Tate felt tears form as she listened to Jimmy's speech. The man speaking was her Jimmy making fun of the snake the world knew. She had never laughed at herself, but Jimmy had the confidence to.
The audience buzzed as he returned and embraced Baxter. Her heart raced when he smiled. "You're up."
She slowly stood, as she took the microphone her hand shook. "Let's hear it for the notorious Jimmy Sinclair. I wish I was old enough to remember the sailor suit, but I'm Baxter's younger sister. Sinclair might take credit for my brother and his wife, but Ivy was my friend first. We met in law school. She was the nicest person I knew. The story I told my family is true. Ivy offered me friendship and the only thing she asked for in return was to borrow my notes once. I borrowed hers a time or two more." Chuckles. She smiled, at least they laughed. "Thanks to my ex for jilting me on my wedding day. Don't feel bad, it was a good thing. I should have listened to my big brother. Who knew he could fall in love? My unwedding brought my brother and my friend together. So Sinclair may claim responsibility, but he is wrong. I couldn't ask for a better sister than Ivy, sorry Doyle."
Strained laughter, but Doyle smiled. "I couldn't agree more."
The room laughed with ease. "Here's to my new sister and my old brother. I love you both and together you make an amazing couple. To Baxter and Ivy."
The crowd had a cheerful buzz and as she returned to hug both the bride and the groom, Jimmy clapped. "Nice job. My mother can show you pictures if you want. I have forgiven her."
Tate laughed. Jimmy loved his mother, so he was just blowing hot air. They quieted because her father walked to the microphone.
Philip cleared his throat. "I want to welcome Ivy into the Kane family. Thank you for making my son happy and giving him some balance. The Kane family has an old lore, a fairytale of sorts about true love. Baxter and Ivy have found it and held on to it. Even without the lore, they would love each other just as deeply. So son, I am proud of you and toast to you and your wife."
Tate wiped a tear. Philip publicly accepted Ivy, so Amelia would have to play along. Together at the table the wedding party relaxed. The overlapping trips to Las Vegas helped gel the group including Freya and Joey. Jimmy laughed and Tate's belly hummed.
"My father assured me I won't get the pox from being at a wedding."
Kasper laughed. "Monkeypox."
"That would be you. Skin to skin on your island."
Freya laughed. "No one has the pox. And Jimmy, your fear of commitment won't even give you hives."
"I'm not afraid of commitment. Thanks to Baxter. I see some advantages."
Tate looked at him with eyebrows raised, and he rested his hand on her knee. She put her fork down. Her belly felt like sailing on choppy water. What game was he playing? She would find out.
Kasper laughed. "No more picking up women in hotel bars."
Jimmy shook his head. "Not my style. Never was." He winked at Baxter.
Ivy mumbled. "He told me when we met."
Baxter frowned. "It was hardly ever and never again."
Tate's eyes grew wide. "Seriously, Bax."
"It was twice tops. Change the subject." He shot her a look, before turning to Ivy.
Jimmy banged on his glass and others joined in. He leaned in. "I'm saving you."
"You started it."
"Did not."
"You did." Bickering back and forth with him sped up her pulse.
"Kasper did. Look. They've forgotten." Jimmy smiled at her. He looked across the table. "I can't wait for cake."
Tate coughed. He had her upside down like a kid at the playground. When the nanny took them to the park, she loved hanging by her bent knees. She could swing and sometimes her long hair would brush the ground. Her tummy would waver between feeling thrilled and frightened. Jimmy kept her equally off kilter. Between cake and their dance, more confusion certainly lay ahead.
After the dinner, the newly married couple took the dance floor. Both smiled as Baxter swung and dipped Ivy. Their dance wasn't foreplay, but entertainment for their guests. When the song move to the last chorus, Baxter held Ivy against him.
At the end of the song, he spun her to her father who waited for his turn. As Tate watched, her father came up behind her. "One day, you'll give me my chance."
She turned and hugged him. "I hope so daddy."
He kept his arm around her as Baxter held out his hand to Amelia. Together they waltzed perfectly.
"She's happy now," Philip whispered.
Tate saw the contentment on her mother's face. "She loves him."
"Your mother loves all of you."
