Chapter 1
On the day before his big wedding, Logan took a hard look at himself in the mirror and started thinking. He couldn't believe he was actually getting married. After many failed relationships, his father had finally negotiated a decent match for him. It's not as if he had any problems finding or meeting women, it was finding one who matched his social standing. He wasn't snobby, but he had an empire to protect.
Odette was a raven-haired beauty with emerald-colored eyes that shone like jewels. She was quite the sight to behold, and even Finn thought she was gorgeous for a brunette. Born in Paris, she was raised abroad at the best boarding schools in Switzerland. Before college at Oxford, she attended the finest French finishing school. Her English was crisp, and she spoke several languages well enough to converse at any party, making her an even more valuable asset to Logan.
Mitchum liked that she came from money, and his mother, Shira, liked that she came from a well-bred pedigree. Logan always thought that phrase made her sound like a racehorse, but she did have a polished C.V. Personally, he liked that she was intelligent and understood his world along with its obligations. She may never have all of his heart, but they made a good team.
Once Rory said her final goodbye, Logan went on a bender with Colin, Finn, and Robert. He was MIA for an entire weekend filled with drunken debauchery. When they finally hauled him home, he was still half-drunk and rambling. Without asking any questions, Odette took care of him. The next day, she asked him if it was over, and he nodded his head in agreement. From that day, they grew closer, and it started to feel like a real relationship. On the inside, he still hurt from Rory, but his fiancé was helping him heal.
"Hey, are you ready to go? We need to leave for the rehearsal in a few minutes if we're going to make it on time," Odette said, and her voice shattered his world of thoughts causing him to jump. "I didn't mean to scare you!"
"I was just lost in thought, that's all," he said softly. "I just can't believe we are getting married tomorrow."
"The car is waiting downstairs," she replied with a smile.
He grabbed her hand before she got too far away, and he pulled her close to him. Logan put his hands on either side of her face and drew her in for a slow, sensual kiss. She put a hand on his chest to balance, and he wrapped an arm around her waist, kissing her a second time. When their lips parted, both were a little breathless.
"Logan, that's not how you get out of rehearsal," she playfully chastised.
"I have never understood this part of the wedding," he replied. "I understand getting people together for dinner and drinks, but walking in straight lines through the center aisle of a church is not that difficult!"
"It's a fun tradition, and I'm not sure Finn can, so there's that to consider," she joked.
"Touche," he said in defeat and kissed her again.
"Don't forget about our arrangement tonight," Odette reminded him,
"Explain this one to me again," he requested. "We've already slept together! Hell, we live together, so, why do we need to spend the night apart?"
"Absence makes the heart grow fonder," she answered with a wink.
"Fine," he conceded. "For the record, I don't like it, but if you want to do it, then I'll respect that."
"I do," she said and kissed him on the cheek. "Now, grab your jacket, and let's go!"
After arriving at the church, the couple was greeted by their close friends and family. They greeted each other and began chatting amongst themselves until it was time to start the rehearsal.
"I don't get why we have to practice walking," Finn complained. "I mean, how hard could it be?"
"When you've mastered it, let the rest of us know," Colin retorted.
"Yeah, your last attempt at Seth's wedding failed miserably," Robert added.
"I think you all need the practice," Logan chimed in. "Look, the quicker we get through this, the quicker we get to dinner and drinks."
"The man has a point," Finn replied. "Which lovely bridesmaid will I be escorting?"
"You're with Honor," Logan said.
"C'mon, Mate! At least give me a chance," Finn begged. "What about the fiery redhead?"
"That's exactly why you're with my sister," Logan explained.
"Does that mean it's her turn to watch him, and we're free for the night?" Colin asked optimistically.
"No," Logan said firmly. "It's all of your job to keep an eye on him tomorrow night!"
"I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself, thank you very much!" Finn announced.
"Do we have to remind you about Steph's wedding?" Robert asked pointedly.
"That was one time," Finn replied.
