Anything but Love

THIRTY-FOUR

February 15

Rocky kicked off her morning, as was her routine, with a glass of OJ and a four-mile run alongside Jayce and Brewster. Unfortunately, the physical exertion did nothing to dispel the anxiety that had been building inside of her for the past few days. This was her wedding day and it wasn’t like anything she’d ever dreamed.

Yes, everything was set. Everything was going according to plan. The Cupcake Lovers hadn’t forgotten about making her cake. But instead of a joyful task, while baking up delicious perfection, they’d all battled the shock and sadness of seeing Rae humiliated by her whacko mother.

The next day, Valentine’s Day, had been all but forgotten as family and friends pulled together, trying to comfort and help Rae. As for Luke, Rocky had never known her carefree brother to be such a mess. Jayce said he was pulling it together, but as of her wedding morning, Luke and Rae were still estranged and everyone was feeling the effect.

Most especially, Rocky.

Now, moments before taking her wedding vows, her composure shattered. She burst into tears.

Her mother, who’d been arranging Rocky’s veil, swung around and cupped her daughter’s cheeks. “What is it, sweetheart? What’s wrong?”

“Can’t do this.”

“Of course you can. You’ve been waiting for this moment all your life.”

Chloe moved in and squeezed Rocky’s hand. “Just the jitters. Deep breath.”

“Timing’s wrong,” Rocky squeaked out over a sob.

“I’ll get Jayce,” Monica said.

“No. Not supposed to see me.”

“The timing’s perfect,” Kaye said. “You look beautiful. The church looks beautiful and all of your friends and family are waiting to share in your special day.”

“Rae?”

“She’s out there,” Chloe said. “She’s sitting with Casey and Sam and the kids.

“Luke?”

“He’s with Jayce, dear. Remember? Your brothers are standing up with him.”

“Have they talked?”

“Who, dear?”

“Rae and Luke?”

“I don’t know. I—”

Rocky felt a warm, large hand squeezing her shoulder.

“What’s the trouble, Dash?”

Heart pounding, Rocky turned into the arms of the love of her life. “Everyone’s supposed to be happy.”

“I’m happy, baby.” He smoothed tears from her cheeks. “I’ll be damned delirious when you say ‘I do.’”

“It’s just … today. It was supposed to be magical.”

Jayce kissed her with tender passion. “Then let’s make some magic.”

Rae sat in the pew, flanked by Casey and Sam, struggling with twisted emotions. She’d spent the last day and a half taking control of her tattered life. Harper had flown back to L.A. this morning but not before working miracles for Rae with the media and she’d promised to continue her PR efforts on Rae’s behalf. In addition to Harper, Rae had also had the support of Sam and Casey, Dev and Chloe, Luke’s parents, and Rocky and Jayce. So many people had stepped up to her defense.

Even Luke.

At least he had tried. Rae had shut him down. Shut him out. All because of that one moment of doubt.

She didn’t blame him. Truly she didn’t. She should have told him about Geoffrey’s sexual advance. She should have trusted that Luke would have handled the news appropriately. If he’d had that heads-up, maybe he would have instantly seen through Olivia’s twisted version. Those compromising photos hadn’t helped. She knew she wasn’t the girl in those pictures and even she had been rattled. Logically, she understood why Luke had lapsed. Logically, she knew the moment had quickly passed. She’d agreed early on to a paternity test if he wanted. She hadn’t lied about the baby. Luke was the father. Logically, she knew he believed that. And she believed that Luke loved her.

Unfortunately, logic was no match for emotions and Rae had needed time to sort out her thoughts and feelings. Luke needed time, too, even if he didn’t believe that at first. She knew through the grapevine that he’d taken their separation hard. Sam had been his greatest champion, although her friend hadn’t told her anything she didn’t already know. Most essentially, Luke was a kind man. A good man. Still, Rae had needed time. They hadn’t spoken since that awful confrontation. She hadn’t seen him.

Until now.

Casey reached over and squeezed Rae’s hand as Luke entered from a side room and took his place beside his brother and Jayce.

Rae’s pulse raced. He looked so handsome in his tuxedo and when he smiled over at his brother and Jayce, her heart did this funny dance. She knew he was hurting, but he was pulling it together for family. Just one of the reasons she loved Luke. He was all about family.

The bridal march signaled Rocky’s entrance and everyone stood. Rae’s eyes filled with tears as Jerome, looking more dapper than frail, escorted his daughter down the rose-petaled aisle. Rae tried to imagine what Rocky was feeling.

She couldn’t.

When Jerome handed his daughter over to Jayce, Rae grabbed a wad of tissues from her purse.

Sam reached over and patted her knee then he shushed his daughter, who’d started to squirm.

Rae’s pulse raced as the preacher started the ceremony, heart in throat along with everyone else in the church. This moment had been a long time coming for Rocky and Jayce. It was all so beautiful, so perfect … until Rocky stopped the preacher just as he reached the vow portion.

There was a stunned sort of silence as Rocky whispered into Jayce’s ear. He nodded then kissed her cheek. She turned and addressed her wedding guests.

“As you all know, this is a very special day for me.” She glanced at Jayce with a shy smile. “For us. We’re about to say our vows, to pledge our forever love, and though it won’t be official, I’d like to invite every couple, anyone who’s in love, to stand and take these vows with us.”

Rae stared, her chest exploding with wonder as, one by one, couples stood.

Rocky’s parents.

Monica and Leo.

Daisy and Vince.

Dev looked at Chloe and, smiling, she moved from her bridesmaid position to stand beside her intended.

“Brace yourself,” Sam said close to Rae’s ear and then suddenly he was jostling her so she was seated at the end of the pew.

She blinked through confusion and tears to see Luke striding down the aisle.

He reached down and pulled her to her feet then, with everyone watching, he took a folded red paper from his pocket and gave it to Rae. “I made this for you.”

“A valentine?” she whispered. Hands trembling, Rae unfolded the fairly large heart, her throat tightening as she noted the long, painstakingly neat handwritten message. She met his vulnerable gaze, swallowed, then looked back to the note. A note professing his love.

She imagined it had taken him as long to write the note as to gather his thoughts. He’d had to work hard to produce the beautifully written words. And he’d done it for her.

Words failed Rae, but she did smile. And she followed, when Luke took her hand and led her toward the altar to stand alongside Rocky and Jayce and Dev and Chloe. The moment could not have been any more perfect.

Until Rocky signaled the preacher to continue after smiling at her siblings and saying, “Magic.”