Why Not Tonight

by Susan Mallery

  Natalie had discovered the unique rhythm of the town when she’d first decided to make the area her home. Locals learned not to expect to go out to dinner on the weekends and to avoid the center of town unless you wanted to get stuck behind a horse-drawn carriage.

  The previous evening Pallas had texted and asked if Natalie could attend a planning meeting for the Batman & Robin movie-themed wedding. Natalie had agreed. As she parked outside of Weddings Out of the Box, she wondered what on earth she could add to the discussion. Still, her friend had asked, so here she was.

  She found Pallas in the main conference room. There was a long table for client meetings and a large video screen and computer set up to work as a projector. Shelves and a buffet table had been set up along one wall displaying several small cakes, unopened shipping boxes of various sizes and stacks of linens.

  “Hi,” Natalie said, carrying in the two vases she’d filled with paper flowers. “Do you really go through all this with every wedding? It’s so much work. I had no idea.”

  Pallas gave her a wan smile. “Some weddings are managed remotely, so we do video conferences instead of in-person ones, but Ellen and Barry live close enough that they want to be here.” She pointed to the video screen. “Both sets of parents are tapping in via Skype. It’s going to be a crowd.”

  Despite carefully applied makeup, Pallas seemed pale. Natalie frowned in concern. “Are you feeling all right?”

  Pallas hesitated, then started to speak, but before she could say more than “I do want to—” they heard someone calling out to them.

  Silver breezed into the conference room, pulling a cooler on wheels behind her. “Have you searched our comic book hero on Pinterest? I can’t believe how many great ideas there are. People are so creative. I have too many possibilities for signature cocktails. Seriously, we need two, not twenty, but I’m having trouble choosing.”

  She hoisted the massive cooler onto the end of the table. “I figured the easiest way to decide is to sample.”

  Natalie glanced at the clock. It was ten minutes to one in the afternoon. “I guess it’s five o’clock somewhere.”

  Silver grinned. “Just take a sip of each cocktail, otherwise you’ll be plastered.”

  “Not for me,” Pallas said, placing a hand on her stomach. “I’m not feeling great. I’ll pass on the liquor.”

  Silver shot her a concerned look. “I have some ginger ale with me. Want some?”

  “That would be great.”

  Silver’s gaze narrowed. “Pallas,” she began.

  Pallas shook her head. “Ellen and Barry will be here any second. Let’s focus on that.”

  Natalie felt as if she were missing something, but before she could ask, the happy couple arrived.

  They were both in their midthirties, on the tall side and a little chubby. They were also obviously wildly in love and totally excited about their wedding.

  “My mother is texting me four hundred times a day,” Ellen said as she hugged Pallas. “I think she was afraid I was never going to get married.”

  Barry kissed his bride’s cheek. “That’s because you were waiting for me.”

  “I was.”

  They gazed at each other as if they were the only people in the room. Natalie felt a little jolt of envy—oh, to be that much in love.

  Pallas made introductions. Everyone took a seat at the table and Pallas got the connected parents up on the screen.

  Natalie was impressed with how quickly her friend worked the technology. The split screen allowed everyone to see who was talking. When Pallas uploaded a picture from her computer, the screen divided into three parts, keeping everyone in the loop.

  “We’re here to make some decisions,” Pallas said, opening her tablet and glancing at a very long list. “The sample cakes are here and Silver wants to talk signature drinks. Some of the favor samples have arrived. Natalie has flowers for you to look at. We’re also going to brainstorm the rest of the details for the wedding and make sure our timeline still works.”

  Ellen sighed. “The flowers. Can I see them?”

  Natalie passed over the mason jars filled with the comic book flowers. Both Ellen and Barry carefully touched the paper petals. Ellen beamed.

  “They’re stunning. You’ll be able to make flowers for three vases for each table? Is that too much?”

  “I have a schedule and I’m already ahead. So I’m glad you like what I’ve done.”