"Not only did you disappear for three days, but we had to bail you out of a jail somewhere in northern Vermont!" Colin added.
"Total misunderstanding," Finn said in an attempt to make an excuse.
"You were found naked and wandering dangerously close to the Canadian border. To top it off, you were talking to a moose!" Logan explained.
"She was an excellent conversationalist, and from what I could tell, thoroughly enjoyed my company," Finn stated.
"Oh, and don't forget about Rosemary's engagement party," Colin chimed in.
"And her wedding," Robert reminded them.
"Fine, but at least give me a shot with the hot redhead," Finn pleaded.
"That's Odette's sister, and she has a name," Logan chided.
"Have I met her before?" Finn wondered.
"You have and her name is Marie," Logan answered. "She's the maid of honor. Traditionally, she walks down the aisle alone just before the bride. So, even if I wanted to risk my life to the hands of my bride-to-be, it wouldn't work to pair you two up for the actual wedding."
"Guys, it's time to line up and start this rehearsal," Mindy, the wedding planner, said and interrupted their conversation.
Everyone managed to get through rehearsal without much trouble, including Finn, who'd been taking nips from the flask he snuck in with him. Afterward, the wedding party took one limo to the restaurant for the groom's dinner. Fortunately, both sets of parents took a separate ride.
"Who wants champagne?" Marie asked and presented a bottle in each hand.
"My God, I think I love this woman!" Finn admitted a little louder than he thought.
"This is for everyone else, Finn. You got a head start with your flask and didn't share," she replied with a flirty smile and wink.
"Does your sister have a thing for Finn?" Logan whispered to Odette.
"She claims she doesn't, but she talks about him all of the time, and now, this blatant flirting," Odette stated.
"Have you told her about him?" Logan asked quietly.
"She won't listen to me about it because she's in denial," Odette explained. "I think this is a lesson she needs to learn on her own."
"Or, maybe she'll help Finn finally change his ways," Logan said hopefully.
The couple started laughing hysterically, and everyone else stopped their conversation. They sat there staring at Logan and Odette, who were quite cozy in one of the corners of the limo. Soon, they realized the dull roar had quieted to just their laughter, which made them chuckle even harder than before.
"And what, exactly, is so humorous?" Marie demanded.
"Nothing, dear sister," Odette replied trying to keep a straight face.
Luckily, they arrived at the restaurant before Marie was able to pressure her big sister much more. One-by-one, the friends exited the limo and went inside. They were escorted to the private dining area. Everyone got settled in for dinner quickly, and the drinks were flowing freely. Once the meal was over, the group started mingling. Logan and Odette had been roped into talking to their parents, while their friends laughed and chatted with each other.
As the noise level grew, no one noticed the stranger in a suit enter the private party room. The man was Charlie Kennedy, an employee from the state department. He also happened to be a close friend of the Huntzberger family. He quickly scanned the room, spotted Mitchum, and made a beeline to him.
"Mitchum," he began. "Can we speak privately?"
"Certainly, Charlie," Mitchum replied. "If you'll excuse me for a moment."
He followed Charlie to the side of the room.
"First off, I want to apologize for interrupting the party, but this is important and pressing news that I felt should be delivered in person," Charlie began. "I'm also sorry for such short notice. Sometimes, things get lost in the shuffle from the states."
"What's going on?" Mitchum asked worriedly.
"You might want to postpone this wedding," he suggested.
"Why the hell would we want to do that? It's tomorrow," he replied.
"In the mess of paperwork and cross-referencing with the states for the marriage license, it was discovered that we couldn't issue one because there was a conflict," Charlie vaguely explained.
"That lying little wench!"
"It doesn't involve your son's fiancé," Charlie said. "It's your son."
The rage was painted on Mitchum's face as he waved and called to his son from across the room, "Logan!"
"Yes, Dad?" he asked when he got close.
"Is there something you'd like to tell me about your marital status?" he asked his son in a stern voice.
