19 - Joanna

19

Joanna

I felt every eye on me as I walked up the aisle at the beginning of the ceremony. And I couldn't blame them.

I looked fucking good .

The bridesmaid dresses were all blue, but with different styles for each one. The dresses worn by Chloe, Wanda, and Carol all looked tacky, like cheap prom dresses. It made me wonder if Marisa had chosen them to look bad on purpose to make her look better by comparison.

But the dress Liz was going to wear was nicer. Danicka had called in a seamstress to make the last-minute alterations at the clubhouse, and it fit me like a glove. If anything, it made me look too good. Especially since Marisa's dress was such a trainwreck.

So yeah. Everyone stared, in a good way, as I walked up the aisle. Especially Theo and Landon at the front.

And, strangely, Austin. It was impossible not to notice the cowboy-hat-wearing man's crystal blue gaze over on the left, playing guitar in front of a microphone. He was looking at me the way a cartoon wolf looks at a cartoon pork chop.

I knew he was probably just wondering if I had done my job sowing doubt with the bride. I really hope he didn't force the issue with me later. Or cause any other kind of scene during the ceremony. Seriously, who invited their ex to their own wedding?

The kiss I gave Landon wasn't planned ahead. It was totally spontaneous. I wanted to make sure we really sold the whole girlfriend-boyfriend thing, especially while we were in front of so many people. The last thing I wanted was for him to accuse me of not being convincing enough. I wasn't going to give him any excuses to back out of our deal, not when we were so close.

Besides, I kind of liked kissing him. I could admit that since I had a nice buzz from all the mimosas. And he did look pretty damn handsome in his tux. Almost as sexy as Theo next to him. Hopefully the kiss didn't make the Best Man too jealous. I gave him a private little smile in passing before taking my spot next to Wanda.

The ceremony was tasteful and sweet, and then we were all moving along to the reception inside the country club. We were announced as pairs, with Landon and me getting a pretty big cheer from the guests. It appeared that my fake boyfriend was well-liked.

Marisa and Bradyn immediately launched into the first dance. Even though I didn't know them very well, I teared up at the sight. Weddings were beautiful.

Even Landon was getting emotional. I caught him sniffling and wiping his eyes while watching the first dance.

"You all right?" I whispered.

"I'm just so happy for my brother," he replied, smiling through the tears. "Make fun of me all you want. I don't care."

"I wasn't making fun of you." I hesitated, then reached out and rubbed his back. I wanted to stay mad at him for everything, but he was making it hard by being so human.

He gave me a grateful smile as the dance continued.

After dinner was served, I got up and went to the bar in the next room. There was wine on all the tables, but I felt like something a little stronger.

I wasn't the only one. There were a few other guests in line for on-tap beers, and a few others seated at the bar. A sad looking man in a black cowboy hat was one of them.

"Looks like your plan failed," I said while taking the seat next to him.

Austin stared into a glass of dark liquor. "Seems to be the case." He tossed it back, and the bartender immediately refilled it from a bottle of whiskey.

"I did my part," I whispered to him. "I tried raising concerns before the ceremony. Marisa had a good cry, but it wasn't enough to make her change her mind."

"I know," he drawled. "Heard all about it from Wanda."

I waited for him to say more. When he didn't, I leaned closer and hissed: "I did what you wanted. If you try to fuck me over…"

"Put your whip away," Austin muttered, rolling his blue eyes. "I got some closure today."

"Somehow, I doubt that."

Austin stared into his glass like it contained all the answers. "When I saw her in that dress, looking up at Bradyn by the Altar… I realized how stupid I was being. She was happy. Any idiot could see that. And I was trying to fuck it up."

"Yeah, you were," I agreed.

"Been doin' a lot of thinkin' in the last hour," Austin went on. The drunker he became, the more pronounced his accent was. "I was never in love with her. I was in love with the idea of her. I was ignoring all the faults and incompatibilities, and picturing a perfect relationship." He snorted. "We didn't work out when we dated ten years ago, and we wouldn't have worked out now. I've accepted that. And I've accepted that she and Bradyn are right for each other. I'm ready to move on."

His self-awareness caught me off guard. "That's awfully big of you."

Austin shrugged. "I feel like a horse's ass. Coming here and throwing drama grenades all around. Threatening you if you didn't help me poison the well. I just want Marisa to be happy. Even if it isn't with me. Glad I realized it before I did something really stupid. And as my reward, I'm going to finish getting drunk and take an Uber home. I'm not good company tonight." He raised his finger to the bartender. "Three shots of tequila. No chaser."

"Easy there, cowboy," I said while the bartender placed three shot glasses on the bar. "You're going to regret this in the morning."

"Good. Consider this the alcohol equivalent of self-flagellation."

Maybe it was the romantic mood from the wedding, but I actually felt bad for Austin—despite everything. This felt like the real him, not the jealousy-fueled man who had blackmailed me earlier this morning.

He knocked back one shot, then reached for the second. Before he could, I grabbed it from him and held it out in a toast. "Better late than never."

