Dating by Design Series Box Set

by Jennifer Peel

  I knocked on the door to Zander’s apartment. His dad answered the door, but walked away as soon as he said hello. And I thought my dad was a man of few words. Charlene came running out of the guest bedroom in all her glory. Yep, this was going to be an interesting day.

  “You look so pretty.” She slipped on her shoes.

  “Thank you.” I wanted to return the compliment, but wasn’t sure what to say. “Do you have a jacket? It’s a little nippy.” I was praying she did.

  “Honey, when you reach my age, it’s just one long hot flash.”

  That was not good news on any front.

  “Are you ready to go?”

  “You betcha.” She seemed lucid. That was good.

  I was glad one of us was ready. I wished Mrs. Marshall or Kenadie could have come, but tomorrow was the rehearsal dinner and the following day was the wedding. They were both tying up loose ends, and Kenadie was trying to spend as much time as she could with Jason’s family. I thought that was hard for Zander. I was pretty sure he felt like he was losing his best friend.

  “I thought we could hit a few stores before we did lunch. I always like to try on clothes before I eat,” I suggested.

  “As long as there is a cocktail at the end, I’m game.”

  I smiled uneasily. Uneasy was a good way of putting the whole afternoon.

  We started out at my favorite women’s intimate store. They had a huge selection and they measured you to make sure you got the perfect fit. I figured Charlene probably needed to be reminded of her bra size. Every sales associate in the store flocked to her. It was apparent she needed help. The nippy weather . . . well, let’s just say it made things stand out.

  I picked out a lacey black bra. It was my thought to get his mother a black dress. We were hiding everything we could. “I love this. This would look perfect under an evening gown.”

  Charlene looked it over. “I don’t bother with these things anymore.”

  “They can be a pain, but feel how soft this one is.”

  She barely touched it. “Eh. My ta-tas are happy free.”

  “But . . .” I stared at her chest unwillingly. “This would really make your girls stand out. Make you look like a million bucks in whatever dress we pick out.” I was lying through my teeth for the man I adored and for Mrs. Marshall, the woman who was becoming like a second mother to me.

  “Honey, I don’t have anyone to look good for.” She moved on down the rows of bras.

  I followed, still determined. “What about Don?”

  She wouldn’t look at me. “He hasn’t looked at me since 1997.”

  That broke my heart. I wasn’t sure what to say. “Do you want him to?”

  “I gave up on that in 2010.” That was a long time.

  “Let’s not give him a choice.” I held up the black bra.

  She lifted her eyes. “You’re sweet, but it’s a lost cause. You ready to get that drink?”

  “Oh. Um. I don’t drink.”

  She tilted her head. “Really? I knew you were an unusual girl to snag my son, but this is surprising. I’ll drink one for you.” She laughed. It kind of reminded me of Zander.

  Which reminded me why I was really there. “Can I be bold?”

  “Let it rip.”

  “I think it would mean a lot to Zander if you dressed up for him.”

  “Why would I dress up for my son?” She laughed.

  I set the bra down and took a deep breath. “His best friends are getting married, and he wants everything to be perfect for them.”

  “And it will be. Nan will make sure of it.” She patted my cheeks. “Don’t you worry.”

  Apparently, I wasn’t bold enough. I took her hand. “Charlene.” I saw a little Zander in her green eyes. “You are a beautiful woman and it’s about time your husband recognized that. We are getting you the sexiest bra they have here and we are going to find you a dress that can’t go unnoticed.”

  Her eyes began to well up with tears and her lip quivered. At first I felt horrible, but she threw her arms around me and sobbed like a baby there in the middle of the store. “No one has called me beautiful in ages.”

  I patted her back. “Well, that’s terrible.”

  “It is,” she wailed.

  “I’m sorry.”

  She held on tighter. “I’m so happy my son found you.”

  “Me too. So, what do you say?”

  She thought for a minute. “Let’s get my sexy on.”

  I wasn’t exactly sure that’s what Zander was hoping for, but if that’s what it took to get her in a bra, that’s what we were going to do.

