Kiss the Bride Read Free Page A

beat passed. And another.
    “If it’s any consolation, Amber’s sorry.” His tone contrite, he looked as if he’d rather be anywhere but here. “She would have come with me to apologize, but she had an important appointment.”
    Jenna considered his words, then rejected them.
    “If Amber was sorry, she wouldn’t have waited until she wanted something from me to tell the truth. She would have come herself, not sent you to do her dirty work.” Jenna kept her voice steady and calm. He wasn’t responsible for his sister’s actions even if his doting had enabled her. She had no doubt that nothing had changed in the sibling relationship or Ash wouldn’t have brought this up himself. “I understand if my decision means you don’t want to pay—”
    “You’ll get your check.” The muscle at his jaw continued to throb. His facial expression grew serious, his lawyer face. “If I double your fee, would you reconsider photographing Amber’s wedding?”
    Oh, wow. Jenna inhaled sharply. She could use the extra money. But she didn’t want to negotiate a contract with him. “Ash—”
    “Let’s talk about this. I’m positive we can come to an agreement.”
    Tempting. She wouldn’t deny she found the offer appealing. Her business was doing well, but the additional money would allow her to repay Colton for the months of mortgage payments he’d covered. He’d never asked for the money back, but he’d mentioned looking at new pickups. “An apology was more than I expected. You’ve offered to cover the wedding expenses.”
    “This money will be for you. For your business or whatever you want.”
    Jenna weighed the pros and the cons.
    “I don’t blame you for saying no. That would be most people’s instinct.” Understanding filled Ash’s voice, and the clock seemed to rewind, reminding her why she’d fallen for him. “But we can work this out. Your fee is only a starting point in the negotiation.”
    A silver hatchback pulled to the curb and parked behind a shiny, new, blue sports car. Paying extra wouldn’t be a hardship for Ash. Money had never been an issue for any Vance, unlike her family, who’d lived paycheck to paycheck, sometimes on food stamps or other assistance. She and Colton had received free breakfasts and hot lunches until they graduated. School supplies and weekend food packs too. But having money didn’t equate to being happy.
    Yes, the money would help her brother, but Jenna couldn’t get past what Amber had done, then and now. Playing into the young woman’s hands would show her she could get whatever she wanted no matter how she acted.
    “June wedding, right?” Jenna asked, not really wanting to know the date in case she was free.
    “Yes, on the twenty—”
    “I don’t think so.” The words came out of her mouth so quickly she could have been written a speeding ticket.
    “You don’t have to make a decision now.”
    Ash reminded Jenna of a younger version of his father, the respectable and intimidating Judge Douglas Vance, not the eager young lawyer who did pro bono legal work at the community center. Had Ash sold out completely?
    The thought made her sad. She didn’t know why, given what he’d done to her. Memories rushed back. Arguments over the photo. Her denials. His disbelief. The breakup standing at the altar. A living nightmare she wanted to forget but couldn’t.
    Her throat tightened. She thought she’d put this behind her. Ash too. Maybe not, given the way she kept staring at his face and noticing little things like the lines at the corner of his eyes. She swallowed. One more reason to turn down his offer. “I’ve made my decision. It’s no.”
    On the street, Michael walked around the front of his car to the passenger side where Kerri sat. Perfect timing. “My clients are here. I have to go.”
    Jenna hoped her words sounded calm when her insides trembled like a 6.0-magnitude earthquake. She wanted to grab a bottle of chocolate sauce, bypass the spoon, and