Prologue
Prologue
“To Kenna! If it wasn’t for you, I never would’ve met my bride!” The groom toasted me and raised his glass.
With a smile, I raised my own and drank my champagne. One more happy couple thanks to my handy work. I’m not bitter about always being a bridesmaid. I’m happy for them. And I’m glad that I’m not the bride. The groom and I are much better off as friends.
The groom, a football player and full of himself, has a lot of great qualities but humility isn’t one of them. The bride, a cheerleader, and a part time bartender, is beautiful, a flirt, and understands her groom. They fit.
We are definitely not compatible that way. And the bride is absolutely perfect for him. It is a great match if I do say so.
And my record stands as perfect as well, except for my own mistakes but that doesn’t count. Which is why I don’t date, not seriously. I’ve gotten my heart broken and not because I was in love, but because I trusted the wrong person. I won’t do that ever again.
I’m a complete romantic and I believe in love. How could I not, with my parents being who they are. I just don’t trust easily. Not anymore. And trust is everything.
This wedding was the best I’ve been a part of. The flowers, God they could open a flower shop, a garden center with the amount of flowers here, the music, the food, everything, the resort certainly outdid itself. I’m completely impressed as usual.
But then my grandparents do own it. Of course they are going to do the best event possible for their guests. Every guest is treated like family, and every family member is part of the resort. Whether we want to be or not. I happen to love it. My dad not so much but then he has his own career as a football owner with my brother as his defensive end. Mom is the resort manager and I run the hospitality side. With my grandparents getting ready to retire, they are hoping that I might find someone to help take on the business.
No such luck for them.
“Please Kenna! He’s your brother! Just introduce me and I’ll do the rest.” The woman, seriously drunk, begged for an introduction just as it’s been for most of my life.
I know all the guys the girls want. The guys who are popular, handsome and talented. They’re athletic, smart and charming. And every female has always been after them. They’ll do anything and everything to get close to one of them including use me, befriend me or just say they’re my friend.
I’ve seen it all.
And I don’t fall for any of it anymore. Oh there was time. And I got hurt plenty. But I learned my lesson fast. I stick with my family now and don’t let strangers inside my circle of friends. It’s just safer for me that way.
“He’s right there. I promise he doesn’t bite. Go introduce yourself. I’m not doing it,” Turning away from the latest fan, I smile at my parents dancing and wish I could leave early. I can’t, I’m not just a bridesmaid but I’m working. And I’m their ride.
“Hey Kiddo, come dance with me!” The order came from my left and I heard the quick inhale and knew the admirer was still there.
“I don’t want to dance with you! Besides I need to check on the bar,” I told Tyson , my brother has never taken no for an answer.
Taking my hand, he dragged me out onto the floor next to our parents and showed off his moves. The guy is slick and can dance.
“The bar is fine,” he whispered to me. “Stop setting me up with these bimbos!”
He also has no interest in being picked up by a groupie. He’s not stupid or dumb enough to allow himself to get dragged into a bad situation. So I’m the lucky gal who gets to dance with him.
“There’s fifty single women here dying to dance with you. Go pick one of them,” I tell him when he stops spinning me.
“No, I don’t have to sleep with you,” he’s got that right.
“I love it when you two dance together. But you know, Tyson , I think you should let someone else dance with your sister. Why don’t you introduce her to your new quarterback over there. He looks a little annoyed with that girl hanging onto him,” Mom motions across the room to Devin Wallace the recently acquired quarterback every team was after.
She’s right about one thing, he definitely looks annoyed. Tyson shrugs his shoulders and drags me off the floor as fast as he dragged me onto it and we made a beeline for his new teammate.
“Hey Dev! This is my sister, Kenna. She’s cool. Go dance with her.” Pushing me into his arms, Tyson grabs the clingy girl and saves Devin from her, while leaving me alone with the stranger. Something I absolutely hate.
I deal with strangers every day for my job. I can handle that. There’s a mask that I put on for that, a uniform you could say, that I wear to deal with them. I’m not wearing it at the moment.
“I don’t dance,” he growls, not happy about the situation either. Just as we get onto the dance floor a slow song comes on.
“Looks like you just have to sway then. Don’t worry, I won’t ask for your number,” I teased but he didn’t even smile. I don’t think he is having a good time at all.
“I’m sorry. It’s not you, I just don’t like weddings. I just want to go.” He really isn’t happy.
“It’s okay. Not everyone likes a wedding. It was nice meeting you,” I stepped back and tried to be polite. Holding my hand out to shake his and show no ill will.
Looking at my hand, he nodded and just walked away. No he wasn’t the wedding kind of guy at all. But he was a good guy, a great guy, who turned into my best friend. And five years later I realized just how lucky I am that I have him in my life.
