Hopeless Romantic

by Georgia Beers

  Don’t stare. Don’t stare. Don’t stare.

  It ran through Teddi’s head on repeat. And it was hard to obey. What was it about the suits? Why was she suddenly so drawn to Leah in her work attire? She used to equate Leah’s suits with the bad part of their history, but now? She equated them with attraction. Today’s was a pantsuit, which Leah somehow managed to make look more feminine than a suit with a skirt. Navy with faint white pinstripes. A simple white blouse underneath. Nothing fancy. Nothing even remotely sexy. Except somehow, it was sexy. It was exactly sexy.

  Leah’s light hair was down rather than pulled back. Maybe that contributed to the sexiness? Teddi found herself mulling over that question as Leah pulled out a chair and sat, her green eyes catching Teddi’s, holding them, smiling.

  A clear of the throat. A reclaiming of her own gaze. A glance down at her tablet. Teddi pulled herself together.

  For the next hour, she went over details with Kelly and her family. Things that needed to be done and when. She’d created a timeline for her, a checklist of sorts that she made for each bride-to-be. It listed things that needed to be decided on—venue, music, food, color scheme, design theme—and dates when Kelly needed to have each thing chosen, retained, paid for.

  “So, how long have you been a wedding planner, Teddi?” Patti asked once they’d finished up and were all standing.

  “More than ten years.”

  “Wow. Does it get stressful?” Patti slipped on her coat, seeming genuinely interested.

  “It can. But over time, I’ve learned how to handle that type of thing. I’m a very organized person, and as long as you can stay organized, you can avoid much of the stress.” She felt Leah’s eyes on her but forced herself to stay focused on Patti.

  Leaning in close, as if she was about to share a secret, Patti asked, “Any bridezillas?”

  “So many,” Teddi answered with a grin.

  “But not my daughter, I hope.”

  “God, no. Your daughter hasn’t even come close.”

  “It’s early,” Leah chimed in. “Give her time.”

  “Hey!” Kelly playfully slapped at her sister. “Shut up.”

  “What do you do for the holidays?” Patti asked. “Is your family in town?” Everybody had their coats on and buttoned. Ready to go. But it seemed like Patti wanted to stay, to keep talking. Leah shifted in what looked to be slight discomfort.

  “Mom, let the woman work.” Leah smiled—apologetically?—at Teddi.

  “It’s fine,” Teddi said, and it was the truth. She liked the Scotts in her shop. No, I like Leah in my shop. Damn that inner voice of hers. “Yes, my family is in town. I’ll spend Christmas with them. What about you guys?” Was she being polite? Or was part of her trying to keep them here a little bit longer? She didn’t want to think about it.

  “We spend Christmas together. We always have,” Patti said, and the way her face lit up as she looked from one daughter to the other warmed Teddi’s heart. “We do dinner on Christmas Eve and watch movies, and then my girls come back in the morning and we celebrate Christmas Day together as well. Then for New Year’s Eve, everybody does their own thing.”

  “That sounds perfect,” Teddi said. And nothing like her own Christmas with her family, which was a bit more formal.

  “Well, we’ve kept you long enough,” Leah said and made a gesture to get her mother and sister moving, using her arms as if she was corralling sheep toward the door. She looked back at Teddi, held her gaze for a beat longer than necessary, as she said, “Thanks for everything.” Her voice held a hint of…was it sadness?

  “Have a very merry Christmas, Leah.” Teddi’s voice came out softer than she’d intended.

  “You, too.”

  And they were gone.

  Teddi watched out the window longer than she had time to. It was supposed to snow that night. They’d had a few flakes here and there in the last couple weeks, stuff that hadn’t stuck, but tonight, the forecast was for several inches. Teddi looked forward to it. Right now, everything was simply brown and cold. A blanket of white would make everything look fresh and new again. Teddi sighed.

  God knew she could use a clean slate.

  Chapter Ten

  “You cannot stay home alone on New Year’s Eve. I won’t allow it.” Tilly’s voice had taken on a firmer tone. They’d started out joking. Light. Zinging each other. But as soon as she’d understood that Leah was actually seriously considering spending New Year’s Eve by herself, Take Charge Tilly had shown up.

