How to Lose a Fiancé Read online

  Kaimbrey had made it to Bri’s apartment late last night, long after the rehearsal dinner was over. Bri had recounted the beautiful dinner and magical night with Colt. Her parents and brothers were all staying at Emma’s mansion, so it was thankfully just the two of them.

  Bri had talked and talked, sharing every detail of the night, including how worried she had been about Kaimbrey not showing until she’d had a second to check her phone and saw the text. She also kept saying how everyone had been asking where Kaimbrey was. Kaimbrey was then able to casually insert, “Did Brody … ask about me?”

  Bri’s answer was a compassionate look and slight shake of the head.

  They’d moved on to other subjects like the wedding, Bri’s design jobs, Kaimbrey’s work at the hospital, the honeymoon, Colt, etc., and talked late into the night. Luckily, Bri was a wonderful friend and didn’t bring up Brody’s name again. Kaimbrey would’ve crumbled.

  Now they were standing in Emma Jensen’s master suite. It was on the main level of her gorgeous mansion, and the grand double doors led out onto the massive rear patio overlooking the lake where the wedding was being held. Kaimbrey had resisted peeking through the window coverings to get a glimpse of Brody. She straightened her lacy pale pink bridesmaid dress and added a layer of shiny gloss over her lipstick.

  Turning, she sighed as she looked at Bri in an elegant charmeuse wedding gown. It was strapless, fitted at the waist, and then flowed silkily to the ground.

  “You’re the perfect bride,” Kaimbrey sighed. “Love you.”

  Cally hummed in agreement. She stood close by in a pale pink lace fitted dress that was knee-length and off the shoulder, exactly like the one Kaimbrey wore.

  Emma was wearing a pale pink lace suit. She grinned. “You’re all so gorgeous. Let’s have a prayer, girls, then go get this beauty married and the other two of you can get your men.”

  Cally and Bri beamed. Kaimbrey groaned inside but kept her face as neutral as she could.

  They all gathered together and Emma led them in prayer, blessing Colt and Bri’s union, blessing Cally and Tate, and then blessing Kaimbrey and Brody. Kaimbrey felt squeamish inside; including her and Brody in the prayer was going a bit far. Was it possible Emma didn’t know their relationship had imploded? Kaimbrey hadn’t had the heart to let Emma know that the older lady’s involvement had contributed to their demise in any way.

  They all hugged and then took their places for the wedding march. Emma swung the patio door wide and stepped aside. Cally went first. Kaimbrey’s nerves ratcheted up as she clung to the small bouquet in her hands and waited. She wasn’t nervous for hundreds of people to stare at her; she was nervous at the idea of seeing Brody again. Would he still be mad at her? She couldn’t stand the thought of his blue eyes full of censure and disappointment.

  Emma glanced back in the door and smiled to her. Kaimbrey swallowed, gave Bri one more hug, and eased out of the door. The sun was just setting, and the yard was lit with thousands of soft lights. The flowers were incredible and the decorations elegant, but all she could see was one perfectly handsome groomsman, staring directly at her.

  Brody! She wanted to run to him and fling herself against his broad chest. She’d missed him so much. Refusing to give in to her impulses, she kept taking the measured steps she was supposed to take. Brody’s blue eyes drank her in, and instead of frustration, she read longing in his gaze. Kaimbrey’s heart swelled for him, and she knew that if she kept her gaze on him, she was going to break down in tears and sprint up that aisle to him, begging him to forgive and love her in front of hundreds of people and messing up the entire wedding. She reminded herself this was Bri’s day and ripped her gaze from Brody’s, focusing on other people in the wedding party.

  She finally made it to the front, and though she felt Brody’s gaze heavy on her and wanted to turn to him so badly, she kept her attention on her sweet friend sauntering down the aisle on her father’s arm. Bri was so beautiful, and she and Colt were so in love. Tears came to Kaimbrey’s eyes then. Bri deserved every happiness, and Kaimbrey loved her completely—so why, in the back of her mind, was there a selfish wish that she could have this also, and soon?

