“Aren’t you going to fix your hair?”
Patting a hand to the side of her head she encountered a knot of hair half in and half out of the clip. Great she’d have to take a trip to the ladies room. That’s what she got for not having a mirror in her bag.
“Give me a second.” She didn’t wait for his response.
She returned breathless but with her style back in place. “Ready?”
“Sure. I really think this is a great idea. Thanks for thinking of me.”
Ari gave a short laugh as she led the way to Gertrude’s office. “No need to thank me, you’re the only person I know who works with computers.”
Before he answered, they were at her boss’s door. Taking a deep fortifying gulp of air, she knocked.
“Come in, have a seat.”
Ari took the chair to the left of Gerard, then introduced him to her boss. Now it was up to him to convince Gertrude of the programs worth.
“I need to tell you up front, I’m not looking for any more expansions. Ari’s new scheme has been expensive enough.” Gertrude folded her hands on the desk, tilted her head to the side and waited.
Ari swallowed her nerves. Surely the woman would realize how much they needed this? She’d let Gerard take charge. He was the one with answers to the questions. Ari wouldn’t have a clue.
“I’m sure, Ms. Schneider…”
“Call me Gertrude, please.” Ari bit back a smile. The woman actually smiled at Gerard.
She glanced at him as he began to explain the program. Gel glued his curly hair into place. She much preferred it when it was crazy wild over his scalp. His white shirt pressed and creased, maybe one of his sister’s had pressed it for him. His slacks had a matching crease. He looked crisp. It was the only word she could think of.
Professionally crisp maybe, she pulled her attention back to the conversation.
“Gertrude, I’m going to give you an example. It’s much easier for you to see rather than for me to explain.”
He pulled his laptop out of its case and walked around to place it on the desk across from Gertrude. Easy for her to see, but still within his reach so he could control the program.
“Ari, pretend you’re a young bride and tell us what you want.”
“Sunflowers.” Since she was a small child, they had been her favorites. It would be much more authentic if she were honest instead of pretending.
“Okay, what else? Any other colors?” Gerard’s fingers tapped words out on the key board.
“Cornflower blue. I want it to look like a sunflower field in the spring. Yellow for as far as you can see against the beautiful blue of the sky.”
“Great. Give me a minute here now.”
Ari watched Gertrude, her face intent on the images flashing across the screen. A slow smile peeked at the corner of her lips. That had to be good, didn’t it?
“Okay. What would come next in the interview?” Gerard asked.
Gertrude, her eyes actually twinkled. “Would you be interested in a custom design dress for your wedding?” Then heavens above, she winked.
“You have dresses here?” Ari faked surprise. “Yes! I would.”
“Tell us the story of how you met your groom? We specialize in classic love stories that compliment your event. Your dress will have its own story.”
Getting into the spirit of things, Ari sat up straight and scooted to the edge of her chair. “One lovely spring day, I had a new dress on and when I walked into the foyer of my apartment I ran into him. After that day, it seemed like everywhere I went; the video store, central park for a little league soccer game, the grocery store, I met him over and over.” She let her shoulders lift. “We fell in love before either of us knew it was happening.”
She shifted her attention to Gerard. His fingers had stilled on the keyboard, his look intense on her. She realized she’d described what had happened with them, and had been happening. Warmth crawled up her neckline until it reached her forehead then seemed to radiate in place.
“Now, what do you do with the information?” Gertrude asked.
Gerard looked at Ari a moment longer then broke eye contact to look at the laptop. He cleared his throat. Twice. “Ari said you have catalogs of your flower and cake designs along with everything else correct?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll need to have everything in the program, and any new designs will need to be added as they are completed. It’ll be an ongoing process. As Classic Manhattan grows, so will the program. Because I didn’t have anything from the salon to work with, I’ve pulled things from the Internet. Here is a mock event with what Ari has described.”
He stood back so Gertrude could see. Ari went around the other side of the desk to see.
How he’d done it, she didn’t know, but the virtual room was their atrium cast in the perfect blue. She could almost feel the spring breeze through a sunflower field. The cake was actually three white satellite wedding cakes decorated with yellow sunflowers.
Choking back the lump that had lodged in her throat, Ari gazed at what could have been her wedding. She could feel the heat of Gerard’s stare locked on her. No way could she return his glance. He’d be able to read her thoughts.
Bella would gloat. Because Bella was right.
When the hell had she fallen in love?
God, love Gertrude. The woman was oblivious to Ari’s turmoil. “How much?” Gertrude asked Gerard.
Gerard stared at Ari a moment more before he wrested his gaze from her to look at the older woman. “It would be a flat fee to design and add all of the salon’s information, much like when you had your web site designed. And then a monthly fee for updates and maintenance.
“In fact if I could have your web master’s information I can set something up so people can play with designs before they come in. They could get an idea of what they want and streamline your consultations.”
“Our web person quit. I think she had to go back to work full time.” Gertrude kept her attention on the laptop. “Could you take over the maintenance of our web site?”
“Actually that would make it easier for me to add the virtual planner. I wouldn’t have to coordinate with someone else.”