  “We don’t like it,” Barry told her. “We love it. You’re a gifted artist.”

  Silver leaned close and whispered, “Could they be cuter? I don’t think so.”

  Natalie smiled.

  Pallas moved on to the rest of her list. “Just to clarify, the theme of this wedding is a specific movie. Not the comic books, not the rest of the franchise. So we’re going to be true to those villains and the main characters.” She glanced at her tablet. “The minister marrying you will be dressed as Alfred, is that right?”

  Barry chuckled. “Yes, and he’s superexcited about it.”

  Pallas confirmed that the wedding bands had been ordered and were on time. The rings were platinum with inset round diamonds and black onyx in the shape of a bat. Ellen would wear a white eye mask and her shoes would have tiny bats on the heels. Barry had chosen a black tux with a yellow vest and tie. The bridesmaid dresses were black with yellow sashes around their waists.

  “I let them pick their own dresses,” Ellen said. “That way they can for sure wear them again. All I asked was that they could tie the sash on for the ceremony.”

  “That’s a great idea,” Natalie said. “I’ll bet the sashes become something fun at the reception. Everyone will want to dance with them on.”

  “You’re right.” Ellen smiled at her. “I hadn’t thought about that, but it’s going to be true. We’re having the groomsmen wear villain T-shirts under their dress shirts.”

  Okay, sure. Natalie had to admit that going all out for a movie-themed wedding wouldn’t be what she would choose, but if Ellen and Barry wanted that, then they should have it.

  “We need to brainstorm some ideas for the reception,” Pallas said. “So far all the attention has been on the ceremony.”

  “I just saw the movie a couple of weeks ago,” Natalie said. “I’ll bet we could easily get a large print of the Gotham City skyline for one wall.” She looked at Pallas. “Wynn could make that, couldn’t she?”

  Pallas typed on the computer and pulled up a picture of the city. “This is just one option. There are dozens of others. Ellen, do you want me to send you some to consider?”

  “Barry and I will find the one we like best and send it to you,” Ellen said, pulling a pad of paper out of her handbag. “I really like that idea.”

  “I’m going to have a lot of scraps of paper left over from the flowers.” Natalie fingered the petal of a flower. “I wonder if I could create table numbers from them. It wouldn’t be that difficult and it would keep with the theme. I could also edge the pages of the guest book with the same paper.”

  “Perfect,” Barry said. “Now, we’re doing the groom’s cake in the shape of the car, right?”

  “Yes, and today you’ll pick the flavors of the two cakes.” Pallas put up pictures of possible cake decorations. There were the obvious black and yellow and one cake was decorated with ivy, but the one Natalie liked best was more subtle—three round layers frosted in cream with the classic bat shape in a darker ivory.

  “That one,” Barry and Ellen said together, then laughed.

  They all continued to brainstorm. Ellen’s mother wanted a photo booth with a fun backdrop of words like Wham! and Pow! Natalie and Ellen had a long conversation about flowers, with the bride deciding on black and white calla lilies trimmed with ivy. Once all the decisions were made, the parents signed off and the bride and groom tasted cake and cocktails.

  Thre
e hours flew by. When Barry and Ellen had left, still talking drinks with Silver, Natalie stayed behind to help Pallas tidy up.

  “That was amazing,” Natalie said. “So much work, but really fun. I can see why you love what you do.”

  Pallas stunned her by sinking into a chair and dropping her head to the table. “I can’t do it. I just can’t.”

  “What’s wrong?” Natalie settled next to her. “Tell me what it is and I’ll fix it.”

  Pallas looked at her, her eyes filled with tears. “It’s not bad, I swear. I’m thrilled, but I just can’t keep doing this.” She drew in a breath. “I’m pregnant.”

  “What? That’s fabulous.” Natalie hugged her. “You’re going to have a baby. Why are you crying?”

