Planning His Wedding: Shona and Neena, #1

By Tressie Lockwood

Author's Note: This work is steamy but clean.

Shona Wells and Micah Reed have been friends since college. Everyone knows Shona loves Micah, but what does Micah feel for her? When Micah announces to Shona that he's getting married, she's shocked and hurt. She never thought he would step up to the plate with anyone--least of all the skank he's been dating.

Things get worse when his fiancee asks Shona to help her plan the wedding. Shona wants to say no, but how can she explain to her best friend that she can't support him during one of the most important times of his life? They've cried through the loss of a parent and laughed together through silly movies. Why can't Micah see her as more than a friend?

What Shona doesn't know is Micah has a secret--a big one he's kept from her for more than a decade. He can't marry her. The only option is to choose someone else. He knows he shouldn't ask her to help plan his wedding to another woman. Everyone knows Shona loves him, and he's seen it for years. They can't be together because of his secret. Although his heart is breaking, he'll do what he has to do.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tressie Lockwood
• Release date: Dec 10, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393168027

Book preview

Chapter 1

Someone banged on the door, and Shona jumped. Her heart raced. She laid a hand over her chest and shut her eyes.

Stop shaking, Shona. It’s not that serious.

She lied. It was that serious. In fact, it was worse than it had ever been. God, how could she face this situation? How could she face him?

Tears welled in her eyes. She started to brush them away, but then she let them fall. This was too much to take. Why did she have to deal with it? She wondered where everything went wrong, but she already knew. Back in college, when he came strolling down the girls’ dorm hallway like he belonged there, that’s when her life headed down a wrong path.

The banging came again, and she gritted her teeth. Her friend Neena shouted through the door. Are you alright in there, Shona?

I was until you started banging on the door like a crazy person. You scared my poop back up.

Neena snickered. You know you not pooping in public, crazy.

I might be. She found a reason to smile through the tears and tore off some tissue to wipe her eyes and nose. Her friend was right. Shona didn’t come into the bathroom to use it. She’d gone in there to be alone and collect herself before she broke down in front of everyone. Humiliation on top of the news would be too much.

Micah getting married is too much to bear, she muttered.

What did you say? her friend called through the door.

Nothing. I’m coming out. Give me a sec.

She walked over to the sink and made a show of washing her hands while checking out her face in the mirror. She looked pale and sad. The smile she attempted faltered, and she was in danger of crying again. A fortifying breath helped, and she squared her shoulders while she dried her hands.

Okay, I can do this.

When she reached her desk with Neena trailing behind and chatting nonstop, she found her phone ringing. Dread stirred inside her, knotting her belly. She licked her lips and swallowed.

He was calling.

For a minute she thought about not answering, but the idea of hurting him even with her own pain, was too much. Hello?

Hey, I’ve called you a dozen times. Aren’t you usually fused to your phone?

Oh because my world revolves around you? She bit her tongue. Crap, she didn’t mean to snap at him. I mean, I was on another call.

Her best friend chuckled. I’m used to your tongue. Don’t sweat it. So I’ve got something to tell you. It’s kind of important. Can we do lunch?

She looked over at Neena. Her friend nodded and squeezed her shoulder. She mouthed that she would talk to her later and left Shona’s office. Through the window leading to the main area of the office space, Shona watched her secretary and friend sit down at her desk and immediately field a call. Her long fingernails clacked on her keyboard as she typed.

Shona, you there?

Yes, I’m here. Sorry. Um… She hesitated. You’re getting married, right?

Wow, are you psychic? he teased. She ground her teeth because he sounded so happy. Not that she wanted him miserable. God, she was pitiful.

No, Brooklyn just called me. She asked me to help her plan the wedding for the two of you.

What? He sounded annoyed, and she tried not to feel gratified about it. "I told her I was going to tell you about the proposal. She moved too fast. I guess I should be grateful she wanted to include you as much as possible. No, I am grateful but—"

When did you ask her?

Huh?

I’m asking when did you ask her to marry you? This morning?

The line went silent. She waited, although she didn’t want to hear the details. The fact that the man she loved with every fiber of her being had just asked his girlfriend to marry him tore her world apart. On top of that tragedy, his fiancée asked her to help plan it.