Ari stepped away and cleared her throat. “You don’t need me for this part. I have some work to do for tomorrow’s event. Gerard I’ll see later.”
Vaguely she registered that her boss had asked her a question as she left. She had no idea what it was. All she knew was that she’d somehow fallen in love with Gerard.
She couldn’t breathe.
Ari closed her office door and then settled into her chair facing the window. Not that there was anything to see, she didn’t care. She wasn’t focused. She hadn’t even thanked him. He must think she was ungrateful. She’d worry about that later.
She had to decide what to do.
They hadn’t even dated. They’d run into each other a few times. He’d only come to dinner when Conner had cooked. Only three times. She barely knew him. He had sisters. How many? She had no clue.
You could not be in love with someone and not know anything about them, could you? It was Bella. It had to be. The dress was making her crazy. It was the only explanation.
*****
A knock on the office door penetrated the confusion in her mind. Glancing over her shoulder, she watched it open and Gertrude walk in. Had Ari said to come in?
“We have a new web guru. Thank you for bringing Gerard in. I’ve told him you will get with Darlene and the others, gather their newest designs, and ideas. Gerard said he’d be gone to his family’s this week-end and to give the information packet to the super of your apartment building.”
“I’ll do that now.” Ari snapped her planner shut. She’d take it home. “Is Darlene in her office?”
“Something going on?”
Ari stopped in the process of flipping through files on her desk. “With Darlene?”
“No. With Gerard?” Gertrude folded her arms over her bony chest and gave Ari a stern look. �
��I have a lot riding on your new design project. And now this new venture and I don’t want it messed up.” The woman shifted to block the doorway. “You couldn’t get out of my office fast enough, and though you both live in the same building, he wants you to drop the files he needs at the superintendants office, why?”
Ari sucked in some air and let it blow through her mouth before she answered. “I had some work to do and computer stuff is over my head. As far as the other, I’m not sure why I couldn’t just drop it off to him.”
Gertrude studied her a moment longer then stepped out of the way. “Okay, I guess. Tell everyone to use their most current designs and ideas. I want everything fresh.” At the door the woman paused again. “Oh, we’re going to go with your bridal fair, it will introduce the new virtual program. All the attendees can do their design. I’m in hopes that once they see it virtually that they’ll have no choice but to pick Classic Manhattan for their wedding.” Gertrude began to turn, she paused long enough to look over her shoulder. “Thank you.”
Then she was gone. Ari stared at the door, Gertrude actually seemed grateful for her ideas. Warmth ran through her. Bella had brought her to this place, right where she wanted to be. So why did she feel she needed to share her happiness with her new co-worker, Gerard? She refused to think of him in any other way.
The rest of the day went fast. Darlene and the rest of the crew were excited about the new virtual program. As a result, she had a box full of files and no idea how to get them home on the Love Machine.
Maybe she could attach it to the top case on the back. What she needed was a Bungee cord. She sat the box next to the scooter to return to the building and find one.
The maintenance guy Gertrude had hired to fix some cupboards and ended up permanently on the payroll had the fasteners.
“Be sure to bring them back. I use them all the time.” He hollered after her.
She raised her hand, the cords waving back and forth. “Promise I will.”
His skeptical expression made her laugh. She’d leave it in her top box and bring it back in the morning. No problem. Maybe it would restore his faith in the human race he’d apparently lost somewhere.
Forgetting about the lonely maintenance man, Ari’s mind turned to Gerard and with it, confusion set in. Why on earth couldn’t she give him the box of files?
Had he read her in Gertrude’s office? Obviously he didn’t care for her so why would he avoid her?
A horn blared, forcing her to pay better attention to the crowded streets. New York traffic was brutal and required full concentration at all times.
More or less on autopilot, she arrived at the apartment without mishap. No thanks to her wandering mind that couldn’t stay focused the entire trip.
That was scary in itself.
Unfastening the box, she threw the cords in the top box as planned. Then hefted the files in her arms. She would take them to Gerard herself. It was just plain silly to leave it with the super.
When she rapped on his door, there was no answer. Maybe he really had left for the weekend. Digging in her bag, she pulled out a pen and paper and scribbled a note that she had the files and when he got home to come and get them.
There. Now he had to deal with her.
Dear Diary;
If it’s not one, it’s the other
“Gerard will be working with us at Classic Manhattan, Bella. What do you think of that?”
I was delighted of course. I shifted my silken underskirt enough to make my beads catch the artificial light from the lamp. It was much harder to respond when I didn’t have the sun shining through the window. Not impossible though.
“Oh you’re glad about that, aren’t you?” Ari flopped across her bed. “You’re going to be in seventh heaven when I tell you my next news.”
I waited. What could she tell me? And what the scrap was seventh heaven? Humans had weird expressions if you ask me.
“I’m in love.”
Her announcement had my bodice tighten, but then my bolero shivered, when I wondered with whom?
“Gerard snuck under my skin and settled.” She rolled to her belly and propped her chin in her hands. “So what should I do now?”