"Nothing that I'm aware of," he replied. "Why? What's going on?"
"In the shuffle between the governments, some paperwork from the states is showing that you are already married, Logan," Charlie revealed.
What the fuck? Logan thought. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"What kind of sick joke is this? Did Finn put you up to this?" Logan asked. "He's still pissed I won't hook him up with Odette's sister."
"No joke, son," Mitchum said. "Charlie wouldn't take time out to play some juvenile practical joke. This is serious business!"
Logan looked at his father in stunned silence. If this wasn't a joke, who the hell am I married to? he thought.
The trio of men didn't realize that the rest of their group had rejoined them. Curiosity had gotten the best of them. The men hadn't noticed they were making a bit of a scene.
"So, what does this paperwork say, Charlie?" Logan asked.
"According to the state of Nevada, you are legally married to one Lorelai Leigh Gilmore and have been since October 2005," Charlie said in a matter of fact tone.
"Isn't that Rory's mother?" Shira asked in a shrill tone.
"No, Mom, that's Rory's full name," Logan replied and turned to Odette. "Don't worry, I'll take care of this right away."
"You're married?" she asked quietly in disbelief.
"I'm sorry, Odette! I had no idea," he apologized softly and took her hand.
She pulled her hand away and folded her arms across her chest.
"How could you not know?" she probed.
"This is unacceptable!" Claude, Odette's father, cried out.
"On the eve of the wedding, my daughter is being humiliated by your son's appalling behavior," Lorraine, Odette's mother, added.
"I'm a little confused myself, Logan," Mitchum chimed in. "Care to explain?"
Logan stood there for a moment, wracking his brain for the memory of such an incident, but there was nothing that came to mind. He'd only been to Vegas once with Rory, and it was right after her twenty-first birthday. Did we get so drunk that we got married and didn't even know it? he wondered. Sure, one of us would have remembered it, or maybe one of the guys knows.
"The only thing I can think of is a trip we took to Vegas after Rory's birthday. There was a lot of alcohol, but I don't remember getting married at all," Logan recalled. "I'm telling the truth. I have absolutely no recollection of it."
"I told you to stay away from that girl from the first time we met her," Shira remarked snidely.
"Mom, now is the not the time," Logan pleaded.
"You are in no position to talk to your mother that way, Son!" Mitchum warned.
"Now, my daughter is going to be known as his second wife?" Lorraine asked for clarification.
"No, we'll get an annulment, and it will be like the first marriage never happened," Logan answered.
"Is there anything we can do in the meantime to avoid the scandal of cancelling the wedding entirely? There are people from all over the world who have flown in for this occasion," Shira wondered.
"Is there something we can do, Charlie? I mean, we want to keep this as quiet as possible," Mitchum said.
"I suppose you could always go through with the service as planned. There just won't be any paperwork to sign legally binding you together. Once the annulment is finalized, a new license can be obtained under the radar, and you two can be legally married," Charlie suggested. "They do it in Hollywood all of the time."
"We put all of the paperwork on hold," Claude firmly stated. "I don't want my daughter caught up in a potential scandal if this American girl puts up a fight."
"Rory wouldn't do that," Logan said in her defense. "She's not that kind of person."
The words stung Odette, and she tried to hide it, but Logan saw the look on her face. He'd seen the look before when she'd find some evidence one of Rory's visits. He'd been meticulous before Rory came, but not as much after she left. Odette averted her eyes to the ground, arms still firmly crossed against her chest. He took a step closer, put a finger under her chin, and tilted her face upward. He wanted to look into her eyes.
"I promise you that I will take care of this, and everything is going to be fine," he reassured her. "That's my past. You are my future, and I won't let anything come between us!"
He paused for a moment, wrapping his arms around her, and giving her a soft, gentle kiss. She caved and hugged him in return.
"You know I love you, right?" he asked.
She nodded and continued to look at him.
"You still want to do this?" he asked hopefully.
She nodded a second time and whispered, "I do."