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Chapter One
Adrian
“You’re going,” I sayto my twenty-two-year-old daughter, Brianna, as we leave her high school friend’s wedding.
“I attended the wedding,” she huffs. “Isn’t that enough?”
“Bri,” I say, holding the doors to the church open for her as we exit. “If I didn’t know without any doubt that this whole big deal you’re trying to make right now wasn’t part of your self-inflicted pity party,” we step down off the sidewalk on our way back to my car, “I probably wouldn’t say anything about you not wanting to go to this wedding reception.”
I adjust my jacket as the wind picks up, as we head toward my Mercedes G-class parked in the lot. “But since I know you’re trying to avoid a certain someone, you’re going.”
Brianna sighs, rolling her eyes.
“C’mon hon—it’s been three months since you leftRavished,” I say referring to the two-time platinum selling, R & B girl-group my daughter and her peers had been a part of since she and the other girls were fourteen. “And Jordyn wasn’t even in your group.”
“I know, but Jordyn is best friends with Cheyanne,” Brianna replies sharply, “... and it’s just weird acting like I don’t know they’re talking about me behind my back.”
“Youdon’tknow if they’re talking about you behind your back.”
“They’re talking,” she says. “They’re best friends. By now Cheyanne’s filled Jordyn in on every detail.” I glare at her, frowning.
“Today is about family,” I say, growing tired of this conversation. “A celebration. Everything else should’ve been left at home.”
“That’s easy for you to say. Jordyn and her new husband hired you to provide security. So not only are you celebrating family,” she says the wordfamilyas if it carries the same validity as the tooth fairy, or the Easter bunny, “but you’re also making a ton of money.”
“Bri, they invited us. I would’ve been here regardless of whether my company provided the security.”
I open the door of my G-wagon, holding it for my daughter. “It’s not even that big of a contract,” I say with a wink. She walks past me and settles into the passenger seat, her lips curved in a smirk reminiscent of her mother’s. I shut the door behind her as she adjusts her seatbelt.
I’d met Silas in person once before. And all other communications were via email or handled directly by my secretary. Silas Montgomery is a man of means and believes in doing things properly, so security at his wedding was a must. When we met, he’d told me Cheyanne had recommended me for the job. It’s sweet. She thought of throwing a new client my way and I’m honored Jordyn and Silas trusted me with such an important day. But I didn’t need the recommendation. Carter’s Global Protection Agency does very well providing security for royalty and A-list celebrities, all of whom command global audiences.
My team is here, taking care of the security details so I and my date—my daughter, of course—can enjoy the festivities. So far, it’s been beautiful, with no expense spared.
It’s strange to see a girl I’ve known since she was fourteen get married today, even though I know it’s the circle of life. I haven’t yet decided whether watching one of my daughter’s classmates tie the knot makes me feel old or accomplished.
As I walk around to the driver’s seat, I glimpse the wedding party standing outside the venue posing for pictures. I stop for a second, admiring the absolute joy on the happy couple’s faces, their families and closest friends surrounding them. It makes me nostalgic, remembering my wedding to my ex-wife. Although the marriage went up in flames, the memories of that day are some of the best I’ve ever had. Brianna’s mom and I weren’t married. We were young—too young when Bri was born. Seventeen and eighteen years old and too wet behind the ears for either of us to know what we were doing.
From the corner of my eye, I glimpse my best friend, David, standing behind the photographer snapping pictures of his daughter Cheyanne, the maid of honor, as she poses with Jordyn.
Cheyanne Phillips has grown into a stunning beauty. Not at all like the child I’d play uncle to and protected like she was my own for most of her life. As a woman, she’s capable and strong, breathtaking in her teal backless gown. She takes nothing from the bride, but at the same time gives everything. Effortlessly, just like her husky alto voice when she sings.
“Daddy,” Brianna opens her door and shouts, “Let’s go. I’m hungry for whatever they’re feeding us at this thing.”
***
AN HOUR LATER AT THEreception, David and I take our places at our reserved table. In my direct eyeline is the wedding party and more importantly, Cheyanne. I figure it’s safe to steal glances at her, and it’s not a situation I should feel guilty about. I’m just a man admiring a beautiful woman from a very safe distance.
In between these stolen glances of my best friend’s twenty-something year old daughter, I entertain questions from David’s sweetly obnoxious date. A woman in her thirties who worked as his personal assistant until last year. When she asks what made me want to go into security, I tell her about my sixteen years in the military. When she asks me why I’m not married, David chimes in.
“He tried it. Wasn’t for him,” David jokes.
“Why was that?” she asks. I peel my eyes away from Cheyanne as David gazes at the woman sitting next to him.
“Truthfully, we couldn’t get along.” I turn my attention back to the table, settling into the conversation. “We were fine in the bedroom, but in our actual life together? We were a train wreck.”
The woman nods, and I continue. “My daughter was young. I didn’t want to raise her in the middle of two warring adults.” I prop my elbows on the table, arms crossed. I flash her a subtle wink. The playboy in me can’t help it.
“Cheyanne and Jordyn have been best friends for the last eight years,” David says. “I can’t even imagine her bringing someone home to marry.”
