by T Gephart
“So Dave, will you do it?” I couldn’t think of anyone more suited to the role. He was cool and calm under pressure, and he was a friend to both Alex and me, each in our own rights. I would love to have him standing up there, a friendly face, as we renewed our commitment to each other. I would have asked Taylah, but I didn’t think she’d make it through the ceremony without taking to task anyone who wasn’t dressed appropriately.
“Now you’ve hit your stride, venue and a celebrant. Perfect choice, if I do say so myself.” I had no doubt that she would approve.
“You want me to marry you?” Dave asked, his face amused by the suggestion.
“Of course. I would love for you to be involved.” I nodded, knowing he would bring innate warmth to the ceremony and possibly some well-placed humour.
“Well sure then. You want me to marry you, then I will marry you. Now if you ladies have everything under control I’m going to get back to work.” He rose to his feet, happy to leave us to our intricate planning on floor.
“Thanks Dave, we’re sorted.” I gave him two thumbs up.
“All good here hun,” Taylah agreed, satisfied we were making progress and our wine supply had been replenished.
Dave leaned in and gave her a big passionate kiss and left us to our rather fruitful planning session. Sydney had emailed details of a few caterers she had sourced so I could go over menu choices. Perhaps it wasn’t going to be that bad, the whole formal wedding thing. I had two of the most resourceful women in Manhattan on my side, a kick-arse celebrant, a stunning location and without a doubt the most perfect husband. The more we planned the more excited I was actually getting. I think I actually wanted this… my version of the fairytale. Even my phobia of wedding dresses had also started to wane, thinking that as long as I didn’t look like I had stepped off the set of a Disney movie I might even wear white. It would even be worth the potential risk of upsetting deities, not that anyone was under the delusion I was a virgin.
Content that the wheels were now firmly in motion, I said my goodbyes to Taylah and made my way back to the lobby where DarNell was waiting for me. It was strange walking past my old doorway. I hesitated, wondering if I should knock and say hi to Matt and Anna. It was mixed emotions that kept my feet moving, my gut telling me it was not a good idea. I didn’t want whatever it was that was going on between Anna and Matt to ruin my high, not tonight.
~~~
Alex was waiting for me when I got home. He was sitting on our black leather couch, his long denim clad legs stretched out in front of him. His t-shirt had been discarded and casually tossed to the side. His guitar leaned up against his naked and impeccably sculpted chest as his fingers agilely slid up and down the fret board.
“Objectifying me again Lexi?” his lips twitched as he caught me in a full open mouthed ogle. “I’m going to start thinking you’re using me for my body.”
“You agreed to be my sex slave, I’m just trying to be an appreciative master.” I entered further into the lounge room, coming to a stop as I reached the edge of the couch.
He turned and laid the guitar on the floor beside him. I watched as his muscles rippled as he moved. “I’ve missed you.” He opened his arms, his body seeking mine as he beckoned me. “Come sit with me.”
“Will you take off your pants as well?” Without hesitation I lowered my body and nestled against him. He accepted my weight and wrapped his arms around me.
“If you ask politely. Although if I take off my pants I’m going to want to do a lot more than just sit with you.” His lips pressed against me gently as he traced the sensitive skin between my neck and my ear with a trail of kisses.
“And the problem with that is…” I had no issue with whatever would be running though his mind. No pants seemed like a win-win to me and if it prompted activities other than talking, then that would be fine by me too. As I said, this was not a problem. The problem was, that Alex was still wearing pants though he did fill out a pair of jeans rather magnificently.
He threw his head back as he laughed. “You really are my little sex fiend. Why don’t you tell me what you’ve been up to this evening while your poor husband was locked in a room with smelly musicians.” His arms flexed tighter around me.
I loved being held by him. This factoid had surprised me because I had never wanted it before but now I craved it, yearned for it and no mater how often or how long I was in his arms it was never enough. It was like my body was trying to bank the contact for later when it would be gone or perhaps it was because I had been without contact for so long. Like pouring water over sand, it wasn’t always visible but seeped into the deepest part of me.
