Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

Why did golfers get such an early start? This was uncivilized. Ben made a cup of in-room coffee and took it to the balcony. December or not, the weather was perfect. A little cool for Florida, but nice. He glanced toward Molly’s balcony. No sign of her this morning. Too bad. He wanted a better look at her by the light of day. Last night there had been too many shadows. She was probably sleeping, since she didn’t need to be at her brunch until ten. That was a civilized hour to start the day.

She’d stirred up a lot of memories last night. With a few words he’d been yanked back to another time, to another Ben. There had been several kids around his age in the neighborhood. Boys and girls, quiet kids and rambunctious ones. And Molly. She’d always been special, in a way that was hard to describe. He’d always looked for her in the crowd at the playground at the end of the street, and with her red hair she’d been easy to spot from a distance.

He hadn’t thought about Molly in years, not until he’d seen her last night and made the connection. Once upon a time he’d loved her red hair, her freckles, those green eyes that looked at him even then as if they were meant to have something more. Was there anything stronger than a twelve-year-old’s love? Not to a twelve-year-old.

Ridiculous. What did kids know of love? Hell, what did he know of love? He loved hitting a home run, catching an uncatchable ball at the far end of the outfield, hearing fans yell his name. Crusher. Crusher. Crusher .

Ben tossed back the dregs of his coffee, hoped what they had downstairs was better than this sludge, and headed inside. As he headed out he glanced at the door between his room and Molly’s. The connecting door was bolted on both sides, and a chair had been placed in front of his. Of all the members of the wedding party, what were the odds he’d end up here, next door to the girl he’d proposed to eighteen years ago.

Small world.

Weird world.

Nothing should surprise him, ever.

Tristan waited in the lobby, near the Christmas tree. He and his dad, Phil, and now Ben, were the first to arrive. When Phil went to the cafe to grab a couple coffees to go, Ben leaned in and asked Tristan. “Did Natalie sign the prenup?”

Breakfast with Ben would’ve been better than this. Natalie’s cousins, Tristan’s sisters, and two friends from Nat’s old job made up the rest of the bridal party. Molly didn’t know anyone, but they obviously knew one another well. She hated being the odd man out. She’d said hello to Natalie’s mom, but the mother of the bride had her hands full and was soon pulled away by the mother of the groom to discuss wedding stuff.

Talking to one person was easy for her. She wasn’t exactly shy. But put her in a crowd and she always tended to back away, to observe instead of participating.

She’d had no trouble talking to Ben last night.

Ten women could create a lot of chatter. Bright, loud, fun chatter. It would be nice if she could get Natalie alone for a while, just chat and catch up. It had been too long. If Molly did end up living in Huntsville again they could have lunch now and then, get in a few really good visits. Assuming Natalie would still be around. She’d at least visit now and then, since her parents lived there. Well, last time she’d mentioned her parents they’d still been in their old house. A nice, long talk with Natalie was definitely in order.

Brunch ended none too soon. Molly said goodbye and headed into the lobby with exciting plans to pull out the ironing board in her room and de-wrinkle her clothes. There was a party tonight, lunch tomorrow, the rehearsal dinner tomorrow night, then on Saturday the big day, the wedding.

It was a lot. Maybe Nat and Tristan should’ve eloped.

The golfers milled about the lobby, talking about scores and shots and other golfy stuff. It looked as if they hadn’t been back long. Ben was easy to spot. He was taller than the others, better looking, and carried himself almost gracefully. Damn , he’d grown up nicely. Maybe she could sneak past.

Tristan’s sister Rosie squealed and pushed past Molly, almost knocking her down as she headed for the group of men. Instead of making her way to her dad or brother, she presented herself to Ben. “I’ve been dying to meet you!” the pretty brunette said. “We just have to spend some time together this week. What are you doing this afternoon? We could go for a walk on the beach, or something.”

Ben didn’t look exactly pleased. He took a step back, but didn’t have much room. There were too many people and a few oddly placed upholstered chairs he had to work around. After a moment of maneuvering with no luck he looked over Rosie’s head, caught Molly’s eye, and said, “Honey! There you are.”

Rosie stepped back, spun around, and glared at Molly as Ben pushed past others to reach her.

“I’m still a terrible golfer.” He hugged her, kissed her briefly on the lips, then settled in beside her with his arm draped over her shoulder.

He’d lost his mind. “What are you…”

“I really need a shower before we make plans for this afternoon.”

“But…”

Rosie hadn’t been scared off. She’d followed Ben and now stood directly in front of him to stare into his lying face. “I didn’t know you and…” The stare shifted to Molly. “What’s your name?”

“This is Molly,” Ben said. “I asked her to marry me.”

“Yeah, but that was…” Molly began.

“She hasn’t said yes yet, but she hasn’t said no, either.” Ben gave her a little squeeze. “She said she’d think about it, and I’m determined to get a yes from her this week. The wedding activities should get her in the mood.”

Rosie looked as if she wanted to stomp her foot and scream. She didn’t. “Why didn’t Tristan tell me you had a girlfriend?”

“We’ve been keeping it a secret.”

Rosie glared at Molly. Great. What was she, twenty-one? Maybe twenty-two? College age, for sure. She was a little slow to the party, but Molly got it now. Ben wanted to use her to scare off his friend’s adoring little sister.

The young woman shifted her focus to Ben again. “Be careful. She might be after your money.”

He was quick to respond. “To be honest, the first time I asked her to marry me I was dead broke.”

“I’m pretty sure you had a couple bucks on you at the time,” Molly said.

“I did have some Christmas money from Granny, so… yeah.”

Rosie rolled her eyes, spun around, and walked away. There was that stomp.

Ben kept his arm around Molly’s shoulder as they headed toward the elevator. He sped up a little when Rosie confronted her brother and pointed their way. While everyone else was talking, visiting, and now speculating, they got on the elevator. Tristan headed toward them, but Ben pushed the button to close the elevator doors. When they were safely out of sight he sighed and dropped his arm.

“What the hell…” Molly began.

“Sorry. I freaked out a little and there you were, and it seemed like the perfect solution.”

“How is it going to work when everyone finds out you lied?”

“I didn’t actually lie,” he said. “I did ask you to marry me. No need to share all the details, the how and the when.”

“But we’re not…”

“How about we pretend we are, for a few days?”

The elevator doors opened on their floor. Molly exited first, and fast. “You want me to play at being your girlfriend.”

“Fiancée.”

“For the next three days.” They headed for their rooms, side by side but no longer touching. “I’m not sure I can do that.” She’d have to lie to Nat. No one else in the mix mattered all that much, she’d lie to Rosie with no problem, and she didn’t know the other people in the wedding party. But if Natalie knew the truth she’d tell Tristan, who’d tell his sister, and soon everyone would know. Rosie had the look of a blabbermouth.

“I’ll pay you,” Ben said.

Molly stopped in front of his door. “You’ll pay me?”

He had the good sense to look ashamed. “You said you were just fired. You need a job, this is a job. An unusual one, but still…”

“I’ll think about it,” Molly snapped. She turned her back on Ben and headed to her own room. One step did the trick.

He got in one last suggestion. “A walk on the beach this afternoon would look great.”