Unwrapped by Katie Lane

Author:Katie Lane
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Published: 2015-09-29T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

Jac’s third wedding was nothing like her first two. There were no sprays of beautiful flowers or poufy puffs of tulle. No pretty bridesmaids or cute flower girls. No expensive wedding gown or tuxedoed groom. Just a cold judge’s office with Gerald standing at her side holding a grocery store bouquet and Bailey standing behind her ready to tackle her if she panicked and headed for the door.

Surprisingly, even though the wedding wasn’t anything like her dreams, Jac had no desire to escape. A strange calm settled over her the moment Patrick took her hands in his. Her calm could’ve come from the heat of his skin or the strength of his grip. Or perhaps it came from the clear, steady green of his eyes. Whatever the reason, her voice didn’t quaver when she repeated her vows, and her hands didn’t tremble when Patrick slipped on the simple gold band. In fact Jac didn’t show any signs of nerves until the judge spoke his final words:

“I now pronounce you man and wife.”

Then Jac promptly leaned over the trash can by the desk and threw up the Western omelet she’d had for breakfast. When she finished, she lifted her head to find Gerald looking like he was ready to lose his breakfast, the judge calling the janitor, and Patrick holding out a red bandanna that didn’t go with his blue dress shirt.

“Better?”

She nodded weakly as she took the bandanna. Although a few minutes later, when Patrick had gone to get the truck and she was standing out in front of the courthouse saying her good-byes to Bailey and Gerald, she didn’t feel better. She felt like she’d made the biggest mistake of her life.

“Maybe I should come to New York with you,” she said against Bailey’s shoulder. “Patrick won’t care as long as I come back before the baby is born.”

Bailey awkwardly thumped her on the back before pulling away. She had the hard lawyer look she always got when she’d made up her mind about something. “It’s going to be okay, Jac.” She shot a glance over at Gerald. “Tell her, Geri.”

Gerald smiled weakly as tears filled his eyes. “Of course it’s going to be okay.” A sob broke loose as he pulled Jac into his arms. “What will I do without you, Jac? Who will make me stuffed French toast in the morning and flavored popcorn at night?”

“Good Lord,” Bailey groaned. “Stop your dramatic whining, Geri. You don’t see Jac and me crying, do you?”

He continued to hold on to Jac in a death grip. “Only because you two are the ice princesses and don’t cry at anything.”

“It’s a Maguire thing,” Bailey said. “Besides, it’s not like you won’t be coming back for Christmas.”

Jac looked over Gerald’s shoulder. “You’re coming for Christmas too, Bailey, aren’t you?”

Her sister nodded. “Of course I am. But with work, I might have to take a later flight.” She pried Jac away from Gerald. “Remember to take your prenatal vitamins every day. And don’t eat too many sweets.

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