“I know, Paige, but I just don’t want to make a mistake.”
“Listen, Deidre, whether you’ve done one hundred weddings or ten weddings, mistakes will be made. We’re wedding planners, not superheroes.”
“I know you’re right.”
“But you have someone to work it with me, right?”
“Yeah. Daisy called me and said Stuart would be there.”
“Okay then.” She heard the telltale beeping that signaled the doors were closing. “Listen, we are about to pull out of the station so I’ll lose signal.”
“All right, Paige. Have a good wedding.”
“Thanks, Deidre.” She closed her phone.
One day Deidre was going to have to get over her fear. She’d been with Paige for nearly four years and she was just as skittish now as the day she was hired. Paige looked out of the window and thought about the situation. Unfortunately Paige didn’t have the time to hold Deidre’s hand or she would have required her to work the wedding with her. It was going to be very painful for Stuart to watch the woman of his dreams marry someone else. He would be a professional and stick to the job at hand but it wouldn’t be easy. She sighed heavily.
Paige settled in for the hour ride home. Once she got to the station she hopped into her car and made it home in record time. She’d picked out the suit she would wear ahead of time, which saved valuable minutes she used to do her makeup and hair, employing a few tricks she’d learned from the professionals over the years.
She preferred to wear a chignon for work but for weddings she wore a loose updo of curls with a few tendrils around her face for a softer, more romantic look. She chose muted tones of red for her lips and cheeks. Her eye makeup was smoky since the ceremony and reception were in the evening. From start to finish it only took Paige a little over an hour to get done, and then off she went.
* * *
Despite her somewhat shaky morning Paige made it to the Allen/Lord wedding in one piece. As she and the florist were in the middle of decorating the chairs and trellis for the ceremony, Stuart, decked out in his Armani tuxedo, walked over to her.
“Paige.” He tapped her shoulder.
“Hey, Stuart.”
“You’re not surprised to see me?”
“No. Deidre told me Daisy called you.”
He shook his head. “That woman is scared to death to work a wedding.”
“That’s the truth. No matter what I say to her she has this block about it.”
“If she wants to be a planner she has to get over it. Or just enjoy her career as a receptionist. Those are her choices.”
“Exactly. Can you help me tie the rest of these bows?”
“Sure thing.” He bent down. “Do you want a floral bow, graduated loop bow, layered bow, a triple floral bow, puffy bow, basic faux bow, or a tailored bow?”
Paige didn’t say a word and just stared at him.
“Paige? Are you all right?”
“And you wonder why people think you’re gay.”
“Oh, that’s very funny. Everyone knows there are different kinds of bows.”
Paige patted him on the back. “If you say so.”
“They do, you know,” he protested.
“Most men wouldn’t know the difference between a pew bow and a bow and arrow. But that’s all right, Stuart, you’re still the man.”
Stuart gave up and they continued decorating the ceremony area.
Patricia and Lawrence’s five o’clock ceremony was lit with candles to create a sense of home and hearth. Patricia didn’t have a large wedding party. Her mother had died when she was ten, which left her father to raise his only daughter, along with her four older brothers. As a result, most of Patricia’s friends were guys, but she had two cousins as bridesmaids and one was the maid of honor. It was just the kind of wedding that suited Paige perfectly. It was small and easy to handle.
Once the ceremony was over, Stuart assisted in getting the guests situated in the cocktail room. Each guest was served a glass of champagne as they arrived from the chapel. After all the obligatory photos were taken after the ceremony, Paige made sure Patricia and Lawrence had an opportunity to eat in the bridal suite while the photographer got set up for their photos in the reception room.
Stuart approached Paige. “Well, boss lady, the band is all set up for their entrance and the guests are seated.”
“Great. I’ll let them know.”
Paige went into the bridal suite to gather the wedding party. She clapped. “Okay, folks, it’s that time. If you would please step into the hallway Stuart will get you ready for your entrance.”
