Chapter 6

Lucas knew this was nothing but a game of make–believe to Riley. It had started out as a lark to him, too. But now, being here with her, like this—being with her anywhere—was all he wanted. Riley had shown him how right the two of them were and how satisfying marriage could be. She made him want to dig deeper into his soul. She brought out the kindness buried deep inside him and encouraged him to want more out of life than success. Left him needing and wanting her, as his partner and soul mate—not just until the time they could reasonably divorce—but for the rest of their lives.

Now, Lucas thought in satisfaction, as they brought their bodies together as one, all he had to do was convince her that a long and happy life together was what she wanted, too.

…

Lucas wasn't sure what he expected of Maya and Zay's wedding rehearsal late Friday afternoon. Certainly not the advice he got every time he turned around in the century–old St. Patrick cathedral.

"Riley should have had all this, too," her mother, Topanga, whispered in an aside.

"I don't care how much of a hurry you two were in. You cheated Riley, depriving her of all this," Maya pouted.

"You blew it, son," his father–in–law, Cory, said with a paternal slap on the shoulder.

A week before, Lucas would have said they were all wrong. But this afternoon, watching Riley march up the aisle in advance of Maya, paper bouquet in hand, Lucas knew there was something to that declaration.

Riley might present herself as a woman who was practical in the extreme, but deep down she was as romantic as all get–out. And it was up to him to figure out what to do about it.

…

Riley knew she was getting weird looks. She even knew why.

After weeks of not caring less, or at least telling herself she couldn't have cared less, the importance of this weekend had finally hit her.

Her best friend—her honorary sister!—was getting married. When the ceremony tomorrow evening concluded, Maya would no longer be an integral part of the family they had both grown up in. She would instead be the female head of a family of her own.

Sure, Maya and Zay would be around for holidays. Even more frequently if Zay kept playing baseball for the Yankees. But they would also be with his relatives, and on adventures of their own.

And Riley realized that most poignantly of all when the wedding party moved from the church to the restaurant for dinner and watched the video of Maya's childhood, put together by her parents.

There were Maya and Riley. Maya teaching Riley how to paint purple cats. Maya and Riley playing in a wading pool. Maya teaching Riley how to make a mean face. The two of them roller–skating at the local rink, with Maya catching Riley every time she fell down. Maya trying to teach an unwilling Riley how to punch someone without breaking her own fingers.

And then Riley, cheering Maya onstage, as she received her very first award for painting a portrait.

Memories.

So many memories, Riley thought wistfully.

All of them good.

And that was why it was such a shock, after the video ended, when Riley, near bawling, had escaped to the ladies' room on another floor of the restaurant to pull herself together. And saw the last thing she had ever wanted to see.

…

"It wasn't what it looked like." Zay blocked Riley's exit from the alcove outside the restrooms.

With effort, Riley quelled the urge to deck her best friend's future husband. "You patting a woman on the butt seemed pretty clear to me."

"She's an old friend." Zay shrugged.

Riley smirked. "I'll bet."

Zay tried again. "I was drunk."

"That was just seconds ago and you seem pretty clearheaded now."

"You can't tell Maya," Zay reiterated, with a threatening stare.

Lucas rounded the corner. Took one look. Scowled and shoved Zay aside. "What the hell is going on here?" Lucas demanded of the groom.

Zay stared at Riley another long, telling moment. Then turned back to Lucas. "She's your wife. You're the best man. You handle her." Zay stormed off.

Lucas' eyes radiated concern. "Did he make a pass at you?"

The question stunned her. Riley's anger quickly found a new target. "You know he does that?" she asked in astonishment.

Lucas scowled. "I know he did before he got engaged to Maya."

"You approve of it?"

Lucas tensed, torn, it seemed, between his allegiance to a guy he had known since they were kids, and Riley. "I try not to judge," Lucas said finally.

Right. Riley folded her arms in front of her militantly. "Meaning you look the other way."

"Meaning it's none of my business," Lucas reiterated curtly. "At least it hasn't been. And you didn't answer my question. Did Zay make a pass at you?"

Lucas looked ready to deck Zay if that were true.

Riley inhaled deeply. Feeling partly reassured, she shook her head. "No."

Lucas relaxed, too. He took her hand. "Your parents sent me up to find you. Tomorrow's a big day. They're about ready to end the party and call it a night. They want you to be there with them when they do."

Her feelings still in turmoil, but not wanting to cause her best friend any more pain, Riley clasped Lucas' hand tightly. "I'm ready to go home, too," she said.

…

Lucas would have known there was something wrong on the ride back to Riley's apartment where they were staying the night, even if he hadn't seen Aidan intimidating her outside the restrooms. She was far too quiet. Almost hauntingly sad.

They walked in.

Riley kicked off the high–heeled sandals.

Looking exquisitely pretty in a flowered sundress with a ribbon sash that Maya had picked out for her to wear that evening, Riley flounced down on the sofa.

Lucas opened a bottle of champagne and filled two flutes. "I was saving this for tomorrow evening, but it seems like we need it tonight."

She let him press the glass in her hand, but did not take a sip. "I'm really not in the mood for celebrating."

"Is it because your best friend is getting married tomorrow?" Lucas asked gently.

Tears appeared in the corners of Riley's eyes. "I know it seems like the two of us don't get along. And in recent months, I guess we really haven't, but I do love Maya, Lucas. So very much." Riley's voice broke. Her lips trembled and tears rolled down her cheeks.

"I know." Lucas set both glasses aside. He lifted Riley onto his lap and wrapped his arms around her. "I get this wedding is emotional for you."

Riley buried her face in his shoulder. Her slender body shook with sobs. "I want her to be happy. I do!" she sobbed.

Whether that would be possible married to Zay, Lucas didn't know. The bighearted kid Lucas had grown up with had morphed into a baseball star with an air of entitlement and ego the size of his fame, to the detriment of the character and values Lucas' old friend had once had. "And I want you to be happy," Lucas said, stroking his hands through Riley's hair.

"Then hold me," Riley whispered, already loosening his tie. "And make love to me. And make everything all right."

…

Lucas did his best. And while the sex was certainly as satisfying as ever that night, there was clearly something wrong.

Riley didn't sleep.

Any time they weren't actively enjoying themselves, she seemed a million miles away.

He awakened to find her, not in his arms, but sitting on the window seat in a sleeveless nightgown, her knees drawn up to her chest.

Once again, it looked like she had been crying.

Lucas reached for his boxer–briefs, and slid them on. He joined her on the window seat.

"I know as your husband I can't command you to do anything, but I sure wish you would tell me what's going on," he coaxed gently.

Finally, Riley did. "I saw Zay with his hand on a woman's butt last night. He was clearly propositioning her. I think she might have said yes."

Many words went through Lucas' mind. None could be said in polite company and knowing Riley she wouldn't be pleased to hear them. Finally, he asked, "Do you think Maya knows?"

Looking more miserable than ever, Riley shook her head. "Maya thinks Zay has been faithful since the day they met. She wouldn't… There's no way she would be with someone who didn't worship her and the ground she walked on."

Lucas covered her hand with his. "So what are you going to do?"

Riley shrugged. She wiped away a new flood of tears with the back of her hand. "What can I do?" she sniffed.

"Tell her what you saw."

Riley shut her eyes as if in pain. "It would ruin this day."

"Better that than the rest of her life," Lucas ventured.

Riley exhaled and lifted her gaze to his. "The thing is, I don't think Maya would believe me, not without some kind of proof, and I don't have any."

Lucas paused. "Any idea who the woman was?"

"None. Not that it matters. If that woman has designs on Zay, there is no way she would betray him."