Jenny stood at the stove, rubbing the toes of one foot against her calf as she tried to talk Shelly into going through with the wedding. She fiddled with cooking breakfast, not really paying attention to the food. The sight was so domestic it made him smile.
“It’ll make everyone’s life easier. I’ve worked for you ever since I got out of the Marines. I may not have the passion for the family business that Shawn has, but I’m not an idiot, either. You need someone to get this off the ground, and I can help. And if it helps Shawn and Shelly in the long run, then that’s great.”
“I don’t care, son. If you want to go, I’m not going to stand in your way.”
Dane thanked him and wished him a Merry Christmas and hung up the phone. Immediately, he dialed Shawn. He answered with a curt reply.
“Merry Christmas to you, too, bro.” Dane smiled at his brother’s tone. “Look, I solved your problems. Dad gave me clearance to go to California so you and Shelly don’t have to move.”
“What?”
“You heard me. I’m going so you don’t have to. Dad will leave you in charge of the east coast and I’ll have the west coast.” Dane huffed a breath and glanced over at Jenny carrying two plates to the small breakfast table, phone to her ear. “Make up with Shelly, dude. I’ve eliminated the obstacle. Go make up with your fiancée and walk down that aisle today.”
“I’m going to owe you for this, aren’t I?” Shawn’s voice perked up.
“Nah. Just paying you back for coming to Boston for me. We’re even.”
They hung up, and Dane went into the kitchen where Jenny sat picking at her food while she listened to Shelly talk. “Shelly, it’s settled. Dane’s going, not Shawn. Why aren’t you happy?”
Dane kissed the top of her head and sat beside her. He ate the food she’d cooked, watching and listening to her talk to her sister. Shelly did most of the talking, while Jenny sat there, avoiding his eyes and listening to the conversation.
“Okay. Fine, Shelly. That’s your decision.” She hung up and sat the phone to the side. “She’s still calling off the wedding. I think she’s scared, and he gave her the perfect opportunity to back out. She’s also pissed at me for sleeping with you.”
“Honey, she will always hate you for sleeping with me. Is that going to make you stop? Just because Shelly doesn’t like me, does that mean you can’t, either?”
“Dane, you promised. It’s Christmas.”
“Answer enough.” He stood and left the room, pissed at himself. His shirt was on the bedroom floor, and he grabbed it, pulling it over his head as he headed back to the living room. His jacket lay across the couch, something he grabbed, as well.
“You can be a tough ass and demand that I let you spend the night with me, and now you’re just walking away.”
“If I don’t, we’ll end up fighting, and it’s Christmas.” He crossed the room to the door. “I’ll see you at the wedding.”
Jenny grabbed his arm to stop him. “Are you still going, even if they don’t get married?”
“They’ll get married. And as for moving, changes do some people good. I need a change.”
He walked out the door with the chill of morning biting at him. Shawn and Shelly would get married if he had to drag them to the altar and forge their signatures on the marriage license. But Jenny, he didn’t know what would happen between Jenny and him.
When Jenny arrived at her parents’ house, the place looked like a field of white roses had exploded all over the main floor. Bouquets of flowers sat on every surface. The banister was draped with flowers and covered with white paper for Shelly to walk on. Everything was ready for the impending wedding.
“Mom? Shelly?” Jenny sat her purse next to the door, dropping her keys on top.
Karen Myers met her daughter in the foyer wrinkling her nose at the bouquet Jenny carried. “Oh, there you are. What are we going to do with all of this? Everyone is making their deliveries, and Shelly is still determined to call everything off. I thought Shelly ordered red roses.”
Jenny shrugged. “She wanted it to be virginal white.”
Karen laughed. “The only one she’s fooling is your father.”
“Where is she?”
“Upstairs, sulking.”
Jenny left her mother to find her sister sitting in the room they once shared, staring out the window. She wore a silky robe, and aside from her red-rimmed eyes, looked perfect.
“We’ve got a bunch of people waiting to see you and Shawn get hitched. Why don’t I help you put on your dress, and get this ball rolling?”
“Jenny, it isn’t happening.”
“Why not? Shawn wants to spend the rest of his life with you.” Jenny unzipped the garment cover and slid the wedding dress from the hanger. “And, Shelly, you are so in love with him. Why are you insisting you shouldn’t get married? You and I both know that’s not what you really want.”