  “I’m sorry, you won’t allow it?” Leah asked with playful sarcasm.

  “I will not. I will drive my ass over there and drag you out of your house myself by your pretty blond hair. Don’t think I won’t.”

  “I would never think that.” Leah couldn’t help but smile because she knew, not a doubt in her mind, that Tilly would do exactly that. She’d show up at her door, march up to the bedroom, pick out an outfit, and stand there while Leah got dressed and ready. “I just wasn’t really feeling celebratory.”

  “Pfft. Doesn’t matter. It’s New Year’s Eve. There will be food. Champagne. Pretty people—I hope. You will get celebratory.”

  A sigh. “I guess maybe I could hand out some business car—”

  “No!” The word was like a gunshot as Tilly interrupted. “This is not a networking thing, Leah. It’s a holiday, for fuck’s sake, and I swear to God if I catch you handing out business cards, I will take them from you and I will set them on fire. You’re going to drink, meet some new people, and have a good time if it kills me. And you. Got it?”

  “Well, that’s enticing.”

  “And do not wear work clothes. Dress nice, but not like a lawyer. This is a party.”

  “Ugh. Fine.” She wasn’t going to win this. She knew it, and if she was being honest with herself, she’d kind of known it all along. Part of her had expected this call, waited for it, hoped for it even. Tilly was fantastic at dragging her out of the house, and she needed that or she’d stay inside with Lizzie way more often than was probably good for her mental health. But she faked some irritation anyway, just to make Tilly have to work a little bit.

  “Good. I’ll pick you up at nine.”

  Leah hung up the phone, turned from her spot on the couch to look at Lizzie, curled in a ball next to her, apparently in a good mood today. “I guess I’m going to a party.”

  Lizzie yawned widely, sharing her opinion on the subject.

  “What should I wear?”

  Big green eyes blinked.

  “Ah, the slow blink. That says I’m hopeless. Fine. I get it. Thanks for the assistance, Ms. Bennet. You’re fantastic for my ego.” She kissed the cat’s head anyway.

  At nine, Leah stood in front of the full-length mirror in her bedroom and surveyed her look. Dark jeans. Black ankle boots with a heel—she hoped it didn’t get icy, or breaking her neck was a distinct possibility. A white sweater, which could be a disaster if she ate anything with sauce, but she liked the way it hugged her body. A black silk scarf with small white dots. Her hair was down, and she’d used a large curling iron to enhance some of the waves just like Kelly had taught her. She’d even added a little eye shadow, as the idea of going to a party started to feel more like fun and less like a chore. Giving her reflection a nod of approval, she headed down the stairs just as the door opened and Tilly came in.

  Her friend looked her up and down and gave a whistle. “Wow. Don’t you clean up nice. I was pretty sure I was going to find you on the couch in your leggings.”

  “It was tempting. Believe me.” Leah grabbed her coat off a hanger and slipped her arms in. “Where is this party?”

  “At my friend Piper’s place. She and her wife bought a new house a couple months ago and this is their first big party. Should be a nice mix—they know a lot of people.”

  “And who’s there that you’re interested in?” She shot Tilly a knowing look as she picked up her purse and keys and they headed out the door.

  “Whatever do y
ou mean?” Tilly’s BMW was brand new and smelled like it.

  “Mm-hmm. Tell me.”

  “There’s a girl that Piper has mentioned more than once.” Tilly started the car and pulled them out into traffic. “She’s in social work, I think. Piper thinks we’d hit it off.” She shot a glance at Leah. “Not that she’s the only reason I’m going. Not at all.”

  “Got it,” Leah said, nodding slowly. It was exactly the reason Tilly was going and also the reason she’d dragged Leah. In case the girl didn’t show, or didn’t float Tilly’s boat, or any other number of reasons. “I’m your wing woman.”

  “Well…”

  “It’s okay, Til. I don’t mind. It’s a role I play well.”

  “You totes do.”

  Being Tilly’s wing woman would be better than being home alone with her cat. At least, she hoped so.

  The party was going strong by the time they arrived at nine thirty. Piper’s house was nice. Not huge, not tiny, and in a nicer suburb of the city. White siding with black shutters. White lights twinkled, run tastefully around the front door and a small potted Christmas tree that stood on the side of the front stoop. The music coming from inside could just be heard from the steps. Something smooth and jazzy. Norah Jones, maybe? Leah strained to listen but wasn’t sure.