  Chapter Thirty

  Zander held my hand as we drove over with his parents to the rehearsal dinner. His parents sat as far apart as they could in the back seat. I kept wishing Don would compliment Charlene. I convinced her she needed two new dresses, one for tonight and the other for the wedding. I could tell the bra was bothering her. She was fidgeting in the back.

  “You look lovely tonight.” I smiled back at Charlene in her red, body-hugging dress. She really went with the whole sexy thing. And wow was she endowed on top. She filled out the dress. It was shorter than I would have gone with for someone her age and weight, but all I promised was she would be in a bra, and I delivered.

  She scowled at Don, who seemed off in his own world before responding to me. “You are the knock-out in this car.”

  “Agreed.” Zander glanced at my legs.

  I was wearing a flirty flare dress in deep blue.

  Zander held me back before we walked into the country club. He was looking particularly handsome in dress slacks and a gray button-down shirt. His kissed me once. “I never thought I would say this to a woman, but thanks for getting my mom into a bra.”

  I laughed. “I would say it was my pleasure, but it’s more like you owe me. She insisted on modeling them for me.”

  “And you’re still here?”

  I kissed him this time. “The perks of the job make it worth it.”

  “We could blow this thing off.”

  “Tempting, but Mrs. Marshall may make good on her death threats. You don’t mess with a Southern Momma and her wedding.”

  “I’ve decided eloping is the only way to go.”

  I leaned back. “Do you think you will ever get married?”

  “You read my profile, what do you think?”

  I gazed into his gorgeous green eyes. “That you better watch out.”

  He laughed and led me to the rehearsal hall.

  The Nanettes were dressed to the nines and acting like they were on a mission from God. They yanked Zander away from me as soon as we entered and positioned him by Jason, who looked amused by it all. Kenadie just kept shaking her head, and anyone who was smart, including the wedding planner and the pastor, stayed out of their way. That was, except Zander. He was hooting and hollering after every practiced kiss-the-bride moment, and when we practiced filing out after the bride and groom, he always switched places with the groomsman who I was supposed to walk up the aisle with. Zander, as best man, was supposed to escort Lana, the maid of honor. He gave everyone a good laugh, except the Nanettes.

  Mrs. Marshall wagged her finger at him. “Alexzander Grainger.”

  Zander covered his hand over mine as I held his arm. “This one’s on you, Nan.”

  He got her to smile. “Fine, but don’t even think about it tomorrow.”

  He gave me a wink. I didn’t think the odds were in Mrs. Marshall’s favor, but that only meant they were in mine.

  I think the rest of the night went as the Nanettes planned, right down to Charlene having a few too many drinks and regaling loudly about how uncomfortable her bra was, but that her boobs hadn’t looked that good since the early 2000s.

  A point of interest for me that night was at dinner. I watched Zander reach up to play with Kenadie’s hair like I had seen him do dozens of times to get her attention or just because. This time, though, he stopped and flexed his hand. He turned from her. She was com
pletely focused on Jason, and he smiled at me. It was my hair his hand landed in. I knew there were people all around us lining the long rectangular tables full of food, but Zander’s gaze drowned them all out.

  I thought about that all night and through the next day. I wouldn’t see Zander until the wedding, but I thought about him more than I knew was possible. He entered my senses and became a part of me.

  The next afternoon, the men of the wedding party were playing a round of golf at the country club before they got ready. It was the bachelor party of sorts, since Jason wasn’t into a night of debauchery and drinking.

  I wondered while I did my hair and makeup, before I headed over to the country club to get dressed, if Zander thought about me as much as I thought about him. I got a text from him as soon as I’d had the thought.

  What shade of lipstick will I be wearing tonight?

  I was coming to believe he was a mind reader.

  I could hear him laugh as I texted back. The only color I’m wearing.

  Hurry.

  He didn’t have to tell me twice. I held my stomach. He wreaked havoc on my insides . . . in the best way possible. I wondered if we would be able to overcome the improbability of it all. We were an unlikely match, but I would say a good one.