  She risked a glance at Brody as the picture-perfect ceremony proceeded. His brow was furrowed and he looked almost as upset as he had the other night when he’d found out about the million-dollar challenge. Her stomach clenched. Pelican poop. His gaze had been warm when she’d first come out of Emma’s bedroom door. What had upset him now? She willed him to look at her, but he stayed studiously focused on Colt and Bri.

  The wedding flew by like a blur, and before Kaimbrey could catch Brody’s eye, the preacher was saying man and wife and Colt and Bri were very willingly kissing. Wow. It was a fabulous-looking kiss and then some.

  Cally laughed next to Kaimbrey and squeezed her hand. “Good to see they like each other.” She winked. Kaimbrey thought that Cally was singularly impressive as Bri had recently shared the story with her. Cally had planned to marry Colt most of her life, but now realized Tate was the man for her.

  Kaimbrey smiled back. “Wowzers.”

  Colt and Bri finally broke apart and walked down the aisle hand in hand, waving and grinning to the cheering crowd.

  Tate hurried over and wrapped his arm around Cally. “Hey, beautiful. Can I escort you down the aisle?”

  “You can escort me anywhere.” She all but melted into his side.

  The two were an absolutely gorgeous couple, both tall, her thin with him nicely built. Her long, blond hair swung behind them, a great complement to Tate’s thick reddish brown. They walked off, and Kaimbrey swallowed hard and turned to Brody. He stood there, glowering at her. What had happened to the fun, caring Brody she’d fallen for? She must not have known the real him at all if he couldn’t even be happy at his brother’s wedding.

  He just stood there, and she was about ready to gift him with an unladylike gesture and stomp off down the aisle alone when he stiffly marched up to her and offered his elbow. Kaimbrey put her hand through it, only because the crowd was still waiting for them to walk up the aisle before everyone went to greet the bride and groom.

  Brody plastered on a fake smile for the crowd as they sauntered up the aisle, and Kaimbrey tried to do the same.

  “Nice of you to actually show up tonight,” he muttered through clenched teeth.

  “Excuse me?” She glared up at him.

  “What kept you away last night? Scared to see me again, or did you find some other poor sap to date and talk Emma into giving you the million if you got him to propose?”

  Kaimbrey’s breath rushed out in hot anger. She was so ready to tell him off, but she didn’t want to ruin Bri’s wedding.

  Brody escorted her toward the head table where they were supposed to sit side by side for the dinner. Luckily, a lot of people were still congratulating the bride and groom, so they weren’t all focused on her and Brody.

  She still kept her voice low to avoid upsetting Bri. “For your information, I was in a car wreck last night, and that was why I didn’t make it.”

  Brody sucked in a breath, and instead of releasing her arm and helping her into the chair, he held fast to her hand. “Oh, K, I’m sorry. Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “Fine as I can be with you acting like such a dork.”

  Brody’s compassion for her accident seemed to flee pretty quickly. “Yeah, it’s pretty dorky not liking being tricked and lied to.” He released her hand then and pulled her chair out.

  Kaimbrey sank into the chair as her legs trembled from all the emotions this man had wrought in her, and they’d only been together for a few minutes. She loved him, she wanted him, and she was so ticked off at him. “Are you ever going to let that crap go?” she hissed at him as he sat by her side.

  Brody stared down at her. “I think if I’d betrayed someone, maybe I’d try apologizing, not be more unfeeling.”

  Kaimbrey rolled her eyes. “I tried to apologize. You tr
eated me like dirt.”

  The rest of the wedding party was seating themselves at the table: Colt’s parents, his sisters and their spouses, Bri’s parents, Bri’s brothers, Cally, Tate, and of course Emma. The grandchildren had a small table close by, including the adorable little boy who’d led Kaimbrey and Cally to the dock a couple of weeks ago. He gave Kaimbrey a broad grin and a sly wink.

  Brody sat stiffly by her, and she tried to ignore him as they chatted with the rest of the table and went through the motions of the fancy dinner, the toasts, and the sweet declarations of love that Colt and Bri had written for each other to share with everyone.

  When dinner was finally over, Colt and Bri were whisked away to cut the cake and have their first dance. Kaimbrey hurried along with the crowd, happy to be away from Brody’s glowering presence for a few minutes. She’d been insane to think he’d forgiven her. It seemed he’d only stewed about her betrayal and gotten more bitter in the past two weeks.

