The Wedding Pact Box Set - Denise Grover Swank Page 0,104

in motion. You only have to say the word.”

Despite his dislike for Blair, Josh was happy she’d arrived for the rehearsal, if only because it so clearly pleased Megan. The tension in her shoulders eased when her friend showed up, but Blair let them both know she was on guard.

“This in no way means I condone what you’re doing,” Blair said under her breath, just out of hearing distance of Knickers. The group was waiting in the parking lot for some last-minute stragglers so everyone could enter the grounds together.

Megan pulled her to one side of the lot, Libby and Josh following close behind.

“So basically you’re here to spy on me,” Megan teased.

A wicked gleam filled Blair’s eyes. “Pretty much.”

“I can live with that.”

“You’re always so cynical, Blair,” Libby said. “It’s almost like you don’t believe in marriage.” She looked around at the people gathered for the rehearsal, which included a few of Megan’s cousins and aunts and uncles. “Where is Neil, anyway?”

The bridge of Blair’s nose scrunched with disapproval. “Neil is still at work. He’ll meet us later. Where’s your new boyfriend, Libs?” she asked, her tone barbed. “Mitch, is it?”

Libby shot her a tolerant smile. “Mitch is meeting us at the restaurant, too.”

The gardens had rented out the chapel for another wedding that evening, so they were directed to the small lawn by the main entrance. Knickers told everyone what time they needed to show up for the wedding and where, although Josh was confused by some of the instructions. He could see the chapel on the other side of the pond, and he overheard something about the rooms underneath, but he was too focused on Megan to give it much thought. She was jittery and wide-eyed as they all took their places for the run-through, and he knew exactly what was getting to her. This felt like a farce. A fake rehearsal on top of a fake wedding, made worse by the fact they had very real feelings for each other . . . and no idea if their relationship was about to meet its sell-by date. Hell, it was getting to him, too, but she was a wild card at the moment, her nerves apparent enough to gain her mother’s attention.

“Megan?” she asked as Megan took her place beside her father. Blair and Libby were getting ready to practice their walk down the aisle. “Care to join us here at the rehearsal? You’re obviously a million miles away.”

Megan’s mouth opened as if to say something. Then she took a deep breath and dropped her father’s arm. She took several steps into the center of the lawn, clasping her hands in front of her, her face paler than usual.

“Actually, there’s something I have to tell you.” She lifted her gaze to Josh, who stood at the end of the imaginary aisle with Noah and Kevin, next to the sidewalk that led to the gardens.

Josh’s eyes widened, and he shook his head slowly.

She glanced down at her hands. “I . . . this . . .”

Josh’s heart seized in his chest. How could he stop her? Should he stop her? This wasn’t some game they were playing, after all. He was screwing with her life. But truth be told, his business issues aside, he wasn’t ready to lose this woman. He was certain he’d never find anyone like her again. He didn’t even want to try.

Libby rushed toward Megan and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “I think Megan’s got some pre-wedding jitters. We all know how this marching down the aisle thing works. How about we just skip it and go to dinner?”

“No,” Kevin said, stepping away from Josh and Noah. “I don’t think that’s it at all.” He moved closer to her. “Megan, you don’t have to marry this dipshit. Come on, let’s go home.”

Without replying to her brother—or even looking at him—Megan glanced up at Josh, her eyes glassy with unshed tears.

Josh held his breath, clenching his fists at his sides as he silently pleaded with her.

Relinquishing her position at the head of the group, Knickers marched to the center of the lawn, her imperiousness slightly undermined when her spiky heels sunk into the wet sod. She swung her legs in an exaggerated movement to break them loose of the earth. “Stop the wedding? Have you lost your mind, Kevin? I always expect you to be the sensible one.”

“The sensible one?” Josh said, louder than he meant. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

Bart,