  The door was pulled open just as Tilly poked a finger toward the doorbell, and both she and Leah jumped.

  “Hey, you made it! Come in, come in. It’s freezing.” The woman was a brunette, with big dark eyes that reminded Leah so much of Teddi’s, she was afraid she’d stare. Quickly, she glanced into the house and shook the thought away. No, this was why she had agreed to a party: to keep her mind from drifting to thoughts that only made her antsy.

  Tilly gave the woman a hug, then turned to Leah. “Piper Bradshaw, this is my very good friend Leah Scott.”

  Piper held out a hand and they shook. Her grip was firm but friendly, and she tugged Leah through the doorway and into her house. “I’m so glad you could come.” They followed her through the foyer and into a large living room where maybe a dozen people had congregated, broken off into smaller groups. The music emanated from speakers mounted up in the corners of the room, and the television was on, muted, to the channel on which Ryan Seacrest would count down the ball drop in Times Square.

  “What can I get you?” Piper asked as a blond woman came up to them and slid an arm around Tilly’s waist.

  “I didn’t think you’d come,” she said to Tilly, and her smile was bright, inviting. Leah wanted to be friends with her immediately.

  “You wound me,” Tilly said, feigning a pout. Turning, she grasped Leah’s arm. “Lindsay, this is my good friend Leah. Leah, this is Piper’s wife, Lindsay.” More handshakes.

  Leah squinted at her. “Have we met?” There was something so familiar about her…Then recognition dawned. “Oh! The wine bar. Vineyard. You work there?”

  “We own it,” Lindsay said with a look of pride. “Piper and I.”

  “Well, my sister and I loved it.”

  “I’m so glad,” Lindsay said. “Listen, there’s a ton of food, lots to drink. Some is out here, some in the kitchen.”

  “Yes, but is there wine?” Tilly asked, her voice teasing.

  “Wine, you say?” Lindsay looked to Piper. “Do we have wine, my love?”

  Piper tapped a finger against her lips, thinking. “Wine…wine…hmm…” Then she slapped playfully at Tilly, who leaned toward Leah.

  Leah feigned seriousness. “So there’s wine, then?”

  Lindsay laughed and pointed around the staircase. “Tons. In the kitchen. We’re totally informal here. Everybody’s cool. Just help yourself and get comfortable. How does that sound?”

  “That sounds fantastic. Thank you.” Leah felt herself relax. Her shoulders dropped a bit, she exhaled and felt calm. She wondered if Lindsay had that effect on everybody. Regardless, she decided in that moment, she was glad she came.

  “Wine?” Piper asked them with a wink.

  “Yes, please,” Tilly said. “Lead the way.” They followed Piper toward the kitchen.

  Leah admired the décor. She liked to think she was good at interior decorating, but then she’d see something that was really good and realize she was simply average. She didn’t know if it was Piper or Lindsay, but somebody had a flair for design. The light oak hardwood floors gleamed, the runner that led down the hall along the stairs, thick and tasteful, all burgundies and deep blues. The walls were painted a subtle blue-gray, and the painting mounted over the skinny stand was abstract and eye-catching, using the same colors and adding more for interest. The table held three framed photos, and Leah made a mental note to stop on her way back and look at them. She followed Tilly’s tall, thin form through the doorway that opened into a huge, open-concept kitchen-family room combination that was nothing less than completely inviting. She grinned as Tilly followed Piper to the right, and then stopped in her tracks. There, on the other side of the large granite-topped island, glass of red wine in one hand, the other at the side of her neck. Leah noticed her before she even registered any of the other people in the room.

  Teddi Baker.

  Seriously, what are the chances?

  “Ladies, these are my friends. Tilly and Leah.” Piper went around the room and pointed to each person, named them, but Leah didn’t hear any of it. Teddi was holding her gaze so gently, yet so firmly. Leah couldn’t look away.

  “Hey.” Tilly’s voice yanked Leah out of her trance.

  “Yeah?”