  She smiled wistfully as Colt and Bri fed each other cake and then started their tender dance. Afterward, Colt danced with his mom and Bri with her dad.

  Halfway through the dance, Emma took the mic. “We’d like the bridesmaids and groomsmen to join the dance.” She gave Kaimbrey a conspiratorial smile.

  Kaimbrey watched Tate lead Cally out onto the dance floor. She stared up at him with love in her gaze, and he tenderly smiled down at her. It was beautiful to see those two so happy. Kaimbrey glanced around for Brody. Would he come to dance with her after Emma had so effectively called them out?

  A hand on her lower back and the delicious scent of his clean, citrusy cologne alerted her to his presence. She turned and smiled up at him. “I wondered if you’d wimp out.”

  Brody lifted his eyebrows at her. “My momma didn’t raise any wimps.” He led her into a slow dance, their bodies much too close for Kaimbrey’s sense of sanity. Oh, how she’d missed him.

  “She also didn’t raise any humble sons,” she shot back at him.

  Brody actually laughed at that. “No, we aren’t long on humility.”

  Kaimbrey swallowed and stared into his handsome face. She wanted to try to apologize again, beg him to forgive her and to start over.

  Just as the words were on the tip of her tongue, she saw a quick movement in the corner of her eye. Tate was on one knee, clasping Cally’s hands in his and obviously proposing. The moment was intimate and sweet and only for the two of them, but half of the wedding party noticed, especially Emma and Tate’s mom, who both had tears rushing down their faces.

  Kaimbrey and Brody stopped dancing and watched the proposal proceed. Brody kept one hand on her lower back.

  Tate released one of Cally’s hands to slide a huge square diamond ring out of his pocket and onto her finger. Cally tugged him to his feet and kissed him fiercely, hugging him tight around the neck. It took a while before they broke far enough apart for anyone to congratulate them. It was so beautiful that Kaimbrey found herself tearing up. Colt and Brikelle were the first there to congratulate them.

  Suddenly, the music stopped and Emma’s sweet voice piped through again. “I’d like to thank you all again for coming to support this beautiful couple’s happy beginning. We all love you, Colt and Brikelle.”

  Colt held their joined hands high as the crowd cheered.

  “And we have another piece of happy news tonight. Tate Jepson and Cally Young are very recently engaged.”

  The crowd whooped their approval as Tate grinned and Cally looked sweet and beautiful cuddling into his side. She held the ring aloft for all to see. The diamond glittered in the light, and the crowd cheered louder.

  “A couple of weeks ago, I gave two beautiful girls a challenge,” Emma continued.

  Brody stiffened beside her, and Kaimbrey’s pulse raced. She wouldn’t. Not in front of the entire crowd.

  “Cally has fulfilled her part, and I am now awarding the charity of her choice one million dollars.”

  There were some whistles, murmurs, but also a lot of applause.

  Cally started to protest, but Emma raised her hand. “I make the rules, and I can bend them. This will be in addition to what Titanium Homes is contributing.”

  “Thank you!” Cally yelled to be heard over the crowd. She grinned up at Tate, and he lifted her off her feet and kissed her soundly.

  “Now, Kaimbrey.” Emma smiled like a sweet old grandma, but at the moment Kaimbrey thought she was being a manipulative crazy woman. “I’m willing to bend the rules for you and your handsome man as well. What do you say?”

  Kaimbrey’s jaw dropped. She blinked up at Brody, who was back to glowering, mostly at Emma. Emma would bend the rules. Kaimbrey could start her charity, build her house for the people, but the way Brody was staring at her said she had no chance. Fire started in her chest and crept up to burn her neck and face. She’d hurt Brody, and now he was hurting her back. No way would he drop his pride long enough to help her and help so many.

  The crowd had quieted down, as if waiting for her answer. Kaimbrey narrowed her eyes at Brody and yelled at Emma, “I say no deal!”

  “Ah, that’s too bad.” Emma lifted one hand. “Well, let’s keep partying!” The music started again, and waiters started bringing around drinks and party favors as everyone danced and mingled.