“Because.”
She held up the dress. “Because why? Dane called and made everything better. He’s going to California so Shawn doesn’t have to. The two of you can start your life together just the way you planned. What is your deal?”
“Dane is the problem. He doesn’t get to make everything better. He’s the ass of the family. You are sleeping with the ass of the family.”
“Oh, please. My relationship with Dane has nothing to do with your marrying Shawn. And if it makes you feel better, he didn’t do this for you. He did it for his brother.”
“I can’t be civil with him.” Shelly stood, fury rolling off her in waves. “I can’t marry into his family. I can’t stand my sister being with him.”
“Grow up.”
Shelly stopped and lifted her head. “What did you say to me?”
“You heard me loud and clear.” Jenny sank to the bed as everything Dane said pummeled her at once. “You don’t get to run other people’s lives.”
“What? My opinion doesn’t count now?”
“No, Shelly. Your opinion counts only when it’s about your life. You’re getting married to Shawn. Grow up and get dressed.” Jenny threw the dress on the bed. “You know, you’re my little sister, and I’ve babied you a lot over the years. But I’m not about to stand by and watch you make the biggest fucking mistake of your life because of your stupidity. And I’m not about to let you ruin my life, along with yours. I like Dane. He actually told me he loved me, and you know what? I panicked. He’s a good guy, and I keep pushing him away, mostly because I’m afraid of hurting you. I’m done. If he’ll have me back, I’m going to be with him, and since he’s moving, I’m willing to move with him.”
Shelly gasped. “But—”
Jenny held up her hand. “I don’t want to hear it. Get dressed.”
Sudden relief came over her as she walked across the room. She wanted Dane. She almost craved his touch. And she feared she’d blown it.
Her dress was waiting in the blue guest room, a bright pink ensemble that made her look like a live Barbie. She stripped and stepped into it, zipping up the back by herself. Her hair was next, and she tried three times before she got it right. She pinned her long locks into a simple French twist that she dressed up with diamond hair pins. After that was her makeup, which she kept light and natural with just a hint of pink eye shadow and blush. She grabbed some pink lip gloss to finish off the look and stood before the mirror, taking everything in.
Did she really tell Shelly she wanted to move across the country with Dane? She smiled and began looking for her hot-pink shoes. Yes, she did. She truly wanted to be with him. She maybe even loved him. The thought stopped her mid-step, with one shoe on and the other off. He was so different than her previous boyfriends, ones she’d thought she loved, so how could she be sure?
She stepped into the other shoe and pulled the strap over her heel. She didn’t deserve the patience Dane gave her, though he could cut back on his bluntness a little. All that would work out in the end.
Once she was satisfied with herself, she headed downstairs. The party was already in full swing. Dane and Shawn talked with each other in the library, sharing a laugh about something Dane said. She took a deep breath and headed there first.
“Don’t worry about it. Talk to her, and everything will be okay.” Dane slapped his brother on the back.
“Yeah. Take your own advice.” Shawn nodded toward the door.
“Uh, sorry to interrupt.” Jenny shrugged. “I wanted to borrow Dane for a moment.” Jenny reached for his hand, happy he took it instead of shunning her in front of her future brother-in-law. “We’ll be right back.”
She led him through the house to the very back guest room, away from the chaos. After she closed the door behind them, she turned to face him. “I just want to say I’m sorry. I was wrong, and you were right. I want to be with you. I let Shelly control my life. I feel so stupid.”
“Shh. We’ll talk about this after the wedding.” He pulled her to him, careful not to mess up her hair. He smiled and kissed her. “You’re beautiful, baby.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I love you, Dane.”
When they returned to the main room, Karen informed them the wedding was on. Shawn had talked to Shelly, and they’d worked through their fears and finally agreed to proceed. Jenny parted from Dane and took her place at the top of the stairs where Shelly stood, beautiful as ever in the white mountain of fabric she called a dress. She still looked pissed, but Jenny didn’t bother to say anything. Fighting with Shelly on her wedding day was the last thing Jenny wanted to do. Not to mention it was Christmas. The little stuff didn’t matter, just like Dane had said. Everyone took their place, Jenny in front of Shelly.