Everyone in the party went past Paige except the best man.
“Where’s Tom?”
“I think he’s in the bridal suite with Patricia and Lawrence,” the maid of honor replied.
“Thanks.”
Paige knocked on the door twice before opening it. “Patricia and Lawrence, it’s time for you to make your big entrance. Tom, I need you to line up with the maid of honor please.”
“Sure.” He walked out.
Patricia was a beautiful bride in her strapless Vera Wang. Her slender athletic build looked curvy in all the right places. Lawrence looked very distinguished in his Armani tuxedo.
“The two of you look so good together.”
Patricia blushed. “Thanks, Paige. I am so glad you talked me into this gown.”
Lawrence had a mischievous grin on his face. “So am I, although I am looking forward to talking you out of it later.”
Patricia turned beet red. “Lawrence!”
Paige laughed. “Don’t be embarrassed, Patricia, he is your husband now.”
He held out his arm. “Ready, honey?”
“I’m ready.” She was radiant.
Paige held Patricia’s train as they left the suite and Stuart led them to the reception room. The butlers opened the doors and Stuart and Paige stood watch by the doors as they made their grand entrance for the first dance to the strains of “It Had to Be You.”
While the guests watched Patricia and Lawrence glide around the dance floor, Paige leaned over to Stuart. “Are you okay?”
He smiled halfheartedly. “I’m fine. It was just a little crush. I’ll get over it.”
Paige patted him on the back. “Good man.”
Patricia’s dad came out to dance with his girl.
“I bet her mother would have loved this.”
“I’m sure she’s watching over her. Patricia is wearing her cameo.”
“That’s a nice touch,” Stuart agreed.
Once the dinner service commenced, Stuart and Paige found a quiet little corner to eat.
“It feels like I haven’t eaten for a month,” Stuart said.
“I know what you mean. It’s hard work to keep track of two hundred guests. It’s going to be significantly harder with more than five hundred.”
“I still can’t believe the Klein wedding will have so many.” Stuart shook his head in awe.
“Well, you’d better get over it. You’re all on deck for December ninth.”
“I know it’s mandatory, boss lady.”
“That’s right, and I don’t care if a limb comes off. Sew it up and make sure you get to the Waldorf on time.”
Stuart laughed. “Yes, ma’am.”
Paige looked at her watch. “Good grief, it’s time to cut the cake already.”
Stuart looked around. “I see Patricia, but I don’t see Lawrence. I can look for him if you want.”
“No, you finish eating. I’ll look.” Paige stood up. “Hopefully I won’t be long. He couldn’t have gone too far.”
The reception was in full swing when Paige went in search of the groom. She quizzed the waitstaff and the attendants, and it seemed no one had seen him. She even asked a guest to check two of the men’s rooms for her with no luck.
Paige finally decided to head back upstairs to the bridal suites. “Maybe he lost a cufflink or something,” she mumbled as she climbed the stairs.
Paige checked the smaller bridal suite first; no luck. She walked down to the larger suite and opened the door. To her shock and horror there stood Lawrence and Tom, his best man, kissing. Paige stood frozen in her tracks, unable to utter a sound. All she could do was close the door. I thought something was off, I didn’t realize it was this far off.
Just then Patrick Allen showed up.
“Hey, Paige.”
“Mr. Allen,” Paige managed.
“Paige, you look whiter than me. Have you seen a ghost?”
“No.”
“Did you find Lawrence?”
“In a manner of speaking.”
“What do you mean? He’s right in here.”
Before she could stop him he opened the door. The kind, soft-spoken man she knew turned into a bull right in front of her eyes. Paige knew she couldn’t stop him. Lawrence and Tom finally broke apart, but it was too late. Mr. Allen punched them both in the face.
“You sick son of a gun. This marriage is over.”
He turned to Paige.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Allen.”
“What are you sorry for? You had nothing to do with what this lousy son of a bitch did. What am I going to say to my Patty?” He was torn.
