I’ll Be There (30 page)

“Oh, man. Summer must be disappointed.”

“She was, but she completely understood. Plus, I think it was comforting for her to know Casey will be taking care of everything.”

“So what does that mean, we're down a bridesmaid?”

“Actually, no. One of Summer's college roommates is stepping in. She was already invited as a guest and she and Casey are similar dress sizes so it just worked out.” Ryder chuckled. “Please, my wife would not be able to handle uneven members of the bridal party. It would ruin the photos!”

They both laughed. “I take it you've heard this sort of thing before.”

“I've learned more about weddings in the last two years than I ever wanted to know. I blame Mac for making me help with his and Gina's wedding.” He smiled. “But really, it was the best thing that ever happened to me. I might not have had the opportunity to win Casey back if I hadn't had that excuse to see her.”

Lucky bastard
, Zach thought. “Yeah, well, just as long as you stay on at the company and don't leave to set up food stations or take the groomsmen for tuxes, we'll all be fine.”

“Are you kidding me? What my wife does is ten times more stressful than anything we do. More power to her. My job is practically a vacation compared to hers. Brides can be a nightmare.”

“I'm sure Summer was no different.”

“Nah. Summer just wanted to be married. Casey said she was one of the easiest brides to work with.”

“That's surprising. Normally Summer is a handful.”

“Ethan's really calmed her down. Helped her find her focus.” Ryder smiled at his future brother-in-law across the room. “He's been good for her.”

They stood in silence for a moment, each finishing their drinks before Ryder put his glass down. “Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to see if I can snag my wife away for a few minutes before the circus begins. I'll see you later.”

“Yeah. Later.” And then he was alone again. Wasn't that what he'd wanted just a few minutes ago?

Yeah, and didn't you want to spend your life with Gabriella just a few months ago?
If he could punch his subconscious self in the face, he would. Now was not the time to start harping on that subject.

So he wandered the perimeter of the room, refusing to stop and really talk to anyone. He smiled. He nodded. He pretended to drink. It was almost a relief when Casey strode back into the room with a big smile on her face, Ryder right behind her.

“Okay, fellas! It's showtime!”

“You know you're totally stealing my thunder, right?”

“Only for a brief second. Once everyone sees you, I'll be all but forgotten.”

“Not likely. You're going to be the talk of the night.”

“I could totally back out. I'm serious. The last thing I want to do is take the spotlight from you. That wasn't why I came here.”

“Oh, shut up,” Summer said and smacked Gabriella playfully on the arm. “You're doing me a huge favor! My dad is a nervous wreck and on the verge of crying and I feel like I'm going to throw up, so really, as you walk down the aisle, if you want to tap dance or sing show tunes, feel free. Anything to keep those five hundred sets of eyes off me until I get to Ethan's side.”

“You're going to be fine. This is the day you've been waiting for. You finally get to marry your knight in shining armor. How lucky are you?” Emotion clogged her throat as she said the words. Gabriella meant every one of them even as she envied her friend for finding such a perfect love.

“I know,” Summer said softly. “But you have no idea how much it means to me that you're here. I know it wasn't an easy decision for you to make and—”

“Please, we both know I wasn't going to miss at least
seeing
you get married. I was all set to perch up in a tree with a pair of binoculars if I needed to.”

“This is way more dignified,” Summer said. “Your gown is perfect. You look positively stunning.”

“You have no idea how much I am loving my shoes right now.” During their long phone conversation the other day, Gabriella had shared the transformation she'd undergone in an attempt to lay low for a while, so Summer completely got the heel relief.

“You are far too beautiful to live like that. Are you going to sleep in them tonight?”

“I just might.”

“Okay, ladies!” Casey called out as she entered the bridal suite. “The guys are all lined up and waiting. Let's get you to the lobby and ready to go.” She made a beeline toward Gabriella. “I am so glad you're here. It was so hard to scramble around through the rehearsal last night without giving it away how you were part of the wedding party.”

“So no one knows I'm here?”

“Oh, please. Everyone knows—except Zach. It's actually been kind of funny.”

“I'm sure he won't look at it like that,” Gabriella muttered.

“Well, that's his problem then, isn't it?” Casey looked around the room. “If everyone will follow me, we'll get you all lined up. Robert, you and Summer need to stay back a bit. When the doors to the sanctuary open, I don't want anyone to even get a glimpse of Summer. She needs to have her moment all to herself, okay?”

Robert Montgomery nodded, clutching his only daughter's arm like a lifeline. “Ease up, Dad,” Summer said. “If you don't loosen your grip, I may spend my reception getting a cast on my arm.”