“Planning your surprise birthday party,” I volunteered, wisely offering an explanation for a week that would possibly be full of covert meetings and hushed conversations. It was actually a brilliant cover. The wedding was a surprise not the party itself so Alex knowing really didn’t serve as too much of a problem. At least now he knew, I could go about the planning without arousing suspicion and possibly blowing the real surprise. It was classic diversionary tactics. Here you go people, keep your eyes on my right hand while my left hand steals your watch.
“A birthday party for me? Baby, isn’t telling me ruining the whole idea of the surprise?” He laughed as I snuggled closer against his chest. He smelt so good. His masculine scent mixed with the faint trace of cologne was an automatic hot button for me. What were we talking about again? Wasn’t it something about removing his pants?
“I figured you’d find out eventually, this way I don’t have to come up with some lame excuse about why I have to go set up at James and Hannah’s without you on your birthday. Just make sure you act all shocked when you walk in.” My rather rational explanation was seamless. It also meant he wouldn’t ask questions about his birthday celebration or plan something else. And the lack of surprise wasn’t going to be an issue either, because once he saw me in a wedding dress and worked out what was actually happening, I could guarantee he wouldn’t need to fake the emotion.
“We’re celebrating my birthday at James and Hannah’s?” His hands uncoiled from around my body and roamed up my torso. As much as I loved being held, I loved being touched a hell of a lot more.
“Yep, we don’t have enough room in this apartment and I’d rather not have to disinfect the couch after Dan has had his junk all over it.” Both of those reasons were valid and truthful. Dan would inevitably bring a date not knowing it was a wedding. He’d already shared his reasons for not bringing dates to weddings as it led to expectations that he wasn’t prepared to fulfill, and so with Dan and a date, it would come to pass that some kind of action would be taking place. I would rather that action did not take place in the general vicinity of anywhere I would be sitting, standing, laying or eating any time in the future.
“Baby, I’m pretty sure Dan has had sex on this couch,” he whispered, barely able to contain his grin.
“Eww! What the hell Alex? Now we are going to have to burn it. Why did you have to tell me that?” I leapt off of the couch and subsequently out of Alex’s arms. There were things you would never be able to forget no matter how hard you tried. These were usually relegated to the storage part of the brain, which held fond memories such as a first kiss, learning to drive a car and visiting Disneyland. Dan getting busy on the couch I curled up on and sometimes fell asleep on had been banked to that vault also. We really would have to burn it. Maybe it could serve as sacrificial offering? Appease the brain gods so that someday I would forget my face had been where he had quite possibly had his… Eww.
“I thought we agreed on full disclosure, just up holding my end of the bargain.” Alex was unable to hide his amusement, enjoying the rare occasion where I was genuinely disgusted.
“How about we renegotiate that agreement and you lie to me when it involves Dan and any piece of furniture in this apartment?” At least until we moved into our new penthouse and then we would just buy all new stuff. Easy fixed. I wouldn’t have to worry ab
out any of the furniture and whatever unsavory acts might have taken place on them—Disclaimer—an unsavory act was solely categorized by questionable behaviour in our dwelling by anyone other than Alex and myself.
“I can do that.” He leisurely unfurled as he slowly rose to his feet. My eyes followed the length of his sexy body. What were we talking about?
“Good, now what else can you do?” Surely this is the point where we finally took off his pants? Was he still wearing them because I hadn’t yet said please? Where the hell were my manners?
“I can make you forget all about Dan and his inappropriate use of our couch.” He tilted my chin, meeting my gaze, his eyes searing me.
“Gee, I don’t know Alex. That is a hard freaking ask.” I was not convinced it was a task that could be so easily completed. It would take weeks, months even. It would take serious dedication on both our parts, but I was willing to give it a try.
“Lucky for you I’m already hard.” He pulled me firmly against his body, his obvious arousal punctuating his statement. He was a man of his word and that word was currently, hard.
“So you are.” Radio silence. What was I trying to forget? Who? What? I no longer cared.