He thought for a moment. “I’m going to make an announcement, and then I’m going to take my daughter home.”
“Why would you take me home, Daddy?” Patricia walked over to him.
“Mr. Allen, I can make the announcement. You should talk to Patricia.”
“What announcement, Paige? What’s going on here? Where’s Lawrence?”
Paige rubbed her shoulders. “Your dad will explain. Okay, honey?”
Patricia looked like a lost little girl. “Will somebody please tell me what’s going on?”
Paige felt awful as she went downstairs. When she heard Patricia scream, her heart sank into the pit of her stomach.
How do you tell two hundred people who came here for a wedding that the party’s over because the groom was making out with his best man? I’ve experienced quite a lot in my years as a wedding planner, but nothing prepared me for this.
Paige made her way over to Stuart.
“Stuart!” she shouted over the music.
“Hey, I was wondering where you went. Where’s the happy couple?”
“I’ll tell you later. Right now I need you to tell the bandleader to break. I need to make an announcement.”
Stuart was puzzled. “You need to make an announcement?”
“Yes, I do.”
Stuart was about to say something else.
“Stuart, do I look like I’m kidding? Just get the bandleader’s attention.”
Stuart went to the stage with Paige right behind him. The bandleader cued the band to stop playing. Paige said, “Ladies and gentlemen, if I can have your attention for a moment please.”
The room went quiet.
Paige heard her heart beating in her ears. I can’t believe I have to do this. She tried to look calm. “Honored guests, it is with great sadness that I make this announcement. Due to an unforeseen occurrence, the event you came here to celebrate is cancelled. Mr. Allen, Patricia, and her family extend their thanks for your support and ask that you continue supporting them during this difficult time. In the meantime they would like you to enjoy the food and music. All gifts will be returned to you within a reasonable time. Again, we thank you for your understanding.”
The whole room was abuzz as Paige stepped off the stage. She turned to the band. “Play something upbeat, Fred.”
“Like what?” he asked.
“Anything other than ‘Taps.’ Just play the ‘Electric Slide.’ ”
Paige walked over to Stuart. “Don’t ask any questions. I’ll explain later. We need to dance.”
Stuart and Paige got out on the floor and started doing the latest version of the electric slide. Paige firmly believed that when all else failed it was time to break out the group dancing card. Eventually people joined them and soon almost every guest was on the floor. Thankfully the night ended on a high note. Paige had to admit it was the best wedding that was and then wasn’t that she’d ever been to, and fortunately it was the only one.
Stuart met Paige at her house after the wedding. They sat at the table with a pot of decaf while Paige gave him the skinny.
“What did you say when you opened the door?”
“Nothing. I was in shock.”
“I can’t believe it.”
“Neither could I.”
“I remember you saying you thought there was something off.”
“Who knew how right I was? I feel so bad for Patricia. I can’t imagine how she’s feeling.”
“She’s a survivor. She’s surrounded by friends and family who love her; they’ll get her through it,” Stuart said.
“I don’t care about the gay part. What bothers me is that he wasn’t honest with Patricia and himself about his orientation.”
“He could be bisexual,” Stuart offered.
“Then tell somebody you swing both ways so they know what they’re getting into. You can’t just blindside them.”
“Incredible.”
“What a story for Monday morning updates, and I’ll miss it.”
“You’re not coming in Monday?”
“I have an appointment with Nathan Parker on Monday. Jennifer and her mother are meeting me at his Manhattan showroom.”
“The Nathan Parker of Parker’s Perfect Petals?”
“The one and only.”
“You are in the big leagues.”
“Don’t I know it.”
He looked at the clock. “I’d better be going if I want to get any rest.”
“Right. I’m going right to bed, too.”
“See you Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning.”
“Good night, Stuart.”
Paige walked him to the door. Just as she was about to head upstairs the phone rang.
“Hello?”
