Bad Seed

EPILOGUE

THERESA

SIX MONTHS LATER

Aside from going back to Bar Harbor to testify at Ike’s trial, Grant and I had stayed in Boston. We celebrated our engagement and got me moved in. We redecorated a bit and spent time together. I helped Grant with the merger of the construction company he bought out and learned why it was so important to him. It showed me another side of him that cared deeper than I ever thought possible, which made me want to marry him that much more.

It had always been my dream to get married on the beaches of my home, and Grant was more than accepting of that plan. After six months of planning, we were back in Bar Harbor, and I was getting ready with Jane in the bridal suite. She was placing the veil in my hair and putting the last touches on my makeup, but there was a part of me that still couldn't believe it was happening.

I was marrying Grant Hooper.

“You look beautiful,” Jane said. “This dress is stunning.”

“You don’t think it’s too much lace?” I asked.

“Seriously? Have you seen yourself in this thing? Grant’s gonna have a damn boner through the entire wedding.”

“Jane!”

“Well, he will! I mean, look at it. The way it clings to your waist. The way the lacy sleeves fall off your shoulders. The way it swishes around your legs when you walk. And you’ve got that little push-up bra I bought you, so your cleavage is just right. Not too much, but enough to make him impatient through the reception. Do you have on the stockings?”

“Yes,” I said as I rolled my eyes.

“And they’re attached to the panties?”

“Jane, yes. I have on the lingerie you were hell-bent on buying me.”

“Good. Becaus

e it’s your damn wedding night. If there’s any night for Grant to not keep his hands off you, it’s tonight.”

I turned around and took stock of my friend, my eyes falling to her stomach. I still couldn't believe it. Her and Jim.

Who would’ve thought?”

“I’m fine,” Jane said. “Really.”

“You said you were nauseous this morning. You know I won’t be upset if you sit down during the ceremony.”

“I’m only nine weeks along. It isn’t a big deal,” she said.

“Nine weeks along with Jim’s baby is five months along for anyone else. The man’s practically seven-feet tall.”

“He’s my gentle giant,” she said, grinning.

“Are you happy with him?”

I watched Jane’s eyes well with tears, and I brought her in for a hug. I’d never seen my best friend this happy before. I rubbed her back and heard her sniffle, and it caused me to tighten my grasp around her neck.

“I’m so happy for you,” I said breathlessly.

“And I’m happy for you,” she said. “Now, we need to get you marching down the aisle. If we’re any later, Grant’s going to think you aren’t showing up.”

The two of us walked down to the beach, and I paused just before the shadows of the building broke. I watched Hollis escort Jane down the aisle, and I smiled at the two of them. That was another shocker that had come at the rehearsal dinner. All of us thought Hollis would end up with Jane. After all, my brother had the biggest crush on her as a child. Hollis was a serial dater of women, constantly taking them to bed but never settling down with any one of them.

But when he showed up to the rehearsal dinner with his boyfriend, everything slowly fell into place.

The shock on Grant’s face had been priceless, but I couldn't say I wasn’t the tiniest bit curious. Hollis always boasted about the women he slept with, but we had never met any of them. He boasted of the women he dated, but he’d never brought any of them home. And when Jane told me Hollis had her alone and didn’t act on anything, it did get my gears turning.