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During the reception, Dad stood up to make a welcome speech. “You know, the greatest hope a father has is that his daughters will find happiness,” he said to the tentful of guests. “There are a lot of jerks out there—I know, because Carly’s mother dated a few of them before finding me!”
He paused as everyone laughed.
“Which is why I’m so thrilled that both of my daughters have found partners who make them happy. First Landon, and now Pierce, Mel’s date.” He gestured to where we were sitting. “I mean, having a man like Pierce in the family? I bet he’d be able to get seats at the Patriots game that are a little closer to the field than the upper deck!” A few people laughed. “Just teasing you, Landon. I loved the game you took me to for my birthday, even if the Pats lost by two touchdowns. It was the rare case where being far from the field was a good thing!”
The groomsmen roared with laughter and teased Landon, who pretended like he was going to throw a dinner roll at them. It was all good-natured, but Carly didn’t look happy. She hated football.
The first dance was beautiful, and I shed a few more tears. There were a lot more photographers at the wedding than I expected; they were shooting the happy couple from all angles.
After eating, the DJ started playing music and encouraged everyone to get on the dance floor. Nobody wanted to be the first ones up there, though.
Finally, Pierce stood up and extended a hand. “May I have this dance?”
“I suppose so,” I said. “Somebody needs to get the party started!”
Pierce put a hand on my hip and guided me in a salsa-like dance that matched the fast music. I could keep up, but just barely. Everything was perfect—my sister had gotten married, and my parents were happier than I had ever seen them, and I had the most wonderful date at the wedding. I didn’t even care that people were staring at us. If anything, I liked the attention. We looked good together.
And eventually, our dancing encouraged others to join us on the floor. I nodded to myself—that’s what a good big sister did.
We had been dancing for half an hour when Pierce’s phone rang. “I thought you put it on Do Not Disturb?” I asked.
“I did,” Pierce said grimly. “The only ones who are exempt are Andrew and Tristan…”
We stopped dancing as he answered the phone. He made a face, said okay several times, then hung up.
“What is it?”
Pierce closed his eyes and sighed. “I hate to do this, but I have to leave. There’s an emergency at one of our holding companies, and it’s time sensitive.”
“No! Really?”
“I’m afraid so.”
“Does this have to do with your next big business venture?” I asked.
“I wouldn’t go if it wasn’t an emergency,” he told me. “You know that, right?”
“I know. But we were having so much fun!”
He cupped my cheek and kissed me. Off to the side of the tent, one of the photographers appeared and snapped a bunch of photos.
“I’ll make it up to you.” Pierce gazed deeply into my eyes. “I promise, Melinda.”
Sighing, I said, “You’d better.”
“I’ll send the helicopter back for you.” He gave me another quick kiss, then walked out of the tent. Linda and the bodyguards formed up on him, and the last thing I heard was him telling her that plans had changed.
I went back to the bridesmaid table to retrieve my glass of champagne, then went to see my parents. They were making the rounds among the tables, thanking the guests for coming and catching up with family friends who had flown in from out of town.
“Where’s Pierce?” Dad asked me. “I was just telling Stephen about him.”
“Excited to meet him, Mel!” Stephen said.
“He had to leave. A business emergency.”
Dad looked crestfallen. “No!”
“I’m sure that man’s time is very valuable,” Mom said. “We’re lucky he could stay as long as he did.”
