Liv Constantine - The Last Mrs. Parrish

Amber and Jackson were meeting at city hall at one o’clock, so she still had plenty of time to get dressed and call for the limo. She reclined on the velvet chaise longue in the bedroom and punched in the telephone number on her mobile.

“Hello?” It was Daphne.

“I want to speak to the girls.”

“I’m not sure they wish to speak with you.” Daphne’s words were clipped and chilly.

“Listen, you can stand in my way all you want, but it behooves you to cooperate with me, or your little brats will be out of the picture faster than you can say ‘divorce agreement.’”

Amber heard nothing for a moment, and then the sound of Tallulah’s voice came on. “Hullo?”

“Tallulah, sweetheart, where’s your sister? Can you put her on the extension?”

“Hold on, Amber.”

Tallulah yelled for Bella to pick up the phone and waited a few minutes. “Bella, are you on the phone?”

“Yes.”

“Tallulah, are you still there?” Amber asked.

“Yes, Amber.”

“I want to tell you both that I’m very sad you won’t be at the wedding today. I told your father I wanted it to be only family and not a big party. I just wanted the two of you and no one else, but your father thought you were too young to be there.” Amber made a sniffling sound, as if she were crying. “You have to understand that your father is very excited to be having a baby boy, so sometimes he forgets about you two. I want us to be very good friends, and I will make sure that you’re part of our new family. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” Tallulah said flatly.

“Bella, what about you?” Amber pressed.

“My daddy loves me. He won’t forget me.”

Amber could picture Bella stamping her imperious little foot.

“Of course you’re right, Bella. I wouldn’t worry if I were you. By the way, did I tell you that the new baby will have your father’s name? Jackson Marc Parrish Junior?”

“I hate you,” Bella said and clicked off.

“I’m sorry, Amber. You know how Bella gets,” Tallulah said.

“I know, Tallulah. But I’m sure you’ll be able to talk some sense into her, right?”

“I’ll try,” she said. “Talk to you later.”

“Bye, sweetheart. The next time we talk, I’ll be your stepmother.”

Amber hung up, satisfied that she had gotten her message across. Tallulah was a peacekeeper and would present no problems. Some sparkly jewelry and new toys would be enough to eventually bring Bella around. Not that Amber intended for them to be at the house often enough for it to matter.

She pulled her computer next to her and answered the e-mails that needed attention, then rose to dress. There wasn’t much she could do to look sexy and desirable for Jackson, but apparently the baby belly was enough to induce his euphoria anyway. She squeezed herself into a cream-colored dress and put on the new Ella Gafter pearls Jackson had bought her as a wedding present. She wore no other jewelry except her emerald-cut diamond ring.

When she arrived, Jackson and Douglas, his new assistant, stood waiting for her in front of the building. “You look absolutely beautiful,” Jackson said, taking her hand.

“I look like a beached whale.”

“You are an image of loveliness. I don’t want to hear another word.”

Amber shook her head and turned to Douglas. “Thank you for agreeing to be our witness today.”

“My pleasure.”

Jackson put his arm around her, and the three of them climbed the stairs to the entrance.

They waited their turn, and when it was time, they stood in front of an officiant. Before they knew it, he was telling Jackson he could kiss his bride. His bride. Amber tasted the word in her mouth. She savored how delicious it was.

“Well, I guess I’ll get back to the office. Congratulations,” Douglas said, reaching out and shaking Jackson’s hand.

As Douglas walked away, Amber leaned against her new husband and felt a thrill of electricity go through her body. A thin platinum band now complemented the diamond on her ring finger. They were finally married. Anytime now was the silent message she sent their unborn son. As they got in the limousine and she sat back against the fine leather, she envisioned the life ahead of her — expensive homes around the world, fantasy trips, nannies and maids at her command, designer clothes and jewelry.

The stuck-up women in Bishops Harbor would soon enough be bowing before her — that much she was sure of. It only took lots and lots of money and a powerful husband. They’d be falling over themselves to be her friend. Ha. She loved it. Everyone in the club would be clamoring to sit at her table at the annual regatta dinner. She’d had to do a little damage control to make sure that Gregg’s family didn’t do anything to mess that up for her. Once she and Jackson had broken the news to Daphne, Amber had invited Gregg out to meet her for a drink. She figured he’d have an easier time keeping a stiff upper lip if they were out in public. They’d met at the White Whale in Bishops Harbor, a little tavern on the water. She was already seated at a table when he arrived. He walked over and leaned down to kiss her. She turned her face so that he got her cheek. Off balance, he took the seat across from her.

“Is everything okay?”

She’d blinked back tears and pointed at the glass of whiskey in front of him. “Take a sip. I ordered it for you.”

A look of confusion had passed over his face, and he’d taken a long swallow. “You’re scaring me.”

“There’s no easy way to say it, so I’m going to just come out with it. I’ve fallen in love with someone else.”

His mouth had dropped open. “What? Who?”

She’d put a hand over his. “I didn’t mean for it to happen. It’s just—” She’d stopped and brushed a tear from her cheek. “It’s just that we were together every day. Working together day in and day out, and we discovered we’re soul mates.”

He’d frowned and looked even more puzzled.

Is he that stupid? She’d suppressed a sigh. “It’s Jackson.”

“Jackson? Jackson Parrish? But he’s married. And so much older than you. I thought you were in love with me.” His lower lip trembled.

“I know he’s married. But he wasn’t happy. Sometimes these things happen. You know how it is to work closely with someone and how feelings can develop. I’ve seen the way your assistant looks at you at the office.”

He’d narrowed his eyes then. “Becky?”

She’d nodded. “Yes. And she’s quite lovely too. You must have noticed how enamored she is of you.”

She’d had to stay for another two drinks before she could leave, and he’d told her he understood. She’d begged him not to take his friendship from her, made him believe that she needed him to be there for her in this time of uncertainty and public judgment. And the idiot fell for it. There would be no trouble from him at the club. And Becky should thank Amber. She was about to be promoted from assistant to fiancée.

Jackson and Amber Parrish would be the new golden couple of Bishops Harbor. And as soon as this baby was born, she’d be sure it would be the last. She was going to have her body back. The glow of happiness and satisfaction surrounding her at that moment could have lit up Manhattan.

Daphne knew it would only take one visit to the house that used to be theirs to make the girls never want to go back. Up to now, the visits had taken place in neutral territory. But Amber and Jackson wanted to have them over for the weekend, and she’d finally relented.

Amber had moved into his social circles seamlessly, and if Daphne had cared more about the women she’d spent the last ten years with, she might have been hurt that they embraced her husband’s new wife so easily. But then again, no one in this town would dare to snub the new Mrs. Jackson Parrish. The one friend who didn’t desert Daphne was Meredith. She had remained a true friend. Daphne wished she could tell Meredith the full truth, but she couldn’t risk it. So she let her think that she was foolish and naive.