The Wedding Secret

Luke reached into his pocket and fished out a blue garter. He twirled it around his finger. “Like Devon did to me?”

“Exactly,” Cecile said. She’d been right, which was why she’d deliberately put her back to the dance floor so she didn’t have to watch the garter toss. She frowned.

As if sensing her question, Luke said, “I got out of having to dance with the girl who caught the bouquet. She was five.”

“Oh,” Cecile said.

Luke leaned over. “Jealous?”

“Ha,” Cecile said, covering her fib with sarcasm.

“Then what would you call it?” Luke asked, not letting her off the hook.

“A simple case of avoidance?” Cecile suggested.

He shook his head, those surfer-blond locks glistening. “Nah, that’s not what it is. You’re not the type who avoids confrontation. If you didn’t want a man’s attention, you’d tell him to take a hike. I think you’ve just discovered that I’m more man than you can handle.”

“In your dreams,” Cecile said. She pushed the empty plate away. “Don’t flatter yourself. I haven’t seen my parents in a while, so I was spending time with them. I’ve been in New York up until this past week.”

Luke simply arched an eyebrow. “So you’ve moved back home?”

“Not exactly. Back to my hometown. I grew up here, but I’ve been away since graduating high school. I just got a new job and so here I am.”

“Here you are,” Luke parroted.

“Right,” Cecile said, at that moment deciding it was time for him to talk about himself. “What about you? Have you always lived here?”

“Pretty much,” Luke said. “I went to Northwestern and have worked in Chicago ever since. So confirm something that’s impressed me so far about you—you aren’t the type of woman who plays typical games, are you?”

She tilted her head and studied him, trying to decide how best to answer. “You seem to think you know a lot about me.”

“I don’t. I’m pretty certain I have you typecast, though, but you do keep surprising me. I definitely would like to get to know you better, maybe take this ‘date’ to another level.”

“Hmm. I’m sure you would,” Cecile said, her fingertips keeping rhythm with the music as she let his words wash over her. She’d already indulged in an extra slice of wedding cake. What would Luke be like if she let herself have even just a taste of what the wedding magic promised? Would she regret saying no until the end of her days if she let this one moment slide by? Answer not forthcoming, she glanced at her empty wrist and exhaled in frustration. Her watch was in her bag under her chair at the head table. “Do you know what time it is?”

“Actually, yes.” Luke stretched out his arm so that the tuxedo sleeve rode up, revealing a toned forearm and a platinum watch. “It’s ten-thirty.”

“Wow. That late already.” The event ended at midnight. She glanced around. Many guests had already left. Others were crowding the dance floor.

“I guess time flies when you’re having fun,” Luke said.

“I suppose so,” Cecile said. She blinked, a bit fuzzy from too much wine and a lack of sleep from the past few weeks. No matter how tempting Luke was, her conscience told her to say no to spending the night with him. She assumed that was what he’d meant when he’d asked to take things to the next level.

Of course, that part of her in overdrive wanted nothing more than to say yes, but what if he was just another Mr. Right Now? As much as they were easier to deal with, she was tired of having flings and was ready for more. If she passed on tonight’s offer, she’d at least prove to herself that she’d changed, grown past indulgences that had no basis in anything but momentary passion. She wanted to wait for Mr. Right. If that was Luke, he’d understand. “I’m not planning on staying too much longer,” she told Luke.

“Then you have to dance with me at least one more time,” Luke insisted. The music changed, this time to a contemporary number. He rose to his feet and pulled Cecile with him. “Come on.”

His fingers on hers incited, and Cecile allowed herself to be swayed. “Okay. Just one song,” she said, especially since the faster numbers didn’t allow for any intimate contact. Touching Luke planted ideas in her head, made her want to pursue him. And admittedly Luke was one of those men who made dancing enjoyable. She’d always loved to dance, and with Luke, one song slipped into two and then three as the band played all her favorite songs in a row.

Despite having a good time, she begged off when a slow number began and made her way to the head table to retrieve her purse. She slid the beaded strap onto her shoulder and turned to him. “This has been great. Thanks. I’ll see you.”

“Sure,” Luke said. The moment was awkward and she knew he was disappointed, but she was exhausted, tired from her relocation and all the wedding events of the past week.

Although it might not be what she wanted, sleep sounded exactly like what she needed, so she left Luke and went to find her sister. Elizabeth was out on the dance floor, leading a version of “The Electric Slide,” a staple at every wedding.

“You aren’t leaving?” Elizabeth asked as she stepped to the side, the line dance continuing without her.

“I’m going to call it a night,” Cecile confirmed with a nod.

Elizabeth’s eyes widened. “But you can’t! Devon and I are closing the place down, and I’ve barely gotten to talk to you. And what about Luke? Loretta said you’re here with him.”

“He just said that to keep her from hitting on him,” Cecile said. A glance around the ballroom showed that Luke was nowhere in sight.

“He’s a great guy, Cecile,” Elizabeth said. “You should get to know him.”

“Perhaps in the near future,” Cecile said. “Right now I’m just ready to head back out to the suburbs.”

“You should have just stayed here for the night like Mom and Dad,” Elizabeth insisted. “Stop by the front desk and see if there’s a room. I don’t like the idea of you in a cab this late at night.”

“Really, it’s no big deal.” Cecile sighed as she saw her sister’s face. “Okay, fine. I’ll ask. I’ve got a bag checked anyway that I need to pick up.”

She took the elevator to the lobby and, because she’d given her word, approached the front desk. A minute later, the clerk told her the hotel was full. “I can find you something at a nearby hotel,” he offered.

“No, that’s not necessary,” Cecile said. She’d simply take a cab to her parents’ as she’d planned all along.

“Cecile?”

She turned upon hearing the familiar voice. She swallowed. Luke had loosened his bow tie and it hung down, exposing his neck and collarbone. “Hey, Luke,” she said. “I thought you’d gone.”

“No, I’m on my way out now. No sense in staying if you were leaving.” He came closer, and her breath lodged in her throat. Even in the bright lobby lights he looked great.

“I’m waiting for them to retrieve my garment bag,” Cecile said, the moment stretching.

“Ah,” he said, stopping only an arm’s length away.

Cecile’s knees weakened slightly as she realized how powerless she really was to the attraction she felt when around him. She also saw the moment for what it was: fate sending her another chance to say yes. Cecile was a firm believer in fate’s signs. In college, she’d been torn between two sororities, but a last-second experience at one of the parties had been the incentive she’d needed to pick the Roses. From that choice, she’d gained her best friends. And until recently, her job in New York had been perfect, but when she’d been passed over for a promotion, Cecile had taken that as a sign to try for something new. That decision had led her to The Allegra Montana Show.

Now fate was thrusting Luke Shaw in front of her once more, a sign that perhaps turning down his offer had been the wrong decision. Twenty years from now, would she regret passing by this chance? Or should she seize the moment and have a grand passion to remember when the nights grew long and cold and she was alone?

As the bellhop returned with her bag, Luke took the suitcase from her hand. “I’ve got it,” she protested.

“I’ll take it,” he replied, and she decided to let him carry her bag at least to the hotel’s taxi stand. “Do you have your valet ticket?”

“I’m taking a cab out to my parents’,” she said.

He paused and turned. “This late?”

“Yes. My apartment isn’t too far, but it won’t be ready until tomorrow afternoon.”