“I still can’t believe you’re going willingly. Your parents must be in shock.”
Matthew laughed. “To say the least.” He examined another tuxedo. “I thought I had a tuxedo and then I took it out and, man, it’s outdated.”
“I could have told you that. You haven’t been to one of these things since the nineties.”
“And it shows.”
A sales professional walked over. “Good afternoon, gentlemen. My name is Kenneth. What can I do for you?”
“I need to buy a tuxedo for tomorrow night. Will it be possible to get it tailored before four tomorrow?”
“That would be a bit of a push for our tailor.”
“I’ll pay extra, whatever it takes.”
“All right, sir. Do you have anything in particular in mind?”
“Look at him. He’s wearing Dockers with a shirt and tie. Simple is this guy’s middle name. Believe me, he doesn’t have any style in mind.” Larry laughed.
“Thanks a lot, Larry. You know that beer is beginning to look a little warmer.”
“Okay! I’ll shut up.”
Kenneth took out his measuring tape. “If you would allow me to take your measurements Mr.…”
“Smythe. Sure, go right ahead. By the way you can call me Matt. Mr. Smythe is my father.”
“Thank you, Matt.”
He took Matthew’s measurements. “May I ask you what the occasion is?”
“It’s the Platinum Ball.”
“Very good. That gives me an idea of what to look for.”
Kenneth went around the store and returned with several pieces for Matthew to try on. He put them in the dressing room.
“Okay, here I go.” Matthew went in.
Five minutes later he emerged a totally transformed man in a crisp double-breasted jacket with pleated front trousers. Kenneth had two different styles of neckwear in his hands.
“I knew a double-breasted jacket was the way to go.” Kenneth bent down to check the pants length. “It’s not too bad, but they could be a little longer.” He checked to see how much hem the pants had. “We can let the leg down a bit. You have long legs and it won’t take anytime for our tailor to do it.”
“They used to call me ‘Stretch’ for a reason.”
“Would you prefer a regular necktie or a bow tie?”
“What do you think, Larry?”
“Am I allowed to talk now? Or will my beer be room temperature?”
“Yes, you can say something helpful.”
“You look good in the tuxedo, so buy it. As for the neckwear, it’s all about tradition and you know it.”
“Bow tie it is. Okay, Kenneth, you’ve made yourself a sale.”
“Very good. When you’ve changed just hand me the clothes and we’ll set you up with the tailor.”
“Cool.”
Matthew went back and changed. He paid for the tuxedo, and since the alterations were minor he had it taken care of then and there.
“I bet your parents are excited,” Larry said.
“I don’t know if I’d use the word excited, but they are happy.”
“True. I’d say excited describes the dowager set attending the ball.”
Matthew sighed in disgust. “So I’ve heard.”
“What did you expect, man? You were voted one of New York City’s sexiest society bachelors.”
“Why did you have to bring that up?” Matthew cringed.
“I’m just stating the facts, man. You have to be prepared because, believe me, they’re prepared for you.”
Kenneth motioned to them. “Mr. Smythe. You’re all set.”
Tuxedo bag in hand they left the store.
Matthew slung the bag over his shoulder.
“You must really dig this chick. I never thought I would see the day.”
“Neither did I.”
“So do you have a plan for the debutantes?”
“You think I need a plan?”
“Yes, you need to figure out how you’re going to handle them during the evening and you’ll need an exit strategy.”
“An exit strategy?”
“Sure. Those ladies are gunning for you.”
“I’ll figure it out. I really want to dance with Paige all night.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“No. Why?”
“If you dance with her all night there are bound to be some repercussions.”
“What repercussions?”
“You might not face any, but they will make sure Paige does.”
“What?”
“Don’t be a neophyte. You’ve seen them in action before.” He paused. “Remember what happened when Donald Emerson broke up with Olivia Benson?”
Matthew thought for a minute. “I think so. Refresh my memory.”
“Everyone thought he and Olivia would get engaged and then he broke with her and started dating Kaitlin O’Reilly. The Berlin Wall had nothing on these ladies once they started freezing Kaitlin and her family out.”
“All because Don fell in love with her?”
“Yes. They’ve been married for a while now and Kaitlin still gets a pretty frosty but cordial reception.”
“God, they are hardcore.”
“That’s what I’m saying.” He paused. “You know that personally I don’t care about black and white. It makes no difference to me, but this is a different world.”
Matthew sighed. “I know you’re right, but I can’t let that stop me. Race shouldn’t be a factor in who we fall for.”
“Look at you. You have that look.”
“What look?”
“You know what I mean.”
“Larry, I think I’m falling in love with her.”
“No kidding?” he said facetiously. “You called me at eleven-thirty at night to tell me about the book she gave you. I don’t think you’re falling, Matt. I think you’ve already fallen in love.”
“You might be right about that.”
“I know I’m right, and after you have a couple of cold ones you’ll know I’m right.”
While Siobhan and Paige waited outside the dressing room for Jennifer, Paige showed Siobhan more pictures of the dresses her mother had commissioned.
“That’s some serious ugly,” Siobhan whispered.