  Kaimbrey stared up at Brody. “You know, if I was only trying to get the million dollars for myself, I could understand you being so stubborn and mad at me, but it isn’t for me. It’s to help so many others.”

  He didn’t even say anything, just kept staring down at her.

  “You have no clue,” she ground out. “How long I’ve tried to raise funding, all the rejection … and now Emma tries to hand me the golden ticket, and I thought it was perfect because I’d fallen so hard for you, and I thought if I could just get you to propose, then I could explain and we could make the proposal real, but you—”

  Her voice caught, and she was very afraid she was going to cry. She spun and ran, pushing through dancers and accidentally knocking into a waiter. She heard a curse as some glass crashed on the patio. “I’m sorry,” she flung over her shoulder.

  When she looked back, she saw Brody pursuing her. No! She couldn’t handle fighting with him any longer. She wanted to go cry for her lost dreams, but most of all for losing Brody. She’d messed everything up, and she didn’t want to blame him because it wasn’t his fault, but it was all such a mess now that she just wanted to escape.

  She made it to the water’s edge and then had nowhere to go but down the beach. Her heels sank in the soft sand, and she toppled forward.

  Strong hands wrapped around her waist and steadied her. Kaimbrey knew those hands and that manly citrus and musky smell.

  “Can you not let a girl have a proper cry?” she asked, holding herself stiff in his arms.

  Brody turned her around so she was facing him.

  She blinked hot tears away and glared up at him. “What?”

  A slow grin grew on his face, and even his blue eyes were sparkling at her, reflecting all the lights from the wedding party. “Have I told you how much I love your sass?”

  “You do?” Her lower lip trembled. How many times had her mother told her to not sass her?

  “I do.” He tenderly wiped a tear off her cheek. She wasn’t even aware she’d let one fall. “I just have a couple of questions.” His warm palms framed her hips and tugged her closer.

  “Such as?” She tilted her head and gave him a spicy look. If he loved it, she could dish it out.

  “First, you said earlier you’d ‘fallen so hard’ for me?”

  Kaimbrey rolled her eyes. “Don’t throw my words back at me, boy.”

  He chuckled. “Oh, I will. You’d better be careful what you say.”

  “Apparently.”

  “But is it true? Did you really fall for me? Not just an act for Emma’s proposal?”

  “Before you turned into a jerk who ruined my dreams?”

  He nodded. “Yeah, before that.”


  She could hardly meet his gaze as she admitted, “Yeah. I fell hard for you. I thought you were the one.”

  “I know how that feels,” he said, his smirk fading.

  Kaimbrey swallowed hard. Brody had every right to feel upset that he’d been lied to. “I’ve been wanting to apologize more properly. I shouldn’t have kept the proposal idea from you. I should’ve confided in you, no matter what Emma said. I’ve been so driven to start my charity that it’s kind of consumed me. I should never have tried to use you for a million dollars, and I’m sorry.”

  “Apology accepted. And I’m sorry that I got so upset. Trust is a huge issue for me, and I felt … betrayed.” His lips pursed and he glanced back up at the wedding party. “We probably better get back up there for the send-off.”

  Kaimbrey was decidedly unsettled. She’d admitted she fell hard for him, she’d apologized properly, and maybe that was the end of it. She wanted so much more. She wanted Brody.

  He put a hand on her lower back and escorted her back up to the party. She loved being close to him, but she had no clue if he even wanted to see her again after tonight.

  A young girl handed them sparklers, and they waved them wildly and cheered as Colt and Bri ran hand in hand down the sparkling tunnel of friends and family. Kaimbrey cheered happily with the rest of the crowd. She was thrilled for her friend, and that had to be her focus tonight.

  Colt and Bri disappeared around the corner, and Kaimbrey felt all the happiness of the moment drain out of her. It was over. Bri was married now. Kaimbrey was truly alone. The onlookers wandered off, some getting more food or drink, some standing in small groups and talking, some picking up garbage and getting scolded by Emma.

  Emma. She was a good lady, but she sure had messed up Kaimbrey’s chances at happiness. Brody seemed to take the million-dollar challenge as a personal affront.