Unforeseen, page 21
“Just thinking about someone. It doesn’t matter.”
“Just someone, or him? And, by the look on your face and the unshed tears in your eyes it most certainly doesn’t look like it doesn’t matter. Talk to me, Ireland.”
“Just drop it, Katie. Not today—today is about you. Now let’s go meet this mysterious Jamie and get you married to your Prince Charming.”
“Pffft,” she laughed. “We both certainly know that Greg will never be Prince Charming, but he certainly does try and I love him for it.”
“You’re such a sap,” I teased as we walked to the church’s vestibule, stopping to continue our conversation. “I can’t believe you’re leaving me all alone in the world of Singledom.”
“Oh come on. We both knew that Greg had to put a ring on it eventually. We’ve been together over a decade. We’re in our thirties for god’s sake—that’s practically forty!” she exclaimed.
“Thanks! Way to make me feel even better about myself,” I said, rolling my eyes at her. “Maybe I should leave the reception early so I can head to the animal shelter and pick up a cat . . . or two.”
“Shut up! Oh, but if you do get cats, make sure they are gangster kitties and name them Bonnie and Clyde!” she exclaimed, clapping her hands together. “Oh, I changed my mind—Thelma and Louise!”
“Oh my god. You’ve actually put thought into this. I’m destined to live the life of a cat lady,” I sighed, shaking my head.
“Of course, I’ve thought about it. Mom and I have actually had several conversations about this. She wanted to get you into counseling back in college, but I talked her out of it and convinced her that you were actually seeing someone. You can thank me later,” she said with a wink.
“You’ve got to be kidding. You’ve talked about this with Shannon?” I screeched.
“What? Don’t act so surprised. You know I don’t hide anything from my mother. Well, except for the fact that her baby girl isn’t walking down this aisle with her cherry intact,” she giggled. “Besides, it’s not like you’re actually willing to date anyone. I’ve known you for nearly twenty years, Ireland. You haven’t had one serious relationship. If you weren’t fucking and chucking ‘em, I’d think you were sexually impaired, or something,” she said, eyeing me up and down.
“We’re not continuing this conversation right now. Let’s go and get you hitched. Oh, and for the record—your mother caught you and Greg screwing like rabbits about five years ago. She came to me in tears and I talked her off the ledge. I told her you were a smart kid and were using protection . . . blah, blah, blah. She was so embarrassed. She begged me to never tell you,” I said, opening the doors into the vestibule where the rest of the bridal party minus Greg was waiting. I turned back to find Katie’s jaw nearly hitting the floor. “So, I guess you’ll actually be the one thanking me later,” I said, grinning.
As I pulled a stunned Katie through the vestibule doors, I spotted him. Our eyes locked and I felt all the blood rush to my head.
“Whoa, Ireland! Are you OK?” Katie asked frantically. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost! You need to sit down before you pass out. I already have to worry about Greg collapsing at the altar, I can’t very well worry about you now, too.”
“I’ll be fine. Who . . . Who’s that guy standing over there chatting with your brother?” I asked with a quiver in my voice.
“Oh, that’s Jamie. Why? Do you know him?” She questioned.
“Are you sure? It looks like . . . are you sure that’s Jamie?” I asked, confusedly.
“Yes, I’m sure. He’s Greg’s best friend. I’m pretty sure I would know my future husband’s best friend. Why? What the hell is going on with you right now? You’re scaring me,” she nearly screamed.
“Shhhh. Stop yelling. People are going to start looking. He’s going to come over here.”
“Of course, people are going to start looking, Ireland. It’s my wedding and you’re my maid of honor. We’re going to be front and center here in a minute and I hate to break it to you, but he’s the one walking you down the aisle.”
I took a few deep breaths and convinced myself that the wedding just had me in a nostalgic mood and I was seeing things. There was no way that Jamie was Bentley—none. After all, we both lived in Nashville as kids not in Michigan. Why would Bentley be an architect in Detroit? What are the odds of us both ending up in the same place—over five hundred miles away from where our story began?