  Tilly raised her eyebrows expectantly as she gestured to the wide array of wine bottles on the counter in a corner of the kitchen that served as a bar. Wine fridge underneath, glasses hanging from holders mounted above. Piper stood there smiling, waiting.

  “Oh! Sorry. Um…” Leah faced the bar, scanned, pointed at the Merlot. “That would be great.”

  “You got it.” Piper poured and handed the glass over. It took all Leah’s willpower not to take a huge gulp.

  “You okay?” Tilly asked softly as the doorbell rang and Piper excused herself to answer it.

  “Yeah. Yeah, I’m fine. I just—”

  “Hi.” The voice that interrupted them was soft but effective. Leah swore to God her insides went mushy at the sound, and she turned to face Teddi, those dark, dark eyes.

  “Hey.” They stood there, and for the first time in her life, Leah understood what people meant when they said the rest of the room faded away. It was like there was nothing but Teddi. Her face. Her eyes. Her hair. The dimples that were peeking out just a bit. She wore tight jeans with a rip in the knee, a ribbed black turtleneck that hugged every curve of her body, knee-high black boots…

  “Hi, um, I’m Leah’s friend Tilly. Not that Leah was planning to tell you that, apparently. I don’t think we’ve met.” Tilly’s voice seemed to boom through the air like a foghorn, and Leah blinked rapidly as Tilly held out her hand to Teddi.

  “Teddi Baker. I’m planning Leah’s sister’s wedding.” She put her hand in Tilly’s. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  Tilly, even though her eyebrows rose in what Leah could only assume was recognition, refrained from any inside jokes or smart-ass comments. Instead, she gave Leah a poignant look and excused herself to go talk to a woman across the room. Which left her alone with Teddi. Facing each other.

  “So,” Leah said. “Hi.”

  “Hi.” Teddi smiled, probably at the repetition. “I am surprised to see you here. I mean, I wasn’t expecting it. How do you know Piper and Lindsay?”

  “I don’t.” Leah sipped her wine, took a moment to let the rich flavor of it coat her tongue before she swallowed. “I was told I was not allowed to spend New Year’s Eve at home alone with my cat, and then was dragged from my house in protest.”

  “In protest, huh?” Teddi turned so she could lean her hip against the counter. After a beat, Teddi held her glass close to her lips and said, without looking at Leah, “Is it bad that I’m glad you were dragged out?”
/>   A full-body flush. That’s what happened to Leah at those words. Heat coursed through every inch of her. Heat. Arousal. Joy. She wondered just exactly how red her ears were now, and she had to search hard to find words but finally did. “No, not at all. In fact, I’m kind of glad now, too.” She turned and mimicked Teddi’s position so they were face-to-face. Why was standing like that, so close to Teddi, giving her all the feels? What was happening? Leah took a deep breath—quietly, so as not to give away her nervousness—and asked, “So, how do you know Piper and Lindsay?”

  “Well, I’ve been a patron at their wine bar for a while now. One day, Lindsay and I got talking about wine and the venue and just really hit it off. I tend to recommend it to my brides-to-be as a great location for things like bachelorette parties or showers.”

  “I see.”

  “Have you ever been to Vineyard?”

  “Yes, Kelly and I were just there a few weeks ago, but it sounds like I should’ve gone sooner because I’ve been missing out.” Relaxed wasn’t something she expected to feel standing with Teddi, but somehow, that was exactly how she felt. It was weird. Like all the nerves and worries and potential obstacles between them had simply disappeared for this moment.

  “You have. Maybe we could go together sometime.”

  “Maybe we could.” Okay, that was flirting. They were flirting, right? The words hung in the air for what felt like a long time before either of them spoke again.

  “So,” Teddi said, then sipped her wine as if organizing her thoughts before continuing. “What does Leah Scott do for fun? When she’s not lawyering or being all lawyerly?”

  Leah felt the grin bloom across her face at the question. “Well, you know how much I love rom-coms.”

  “I do. And we’ll come back to that. What else do you do?”

  Leah had to think about it, which probably wasn’t good. “I don’t really have a lot of free time…” She tried a different tack. “What about you? What does Teddi Baker do when she’s not running flawless wedding ceremonies or calming down panic-stricken brides-to-be?”

  “I cook.”