Mistaken Identity Page 10

  She peered over at him. “What? I feel you staring a hole in my head.”

  “Just admiring your beauty.” He bumped her shoulder with his.

  “Oh, now I know you were thinking about something mean.”

  He chuckled. “Not mean, just something that’d irritate you.”

  “By all means, keep it to yourself. We don’t want to start the water works again.” She rolled her eyes.

  He snickered. “That’s what it was about.”

  The side gate creaked open, and he looked. Who else would they invite tonight? The dark haired woman with peaches and cream skin made his stomach turn. His mouth went dry, and his palms began to sweat. Lis.

  Conversation around the table came an abrupt halt, and Kansas tensed beside him.

  “That’s her, isn’t it? Lis?” she whispered.

  “Yeah. I have no idea what she’s doing here.”

  “Oh, I have an idea. Her eyes say it all.”

  Lis had the grace to flush as the attention became focused on her. Her hand came up to deliver a half-hearted wave.

  “Hey. I just, uh, wanted to welcome Jett back. I didn’t realize he had a guest.”

  “Why don’t you come back another time, Honey?” His mother rose from her seat.

  He cringed. If she’d come looking to patch things back up and steal him away from Kansas she was grossly mistaken.

  “I think you should go handle that,” Kansas whispered.

  “What?” He frowned. “She knows where we stand.”

  “Mhmm. But I think she’s hoping for more. Best to shut it down.”

  Lis’s gaze was fixed on Kansas. He fidgeted. Should’ve known the amicable parting was too easy.

  “Yeah. I’ll take care of it.” He rose from his seat. “Come on, Lis, I’ll walk you out.”

  A grateful expression crossed her face, and hope flared the depths of her eyes. Pump the brakes, chick. I’m not going anywhere. They walked to the front of the house side by side.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you’d brought your … lady friend.”

  Keep it real and to the point.

  “You mean my fiancée, Kansas, who’s here to meet the family?”

  A sharp hiss came from his right. He met her gaze and nodded. The pain that wrinkled her face and made her eyes glossy with unshed tears cut him like a knife. Hurting her wasn’t his intention, but he couldn’t give. He’d be damned if she made Kansas uncomfortable in his hometown.

  “That’s not what I expected you to say.” Her voice was wounded and barely audible.

  “I’m curious to hear how you imagined this scenario playing out.”

  “Come on, Jett, we fight, we make up. It’s what we do. Why would now be any different?”

  “I thought we went over this, Lis. We’re done. No amount of therapy could put this broken relationship back together, and to be honest I wouldn’t even want to try. I’ve been straight up with you from the time I came to see you in the hospital. I thought you were, too. You said you understood.”

  “I thought you were trying to give me space—”

  “By lying about having a girlfriend?” He inclined his head.

  “No.” She shook her head, looked up, and released a deep breath. “I didn’t think it was that serious. I thought maybe you were biding your time. I don’t know.” She shrugged her shoulders, ran a hand through her hair, and bit her lip. The action used to drive him wild. Now it just grated his nerves.

  “You’ll always have a special place in my heart, Lis. We’ve been through a lot together. Don’t tarnish that by choosing the wrong path right now and alienating not only me, but my family.”

  Her lower lip trembled. “You expect me to sit here like everything is okay and it doesn’t bother me to see the two of you together?”

  “I don’t care what you do as long as you bite your tongue and keep your distance.”

  Her eyes grew wide. “You’re serious?”

  “As a heart attack.”

  “I-I hope it works out for you!” She turned on her heel and all but ran to the car waiting in the street.

  He felt removed from the situation. When it came to Lis he was at the end of his emotional tether. Going to hell and back over and over would do that to a person. The best thing for them now was time apart to gain some clarity and move forward with their lives, separately.

  Rejoining his family he spoke. “We won’t be seeing Lis for a while.” He took his seat beside Kansas, and she leaned in, placing a hand on his thigh.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Never better.”

  She studied him.