  Before I could find Zander, I found myself in the clutches of the Nanettes and being hauled off to the room where the women were getting ready, including the bride. Kenadie looked stunning already, without the dress. Renee was a hairstylist and she had done the most amazing updo for the bride. And Kenadie glowed. Mrs. Marshall couldn’t hold back the tears and cried like a baby, making Kenadie cry. Good thing her makeup hadn’t been done yet.

  I watched the scene between mother and daughter and felt pangs of sadness knowing I would never have this kind of a moment, but then a wonderful thing happened. As soon as Mrs. Marshall turned from Kenadie, she found me and wrapped me up in her arms. She held me tight and whispered in my ear, “I love you, dear.”

  She had me tearing up, and I had already done my makeup. “Thank you for letting me be part of your family.” Or more like forced me to be, but I was so happy she had.

  “And we all want to say thank you for getting Charlene into a bra.”

  Cissy and Adelaide both said, “Amen,” to the snickering of everyone else.

  I just hoped she came through today. She and Don were driving over on their own for the evening wedding. I wasn’t sure how that marriage lasted. It didn’t seem like a marriage at all. It was no wonder Zander had thought it was best to stay away from the institution, or real relationships.

  All the bridesmaids, including Kate, who had decided she should get out more, slipped into our dresses. I think we each felt like royalty. But Kenadie was the queen. Cissy brought out her dress and a hush fell over the room. The Nanettes helped her into the lacey long-sleeved gown that fit her like a glove. We all stood in awe as we looked at the beauty before us. The crowning piece was the stunning satin-lined lace veil that cascaded down almost to the floor. Words couldn’t adequately express how gorgeous she looked. And when she looked in the full-length mirror, she saw and felt it.

  Poor Mrs. Marshall was barely containing her emotions. But leave it to Zander to lighten up the moment. He knocked on the door. “I’m coming in and I hope you all aren’t decent.” The Nanettes giggled and ran to the door to greet the man I adored.

  He walked in looking as handsome as I had ever seen him in his suit and tie. He took my breath away. He caught my eye first and gave me a smirk as always. But he headed to Kenadie, as he should have. I watched him take her in and love filled his eyes and hers. The best friends embraced and he whispered something in her ear. At first she smiled, then she laughed, then she smacked him and called him a butthead. We all laughed. He kissed her cheek and let her go.

  He turned from her and found me. He took my hand and led me out of the room to the oohing and aahing of the Nanettes. Oh, those women.

  I found myself in his arms as soon as we were out the door and out of sight.

  “It’s not fair to the bride that you look so good.” He spoke softly into my ear.

  “Do you still love her?” I was okay if he did, but I wanted to know.

  His hands fell around my waist and his eyes met mine. “I never kissed her first.” He smiled before he kissed me.

  That was a good enough answer for me. I wrapped my arms around his neck and made sure I was going to have to reapply the deep wine lipstick Mrs. Marshall insisted I wear.

  He pulled away, leaving me breathless. “See you later, darlin’.” He swaggered away.

  I took a moment to catch my breath. How did he do that? Before I could head back in, all the women came filing out. Mrs. Marshall was a smart woman and handed me a tube of lipstick without saying a word.

  Kenadie looked as calm as I had ever seen a bride. She knew she had made the right choice, and Jason wouldn’t be turning her away at the altar. In fact, he was so anxious to have her that he met her practically halfway up the aisle as both of her brothers, Dylan and Rick, escorted her down. It was the sweetest thing I had ever seen. Even Mrs. Marshall didn’t get upset that he didn’t play it by the book, or how it had been practiced the night before.

  I watched Zander watch his best friends get married. If ever two people were in love, it was Kenadie and Jason. Jason barely got out the words, he was so choked up looking at his bride. It had me tearing up. Even Zander looked impressed. But I could tell he was doing some deep thinking as he watched the two become one. I wondered what he thought. I knew what he was thinking when Jason deeply kissed his new wife at the end. I could see Zander wanting to high-five him.