“Sorry, sweetheart,” he whispered. “I just… I just can't believe your wedding day is here. And by the end of the day, all of my kids are going to be settled.”

Summer looked at him oddly. “Um…Dad? Zach's not settled.”

“Not yet. But one look at Gabriella in that gown and he will be.”

Summer squeezed his arm and smiled. “Let's hope so.”

* * *

Gabriella's heart beat wildly in her chest. This was it. This was the last of her demons. She'd always stood up for herself with Zach—until the end. Then she'd simply been too broken to fight back. Now was her moment to get her self-respect back. She'd walk down that aisle with her head held high and not even spare him a glance. Then she'd stand there, less than ten feet apart, with a serene smile on her face.

She'd smile for pictures.

She'd dance with a dozen different Montgomerys.

And then she'd leave and pray he followed. It was a risk, but in her mind, it would all be worth it. She was done letting other people's thoughts and attitudes control her life. Gabriella knew what she wanted and she wanted Zach Montgomery—bad moods and foul tempers and everything about him.

She just wanted him to work for it a little bit.

“And now you, Gabriella,” Casey whispered and directed her to the door.

Putting a dazzling smile on her face—one she actually felt—she began her slow walk up the aisle. Her heart rate had slowed down a bit and she couldn't believe the love she felt in the room. Not just for Summer and Ethan, but for her. As she walked, she got several thumbs-up from various Montgomery family members, but the biggest smile and “go get 'em” look came from William. She winked slyly at him as she passed by.

As she approached the front of the church, she looked at Ethan, who gave her a conspiratorial wink before looking beyond her for his first glance at Summer. Gabriella took her position next to the other bridesmaids and watched in wonder as Summer seemed to float elegantly down the aisle. Her blue eyes shone with happy tears as she kept her gaze on Ethan, and in that moment Gabriella knew she wanted that for herself—she wanted to know that moment of walking toward the man you wanted to spend the rest of your life with.

Unfortunately, hers was glaring at her right now. She didn't have to look at Zach to confirm it. She could feel it. That's how well she knew him.

For the entire ceremony, Gabriella kept her focus on Summer, fixing her train, holding her flowers…to the point that her eyes actually hurt from
not
looking at Zach. When the pastor finally pronounced them man and wife, Gabriella almost sagged with relief. She handed the bouquet of flowers back to Summer and then watched her and Ethan make their way up the aisle.

Now it was go time.

Stepping forward, she linked arms with Zach without even acknowledging him. She smiled all the way up the aisle and then took her place in the receiving line. But Zach stayed close. He'd released her arm but he kept himself pressed to her side. Maybe it was because of the large bridal party and the size of the lobby, but Gabriella felt like maybe he could have put a little space between them—just to be proper.

But then again, when had Zach Montgomery ever been concerned with propriety?

Everything in Zach had stilled the moment Gabriella first stepped into the sanctuary. He wasn't the type of man who enjoyed making a scene, but he had been damn near tempted to stalk up the aisle and drag her out of the church.

And beg for forgiveness.

But he'd held himself in check and did everything he could to catch her eye, but she had been determined to not look at him.

And he knew she was doing it on purpose.

As the guests began to file out of the sanctuary and walk down the receiving line, Zach moved as close to Gabriella as he could get. He felt her stiffen beside him and almost smiled. They greeted the wedding guests and smiled and chatted. By the time Casey called them all to line up outside the church for photos, Zach was sorry they had to move. His hands were itching to reach out and touch Gabriella, to put his arms around her, to whisper to her how beautiful she looked.

“Zach, I want you standing behind Gabriella, just a little to the right so that we can see you over her shoulder,” Casey directed and then the photographer took over.

“Place your hand on her waist and hold it there,” he said and then went on to position the rest of the bridal party.

Zach was more than happy to oblige. After all, wasn't this exactly what he'd been after? Unable to help himself, he leaned in and inhaled deeply. Her scent had always driven him wild, and with her bare shoulders, her hair loose, and…god help him, those heels, she was too much of a temptation. “You look beautiful,” he murmured in her ear.

She didn't respond. For a minute Zach thought she was being coy or spiteful, but the photographer was coming back over and made some minor adjustments before he began snapping photos.

It was the longest hour of his life—one of several that day alone, he realized. After the pictures in front of the church was the limo ride to the reception venue. Somehow Gabriella had managed to sit on the opposite side of the car from him, and he found this little game of cat and mouse kind of exciting. She might escape him now, but she couldn't forever.

The next round of pictures had him with his hand on her waist, her hip, her arm—hey, he was only following the photographer's directions—and he was loving every minute of it. She still had yet to speak to him, but once the reception began, Zach vowed to get her to.