Guilty. Micah groaned. I asked her two days ago. I wanted to wait for the right time to tell you, and I wanted to do it in person.

She tried to sound casual. "Why would there be a ‘right time,’ Micah? We’re best friends, and we’ve been so for what ten years. Any normal best friend would have discussed how and when they would pop the question with their best friend. Then they would call said best friend right after to tell them how it went."

You sound angry.

She chomped the inside of her cheek to keep her lips shut.

I’m sorry, Shona. You’re right. I should have told you. I didn’t think Brooklyn would call you before I got a chance to. Let me take you to lunch and make it up to you. Plus, you can give me all kinds of advice.

I’m not sure what kind of advice I can give you. I’m single remember? I don’t even have a man right now.

Shona.

Fine. She dismissed the jealousy and hurt and smiled although he couldn’t see it. It’ll have to be after one. I have a meeting.

Deal.

She got off the phone and gathered her laptop and a few papers before heading to the small conference room down the hall. By now Neena was already in there, placing blue folders at each of the chairs around the big table. She glanced up when Shona walked into the room.

Do I need to order lunch? Neena asked.

No, not today. I plan to be done by one at the latest, and I’m having lunch with Micah.

Umm.

What’s that supposed to mean?

Neena waved long slender fingers. Just saying he could have told you before Miss Thing decides to call and ask for your help. Where does she even get off doing that? Is she blind, or what?

Neena.

No, I’m serious. She knows how important he is to you, and she’s going to ask you to help plan to give him away.

Shona rolled her eyes. She glanced over her shoulder to make sure none of her other staff were nearby. I shouldn’t have told you.

About the wedding, your feelings, or her skanky tail?

All three. Shona dropped into her seat at the head of the table. She tried to concentrate on work but failed. Normally friends would want to help. As to Brooklyn, I tried to keep my feelings for him hidden whenever the three of us were together.

Shona, a person in a plane thirty thousand feet in the sky could see your feelings for Micah.

Thanks.

I’m just saying. They both could be a little more sensitive. You’ve loved him since college, and all he does is pretend he doesn’t see it.

That’s not true.

Neena glared at her and folded her arms over her chest. Shona resisted telling her about that one time three years ago when she and Micah were intimate. She kept that particular secret to herself, mostly because of hurt.

After their one night, Micah pulled away. Three weeks passed without her hearing from him, and then he showed up at her office. Back then, he took her to lunch as well. He’d been thinking, he said, about what they did and what they should do going forward. For a few precious moments, she had hoped. Then he said they should protect their friendship at all costs. It meant everything to him. What could she do but agree? Micah as a friend was far better than to not see him at all.

Does he see my feelings? If he was a true friend, wouldn’t he know—and care?

Look, I—

Good morning!

Greg, Shona’s sales rep, strolled into the conference room. He was always over the top with enthusiasm. Not to mention the fact that he liked to kiss up to Shona every chance he got. She wondered why she put up with him.

Shona, you’re looking beautiful as always, Greg gushed.

Greg, that’s inappropriate. I don’t need compliments on my looks.

I mean professional.

Please, take a seat. We have a lot to cover this morning. The budget we drew up isn’t going to cut it, and I’m already in a mood about it. Let’s stay on topic, shall we?

His face reddened. Sure.

The rest of her small staff filed into the room and took seats. Shona put thoughts of Micah’s nuptials out of her mind and opened the meeting. Before she could get two words out, her phone dinged. She made the mistake of glancing down at the screen.

A text popped up with a picture of a fancy white wedding dress. Under the picture, Brooklyn had typed. I just know Micah will love me in this on our wedding day.

Chapter 2

Shona walked into the restaurant. Part of her wanted to escape, but she refused to give in. Scanning the restaurant, she spied Micah in a spot near the window. He sat at her favorite table.

I’m sorry I’m late, she said. Greg kept me talking.

Micah stood and frowned. That idiot who keeps sucking up to you?

He’s not an idiot. He made me a hundred thousand last year.

Her friend walked around the table and drew her close for a brief hug and a kiss on the cheek. As usual, she battled a desire to stay in his arms. He smelled good, and his embrace felt warm