Mike stretched his arms over his head. He’d hit the sack early, but the hours he’d spent tossing and turning in bed didn’t count. He hadn’t slept much or well and all because of Carly. And that told him that he had too much free time on his hands. So he decided to make some inquiries.
By late afternoon, he’d not only called in a few favors and arranged a Saturday afternoon meeting with the editor of the local paper, but he’d also secured the job. The guy was impressed with Mike’s credentials and portfolio of shots. He was as pleased to have Mike on board as Mike was to have a temporary job to occupy his free time.
Mike had never been one to sit idle while the rest of the world passed him by. On the plane ride home, he’d told himself that a temporary position would keep him from thinking too much, yet allow him time to sort out his future. His ultimate return had never been in question... he just wasn’t ready. Now, with the unexpected Peter and Carly saga, Mike felt more compelled than ever to stick around. The thought of Carly and his brother together turned his usually strong stomach.
So he was staying at least for a while. He’d make his own hours, giving him time to learn more about his brother’s soon-to-be wife. That thought alone should have sent him running for the first flight out of New York. Anywhere USA would work just fine. Unfortunately even the next town over would lack the presence of the bright lights and fast pace of New York. Lack the presence of one dark-eyed beauty who’d been haunting his dreams with more frequency than back-biting bullets and screaming children.
* * *
Carly approached the wedding band issue with bright-eyed optimism. After all, two people sharing a life together wanted to make each other happy. Standing in front of the jewelry store, it was hard not to remember her first meeting with Mike. But she pushed the memory aside. No point in looking to the past when she had a future to build.
She peeked into the window and the cramping in her stomach eased when she saw her favorite rings were still there. She placed a hand on Peter’s elbow. “Look,” she whispered, pointing to the simple wedding bands she’d chosen with Mike.
“They are nice,” he said. It sounded like a reluctant concession drawn from deep inside him. “But how would a ring like that look?” he asked, and she knew she was right.
“Beautiful?”
“Anything would look lovely on you. But people would think I couldn’t afford to get you something special.”
“Those are special.” She grit her teeth while she spoke. She knew she was being obtuse. For the first time she didn’t care.
He sighed. “Perhaps I didn’t explain that correctly.” He paused. “I’d like something with more... presence.” Silence followed while he perused the window display. He tapped the glass thoughtfully. “Something understated but designed to impress.”
“Like those?” Her voice lost any enthusiasm at all, but her fiancé, too caught up in his own needs, failed to notice.
“No... like... those!”
Carly cringed at Peter’s preference, a ring that glittered with diamonds and would overpower her small hand.
For someone loaded down with wedding books and bridal pictures, you’re giving up control of some major issues. Had Mike been right? Was she too compliant? She shook her head. No! Peter’s reasons for wanting the more obvious rings had to do with his status and need to impress his colleagues. She understood. Mike didn’t.
Besides, what did the world traveler, a man incapable of sticking around longer than the next assignment know about commitment anyway?
But she and Peter did have conflicting desires. That much was true. She wanted the chance to convince Peter that commitment meant more to her than flashy rings and making a statement. That sentiment counted more than points scored with his colleagues.
As he grabbed her hand and pulled her into the store, Carly was determined to do just that.
* * *
“So did you two compromise on wedding bands today?” Mike took a sip of his Scotch and soda, ignoring Carly’s furious glare. He wondered from which parent she’d inherited those expressive eyes, then realized h
e’d find out soon enough.
“We chose the perfect rings,” his brother said, then turned toward the bar. “I’ll have the same and a glass of white wine for the lady.”
“Let me guess,” Mike said. “Two-toned platinum and gold by chance?”
“Actually...” Peter began.
“I didn’t like them as much once I saw them a second time. Peter picked out a pair that suited us much better,” Carly said, a forced smile on her lips.
Sure he did, sweetheart. More likely her good nature had gotten lost in his brother’s well-meaning but overwhelming need to impress others. “Well, good. Because I’d hate to see a bride getting married with a wedding band she didn’t love. One she’d have to wear the rest of her life. That she’d compromised on...
“We get the picture,” she said through clenched teeth. “If you’ll both excuse me, I see some friends I’d like to say hello to.” She gave Peter a brief kiss on the cheek. A chaste kiss more suited to a friend of the family than her fiancé. What was it with these two? Mike wondered, and not for the first time.
“We’ll be here,” Peter said.
Mike merely shook his head, watching as Carly wound her way through the crowded club. Her black dress was simple yet clung to every curve. He gulped a mouthful of Scotch.