With a devilish, unhurried smile, his voice vibrated through me. “Come to bed, baby.”
Chapter 12
Best Laid Plans
THE WEEK was predictably chaotic. Both Sydney and Taylah earned their stripes as event planners of the highest power as they ran errands, collected samples and pretty much did anything I asked of them. Moving through our detailed and assiduous to-do list, we booked, rented, confirmed and purchased everything that was required to make this wedding go off without a hitch. I had convinced Emma and Jackson as well as Kate and her posse to make the grueling long haul flight. It actually hadn’t taken a lot of convincing, just two words actually, first and class. I didn’t even bother inviting my family. Our last interaction had given me the closure I had needed. I wouldn’t regret their absence from my life and the fact they no longer had a part in it, they didn’t belong in this. Invitations were distributed, RSVPs received and I’d even managed to purchase a gown, another off-the-rack treasure, but it was so stunning I didn’t care.
I had never imagined myself as a bride, and as I had accepted there would be no Prince Charming for me, I had chosen not to indulge in the fairytale. Yet when I was in the fitting room of the bridal boutique I had seen a bride looking back at me. I had chosen a beautiful Monique Lhuillier gown. The simple white—I’m still shocked I was wearing freaking white—design clung tightly to my curves, before cascading elegantly to the floor. I had maintained my resistance to full skirts and cathedral trains, but this dress was breathtaking. The only adornment was an intricate Chantilly lace overlay, which flowed over the entire length of the gown. The bodice and skirt were devoid of beading. The stunning sweetheart neckline accentuated my breasts, making my average sized assets look spectacular.
I couldn’t wait to wear it and it had been hidden in its inconspicuous garment bag back in the darkest corner of my wardrobe. That was, until today.
Giselle, a Brooklyn native who was a freaking wizard with a brush, expertly tended to my hair and makeup. In keeping with the styling of the dress, we had taken an old Hollywood glamour approach and my makeup was reminiscent of Garbo, Monroe and Hepburn, while my hair had been swept into a sophisticated up-do, embellished with Swarovski crystal hair clips. No veil. The ensemble was completed by my beautiful Tiffany diamond earrings that Alex had given me on the day of our first wedding. As I slipped on my shoes, I took one final look in the mirror. I was mesmerized.
Alex was still at our apartment as planned. I had travelled to James and Hannah’s earlier in the day under to ruse of needing to prepare for his big surprise party. Alex had humoured me and agreed to arrive at seven in the evening, and not a moment sooner for a predetermined dinner. He would pretend to assume that the dinner would only be the band and the two of us, having seen his mother and brother earlier in the day. In a complicated web of omissions, the only people that knew the truth were James, Hannah, Taylah, Sydney, Dave and myself. The guests all thought they were attending a surprise party, but that Alex had no idea of the plans. Alex of course, knew of the party, but had no idea of the greater agenda and no one other than the six of us knew that everyone was about to witness a wedding. Even Matt and Anna had been kept in the dark in the conscious effort to keep a lid on it.
I had smuggled out Alex’s tux out of the apartment a few days ago and brought it here to James and Hannah’s. It had been placed in a spare bedroom where it awaited for Alex to change into upon his arrival and subsequent surprise.
Guests had arrived and assembled in Hannah’s living areas, oblivious to my flower and candle filled tent out in the backyard. Wait staff circled with canapés and beverages, keeping the guests believing that it was in fact a birthday party they were attending. Everyone had just assumed I was with Alex and maintaining the ploy so my absence had not attracted any suspicion either.
The plan dictated that when Alex arrived, and the big surprise was yelled out by family and friends, James would direct Alex to the guest bedroom where he would change while Hannah, Taylah and Sydney would usher the guest into the Wedding Tent as I had affectionately named it. Alex would still be clueless, wondering where I was and why I was insisting he wear a tux to his own birthday. James would concoct some bullshit story about me having some work emergency and possibly about me being a moody bitch—the latter part of the bullshit story not necessarily a lie—and even if Alex did suspect something it would be minutes before he would find out, so no big deal. In the meantime our wonderful family and friends would ooh and aah over the beautiful place settings and be let in on the secret that they were actually there for our wedding. Alex walks in, after donning his tux. Surprise. And then I walk down the aisle. A flawless plan one would have thought. What could go wrong, right?
