Love Entwined

by M. C. Decker

  “What? You know it’s true,” she exclaimed, draping a bright pink, feather boa around her neck.

  “OK, moving on,” I laughed. “How do these look? Do they make my nose look big?” I asked of the ginormous plastic glasses I’d put on my face.

  “Beautiful as always, darling!”

  Katie and I tried on various accessories from shiny beads to glittery masquerade masks and plastic mustaches. We were giggling so hard at all the photos being printed inside that we didn’t even hear Greg and Bentley enter the booth behind us.

  “Boo!” they shouted in unison, causing us both to jump.

  “Eeeek,” Katie screamed, jumping out of her seat. “Don’t do that again. I almost peed myself and I’m not wearing any underwear under this thing.”

  “You’re not?” Greg said, his eyes bulging out of his head. “I think I need to further inspect this situation,” he added, bending over to grab the hem of Katie’s dress. Bentley and I turned to look at each other with horror written on our faces.

  “What do we do?” I mouthed.

  “I have no idea because they’re blocking our exit,” he responded, sounding a little panicked.

  Katie burst into a fit of laughter. “Would you all calm down! Of course I’m wearing underwear. And, Gregory, stop trying to lift up my skirt. No one wants to see the granny panties that I actually have hiding under here!”

  “Ugh. Way to ruin it for me, Katie,” Greg groaned. “You couldn’t just let me pretend you were going commando under there. That would have been epic.”

  “You know what else would be epic? The groom sleeping alone on his wedding night,” she deadpanned.

  The look on Greg’s face was priceless. “Oh snap! She got you, Gregory!” I giggled, fist bumping my best friend.

  “Something tells me you don’t actually mean that,” Greg said, capturing Katie’s lips.

  “Seriously, you two need to get a room,” Bentley piped in.

  “I think we’re gonna sneak off for a bit. You two cover for us,” Greg said with a wink, picking Katie up and carrying her out of the photo booth.

  “Those two really are perfect for each other,” Bentley said, surprising me.

  “Bentley Roberts, you sound like such a hopeless romantic.”

  “I guess I can be. It’s just nice to see them happy,” he said, placing a top hat on his head.

  “Looks good on you, but I think you should try the cowboy hat on instead,” I suggested.

  “Yeah? Wanna ride a cowboy, huh?” he said, pulling me down onto his lap and placing the cowboy hat on my head.

  The light from the camera’s flash blinked once as Bentley captured my mouth with his.

  I giggled, pulling away from his embrace. If I kept allowing him to kiss me like that I wasn’t sure I’d be able to keep controlling myself around him.

  “That’s hardly what I said and you know it,” I added in mock disgust.

  “I can’t help that my ears only hear what they want to hear,” he shrugged, innocently.

  We spent the next several minutes in the booth making goofy faces as the camera captured every moment of our reunion. I pulled the strip of photos out of the printer and hardly had a chance to look at them before Bentley pulled them from my grip.

  “Can I have those?” he asked.

  “Sure. But why?”

  “It’s not important why. I just want to remember this moment. That’s all. Hopeless romantic—remember?”

  “Right,” I sighed. “We should probably get out of here though. I think there are people waiting to get in here to take their picture for the album.”

  Nearing midnight, the wedding reception was coming to an end.

  “I guess it’s time to say goodbye. I need to see if Katie needs anything,” I said, exiting the photo booth.

  “Meet me at the bottom of the stairs after Greg and Katie leave,” Bentley requested. “I’m not ready to say goodbye to you. Not yet.”

  “Bentley, I can’t. Trust me, I want to, but my heart and my head are in two very different places right now.”

  “Then I’ll see you tomorrow, right? At Greg and Katie’s farewell brunch? They’re supposed to open gifts and then we’re to see them off to Bora Bora. I already told Greg I’d be there. Say you’ll come with me and then we can go grab coffee and talk.”

  “Yeah, I’ll be there. But, I think I should just go home after brunch.”

  “It’s just coffee, Shamrock. Not sex. Although it can be sex if you want it to be.”

  I just stared at him with my mouth agape.