  “Because I’m exhausted. I’ve been sick since the first day. I can’t sleep. The doctor says I’m perfectly healthy but that I’m having a horrible reaction to my body’s changing hormones. She swears it will get better, but so far it hasn’t and I’m drowning here.” She tried to smile. “My mother is over the moon, which is its own kind of weirdness, but we don’t have to discuss that.”

  She sniffed. “The weddings are too much. Especially this one. There are a thousand moving parts. I’m in the process of hiring an assistant, but that’s going to take a while. Do you think you could help me for a few weeks until I have someone in place?”

  “What? Of course. I’d be glad to.” Natalie hesitated. “But, Pallas, I don’t know anything about weddings.”

  “You did great today. You have excellent taste and people like you. That’s a big one. So if you’re willing, I’d love to hire you. And I do mean hire. I’d pay you for your time. I’m just so busy right now and I feel awful every second of every day.”

  Natalie hugged her friend again. “I’m yours to command. I mean that. I’ll talk to Atsuko and see about shifting my hours so I can be available when you need me. I can make the flowers for the wedding at night or early in the morning. Seriously, I can do this.”

  “It’s not too much?”

  “No. It’s just enough. I want to help.”

  Natalie was happy to be there for her friend, but just as exciting was the thought of extra income. If she added the money she earned helping Pallas to what she made from the flowers, she might have enough to take a two-or three-week sabbatical from her day job, and have two or three months of paid rent. That would allow her to focus on one or two big art projects and wouldn’t that be amazing!

  “You’re the best,” Pallas told her. “I don’t know how to thank you.”

  “We’re both the best and this is going to be so much fun.”

  * * *

  RONAN DIDN’T KNOW why everyone had a burr up their ass about his birthday. When Mathias had told him about the party, his first instinct had been to say, “Hell, no.” The problem with that was Natalie had been standing right there, looking all happy and excited, and he just couldn’t figure out how to disappoint her. Which was why he was now stuck going to The Boardroom for some ridiculous party that he wasn’t going to enjoy.

  He’d spent the day working from home so he could shower and change before driving into town. He was going to meet Natalie at the gallery and then walk over with her. At least she would be a distraction, he thought. A sexy one, but still. A party?

  He had no idea who was going to be there. He supposed if things got awkward with his brothers, he would just mention Pallas’s pregnancy and that would change the subject.

  He got in his truck and started down the mountain. He still couldn’t believe Nick was going to be a father. Elaine must have been giddy at the thought of a grandkid. He doubted Ceallach would care—not unless his grandchild showed artistic ability. As for Nick, Ronan figured he had to be two parts terrified, one part thrilled.

  At one time Ronan had assumed he would have children. That he would be a typical guy, not doing enough around the house and spoiling the kids when their mom wasn’t looking. He’d never thought much past that—hadn’t considered who the woman might be or how many children he wanted. There had always been time. All that had changed with his father’s revelation. He no longer knew who he was or trusted himself enough to have kids. That required more faith than he could muster.

  He drove through town to the gallery. Natalie was waiting for him outside, practically dancing with excitement in the warm evening air. She was always so happy, he thought, feeling his tension ease. So positive and sure. And beautiful. She had on some kind of floaty dress that fell to midcalf. The colors ranged from yellow to orange to red. Her hair was loose and curly and she was smiling long before he got out of the truck.

  “You made it!” she said, rushing toward him. “I was afraid you’d come up with an excuse to duck out of the party.”

  “Would I do that?” he asked before he kissed her.

  “In a hot minute.” She gazed into his eyes. “Happy birthday. Your present is already at The Boardroom. I hope you like the food. I chose it and think I got all your favorites.” She raised herself on tiptoe and kissed his mouth. “You’re not mad, are you?”

  “About the kissing? No. I kind of like the kissing.”

  “About the party. You didn’t tell anyone it was your birthday.”

  “Maybe no one asked.”

  She sighed. “You’re going to be difficult, aren’t you?”

  “Maybe a little.”

