Mike took a step forward. “And how do you know I don’t?”
Liam’s laugh was so bitter it left an aftertaste. “How do I know? You certainly didn’t buy that designer three-carat bauble on her finger on a farm league salary. You moved in to her place instead of her moving in to yours. You’re driving her cars everywhere you two go. You were unemployed and now claim to be moving up to the big leagues, but it hasn’t hit the trade papers. Need more examples?”
“You have no idea what I make or what I’m worth.”
Liam arched a brow, his sole intent to piss the other man off. “It so happens that I do. Your farm salary was reported in the trade papers. The right word in the right ear and I found out what your endorsements paid. Added together? Your value isn’t even half of what Jenna makes for a single film. I can’t imagine it has improved since you quit.”
“You son of a bitch,” Mike spat, starting for him.
Ella cleared the large French doors just then, taking in the situation. In one fluid move, she stepped between Liam and Mike, extending her hand to the groom. “Hello. You must be Mike Feigenbaum, the lucky groom. I’m Ella Montgomery, your event coordinator.”
Mike drew up, social custom and common courtesy partnering to halt what would likely have been a bloody good fight. Liam watched as the other man shook Ella’s hand and forced a tight smile. “Nice to meet you, Ms. Montgomery.”
“Please call me Ella.” Then she turned to Jenna. “And you, Ms. Williams, are even more beautiful in person than on screen, which I wouldn’t have believed possible. It’s lovely to finally meet you. Your brother has spoken so highly of you.”
“It’s lovely to meet you as well, Ms. Montgomery... Ella.” Jenna smiled the smile she used for publicity shots, paparazzi and interviews. “And while it’s good to know Liam has spoken so highly of me, I’d be more interested in hearing what he’s had to say about my groom.”
Liam didn’t miss Jenna’s word choice—my groom.
Ella didn’t miss a beat. “He’s been nothing but complimentary of the choices you and Mike have made for your wedding. Beyond that, he’s said that your happiness is the most important thing in the world to him.”
The tension around them fractured into a thousand pieces that the trade winds carried away.
Liam was dumbfounded, watching Mike and Jenna relax into each other as Jenna’s smile morphed into the one reserved for friends and family—therealsmile. Mike became engaging and, damn it all to hell, charming as well. Liam couldn’t say what it was Ella had done, but her presence, her word choices, her approach—all of it had defused a situation that was fast devolving into something that would have made the papers.
The papers.
Jenna had been most clear about that—she didn’t want news outlets carrying the story of her wedding or gossip rags featuring it on their covers. She’d been so worried about that one specific thing, and he’d nearly brought it down on her head.
He owed Jenna, at the very least, an apology. He stepped forward a fraction of a second after Mike took her hands and claimed her attention, face solemn.
“I owe you an apology, sweetheart. I let Liam bait me even after you asked me to keep my cool. I nearly caused a scene when I know you don’t want anything to draw attention to us being here. I’m so damn sorry, baby. It won’t happen again.” He kissed her then, gently but thoroughly, before stepping away.
Flushed, Jenna smiled up at Mike. “Thanks, baby. I know he can be a lot to handle at times. He’ll get better.” The “or else” was implied. Heavily.
“I’m sure Mr. Baggett didn’t intend to start a fight,” Ella started, but Liam waved her off.
“No, Ella. Mike is right. I baited him. I’ll not do it again.”
Mike and Jenna nodded, but neither spoke.
Ella gestured toward the stairs that led to the resort’s largest lawn and a raised garden that was framed in hedges and looked out over the ocean. “Let’s head down to the garden, and we can discuss the rehearsal and ceremony.”
Jenna and Mike started out ahead, Liam falling in step with Ella just behind them. “That was well done of you. Thanks.”
She barely spared him a glance. “It was clear there was about to be bloodshed.”
“Without a doubt.”
“Why didn’t you just apologize?” she asked. “It’s the least you could do given that this is their big day.”
“I beg your pardon,” he snapped. “I bloody well did apologize.”
“No, Liam. You didn’t. You said you shouldn’t have baited Mike.”
“And?”
She sighed and shook her head, crossing her arms under her breasts. “The wordsI’m sorrynever passed your lips.”