“I’m just glad you still had the copper gown,” Paige whispered back.
“You should be glad Iris can do your hair.”
Paige sighed. ”Believe me, I am overjoyed. I’m still waiting to hear from Sinclair.”
“I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.”
“Thanks.”
“Okay. Here I come.”
“We’re ready,” Paige said.
Jennifer seemed to float when she came out in Siobhan’s off-the-shoulder Empire gown. The copper color had warm and muted tones of orange and brown, so the color wasn’t loud and it set well against Jennifer’s undertones.
She stood on the platform. “What do you think?”
“It looks wonderful on you.”
“It really does. What’s your fiancé wearing to the ball?” Siobhan asked.
“An Armani tuxedo.”
Just when I think she’s outgrown being a nosey little sister, she does something like this. I know where these questions are going, Paige thought.
“Armani makes great clothes for men. I bet your future father and brother-in-law cut quite a swathe when they dress up.”
“Oh, yeah. This year Matthew’s coming to the ball, so they’ll all be decked out.”
“Well, I know you’ll look good on Michael’s arm.” Paige tried to see if Siobhan could be derailed.
“His brother’s older, right?”
“Almost four years older. Matthew’s a lot of fun. Michael really looks up to him.”
“As I understand it, he doesn’t work in the family business.” Siobhan tried to make it sound like an innocent statement.
“No, he’s a history teacher. Michael said Matt was always interested in teaching but he d
idn’t want to bother with spoiled rich brats. That’s why he teaches in Harlem. He lives there, too.”
Paige shot her sister a dirty look.
She ignored her. “You don’t say?”
“He stays out of the spotlight for the most part, but when there’s a hospital drive or a wing dedication, he’s usually there. He’s been in the papers.”
“Speaking of papers, I thought I read somewhere that he was rated one of high society’s best-looking bachelors by some magazine.”
Jennifer was still smiling at her reflection. “I think it was the New Yorker or something like that. He is gorgeous, right, Paige?”
Paige got nervous. “He is very attractive.”
“Okay, sister, I’m not going to let you hang yourself. We know about you and the sexy socialite rebel with a cause.”
Jennifer laughed. “I never heard that one before.”
“He is sexy.” Paige raised her eyebrow.
“There are going to be a lot of broken hearts once they realize Matthew is off the market.”
“Oh, well.” Siobhan shrugged.
“My sentiments exactly,” Jennifer agreed. “You haven’t met him, Siobhan?”
“I haven’t had the pleasure yet. I hope to have that rectified soon.”
“You’ll meet him when you meet him. It’s not like I’m hiding him,” Paige insisted.
“So why not just go public?” Jennifer asked.
“It’s not that easy. He is your future brother-in-law.”
“So? I’m marrying his brother, not him.”
“There are some people who’d think I got the job because I’m sleeping with him.”
“Why? My parents hired you.”
“The wedding planning industry is big business, and I know you must have gotten hundreds of proposals from other planners.”
“To tell you the truth, I don’t know. My mother handled that part.”
“Trust me. A lot of planners were interested in landing your wedding.”
“I can vouch for that. I heard something from a few of my friends in the city,” Siobhan added.
“Society weddings are usually the domain of über celebrity wedding planners, especially in Manhattan. And who does the contract go to? A wedding planner from the friendly bay village of Amityville who has an office in the hamlet of North Amityville.”
“That shouldn’t matter,” Jennifer said.
“In a perfect world you’re absolutely right, Jennifer, but I’m living in this world. Believe me, I don’t intend to stay covert for much longer.”
“I understand.” She looked at her reflection again. “I love this dress.”
“Well, look out because tomorrow night they are going to be green with envy when you walk in.” Siobhan rubbed her shoulder.
Jennifer smiled wider. “Thank you.”
Paige’s cell phone rang. She checked the number and saw it was Sinclair. “Would you excuse me for a minute? Thank you.”
“Hello?”
“Hello, Paige, my love.” His British accent always made her day.
“Sinclair. How are you?”
“I’m wonderful, love, and you must be too. Heading to the Platinum Ball, are we? How exciting.”
“It’s exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time.”
“Don’t you worry your pretty head about it, I will be there to make you look beautiful. Although I wonder how I can improve upon perfection.”
“Sinclair, there is a reason I love you to death. You might be wading in it up to your thighs but damn if you don’t make it sound and smell good.”
He broke up with laughter. “Okay, love. What time do you need me?”
“The ball is at eight, so I need you around four or five. Will that work?”
“We’ll make it work. Well, love. I’m working on a photo shoot now and I have to get back to work. I’ll see you tomorrow. Cheerio!”
“Ciao, baby.” She closed her phone.
“Paige, was that Sinclair Lewis, the makeup artist?” Jennifer asked.
“As a matter of fact, it was.”
“I wasn’t eavesdropping or anything, but I know that name so well. He’s in all the fashion magazines.”
“I know. He’s a genius.”
“Do you think he would do my makeup, too?”
“I imagine so, but he’s going to be here on the Island, not in Manhattan.”