  “I told you that relationship was over. I made my peace. She had things twisted. Now she doesn’t. I’m not letting anything come between us.” Brushing a loose strand of hair back from Kansas’s face he connected their lips in a searing kissed to reassure them both.

  Chapter Eight

  Kansas dialed her best friend’s number, holding her breath as she waited for her to pick up. Jett had been planning something special for a few days, and in an hour she’d find out what it was. Since the man didn’t know how to do things on a small scale she was just as nervous as she was excited.

  “Hey girl, how’s Eaton treating you?”

  “Good, I guess.” Kansas toyed with the tassels on the pillow beside her.

  “What’s wrong? You sound odd?”

  “Jett’s been cooking up some sort of surprise, and I’m really worried.”

  “Is that all?” Mya laughed. “You are so paranoid! Most people would say that makes Jett a stellar catch.”

  “I know. I’m awful.” She covered her face with her hand.

  “No, you’re just a journalist. Being left in the dark doesn’t sit well with you. It’s pretty much the antithesis of your job. ”

  “I just feel like the bottom is going to drop out from beneath me at any minute. He’s too perfect.”

  “Stop it. He’s exactly what you deserve. You have to stop expecting things to not work out. That’s your bitch of a mother talking.”

  “You’re right, and I’m trying. I really am.” Kansas nodded her head.

  “I know you are, sweetheart. Just hang in there.”

  She heard people talking in the distance.

  “Mya?”

  “Sorry, the shop is picking up today. Can I call you back?”

  “Of course, thanks for listening.”

  “Always, love you, girl. I’ll talk to you later.”

  “Love you, too.”

  Thank God for Mya. Her stomach rumbled. “Mommy hears you loud and clear.” She rubbed her belly and went to the kitchen.

  When the door opened an hour later she peered up from the couch and got hit with a cast of insta–lust. Jett stood in the frame in a charcoal-colored suit, white button-up, and a black bowtie.

  “You look edible … and I’m under-dressed.” Her faded blue jeans and white tank top weren’t going to cut it, wherever he was taking her.

  “You look gorgeous.” A cocky swagger altered his stride he came toward her. “All you need to do is bring yourself.” Bending down, he kissed her, moving away before she could deepen it.

  “Hey, I wasn’t done.” She pouted.

  “We’re on a time constraint, Sas.”

  “Hmph. I know you’ve been working hard on whatever it is you have planned, so I’ll play by your rules … this time.”

  “Trust me, you won’t regret it.” He kissed her hand, tugged her to her feet and tucked her hand in his elbow. “Your chariot awaits.”

  Guiding her outside like a date for the prom he walked her to the car, opened the door and helped her inside. There was something almost solemn in his serious countenance. Studying his face as he slipped into the driver’s seat she ran through a list of places he could be taking her. When none matched she broke down.

  “Are you going to give me a hint?”

  “Funny you should ask that. Look inside the glove compartment.”

  “Okay
?” Wrinkling her brow, she opened the door. The deep blue, velvet box that greeted her made her heart pound.

  “Jett?”

  “Open it.”

  Her hands shook as she removed the box, set it in her palm, and opened the case. A ring with a thick, gold band that looked like the veins of flowers that led up to a cluster of mid-sized, light brown diamonds made to look like a bouquet of daises.

  “Oh my God!” She placed a hand on her mouth. Warmth spread down into her belly like a glass of brandy.

  “Do you like it?”

  “Of course, it’s gorgeous! I can’t believe you got this for me.” This ring had to cost a small fortune.

  “I saw it, and I just knew it had to be yours.”

  She bent over the console and kissed the side of his mouth. “Thank you, Jett. No one has ever made me feel so loved in my entire life, and I don’t just mean the ring.” This man had single-handedly changed her outlook on love.

  “The day’s just getting started, my love.”

  She closed the case and twined their fingers. “I’m going to wait until you can put it on me.”

  They pulled up to his parents’ home, and she noticed a white canopy had been set up in the backyard. The white material peeked out over the top of the wooden fence.