  “Relax, Ireland. I’m not an asshole. I was only kidding. Just coffee—I swear. No funny business.”

  “OK, tomorrow then. Just coffee,” I repeated, before turning to find Katie.

  “Just coffee,” I reminded myself once more.

  I stopped Katie and Greg at the top of the stairs before they headed down to grab the limo.

  “I love you both,” I said, as I gave them both quick hugs.

  “We love you, too. Where’s Bentley,” Katie asked, raising her eyebrow.

  “I don’t know. I left him a few minutes ago on the dance floor and I told him I would see him in the morning at your brunch.”

  “Really?” she questioned

  “Yes, really. What do you think I am? A whore?”

  “Um, do you really want me to answer that?”

  “You’re a bitch,” I quipped.

  “You can’t call me a bitch. It’s my wedding day.”

  “Actually, it’s past midnight so your wedding day is technically over.”

  “Touché. And, for the record, I don’t actually think you’re a whore. I just thought you’d want to spend more time talking with him. That’s all.”

  “We’re going to get coffee in the afternoon. But, enough about me. You two have a honeymoon suite with your name on it. We’ll talk later.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “GO! I’m not telling you again.”

  “Fine, but I need to toss the bouquet. I forgot to do it while we were still inside.”

  The crowd of guests began to gather at the bottom of the stairs with their streamers in hand.

  “OK, I’ll let everyone know. Give me a few minutes to run down the back steps.”

  I made it to the crowd of people and signaled Katie with the go-ahead. Greg made a quick speech thanking everyone for coming as Katie turned around and tossed the bouquet of roses into the crowd below. A few women lunged to catch it, causing it to bounce into the air and land a few feet behind them—right at my feet.

  I looked down at the ground and immediately felt his presence behind me once again.

  “Are you going to pick that up,” he asked, his husky voice sending a chill through my body.

  My alarm buzzed at seven o’clock and I slammed my head against the pillow in frustration. It was far too early, especially for a Sunday. My head was pounding and the sunlight streaming in through the crack in my mini blinds only worsened the already splitting migraine. I needed coffee and I needed it stat. Katie was really going to hear an earful from me for scheduling her damn brunch gathering so early. Who schedules a brunch for eight o’clock in the morning anyways? Isn’t that really just breakfast?

  The eight glasses of champagne I’d drunk during the reception coupled with my fitful sleep had really left me in a bad situation this morning. I tossed and turned for several hours thinking about my last conversation with Bentley as well as what the afternoon had in store for us. I sighed and sat up too quickly. The room started to spin and I quickly rested my head back against the pillow. I’d just close my eyes for a few more minutes.

  “No, I’m not picking that up! Have you lost your damn mind? Katie even agreed with me this morning while we were getting her ready to walk down the aisle. I’m destined to be a cat lady,” I told Bentley.

  “The Cat Lady, huh? I always pictured you as more of a dog girl myself.”

  “Ugh. No dogs. You have to take those out and walk them. Cats j
ust shit in a box.”

  “You really are crazy, Shamrock. I don’t remember this side of you,” he chuckled. “How about you humor me and pick it up anyways before the bunch of wide-eyed, wild chicks come and tackle us. Because this old man left his football playing days behind him at the University of Tennessee over a decade ago,” Bentley added, pointing at the bridesmaids who’d been previously lunging for the bouquet.

  “Fine,” I huffed, bending over to pick up the bouquet of roses. “But, this certainly doesn’t mean anything. I’m definitely not the next girl at this wedding getting married—in fact I’m never setting myself up for that kind of loss.”

  “What does that mean?” he inquired, with concern written all over his face. “When we were younger you were always so excited by the idea of getting married. I remember being so thankful when you finally grew out of the dress-up phase. But, to be honest, after a few months, I actually kind of missed it.”

  I smiled at his admission. “You did, huh? You were always so handsome in that denim vest of yours.”

  “I did look rather dapper, didn’t I?” he answered with a wink. “But, don’t try to schmooze me by evading my question, Ireland. Do you really feel like you’ll never get married? Are you in a relationship right now? I probably should have asked you that before I invited you for coffee tomorrow, huh?”