“Is everything all right over here,” Jamie asked, walking over toward us. “Katie, my best friend sure is one lucky man. You look beautiful.”
“Thank you, Jamie,” she said, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and pulling him in for a warm embrace and a gentle peck on the cheek.
“Jamie, this is my best friend and maid of honor—Ireland.”
Recognition swept across his face at the sound of my name. “Ireland? That’s a pretty uncommon name?” he mumbled.
“Yeah, my mom was pretty much obsessed with the Emerald Isle. I guess I should be thankful that she didn’t name me after the Blarney Stone,” I chuckled, weakly.
“I knew an Ireland once, back when I lived in Nashville,” he began to explain. “I haven’t seen her in almost twenty years though. She had to move away suddenly,” he continued, lost in his own memories. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to ramble. I’m sure I’m boring the two of you.”
That’s when the pieces began to come together—Roberts, Nashville, architect . . .
“That’s ironic,” Katie interrupted. “Ireland is originally from Nashville, too. Do you two know each other?”
“Bentley?” I asked, swallowing back the lump in my throat. “Bentley—Is it really you?”
“Shamrock? Those eyes—I knew those were my girl’s eyes,” he said, pulling me into his well-defined chest. Even under his crisp, white button-down, I could make out his well-defined six pack.
“I never thought I’d see you again,” I whispered into his ear.
“I’ve missed you,” he said, planting a kiss on the side of my cheek. His breath on my skin sending a shiver up my spine.
“Bentley?” Katie questioned, her eyes widening as recognition set in. “As in THE Bentley?”
I just stared back at her, hoping my eyes would tell her I would answer her questions later.
“Yes, Katie, I am THE Bentley,” Jamie explained. “At least I hope I am anyways. And, I also hope you’ve only heard good stories.”
“OK, but I’m still confused. Why have we only known you as Jamie? Are you in the Witness Protection Program? Oh dear god—are you in the mafia? Is my wedding going to be under siege?”
“While that would be a much better story, you can relax Katie, I’m not in the mafia and your wedding will not be under government attack,” he chuckled, rubbing her on the shoulder. “Actually, it’s pretty simple, and not that exciting of a story, really. My middle name is Bentley. I was named after my Uncle James and everyone in my family called me by my middle name so we wouldn’t be confused. He was my role model growing up. I wanted to be an architect just like him.
“After the accident,” Bentley paused, looking toward me as if asking for my permission to continue. I nodded before he proceeded. “When he died, I decided I’d begin using my first name as a tribute to him. His connection has also worked to my advantage in my career. My uncle was highly regarded during his time as an architect.”
“Oh, OK,” Katie responded, biting her bottom lip. “Well look at me asking too many questions and making everyone uncomfortable. I’m going to go check my lipstick one more time and then we can get this show on the road.”
“I think I’ll come help you,” I told Katie, excusing myself to Bentley. I hope he didn’t really expect me to call him Jamie. He would always be my Bentley—my one and only.
“Are you OK?” she asked as we walked toward the ladies’ room.
“I’m going to have to be, aren’t I?”
Love Entwined is available now.
FIRST AND FOREMOST, I want to thank my readers—you amaze me every single day. Without you, I wouldn’t have continued on this writing journey. Your daily messages are the highlight of many of my days. The friendships I have made with many of you, I know will last a lifetime. For that I’m truly grateful. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, there are so many wonderful books to choose from and I’m truly honored that you took the time to read mine. Thank you for the bottom of my heart!
To my beta readers: Johnaka McCosker, Tammi Hart, Shannon Mummey, and Katie Monson—thank you for helping me dig deeper and making Unforeseen a much more polished story. You answered my unending questions and in the process have become some of my dearest friends. Thank you and I love you all more than you will ever know!
To Angie: My real-life Cassidy; Thank you for providing Cass’s sass and sarcasm. Without you, she definitely wouldn’t be the same.
To Julie Monaco: You’ve been my girl since DAY ONE! I love your face more than you will ever know! Thank you for talking me off the ledge on more than one occasion and for sending me goofy Snaps even though I can’t figure out how to return them! I can’t wait to squeeze you again my van chasing, Juicy Jules!