At seven-o-five pm I was a flutter of excited energy, the guests were anxiously awaiting the birthday boy and Sydney was up in alternate guest bedroom with me. Troy and Dan were still yet to show, but they had the tendency to lose track of time, especially when they were together, so no search party had been sent out just yet. Alex was obviously running late, but as I had insisted he didn’t arrive till seven, I figured he was being considerate to my request so allowing an additional five minutes.
At seven-fifteen pm there was a nervous milling around down stairs. Every noise that was potentially larger than a cat was met with a ‘battle stations’ war cry where people dove haphazardly for hiding places in preparation. A few false starts and a few giggles later, there was still no Alex. Dan and Troy were also still AWOL and while everyone waited patiently I was starting to get a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.
At seven-thirty pm with an increasingly restless crowd, James started dialing the mobile phones of Troy, Dan and Alex. One by one they diverted to voice mail. No clue as to where more than half the members of Power Station had disappeared to and I was officially worried. Where the hell were they? Why wasn’t anyone picking up their phones?
At seven-forty-five pm I had dissolved into a complete neurotic mess. “Where are they?” I paced nervously the length of the floor as James continued his endless loop of hitting redial.
“Lexi, I honestly don’t know. They should be here by now.” Every single time, his call was met with no answer.
“I swear if they aren’t laying in a ditch somewhere I’m going to kill them.” Irrationality had now taken up permanent residence as I struggled to maintain perspective. It was only forty-five minutes late. There could be a logical explanation. Whatever it was, it had better be fucking excellent.
“What do you want me to tell everyone?” A concerned Hannah entered the room, a cooing Noah in her arms.
“Tell them there has been a slight hiccup and Alex is on his way.” I refused to believe anything to the contrary.
“OK,” Hannah hesitated before disappearing back do
wnstairs.
I sat nervously on the bed as I watched the minutes tick over, willing Alex to call or walk through the door. James slid his phone into his pocket, abandoning any further attempts. He too had given up hope of making contact. Something had to be wrong. Three separate phones and not one connection. My stomach lunged as James knelt gently in front of me. “He’ll be OK Lexi. I promise you. He will be OK.”
I swallowed as I checked my phone. The innocuous display proudly announced that it was now eight-fifteen. It had been over an hour since his expected arrival. There had been no contact from Alex, Dan or Troy since earlier today and it was time to make an announcement. I owed our guests at the very least an explanation, and then I could change out of my beautiful, white wedding gown and go in search of my missing husband, tearing the island of Manhattan apart if I needed to.
There was no easy way to walk into your own ‘surprise’ wedding where the groom was MIA, but it didn’t feel right asking anyone else to deal with it. No, me and my big fucking bright ideas needed to front up and come clean to our friends and family who had gathered, patiently waiting for the guest of honor who had still yet to show.
I took a deep breath as I walked down the curved staircase that led me from the bedrooms to the main living area of James and Hannah’s house. With one hand on the bannister and the other carefully hitching up the hem of my dress, I tentatively walked so as not to step on the delicate and beautiful lace.
As I entered the lounge room where most of the crowd had gathered, the noisy mutterings of conversations abruptly ceased. Every pair of eyes turned to face me in stunned silence. Gasps and wide-eyed stares were exchanged as I settled into the middle of the room. There was no need to call everyone to attention, you could have dropped a pin and it would have echoed around the room.
“Hi everyone.” Really? I’m starting with ‘hi everyone’? I mentally shrugged as I continued. “Obviously as you can see, I’m wearing a wedding dress. I know how disappointed some of you had been that you weren’t able to share our first wedding with us. I had hoped to remedy that today by inviting you all here under the guise of Alex’s birthday, when what you are really here for is our second wedding.” Cue more open-mouthed gasps, blank stares and silence.
