Ain't She Sweet (Seven Brides for Seven Mothers #2) - Whitney Dineen Page 0,95

Especially his upcoming album, ‘Tomaine.’ “I don’t think we have anything to talk about,” I tell him.

“Please,” Tara’s ex practically begs.

My curiosity is piqued. “Fine, follow me.”

Before doing so, Romaine turns around and addresses the reporters who are hovering close by. “I’m going for a walk with my friend James. I’ll be back to talk to you all later. Please give us some privacy.”

I’m not sure how he said that without choking on his words. We are not friends. He’s clearly very used to lying to the press.

We walk out the front door of the lodge without speaking. When he’s sure we haven’t been followed, Romaine says, “Cash claims she didn’t know Tara worked here.”

I don’t try to stifle my laughter. “What do you think?” I ask him.

“I think she’s lying. I know Cash has always been jealous of Tara and it seems unlikely that she’d want to get married in a place so far off the beaten path without an ulterior motive.”

“And yet, here you are.” I’m at a loss for anything else to say.

“Yeah, here we are.” He kicks a pile of leaves at his feet.

“What does any of this have to do with me?”

“I don’t think you and Tara should come to the wedding.”

“Believe me, it’s the last thing in the world she wants to do. But she thinks it’s the only way to get the press off her back.”

“Maybe not,” he says. “I was thinking that we could hold the wedding in a more private location, so it’s just me and Cash. We’ll say it was Tara’s idea. That way she still comes off looking like a good friend who’s supporting me and Cash.”

Even though it’s none of my business, I can’t help asking, “Why are you marrying her?”

“She really is a great girl,” he says. “Tara just brings out the worst in her.”

“If you say so.” Skepticism oozes out of me.

Romaine says, “I heard you have private cabins here. Is there one available where Cash and I can say our vows?”

A private affair seems out of character for a man who courts the press. But instead of saying that, I answer, “I’ll have to check with my mom.”

“Also,” Romaine adds, “I’d like if you could put me in touch with the reporter who wrote the article about you and Tara for the Tattler. I’d like her to be the only reporter present. She didn’t seem interested in writing a salacious story, so I think she’d be a great person to cover the wedding.”

“Why do you need any reporters there?” As far as I’m concerned exchanging vows should be an intimate affair.

“Look, man,” Romaine says, “I don’t expect you to understand, and I know you have no reason to want to help me. But do it for Tara. I’m sure tomorrow will be a lot less difficult for her if she doesn’t have to be a guest at my wedding.”

“She’s over you,” I tell him harshly.

“Maybe so, but you can’t think tomorrow will be easy for her.”

I don’t know what to think. All I know is that I don’t like this guy. “Let me talk to my mom,” I tell him. “She’ll contact you with whatever options she can offer.”

“I appreciate that,” Romaine says.

“I’m not doing it for you,” I tell him vehemently. “The faster you get out of Oregon, the better.”

Chapter Fifty-One

Gwen

Deciding her best course of action is to avoid the media, Gwen heads for the great room. She plans to sit by the fireplace and enjoy a cup of coffee until things settle down in the dining room.

She’s not there for more than five minutes before a shadow looms over her. “What can I do for you, Mr. Byerly?” Gwen asks.

He sits down on the rocking chair next to her. “I wish you would have put me in touch with Tara when I first came to your house.”

“Why did you want to see her so badly?”

“I wanted to convince her to get back with Romaine, at least until after his new album releases.”

“Then I’m glad I didn’t let you know where she was,” Gwen scoffs.

“It would have been great publicity for both of them,” he maintains.

“I think you’re missing the point, Syd. Tara’s done with all that.”

He shakes his head. “‘Tomaine’ could have hit platinum its first week out if they’d gotten back together. I worked my ass off tipping off the press to Romaine and Tara’s whereabouts. I was stirring up the perfect storm by getting them to break up only to get