  “What’s that, Jett?”

  “You’ll see. It’s important you go in order right now though.”

  “Ohh, is this like a scavenger hunt?”

  “Kinda.”

  She released his hand so he could park. Removing the case from her lap, he opened the box. Their gazes locked like lasers. He took her hand in his and slipped the ring on her finger. His dark head bent, and he placed a sweet kiss on her ring finger.

  “Thank you for agreeing to be my wife.”

  “Thank you for asking.” She cupped his face in her hands and placed a sweet kiss on his lips.

  “Now we’re on to part two.”

  The day had a hazy dream-like quality. Grand, romantic gestures like these do not happen to me. It’s too perfect to be true, and yet it’s my life.

  Opening the door he motioned for her to walk inside before him. She stepped through the doorframe.

  “Surprise!”

  “Ahh!” she jumped. The living room had been beautifully decorated with number upon number of white balloons paired with a few touches of gold. Her eyes scanned the crowed.

  “Dad! Mya! What’s going on?” She turned to Jett.

  “Kansas Karri Collins, welcome to your wedding day!”

  Overwhelmed she threw herself into his arms, burying her face in his neck as she squeezed him with all her might.

  “I will never forget this for as long as I live.”

  “So you don’t want to kill me?”

  “Absolutely not, how did you do this?”

  “With the help of all these amazing people here.”

  She pulled way. “Thank you all so much!”

  “I hope you don’t mind, but my father is the ordained minister for the next twenty-four hours, and he’ll perform the ceremony.” Jett placed a hand on the small of her back as they headed over to join the small crowed of well wishers.

  “I would be honored.”

  “Now here’s where we split up until the wedding. You’ll have your bridal shower, and I’ll have my mini version of a bachelor party.”

  “Don’t worry, I’ll have my eye on him,” her father said.

  “Daddy.” He walked over and hugged her. “Congratulations, sweetheart. He asked me for your hand like a true gentleman before you flew out to meet his parents. You picked well.” The blessing and hope she saw in her father’s eyes muted her. Unable to express her emotions verbally she simply nodded.

  “Well shoo, you guys, we have things to do.” Lorraine waved her hands in dismissal, and her dad released her.

  “See you at the end of the aisle, Kansas.”

  “See you at the end of the aisle, Jett.” The words were a prequel to their vows.

  “If I didn’t know better I’d say Mr. Walker turned my bestie into a romantic.” Mya grinned.

  “You! I can’t believe you kept this from me.”

  “Trust me, it wasn’t easy!” The two hugged.

  “You girls come on upstairs. We set up the guest room for you, Kansas,” Lorraine said.

  “Yes, Ma’am.” Kansas linked her arms with Mya’s, and the two of them followed Lorraine and Sky up the stairs.

  “He needed me to help with the details, all the things your best friend would learn over time. Like ring size.”

  Mya winked, and Kansas giggled.

  “I can’t believe all of this is for me.”

  “Believe it, girl, you landed yourself a keeper.” A glint in Mya’s eyes caught her attention.

  “What was that?”

  “What?” Mya feigned innocence.

  “Oh that look stopped working on me a long time ago. What did you do?”

  “Nothing … it’s just been nice being with Aiden while we did all of the planning. I stood in as your self-appointed maid of honor, while he did the best man thing.”

  “Oh there’s a story here.”

  “I wish.” Mya’s mumbling spoke volumes.

  “Maybe he does, too.” Kansas nudged her in the side with her elbow.

  “I doubt it. He seemed pretty oblivious. Besides, he’s a nice guy, and we both know I never seem to find those kind.”

  “I’m living proof there’s a first time for everything.” They reached the top of the stairs, and took a left.

  “Wow.” The room had been set up beautifully as well. The bed had been removed, and an antique oval mirror had been brought in along with a few chaise lounges, and a number of smaller tables decorated with bouquets of pink peonies. The entire thing had a vintage bohemian vibe that waylaid her wedding jitters.