"I know." In her own way. Tate wanted to be like Elena who loved unconditionally.
The music changed and the band leader called on the best man and maid of honor. Jimmy held out his hand and when Tate touched it, she almost pulled it back from the shock. He swung her into his arms.
"Do you want to spin?" His breath at her ear sent a current down her spine. The tingling settled between her legs.
"I don't want to draw attention."
Jimmy nodded and continued to hold her close. She looked up at him. She expected him to be watching their audience, not looking down at her. He smiled at her.
"You confuse me."
He chuckled. "I confuse myself. Maybe the cake will help us figure it out. Do you think there will be extra?"
Her smile grew, and she laughed louder than she expected. "With this crowd?"
"It's bigger."
"You remember?"
"Every second. Six layers. Six flavors." Her belly tightened and released at his admission. He leaned closer. "Every position too."
She buried her red face against his chest. Jimmy pulled her tighter. She loved him and hated him at the same time.
As soon as the song ended, she pushed out of his arms. Doyle, who had danced with her twin, grabbed her. "What's with you two dancing so close?"
"He drives me nuts."
Jimmy laughed at her insult. The music changed to a faster beat and Doyle pulled her onto the dance floor. Every time she looked Jimmy was watching her over his scotch glass.
After a few dances, Doyle pulled her to the table. "Cake."
The slices of cake had been served. Jimmy sat with his fork in his hand. "I've been waiting for you."
Baxter laughed. "You missed him flirting with the servers."
"I wasn't flirting. I asked for an extra piece of cake. Is there only one kind?"
Ivy shook her head. "It's all champagne."
Jimmy stopped with his fork in midair. "It's not pink."
Ivy smiled. "It's white. How are you a champagne cake expert?"
Tate took a small taste. "It's delicious."
"Tate's right. Ivy, I'm a cake expert."
The table laughed except Tate because Jimmy squeezed her thigh while he teased. As she looked away from him, her eyes followed Uncle Stephen, as he walked out of the room. She stood and followed him. He walked up the stairs towards the bride's room. Tate needed to freshen up. She couldn't tell where he went. Her heart pounded, but not the way it did with Jimmy. When she pushed on the door, it opened. She stopped just inside. Her uncle leaned against the wall looking at Ellen Kranski's back. She sat on a plush bench.
"I'm sorry. I'll leave."
"It's fine. I was going." His eyes glistened, as Uncle Stephen squeezed her shoulder on the way by.
"I didn't mean to intrude, Mrs. Krasinski."
"He told me about the cross. Baxter had it?"
Tate sighed. "It was mine until the day he met Ivy. I would have ripped it off if the chain weren't so strong."
"He said we'll always be in love. I have tried for years not to be."
Tate sat next to her. "I know. Believe me, I have too."
"But you are young." Ellen looked at her.
"I sealed my fate at sixteen."
"Does he love you?" Ellen's eyes pleaded.
"I don't know. I always thought it was one-sided, but it wasn't for you or Ivy."
"No. Ivy held on. I couldn't. We were young and your father... Sorry."
"If it makes you feel any better, I think my father is living without true love too."
She snorted. "Good. He deserves it."
"I'm guessing my uncle didn't offer to get a divorce."
"No. I love Carl, enough."
The door swung open. Both women looked at Jimmy. "I need to fix my chin."
Ellen stood. "I'm leaving."
Jimmy watched her go and turned to Tate. "Is everything okay?"
Tate nodded. "Yeah. Why wouldn't it be?"
"She looked upset."
Tate shrugged. "Weddings are emotional."
As she stood, Jimmy stepped to her and pulled her body against his. "Let me see you home tonight."
"It's not a good idea." I want it to be, but...
"Please. I'll eat cake with a fork in the kitchen."
His hands ran up and down her sides. He kissed her forehead. Then he kissed the tip of her nose, before he captured her lips. Damn sigh.
"Tell me you don't feel it." He put her hand on his heart and his on hers. Thump, thump. Her hand felt his warmth. "We can talk."
She shook her head. "No."
"Not, that. Not today." He dropped his arms. "Go back before we're missed and Doyle finds us."
She followed his orders and walked away. Swing upside down, feeling lightheaded.
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