  There was a loud cheer that rang in the hall. Kenadie had finally gotten married.

  To Mrs. Marshall’s chagrin and delight, Zander escorted me instead of Lana out of the ceremony. And through the night, he hardly let me go.

  Together we watched as people ate and danced. The Nanettes were buzzing around making sure everything was in order. The banquet hall was more than in order, it was perfection. The sprays of blush and cream roses and hundreds of candles along with thousands of twinkle lights made the room feel magical. Poor Ellen stayed out of the way and let the Nanettes do their thing.

  One of the sweetest moments came when Jason serenaded his bride. I had no idea he could sing and play the guitar. I looked at Zander, who obviously knew his friend possessed the talent. I was wiping the corners of my eyes, it was so beautiful.

  Zander whispered in my ear, “You don’t want a Jason.”

  Unfortunately, there were not so sweet moments, too. Zander’s mother was putting on a show with any young man willing to take a spin with her. His dad sat in a corner and stared at his phone. I felt bad for Zander. He did his best not to pay attention to it.

  I did my best to occupy his time. “Dance with me.”

  He didn’t hesitate. He led me onto the dance floor and held me tight. I watched the couples around us, Rick and Renee, Kenadie and Jason, even Kate was dancing with Kenadie’s oldest brother, Dylan, from Boston. Kate didn’t look all that interested, but Dylan couldn’t keep his eyes off her. Jason’s parents, brother-in-law and sister also danced nearby us. There was a lot of love on the dance floor. It filled me with hope—not necessarily for Zander and me, only time would tell how our story would play out—but it was good to see that love endured.

  For the moment, I loved being in his arms. I felt like I belonged there.

  “Let’s get out of here,” he whispered for my ears only.

  I met his serious eyes. He wasn’t kidding. “They haven’t cut the cake yet, or thrown the bouquet.”

  His eyes said, what’s your point?

  “We are going to have to be covert.”

  “I like the way you think.”

  We slipped out when it looked like we were headed to the open bar. We thought we had made it, but Kenadie and Jason left at the same time, through a different set of doors.

  “Hell.” Zander sighed.


  But all wasn’t as it seemed. The newlyweds rushed to our sides. Kenadie handed me her throw away bouquet and Jason handed Zander a black garter. “Take these and good luck. We’re out of here.” Jason was on a mission.

  Kenadie gave me a quick hug, then she gave Zander a longer one. “Thank you.” She held him tight.

  Jason was eager to leave and picked up his bride to rush out with her. Kenadie giggled and wrapped her hands around his neck.

  I couldn’t quit smiling at the scene. It was perfect, but I worried. “We better get out of here before Mrs. Marshall finds out.”

  Zander agreed. He took my hand and we were off. To where, I wasn’t sure.

  We headed to his car, but all he did was pop the trunk. “You might want to lose those heels.”

  I played along. I slipped out of the gorgeous shoes and threw them in his trunk along with the bouquet.

  Zander tossed the garter in as well before he grabbed a blanket and a bottle of sparkling cider. He had a plan. I liked it.

  Before we walked to our destination, he slipped out of his suit coat and wrapped it around my shoulders. “This will have to keep you warm for now.”

  This was getting good, I could tell.

  We walked hand in hand, with the cool grass beneath my bare feet, across the golf course to a little spot on a hill where you could see the entire grounds of the country club. It was beautiful, all lit up at night.

  We got cozy on the blanket and I was warm in no time. It was the best New Year’s Eve ever.

  “Do you think Mrs. Marshall has called Kenadie back?”

  “Believe me, they aren’t answering any phones.” Zander pulled me on his lap. He brushed his hands through my hair. His eyes went through me. “Where do you think this is all going?”

  My hands rested on his face. “I’m not sure, but I heard that whoever you kiss on New Year’s Eve is who you will spend the New Year with.”

  “Is that a scientific fact?”

  “We could test it out.” My lips played above his.

  “I think for the sake of science we should try and prove it one way or the other.” His lips took control of mine.