“Mom told me you seemed happy with Dane. That you were holding his hand and smiling like you were in love.”
“I am happy with Dane. And I do love him.” Jenny’s heart swelled as she finally admitted the words out loud. “He makes me feel alive and special. He makes me see things from a different prospective, and I like that.”
They started moving forward, and Shelly grabbed her sister’s arm. “I’m making a request.”
Jenny paused, glancing toward the wedding party that continued moving toward the steps. “I won’t stop seeing him for you.”
Shelly huffed. “Not what I was going to ask.” She hesitated for a moment before finally blurting, “Can you get him to stop calling me ‘Shutter Bug’?”
Jenny couldn’t help the relief that swept over her. She wrapped her arms around her sister, trying really hard not to cry. “I’ll try. I love you, Shelly.”
“I love you, more.” She pulled away, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Now, let’s go get me married.”
* * * *
Dane wrapped his arm around Jenny’s shoulders at the reception. He refused to sit in the designated best man’s spot, choosing instead to sit by the maid of honor. Jenny seemed to be enjoying herself as she drank the sweet champagne and chatted with the guests. He couldn’t have asked for a better ending to this disastrous event.
His brother was happy, and that’s all that mattered. And he had Shelly as a sister-in-law. That was a bit scary. He chuckled at his own thoughts and pulled Jenny to him, kissing her cheek.
She smiled and ran her hand along his thigh. “What was that for?”
“Do I have to have a reason to kiss you?”
“No.” She laid her head against his shoulder. “You’ve been kind of quiet tonight. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. It’s good to see my brother happy.”
“Are you happy?”
“Uh, you are in my arms. Yeah, I’m pretty happy.” He brushed his fingers against her cheek. “I’d be a lot happier though if you’d stay at my place tonight.”
The bride and groom left around eight, while Jenny and Dane stuck around the Myers’s house to help clean up. Though Jenny changed into a pair of jeans and Dane’s T-shirt, he still wore the penguin suit and couldn’t wait to get home and get naked with Jenny.
Arthur corned him in the kitchen as Dane brought yet again another vase of white roses inside. “So, Dane, Shawn told me you offered to move to the west coast so he and Shelly didn’t have to.”
“Yes. The business isn’t breaking ground until next month, but Dad needs me to be out there in order to make sure all the plans are correct. I leave out in a couple of weeks.” He’d long lost the jacket to his tux and rolled up the sleeves to his shirt, trying to get more comfortable. He didn’t even want to think about the stupid dress shoes killing his feet.
“Really? Because I noticed you and Jennifer getting a little close at the reception. Is there something going on between the two of you?”
“Hey, guys.” Jenny entered the room with a handful of dirty champagne glasses. “What’s going on?”
Arthur glanced at Dane. “I was just asking Dane about the two of you. He’s moving soon, and you guys seem to be getting cozy.”
“We’re dating, Dad. And to be honest, I’ve been thinking of moving to California with him.”
“And leave your life here?”
“I need a change. I love Dane, and he is the change I want in my life.”
Arthur shook his head. “Does your mother know about this?”
“Know about what?” Karen came in with an armful of gifts.
“Your daughter is planning to move across the country with this yahoo.” Arthur frowned at Dane, who simply stood there, unmoving.
“You’re moving? Why didn’t you say something to me?” Karen arched an eyebrow at her daughter.
Jenny moved to help her mother with the gifts. “I never said I was moving. I said I was thinking about it. There’s a lot to consider, and I’m weighing my options.”
“Are you planning on getting married?” Arthur’s question hung in the silence that surrounded them.
“Everyone who dates doesn’t necessarily get married right away.” Jenny met Dane’s eyes. “Our relationship isn’t at that point yet, but we do love each other.”
Karen wrapped her daughter in her arms. “I’m happy for you, sweetheart. I would love to have another McKenzie in our family, just so you know.”
Jenny smiled. “Yeah, the McKenzie boys are something special.”
“Why don’t you two go home? You both look tired, and after Shelly’s little fit, it’s understood.” Karen kissed Jenny’s cheek. “Go on. We’re celebrating Christmas tomorrow here at the house, so go rest up. Dane, take her home, and make sure she gets some sleep.”