For a moment he looked offended that I had stolen his shot, but then he shrugged it off. "I'll drink to that."

We took the shot together. The tequila burned down my throat.

He tipped his cowboy hat to me and rose from his stool. "I'm gonna go call that Uber. Enjoy the rest of your evening, ma'am."

Before he could leave, I grabbed his arm. It was like holding onto a thick tree branch; he was stronger than I expected. But he still allowed me to pull him back down onto his stool.

"If you're really one of Marisa's best friends, you'll stick around," I told him. "This is an important day for her. Maybe the most important day. She'll want to see you."

He chewed on that for a few moments, then nodded. "You're probably right. Thanks for talkin' sense into me."

"I'm the wisest of all the bridesmaids," I replied. "But only if you don't count Carol. She seems like she's got her shit together."

"I've known Carol just as long as Marisa. She's always had a good head on her shoulders." Austin frowned over at me. "Can I ask you something?"

"If I say yes, will you promise to stick around for the rest of the reception without causing any drama?"

"Sure, why not?"

"Then ask away."

He squinted at me. "Landon seems like a good guy. Why run around on him? Why not break up with him first?"

It was a good question, and he wasn't out of line for asking it. If the roles were reversed, I would have wondered the same thing. I hated the idea of being a cheater, even if the only person who thought so was this stranger I had only just met yesterday. And after he'd been vulnerable with me, I felt like throwing him a bone.

I looked around before answering. "Here's the truth: I'm not cheating on Landon."

He raised his brow. "Now, I know I saw you and—"

"Don't say it out loud!" I hissed. "I'll tell you why, but you have to promise to take the secret to your grave."

Austin leaned back and spread his arms. "Why, Joanna. We're good friends now. If there's one thing you should know about me, it's that I know how to keep a secret."

"I just met you last night!"

"Counterpoint: tell me anyways," he replied.

"Fine." I looked around again to make sure nobody was within earshot. Then I leaned toward Austin. He leaned in too, his breath smelling faintly of tequila. "Landon and I aren't really dating. I'm his fake girlfriend for the wedding, to keep people like his mom from giving him shit about being single."

Austin stared at me for a few moments.

Then he roared with laughter.

"What?" I asked. "You don't believe me?"

"Oh, I believe you. It's just the most idiotic plan I've ever heard of."

"I don't disagree. It wasn't exactly my idea."

"Why the hell are you going along with it, then?"

"Because Landon is going to get me a job at his company," I explained.

"Ah, the motivation for anyone in a late-stage capitalist society. Money."

"A girl's got to eat," I said.

"So that story at the rehearsal dinner about being a paralegal? That was all bullshit?"

"Sadly, it's the truth," I said with a sigh. "I hate my current job. The partners at my firm are basically ambulance chasers who run around suing everyone. The work isn't satisfying. And I get low-key sexually harassed all day, every day."

"Want me to take care of them?" Austin asked. "I'll challenge them to a duel. Fight for your honor." He made a finger-guns motion with both hands.

"Tempting, but I can handle this myself," I replied. "I'll be rid of them when I get this new job. Although even if that fell through, I should probably quit my job."

Austin cocked his head. "What's stopping you?"

"Cowardice. Just because I know what to do, doesn't make it easy."

"Cheers to that." Austin raised his glass, realized it was empty, and then put it back down. "So Theo is your actual boyfriend?"

"We went on a single date a week ago."

"Must've been a good date," Austin muttered.

"Yeah. I mean, no. Well… maybe? I don't know. It's early. I like him."

Austin chuckled to himself. "This story gets better and better."

"Oh yeah, it's just hilarious . Are you going to be able to keep this all to yourself, or do I need to poison you?"

"I'll keep your secret. But that doesn't mean I won't laugh about it."

"Laugh as much as you want," I said, "as long as you keep your lips sealed."

He mimicked a zipper motion across his mouth.

Chloe walked into the room, saw me, and came hustling over. "Joanna? Someone said you're needed in the parlor."

Austin squinted at her. "Your boyfriend. The guy with the glasses."

"Peter?" Chloe asked. "What about him?"

"Is he really your boyfriend, or are you two just faking it for the wedding?"

She gave him a confused look. "Why would someone lie about that?"

Austin gave me a small smile. "Why indeed."

I glared at him and left the bar. Hopefully he got drunk enough to forget everything I had told him. If he got drunk enough to sloppily announce my secret to everyone at the wedding, then I really might poison him.

The parlor was down the hall, the same room where all the girls had gotten ready this morning. I wondered who needed me. Marisa had mentioned that she needed help pinning up her dress before the garter toss, so it was probably that.

The room seemed empty when I walked in. Then someone who was hiding behind the door closed it behind me. I whirled, caught off guard and slightly buzzed.

"Theo?"

He was wearing his tuxedo, minus the jacket, and had the sleeves rolled up to reveal his sculpted arms. He took me by the arms and threw me up against the door, leaning close enough that our noses were almost touching.

"This morning, when I wasted an Uber, you said you would make it up to me." His mouth curled in a grin. "I'm cashing in that favor."