  “Relax, Bentley. I’m not in a relationship. If you must know, I don’t do relationships. If I don’t set myself up for heartbreak and loss, then I never even have to worry about it.”

  “You’re kidding, right? Surely, you’ve been in dozens of relationships and just haven’t found Mister Right.”

  Shaking my head, “No, I’m not kidding. The last guy that I was in a relationship with was you.”

  “Me?” he questioned with skepticism in his voice. “That was almost two decades ago.”

  “I told you. I don’t do relationships,” I shrugged.

  “I bet I can convince you otherwise,” he said faintly, as thunder rolled in the distance.

  The skies suddenly opened and a warm, summer rain began to fall on us.

  “What did you say? I couldn’t hear you over the thunder,” I lied.

  “It doesn’t matter. You need to get home and into bed anyways. It’s been a long night and morning will be here shortly. Make sure you take a few aspirin and drink a tall glass of water before putting yourself to bed,” he said, taking off his coat and wrapping it around my bare shoulders.

  “Maybe you should come over and tuck me in,” I said, immediately wishing I could take back the words. It wasn’t my intention to lead Bentley on. It was the wedding, the bouquet, the memories, the alcohol—yes, it was all those things—and nothing more, it couldn’t be anything more. Who am I kidding? It’s already a lot more. Even I can’t deny the chemistry between us.

  “Don’t tempt me, Ireland. But, since I’m trying to behave myself, I’m going to put you in a taxi and I’m going to see you first thing in the morning.”

  My phone rang beside me. “Shit, I must have drifted back to sleep,” I said to myself. I saw Bentley’s name flash on the screen. How did he even get my number? He never even asked me for it.

  “Hello,” I answered, groggily.

  “Ireland? Are you OK,” he asked, frantically.

  “Yeah, I’m fine. Why?”

  “Because it’s quarter after eight. You were supposed to be here fifteen minutes ago. Katie is freaking out.”

  “Crap! I woke up at seven, but my head was pounding. I just lay down for another minute and wanted to rest my eyes. I didn’t plan on falling back asleep. Is she mad? Never mind, that’s a stupid question. Of course she’s mad. Fuck, she’s going to kill me. Tell her I’ll be there in twenty minutes. Oh my god, I look like hell.” I rambled, as I heard Bentley laugh on the other end of the phone.

  “Stop laughing at me! This is serious! And, come to think of it, how did you get my number anyways? You never asked me for it and I know Katie wouldn’t dare give it to you without asking me first. Unless that was her way of punishing me for being late!”

  “I’m sorry for laughing at you. I can just imagine that cute, little expression on your face—the same one you used to get when your mom would call you in for dinner. You’d scrunch your face all tight because you wanted to stay out all night and help me with the tree house.”

  “Seriously, I’m not ten anymore, Bentley,” I said, looking in the mirror across from my bed and wincing when I saw the same expression on my face that he’d just described. How can he still know me so well after all these years?

  “Trust me, I’m very well aware that you’re not ten anymore, Ireland. My cock and I both noticed the grown woman that you’ve become.”

  I felt my heart skip a beat at his admission. “I’m hanging up now. I’ll see you shortly, Bentley. And, don’t think I’m letting you get away with you not telling me how you got my number.”

  “I’m counting on it, gorgeous. Drive safe and I’ll see you soon,” he said before disconnecting the line.

  My body was betraying me. Bentley’s husky voice mixed with the fresh scent of the cologne permeating off his coat that I’d brought to bed, had me wanting to pull my trusted vibrator out of the nightstand and pleasure myself. But, I didn’t have another minute to spare. Instead, I ran into the bathroom, hoping I could get away with throwing my hair into a top-knot and spritzing on some perfume.

  “Fuck me! My own reflection is going to haunt my dreams tonight,” I mumbled to myself.