To Christina Rhoads: Thank you for just being you. Thank you for going “drunk” live with me, even though it was out of your comfort zone, just because I thought it’d be fun. Thank you for loving my stories and my characters more than I think I even do at times–and for answering my unending PMs to answer my timeline questions. Thank you for reminding me why I write the stories in my head. I could go on and on, but just know you are a truly special person and deserve the very best out of life–don’t ever think otherwise . . . EVER! I love you! #BlakeIsYours
Christina Gipson: Thank you for not thinking I was a crazy stalker when I PM’d you to tell you we lived within a mile of each other. I’ve had so much fun over the last year with you on our crazy adventures. I didn’t think it was actually possible to talk for six hours straight during a road trip, but we managed to do it–there and back! I can’t wait for more road trips, fast food horror stories, movies, concerts, and chats with you! #NoBitch
To Rhonda James: Thank you for cracking the whip! I don’t think I could’ve typed the last 40K words without you in my corner! You’re my sprinting partner for life–just remember, those are only word sprints because the only time I’ll sprint for real is if a bear is chasing me! Love you, Lady! Now, I think you said something about a drink!?!?!
To my Nachos: Gia Riley and Mandi Beck—thank you for keeping me “somewhat” sane and for really just being you. I would be lost in this world without you.
Jillian Toth: Jilly Bean, who would’ve thought when we met nearly four years ago that we’d be where we are today? You and your girls have become my family. I love you tons and I’m so proud of you!
To Kristi Falteisek: Thank you for being in my corner, and helping me achieve my goals! I’m so happy that we’ve been able to work together on getting Unforeseen into as many readers’ hands as possible!
To Kylie and staff at Give Me Books—thank you for helping me with the behind-the-scenes work with my release blitz. You have no idea how much your support means to me.
To all of the amazing ladies who worked to beautify Unforeseen: my fabulous cover designer, Michele Catalano, for taking my visions and turning them into realities; Lauren Perry of Perrywinkle Photography for the beautiful cover photo—you truly are such a talent. I knew when I saw you post these photos over two years ago that your couple was my Blake and Cass. To this day, they’re still my Blake and Cass; and Christine Borgford of Type A Formatting for the stunning inside formatting—thank you for always helping me in any way that you possibly can! You’ve been with me since the very beginning and I can’t imagine this journey without you in it.
To some of the most incredible indie authors I’ve met during this journey–In an attempt to not miss anyone, I’ll simply say you know who you are! Thank you for your stories, advice, GIF conversations, and friendship. There aren’t enough words to express my appreciation. Love you all!
To the bloggers who have shared in the cover reveal, reviewed and promoted Unforeseen—none of this would be possible without your constant hard work and dedication. Your support humbles me on a daily basis—thank you!
To, my husband, Brian: Thank you for your “support” during my writing journey. For listening to me whine, putting up with the sink full of dishes, and the piles of unfolded laundry while I’m on deadline–and all the other times. I love you!
To my dad: Thank you and your librarian ways for showing me at a young age that books could be pretty cool. And, thank you for reading my words! You’ve always supported my ideas, some crazier than others, and I’ll be forever grateful. I love you!
Please feel free to join my Facebook group, M.C. Decker’s Books, to talk about Unforeseen as well as other books by M.C. Decker.
Also, enjoy the playlist I created for Unforeseen.
M.C. DECKER IS an international bestselling author who loves to write stories of true love and second chances. She lives in a suburb of Flint, Michigan with her husband, Brian, and spoiled-rotten Siamese cat, Simon. For the last decade, she has worked as a journalist for several community newspapers in Michigan. She enjoys all things ’80s and ’90s pop culture: movies, boy bands, music and especially the color, hot pink. She also strictly lives by the motto, “Life is better in flip flops,” and is a diehard Detroit Tigers fan.
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UNSPOKEN SERIES
Unwritten
Unscripted
The Unwritten Duet Box Set
Unwrapped (holdiay novella)
STANDALONES
Love Entwined
Forever Entwined (A Love Entwined novella)
M.C. Decker, Unforeseen