  “It’s your day, so we’ll be your models first. Then the big moment, choosing your wedding dress,” Sky said. Excitement tinged her tone, thickening her accent.

  “I get to pick?” she asked, shocked.

  “Of course, darling. Mya choose three she’d thought you’d like,” Lorraine said.

  “This is just like a television show, Kansas!” Mya clapped her hands making them all laugh.

  “Sit, relax, drink some sparkling cider while we all get dressed. Jett mentioned you weren’t a huge fan of alcohol, so we went with this.” Lorraine drew her attention to the silver bucket that housed the cider with a champagne flute beside the blush pink chaise lounge, and she laughed.

  “I could not have asked for a better crew of women to share this glorious day with.”

  “Okay, stop trying to make us cry, Kansas. We haven’t even gotten to the ceremony yet.” Mya sniffed.

  “We’re glad to be welcoming you into the family.” Lorraine’s hazel eyes were so sincere and full of kindness they took away her breath.

  “Welcome to the family, sis. Finally we get some more estrogen to even things out.” Sky winked, and the women disappeared out into the hallway. Not too long afterward a knock sounded on the door.

  “Are you ready?” Mya called.

  “Yes! I’m dying of curiosity in here.”

  The door swung open, and in walked Mya and Sky clad in spaghetti strapped, white, chiffon dresses with sweet heart necklines. The wispy material flowed down to pool on the floor in a scalloped cut. The fact that they were in white thrilled her. Does that mean my dress is a different color?

  “You girls look so beautiful!”

  “Thank you, do you like it?” Sky asked.

  “I love it.”

  “I wasn’t sure when Mya said you wouldn’t mind us being in white…”

  “I think that’s my favorite thing about the dress, next to the cut.”

  “We have ribbons to go around our waist, but we won’t show you until after you choose your dress,” Mya said.

  “Mom, it’s your turn to sparkle.” The girls stepped off to the right, and Lorraine crossed the threshold in a strapless
, white chiffon dress that mimicked the girls.

  “You look beautiful, Lorraine.” The sun-kissed skin earned from hours of gardening stood out against the white. Combined with her white-blonde hair she looked ethereal.

  “Thank you, sweetheart.” Lorraine smiled, a pretty blush darkening her cheeks.

  “How are you going to wear your hair?” Kansas asked.

  “We thought swept into a side bun.” Mya said, peering over at Sky who nodded.

  “That’s going to look fantastic!”

  “Sweet! We’ll go get changed, and it’ll be your turn!” Mya said.

  The trio in white hurried off, and Kansas popped her non alcoholic bubbly and poured it into a glass. Taking a sip she feared she’d wake any minute and find this entire journey with Jett had been a dream. It was the most unlikely scenario, love at a convention with one of the leading stars, and a small town girl. We’ll have to water down the how I met your mother story for you, little one. She rubbed her belly, happy with the way things worked out. The growing pains she’d undergone to get here and the adjustments she’d need to continue to make were worth it. Her man wasn’t Prince Charming, or her knight in shining armor, but her other half, a man who treated her as an equal, supported her hopes and dreams, and showered her with love in a way that spoke to her very soul.

  The door opened, and the three women came in holding white bags.

  “Are you ready?” Mya asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Okay, behind door number one.” Lorraine stepped forward, unzipped the bag and removed a scooped neck, light pink number with medium sized straps covered with a diamond and pearl design that repeated on the empire waist. The tulle layers were sleek and understated.

  “This is beautiful.” Setting her glass on a table Kansas stood and walked over to feel the dress, admiring the play of the tulle over the silky texture beneath. Mya led her to the dressing room, aka the bathroom, where she tried on the dress and returned to the room.

  “You look stunning,” Sky said.

  “Agreed, that color brings out that wonderful skin tone of yours,” Lorraine said.

  “I feel feminine, delicate, and very pretty in this.” Kansas walked up to the mirror unable to recognize herself. She turned to the left and the right.