“Hi.”
“Hi there, I was just thinking about you.”
“That’s nice to hear, because I have a question for you.”
“Fire away.”
“Can you pick me up at the train station? I’m in Amityville.”
Her face lit up. “I’ll be right there.”
Still wearing her suit, she threw on her coat and dashed to her car. Less than five minutes later Paige was at the station, and blowing her horn. Matthew came over to the car and got in.
“That was fast.”
“I live only a few minutes away.”
They kissed before Paige drove them back to the house.
Matthew looked at all the well-to-do homes in South Amityville as they pulled into Paige’s driveway.
“Home sweet home.” She smiled.
Then Susie came outside with a garbage bag.
“Yoo hoo! Paige!” She waved.
Paige groaned as she took the keys from the ignition. “I thought we were safe.”
Matthew looked over his shoulder. “Safe from her? She looks harmless enough.”
“Trust me, Susie Sheraton may look harmless but she drives me crazy. She’s just so perfect.” She opened her car door. “I might as well get it over with now.”
Matthew looked confused as he got out of the car.
“Hi, Susie.” Paige walked over to the fence. “It’s a little late for you, isn’t it?”
“Usually I’m in bed, but I got caught up in my scrapbooking. Before I knew it I had bagful of garbage.”
Paige shook her head. “You had to take it out.”
“I can’t sleep with dishes in the sink or a full garbage can in the house. It drives me nuts.” Susie glanced at Matthew.
“Let me introduce you, Susie, this is Matthew Smythe. Matthew, this is Susie Sheraton.”
They shook hands.
“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Sheraton.”
“Please call me Susie.” She tapped her fingers on her chin. “You look awfully familiar, Matthew. Are you from arou
nd here?”
“No, as a matter of fact I was born and raised in Manhattan.”
“Oh, I see. Still, you look like someone in one of the newsletters we get from the children’s hospital.”
“I’m a member of the Alistair Smythe Kid Care Organization and I attended the opening of the diagnostics ward of the Mount Pleasant Children’s Hospital.”
“That’s where I saw you. I knew you looked familiar.”
Paige was surprised. “I didn’t know you were there. I was supposed to attend as well but I got hung up at a meeting.”
“I guess it’s a smaller world than we thought.” Matthew smiled warmly.
“So if you missed the dedication how did you two meet?” Susie asked pointedly.
This was the Susie Paige knew. “We met a little while back. It’s getting colder out here by the minute. You’d better run on in, Susie. You’re such a cute little thing, you’ll catch a chill.”
Susie pulled her sweater over her chest. “You’re right about that. I guess I’ll be seeing you around, Matthew.”
“I look forward to it, Susie. Have a good night.”
“Good night, you two.” Susie made a run for the door.
Paige began walking to her door. “See what I mean?”
“The natives look harmless enough, but they have big teeth.”
“There are more than just desperate housewives in the suburbs,” Paige said as she unlocked the door.
“You aren’t kidding,” he said as they walked into the kitchen.
“Let me take your coat.” Paige had her hand out.
“Thanks.” Matthew took his coat off and handed it to her.
Matthew looked around. “Nice place you have here.”
“Thanks,” she said as she hung their coats in the closet.
“That’s a nice suit.”
She looked down for a moment. “Thank you. I’d almost forgotten that I had a wedding tonight.”
“That doesn’t sound good.”
“It was the beautiful wedding that was and then wasn’t.” Paige went back to the kitchen. “Would you like a cup of coffee? It’s decaf.”
“Sure.” He sat down at the table while Paige poured the coffee.
“Thanks.” He took a sip. “So what do you mean, the wedding that was and then wasn’t? Didn’t they get married?”
“The ceremony went off without a hitch. But things changed when both the father of the bride and I discovered the groom and best man making out in the bridal suite. I can assure you that an annulment is forthcoming.”
Bliss, Inc. (Indigo Love Spectrum) Page 12