When Casey finally directed them into the lobby to be introduced into the reception, Zach linked his arm with Gabriella's as he listened to what he hoped were their final instructions of the night.

“Okay, each couple will be introduced into the room. Ladies to one side when you get near the DJ, gentlemen to the other. Summer and Ethan, you'll be introduced and walk through the path your attendants have made for you and then the DJ will play your song for your first dance.” She smiled at Summer. “Your first dance as husband and wife. The DJ will cue the rest of you when to join in, then the guests, and then…we're good until the cake cutting. But that's just for the bride and groom. Once the first dance is over, attendants, you're free to enjoy your evening!”

Relief washed over Zach.
Finally!
He waited until they were called into the room. He waited until Summer and Ethan began their dance. But as soon as the DJ invited the bridal party to join in, he immediately whisked Gabriella into his arms and pulled her close. He knew the exact moment she decided to try to pull back and the exact moment she simply gave up and relaxed against him.

It was the best feeling in the world.

“I've missed you,” he said softly against her ear and almost immediately regretted it when he felt her stiffen in his arms. He soothed a hand up and down her back as the dance floor filled with friends and family. “I know you probably don't believe me but it's true.”

He felt her take a shaky breath, and he tilted his head to hear her response. “I don't know how to believe you anymore, Zach. But this is not the place or the time to get into this. Please. I'm here for Summer and Ethan. Just…let it be for right now.”

“For now,” he whispered back and pulled her closer, simply relieved to feel her against him once again.

When the music ended, however, she became nearly impossible to find. Between all of his relatives and the dancing and even more picture taking, Zach couldn't find the opportunity to get close to Gabriella. Even at dinner, they were seated too far apart and he was growing more and more frustrated.

As soon as he saw the cake being wheeled out, he knew he had to make his move. The reception was coming to an end and if he didn't do something now, there was a very real chance Gabriella would leave and he'd have no idea how to find her. He should have done it sooner and cursed himself a thousand times over for being so stubborn.

He stood with his brothers as Summer and Ethan fed one another cake. “So,” James said from his left side. “Quite a day, huh?”

“Oh yeah. Gotta love a wedding.”

“I paid the photographer extra to get a shot of your face when Gabriella walked into the church,” Ryder said from his right. “I've seen deer in the headlights with a less shocked look.” He chuckled. “I may make that my new contact picture for you.”

“What is it with this family's fascination with getting awkward pictures of me all of a sudden?” Zach snapped. “First Summer, now you.”

“We just like catching you acting human once in a while,” James interjected. “Plus, it's just fun.”

“Yeah, well…find another way to have your fun. I'm not here for your entertainment.”

His brothers both chuckled. “Are you sure?” Ryder asked. “Because you've been very entertaining tonight. Why don't you just go over and talk to her already? Please! Do us all a favor and get it over with. I've got a hundred bucks riding on her slapping your face and storming out.”

Zach's head snapped around to look at Ryder. “
What?!
You're betting on me?”

“And Gabriella,” James said. “I put money on Gabriella throwing a drink in your face.” He put his hands in his pockets and nodded approvingly before adding, “And then storming out.”

“And I'm the jackass of the family,” Zach muttered. “It's nice to know I have the support of my family right now when I need it most.”

“Hard to support someone who is clearly going to blow it again because he's willing to sit back and let the woman he loves walk out of his life
again
without fighting for her,” Ryder said and then patted Zach on the back. “Think about it, bro.” And then he and James walked away.

Zach realized the cake cutting was complete and people were dancing again and he'd lost sight of Gabriella. “Dammit,” he muttered. He stalked the entire room in search of her before Summer and Ethan stopped him.

“Okay, enough,” Summer said. “No more scaring the guests, no more scowling. I'm done. I'll admit you played nice and smiled for the pictures but…please…just go after her already!”

“I would if I knew where she went!” Zach yelled and immediately apologized. “Honestly, I've been trying to talk to her all night but she's been kind of elusive.”

“Do you blame her?” Summer asked.

He sighed with frustration. “Do you know where she is, Summer? I promise I'll leave and stop…scowling or whatever it is you say I'm doing, but I have to know where she is!”

Summer seemed playfully hesitant but luckily Ethan took pity on him. “She's up in the bridal suite with Casey. She's helping her get everything wrapped up.” He placed a hand on Zach's shoulder. “Don't screw this up.”

Zach was already sprinting from the room by the time Ethan's hand was back at his side.

Racing out into the lobby, he took the winding staircase that led up to the second floor bridal suite two steps at a time. It wasn't until he was up there that he realized he did that sprint without any pain. It was enough to stop him in his tracks. He actually stopped and flexed his leg and felt completely invincible.