“I tell you what. Maybe you can come to my house to get ready for the ball. I can ask Daddy to have a car pick the both of you up and bring you to my house.”
Siobhan wanted to burst out laughing, but she held it.
“Sinclair lives in Manhattan, so it’s easy enough for him to hop the train. As for me, I would have to be picked up around two. I have a wedding to set up tomorrow morning and then I’m leaving it in Stuart’s hands.”
“Not a problem.” She was so excited. “Siobhan, I am definitely taking this gown.”
“I’ll wrap it up for you when you come out.”
“Great.” She stepped down. This is going to be so much fun!” she squealed.
Siobhan walked over to her sister, who shook her head.
“Don’t say it, Siobhan.”
“It looks like you have another little sister, Paige,” she teased.
Paige shook her head. “Why does this keep happening to me?”
“What do you mean, it keeps happening to you?”
“Before you were born I asked for a cat, and the next thing I knew they brought you home from the hospital.”
“Very funny.”
“It’s the truth. I was nearly five years old and I thought a cat would be cool. Now here it is, nearly thirty-five years later, and somehow I’m getting another little sister from another mother. And I haven’t gotten a cat yet.”
Siobhan cracked up. “Mazel tov, big sister.”
The day finally over, Paige pulled into her driveway ready to fall into bed. Max’s car was in the driveway. “Thank God dinner is a done deal,” she sighed aloud as she got out of the car.
“I know what you mean.”
Paige looked over the fence. “Hi, Susie. It’s just been a long day.”
“I know how you feel.” She sighed.
Paige stopped in her tracks. The perennially chipper Susie is in a bad mood? This can’t be good.
“I’m sorry I missed the homeowners’ association meeting. How did that go?”
“Don’t worry about it. The meeting went fine. I thought people were going to fight me, but I guess they must have checked their homeowner’s insurance policies.”
“That would do the trick.” For the sake of being a good neighbor, she asked another question. “So how are things going, Susie?”
“Okay, I guess. Bill is off on another business trip. It seems like instead of giving him less responsibility his job keeps increasing his workload.”
“I know that must be tough on the both of you.”
“Yeah. He wants to spend more time with the kids and me as a family before the last two go to college.”
“I know, it goes by so fast. Your oldest two have graduated from college, right?”
“Yes, and they are busy paying back student loans. It looks like Christopher will probably get a scholarship for ice hockey.”
Paige shifted her weight. “Max told me he’s really good.”
“He’s all county and all state.”
“You must be proud.”
“I am, but I wish Bill could come to more games. But what are you going to do?”
“I know what you mean.”
“Listen, I’m sorry to bend your ear like this. You’re a hardworking woman and you probably want to get off your feet.”
“That’s okay, Susie. I’ll get off my feet sooner or later, so what’s a few minutes?”
“Oh, I did want to tell you that Joshua’s in the house with Max. I think his wife is with him.”
Paige groaned aloud before she could stop herself. “Sorry.”
“Don’t
apologize. That new wife is something else.”
“Oh, yes.” Paige looked out at the road. “They used her car, that’s why I didn’t notice.”
“Okay, Paige, you have a good evening.”
“You, too, Susie.”
Paige went in, put her briefcase down, took a deep breath, and walked into the living room.
“Hello!” she called.
Max got up. “Hey, Mom.” He kissed her cheek.
“Hey, gorgeous. How are you doing?”
“I’m good, Mom. Are you just getting in from work?”
“Yes. The day went longer than I expected.”
“Dad’s here, and so is Tara.” He paused. “Mom, that barbequed chicken was awesome.”
“Thank you. Did you put the apple crisp in to heat up for dessert?”
“There’s apple crisp?” His eyes were as big as saucers.
“Yes. It’s in the refrigerator. Just preheat the oven to 300 and put it in.”
“That’s it?”
“That’s all she wrote.”
“Excuse me, Dad, Tara, I’m going to put dessert in the oven.”
He raced out of the living room.
“Hello, Paige. How are you? You look great.” Tara smiled.
“Thank you, Tara,” she said, wondering whether Tara wanted something or was on medication.
“Hi, Paige.”
“Hello, Joshua. What brings you to my neck of the woods on a Friday evening?”
“I came by to get Max since we’re heading to the house out east. Is that okay with you?”
“Sure. It’s your scheduled weekend with him anyway.”
“So I hear you’re going to the Platinum Ball,” Tara piped up.
I knew it. “Yes, I am. It should be a memorable evening.”
“I’ll bet.”
Paige could see it killed her to know she was going. “All right, then. I’m beat. Max, would you come here please?”
He raced in.
“Do you have your stuff together for a weekend at your dad’s place?”
“I’m all packed, Mom.”
“Did you put the apple crisp in yet?”
“No.”
“Good. Why don’t you just wrap it up and heat it at your Dad’s place? Is that okay, Tara?”
“Sure.”
“Okay, then. Let’s give Mom a kiss. I’m going to bed.”
He kissed her cheek.
“Thank you, my beautiful child. Okay have a good weekend all of you.”
Bliss, Inc. (Indigo Love Spectrum) Page 19
