Here Comes the Groom by Karina Bliss Read Free Book Online Page A

wouldn’t have jumped me in Auckland!” he called.
    Glancing at interested passersby, she hurried back to hiss. “I was drunk! ”
    â€œLike I said then, the only time I’ve seen you drunk like that is when you’re in trouble.”
    She looked away. “That’s ridiculous.”
    â€œWe became mates when we were five years old because you’d decided I’d be useful for carrying things. I’m still good at sharing the load, Jo.”
    She held his gaze. “Help me. My best friend’s crazy.”
    Dan leaned against the doorjamb. “How did your business meeting go?”
    Jo blinked. “Couldn’t be better.”
    â€œI hear Nan’s been diagnosed with dementia.”
    Jo lost her composure. “I wish people would mind their damn business.”
    â€œI’ll tell Mom that.”
    Her expression became hopeful. “She can’t approve of this.”
    â€œSee how much you’ve already got in common?”
    â€œAhhh!” She walked away, came back. “Dan, you’re my escape buddy, don’t do this to us.”
    â€œDid you ever see that Costner movie, Field of Dreams? About the guy who built a baseball field in a cornfield? It didn’t make sense even to him. He only knew he had to do it.”
    â€œThat’s the dumbest reason I ever heard.”
    Barry joined him at the door and they watched Jo’s retreating figure. “What was that about?”
    â€œBridal nerves.”
    â€œIt didn’t actually sound like she wanted to marry you, Dan,” he ventured.
    â€œNo,” he admitted. “But I’ve got twenty-two days to change her mind.”
    â€œSo you have a Plan B, then?”
    Dan snorted. “Mate, I expect to hit the end of the alphabet before the wedding day.”
    Â 
    J O SWEPT ALONG M AIN Street resisting the urge to barrel through pedestrians coming the other way.
    Typical of Dan to think he could stroll in and change the rules on a whim.
    Oncoming pedestrians started giving her a wider berth but, her eyes fixed on the pavement and her fists clenched, Jo barely noticed. All she’d suggested was one roll in the hay and he couldn’t even do her that favor. Now he was adding insult to injury by telling her she was the One…he’d settle for. And expecting her to settle, too. Her high heels wobbled, forcing her to slow down.
    Admittedly she’d let him think her desperate seduction had been driven by her fear of ending up alone and childless, but, dammit, her best friend should know herbetter than that. She was not—and never would be—pathetic and needy! Which was precisely why she hadn’t told him the truth. Actually this would be funny if it wasn’t so bloody infuriating.
    A horn tooted. The jeweler waved from his Volvo, stopped at the lights. “Congratulations, Jo,” he called through the open window. “Dan’s a great guy.”
    â€œNo, he’s not and we’re—” the light changed and the car pulled away. She jogged two or three steps in chase before the heels stopped her “— not getting married!” The girly tap, tap, tap of her shoes exacerbated her anger. To hell with this. Jo stepped out of them, feeling the chill pavement through her stockings. Someone bumped into her from behind.
    Mrs. Beasley, a crony of Nan’s, adjusted her hat. “My dear, I’ve been calling out to you for ages. I hear from the butcher that—”
    â€œWe are not getting married!”
    â€œIt’s your birthday,” Mrs. B finished in confusion. “Are you…having a happy day?”
    â€œThanks, Mrs. B. Yes.” Jo smiled through clenched teeth. The old lady’s gaze shifted to the shoes Jo held in her hand.
    Jo said nothing and Mrs. B lost her nerve. “Where are you off to in such a hurry?”
    â€œI’m…” Jo trailed off. In her rage she’d walked halfway down the street