A Silken Thread - Brenda Jackson [128]
“We’ll be there for a few days,” Erica added. “Don’t expect us back to town for a while.”
“Of course, I do understand,” Karen said, bubbling over. “It’s about time the two of you act responsibly and do the right thing.”
“Yes, we think so, too. I’ll contact you when we get back.”
“Okay, and don’t rush back. Have fun and don’t have any regrets.”
Erica couldn’t help but smile when she glanced over at Brian. “Trust me, Mom, I don’t plan on having any regrets. Good-bye.”
After Erica clicked off the phone she crossed the room and walked straight into Brian’s arms. He held her a minute before Matt spoke up. “Okay, everyone, it’s time to get to the airport. This is the first time I’ve ever coordinated a double wedding. Hell, this is the first time I’ve coordinated a wedding, period.”
Everyone, including Erica’s father, was ushered out of the lake house. Brian had called his mother and she had agreed to catch a flight and join them in Vegas. Erica couldn’t help but smile, thinking that this time her mother was right. She and Griffin were doing the right thing.
Less than twenty-four hours later, the two couples, surrounded by family and close friends, pledged their love for each other and committed their lives together.
Rita dabbed the tears from her eyes as she stood next to Lori and looked on. Once she’d heard of her godson’s wedding, Lori had packed her bag for Vegas, too. Rita couldn’t help glancing across the room every chance she got to meet Wilson’s gaze. She was glad the truth had come out but nothing between them had changed. He was still a married man. Although seeing him again made her realize just how much she loved him and missed him.
“He’s so good-looking,” Lori leaned over close to whisper. “If you don’t jump his bones tonight, I might be tempted to.”
Rita couldn’t help but smile at her friend’s flirty comment. “I told you what we had decided to do…or should I say not to do. He’s still married.”
“But he is separated from his wife. Didn’t you say he’d moved out and is in the process of getting a divorce?” At Rita’s nod, she said, “Well, then… And trust me, girl, you don’t owe anything to Karen Sanders anymore. That woman is as evil as evil could get. The thought of what she did to those two couples to keep them apart makes my blood boil.”
Rita thought it made her blood boil, as well.
“Besides,” Lori said, lowering her voice further still. “It’s okay to be naughty and break rules here. It’s Vegas. And what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. You might want to remember that.”
Rita glanced over at Wilson again. Judging by the look in his eyes, there was no way she could forget it. Just as she knew there was no way she was going to leave Vegas without sharing her bed with him.
Four days later, walking side by side, Griffin and Erica entered her mother’s home. They had called her from the airport to let her know they were on their way home.
Her mother was there waiting for them in the living room with a huge, expectant smile on her face. “Well, well,” she said, beaming even more when she saw the wedding rings on their fingers. “Welcome home!”
Erica had enjoyed her time away, spending all four days in Vegas wrapped in her husband’s arms. The moment the plane had landed in Cleveland, however, all that happiness had fled. She’d gotten depressed at the thought of what she and Griffin had to do. But there was no stopping it.
“Griffin and I need to make an announcement, Mom,” she said after taking a deep breath. “We got married.”
Karen glowed so bright it was almost blinding. “I know. And I am totally happy for you.”
“Are you really, Mom? That’s good to hear because there is one little glitch with us marrying.”
Karen looked confused. “I don’t understand. What kind of glitch can there be?”
It was Griffin who crossed his arms over his chest, smiled and said, “We didn’t marry each other. Erica married Brian and I married April. We did the one thing you never wanted to see happen. We both married the persons we love.”
Karen’s face became