Unmarried Cousin by Zinnia Kelly

Author:Zinnia Kelly [Kelly, Zinnia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-08-17T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Four

HALEY

Daniella gets married in the morning. After that, we’re not needed for the photographer, so we sneak away and go offshore fishing for four hours. As we sit on the chartered jetty in our shorts and t-shirts, getting water spray in our faces, Scott says, “This is fantastic, Haley.”

We came on a package trip which includes the fuel, bait, tackle, rods and reels, and cold bottled water to drink. There is even a deckhand to assist us. I’ve been fishing a few times before, and I thought that Scott, who is an outdoors kind of guy, would like it.

He loves it.

I say, “This is my thank you – for being my fake date.”

He smiles at me. “No, problem. I’ll be your fake date whenever you want.”

After catching a few redfish and a flounder, we head back to shore, where we go back to the hotel, clean up, and arrive at the reception, just in time for the toasts.

The best man gives a sweet speech and there are a few more toasts.

Danielle is wearing a second wedding dress – an evening gown this time – and she looks fantastic. I’m wearing the same lace dress as I did this morning, but I’m not quite as well put together.

Most of the curl is gone from my hair, and even though I wore sunscreen, my nose is a little pink. I can feel the slight sunburn on my shoulders.

When I asked Scott earlier if I looked alright, he said, “You are beautiful. Everyone is going to be looking at you instead of the bride.”

I rolled my eyes. “Thanks.”

For the formal dinner, we are seated at a small table across from my Grandma Betty, who is slightly hard of hearing and wants to know all about Scott. I don’t want to lie to her, so I tell her that his last name is Parker and he works at the same school I do, as a teacher.

She frowns at me. “I thought he was a hair stylist.”

“That was a joke, Grandma.” A joke that I am now regretting.

“When are you getting married?”

“We’re not.”

“Not yet or not ever? I don’t agree with people living together without getting married.”

Great – so do we look like we are having premarital sex? I bite my lip and glance at Scott who is enjoying my discomfort. “We’re taking it slow, Grandma.”

“Slow? Don’t you want children?”

Scott chokes back a laugh but hides it by taking sips of his champagne.

“You’re not getting any younger, Haley.”

I know that.

After that, the conversation drags. As soon as the meal is over and the bride has her dances, I ask Scott if he would like to dance with me.

“I’d love to.”

When we are on the dance floor and I’m in his arms, he says, “I thought you were kidding about the social pressure to get married, but whew, your grandma is a barracuda.”

Dancing with Scott is bittersweet. I wish he were my real date instead of a fake date.

He must see some of my sadness on my face, so he says, “I hope you find what you’re looking for, Haley.

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