  She linked her arm through his. “That’s okay. We’re celebrating the birth of you. Difficult is allowed. Come on. Let’s get going. I hear there’s going to be cake.”

  Whatever irritation he’d been feeling had disappeared the second she’d started talking. He had no idea how she did that, but it was an impressive gift. With Natalie around, the darkness wasn’t so grim and the good parts were even better.

  “Where did you go for fun back in Fool’s Gold?” she asked. “Was there a place like The Boardroom?”

  “There was a bar called The Man Cave, but it opened after Mathias and I left. Despite its name and its affinity for all things male, women were welcome. Nick used to bartend there.”

  “What? Why?”

  “He avoided his art for a while. Things were complicated.”

  “With your father.” She leaned in closer. “I know it’s wrong, but I really don’t like him.”

  “Me, either. He has a lot to answer for.” Ceallach had managed to screw up all his sons. Despite that, each of them had found happiness. Not him, but the others.

  “Did you like where you grew up?” she asked. “You must have. You moved from one small town to another.”

  “Fool’s Gold is interesting. The entire year of the town is defined by the various seasonal festivals. There are casserole cook-offs and parades and bazaars. They have an elephant now. Priscilla.” He frowned. “I don’t know exactly how she came to be in town, but she’s much loved. Her best friend is a pony.”

  “We have giraffes,” Natalie told him. “That’s better.”

  He chuckled. “It’s not a competition.”

  “It is to me. I’m Team Happily Inc all the way.”

  “You’d like Fool’s Gold. We have the longest serving mayor in California history. Mayor Marsha knows all. It’s kind of spooky, but also oddly comforting. Our house was just outside of the main part of town, on the edge of the forest. My brothers and I had acres for our playground. In the summer, we barely spent a second inside. One year Mathias, Nick and I built a fort in some trees. I looked at it a few years ago when we were home for a visit. It’s a rickety thing. We’re lucky it didn’t fall apart and send us crashing to the ground. Whenever our father got in one of his moods, we disappeared. We had a few places we could go to get food.”

  “Like where?”

  “Neighbors. A couple of restaurants in town would take care of us. I’m sure they sent a bill back to Elaine and my dad.”

  Natalie made a littl
e noise.

  “What?” he asked.

  “You do that. You call your mom Elaine.”

  “She’s not my mother.”

  “She didn’t give birth to you but she raised you. Of course she’s your mother.”

  She lied to me. Ronan didn’t say the words, but he thought them. Ceallach’s deception had been understandable. His father was a narcissist who only thought of himself, but Elaine was supposed to have been different. He was supposed to be able to trust her.

  Natalie sighed. “Sorry. It’s your birthday. You get to be a butthead if you want.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re not mad I called you a butthead?”

  “Nope.”

  She snuggled close again. “You’re the best boyfriend ever.”

  “Thanks.”

  They reached The Boardroom. The lights were on, the doors open and the sound of music drifted out. Ronan knew the party for him was in back, in the private room. He thought briefly of bolting, but knew that would disappoint Natalie. Instead he braced himself before following her through the main area and down a short hall. Another door stood open and he could see about thirty people inside.

  “Ronan! Happy birthday.”

  People cheered and called out greetings as they entered. Nick approached and slapped him on the back. Mathias did the same. Ronan was about to say something when he caught sight of the banner on the wall.

  Happy Birthday, Ronan and Mathias

  Ronan glanced at his former twin. “What’s up with that?”

  Mathias sipped his beer. “We celebrated on my birthday for the first twenty-four years of our lives. I figure we’ll celebrate on yours for the next twenty-four, then split the difference until one of us is dead.”

  Their gazes locked. Ronan allowed himself to remember what it had been like to really be a twin—half of an important whole. Back then he’d known what he wanted and who he was. Life had been a lot less complicated.

  “Good plan,” he said with a grin. “Plus, I’ll outlive you.”

  “You wish.”