Elation ruffled my lace. Then her question struck me, what did she mean? Gerard loved my bride. He had too.
“Well, what no answer? Yup he’s running in the opposite direction.”
Now what? I could do my best to lead Ari toward her groom but when Gerard wasn’t even here, I may be magical with my soul mate, but I didn’t have that much magic.
“You’re no help,” Ari said with disgust in her voice. She scrambled off the bed and turned her iPod thing to some blues cranked the sound and began to dance.
Apparently, she would design to forget. That would give me some time to figure out how to go about my magical match making.
Heidi never informed any of us girls it could be this difficult.
Chapter Twenty-seven
There had been no sign of Gerard. Every time she heard someone on the stairs she’d hold her breath hoping there’d be a knock on the door. Nothing had happened.
Conner had been working a lot lately. She’d only seen him for a few minutes Sunday morning. He seemed very happy with his new job. The shadows in his eyes were all but absent.
He was shopping for a place of his own. He’d also apologized for staying past the time they’d agreed too. She smiled. How could she mind when he cooked all the time? As far as she was concerned she’d come out ahead in the bargain.
Sleeping on her couch for a couple of months had to be a pain, literally, in the back. What would she do once he was gone? She’d only have Bella, because Gerard seemed to be avoiding her at all costs. Even if that meant not doing his new work he’d agreed to do for Classic Manhattan.
Gertrude would be upset with her if he missed the deadline. Darlene had told Ari that Gerard had promised to have the new system up by the end of the month. That was only three weeks away. He needed to have the files, and she hadn’t left them where he’d asked.
Ari shrugged as she parked her scooter in the alley at Classic Manhattan.
“Hey, so is Gerard letting you help with the planner?” Darlene was in the process of grabbing herself a cup of coffee in the break room when Ari walked in.
“I haven’t seen Gerard since we worked on getting the preliminary program set up.”
Darlene frowned, took a sip then held the mug with cupped hands in front of her. She leaned a hip on the counter and tilted her head to the side. Ari hated when Darlene did that, it usually meant she was going to impart something Ari didn’t want to hear.
“Gertrude said you were leaving the files with the building super? Did you?” The question surprised Ari, relief ran over her.
“No. I left him a note I had them.”
“So he hasn’t come to pick them up.” Darlene stated with another sip along with the quirk of her brow in question.
“No, he must still be at his family’s home.” Ari poured her own coffee, sipped and waited.
“Or he’s afraid to see you.”
If only he had feelings one way or another. “I doubt it. He’s probably coming home today and knew I’d be at work and he didn’t want to wait until I got home to start on the files.”
Crap, now that she’d said it, she realized it was probably true. Now she’d put him behind. She was the one that needed to get over herself.
“I need to call Conner I’ll talk to you later.” She rushed to her office.
It wasn’t like she couldn’t call Conner in front of Darlene, it was more she was ashamed that she’d been thinking of herself and not realized the real reason for leaving the files with the super.
“Conner?”
She heard his yawn, then a groggy, “Yeah?”
“Sorry Conner, I know you were at the restaurant late last night. But I need a huge favor.”
Ari heard something and then Conner told her to wait a minute. She could hear Gerard in the background.
Relief ran over her, he’d come to pick the files up.
Conner returned to the line to let her know Gerard was now in possession of the files, she told him thanks and she’d see him at home.
“Well?”
Ari jumped, “Crap. What?”
“You left in a rush did you tell Conner to take the files to Gerard?”
“You’re doing fine so far, what do you think?”
Darlene settled into her usual place when she invaded Ari’s office space. Her hands cradled the mug of coffee. Most likely a refill, either that or it was now iced coffee.
“Here’s what I think. You’ve fallen for the handsome computer geek. You’ve scared the shit out of him.” She smiled then took a sip. “And now both of you are avoiding each other, how am I doing so far?”
This is what she expected to hear from Darlene in the break room earlier. Darlene could read Ari and her situations like an open book. No one had ever been able to do that.
“I hate when you do that.”
“I’m right on the money.” This time Darlene smirked. “So where does Bella come into all this.”
“It’s her fault.”
“What? Bella is a designer gown. How can it be a piece of material’s fault?” Darlene was chuckling and shaking her head.
“Have you watched the Today segment with Heidi?”
“No, what does that have to do with anything?”
Ari sipped her own coffee, grimaced, it was cold and she hated cold. “Go find it on the Internet it will save me from explaining.”
“Now I’m intrigued. A girl and her dress, there’s a story somewhere.”
“I’ve got work to do, designs to create. I don’t have time for your speculations.”
Darlene stood, saluted with her mug. “I’ll leave you to it. I’m off to watch the Today show.” She stopped at the doorway. “When did it air?”
Ari told her, and then with determination flipped open her bag to pull out her latest design. A flowing dress with a story from the roaring twenties, a history that would make the dress come to life.
*****
It had been a very long day. Ari admitted part of the cause was Darlene. As promised, she’d watched the show and hit the nail right on the head again.
Three Weddings and a Dress Page 25