  So much for my wishful thinking. I’d smudged my mascara during the night, leaving me with raccoon eyes and the snarled mess that was my hair was beyond the help of the standard messy bun. I’d even forgotten to remove the gardenia before I’d crawled into bed and that was now smooshed to the side of my head. I guess I was lucky I still wasn’t in my dress.

  Stripping off my pajamas, I hopped into the shower. The water had no chance to even get hot when I turned off the faucet and jumped back out. I looked at my reflection once again and although it wasn’t perfect, it was definitely an improvement.

  I towel dried my thick mane and grabbed an elastic band off the counter to quickly throw my hair up. I dusted on some light powder before running back into the bedroom where I hopped into my favorite pair of floral leggings and matched them with a light pink tunic. Slipping into a pair of ballet flats, I grabbed my purse and keys and exited my apartment. I quickly glanced at my phone and saw it was only twenty after eight. I did good for only five minutes.

  Luckily my car was parked close to my apartment’s main entrance and I didn’t have to walk far. Just rushing to get ready had left me out of breath and thinking about heading back to the gym tomorrow morning. I slid behind the wheel of my cherry red Honda Accord and made the fifteen-minute drive to Greg’s parents’ house. I made sure to put on some mascara and lip gloss while I was stopped at the traffic lights. As I parked the car in the cul-de-sac, I quickly glanced in the rearview mirror to make sure I was presentable.

  “Eh, not exactly the impression I want to give Bentley, but I guess it’ll have to do,” I muttered to myself, grabbing my purse and Bentley’s jacket from the passenger seat.

  Before I even had a chance to make it up the walkway, Katie had opened the front door and was standing on the front porch with hands on her hips.

  “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” I said, without even allowing her the chance to yell at me.

  “Where the hell have you been? I was worried sick. I couldn’t even enjoy my doughnut. And, you know how much I love doughnuts!” she yelled.

  “Yeah, it really looks like I kept you from enjoying your doughnut. The powdered sugar on your lips really tells a different story, though.” I said, raising my eyebrows.

  “Fine! You caught me, but in my defense, I hadn’t had a doughnut in eight months! It still pisses me off that those little bastards are like twelve Weight Watchers points. Do you know how much it killed me not to eat doughnuts before the wedding? I never should’ve boug
ht such a form-fitting dress. Take it from me, when you marry Bentley make sure you get a poofy dress,” she said, licking the remaining powdered sugar from her lips.

  “I think that powdered sugar has gone to your brain. Either that or Greg fucked you stupid last night,” I said. “I’m not marrying anyone—let alone Bentley. Where would you get such an absurd idea?”

  “From Bentley,” she sassed.

  “Wh—What do you mean from Bentley? I asked, wide-eyed.

  “He told me about the bouquet. And about how he made you pick it up.”

  “That’s it? That’s all he told you?”

  “Yes, that’s all I needed to know.”

  “And, you got a marriage proposal out of all that? You know what, I love you, but I can’t handle this nonsense today. Maybe I should just go home and we can talk when you get back from your honeymoon—when your head is back on straight.” Maybe I was being rude, but Katie was seriously acting delusional. Just as I turned around and began to head back to my car, I felt his presence behind me once again. How was he able to do that?

  “You’re leaving before you even come in? What about our plans for coffee?” Bentley asked.

  “She was just grabbing something from the car. Right, Ireland?” Katie said. Even she knew I would never leave her without a proper goodbye.

  “Yeah, I actually left their wedding gift in my trunk,” I answered.

  “Oh, I’ll come help you then,” Bentley said, stepping out onto the front porch in his bare feet. I don’t know how he did it, but even his feet were sexy. And, you know what they say about a man’s feet …

  After nearly four hours of watching Katie and Greg open about every kind of blender, toaster oven, mixer, countertop grill, and slow cooker imaginable, it was time to see them off. Seriously, who knew there were so many types of small kitchen appliances? As long as I had a microwave and Keurig, I was set for life.

  After Katie and Greg loaded their luggage into the back of the taxi and we said our tearful goodbyes, they were off to Bora Bora for the next ten days.

  “Are you going to be OK?” Bentley asked, rubbing circles on my back, as we watched the taxi back out of the driveway.