We’ll live together, yes. But don’t expect me to hang around waiting on you hand and foot. I’m not husband material.”