Diana didn’t say anything. Not that she had time. He was already three couples ahead of her. She followed the last of the party. Her duties didn’t take her into the reception hall, but she looked in to make sure every detail was as Jennifer had requested. Scott was shaking hands with the guests, but when she looked at him, his eyes found hers as surely as if they were destined to connect. Diana wanted to look away, knew she should, but she didn’t. She withstood his stare, trying to prove that she wasn’t avoiding him. The war of their eyes only lasted a few seconds before Scott had to give his attention to the next guest in line. To Diana it felt like it lasted an eon.
“You’ve done a wonderful job,” Jennifer’s mother whispered when the reception line broke up and the group headed for the dais and the sit-down meal. “Jennifer looks so happy.”
“She does,” Diana agreed honestly, passing a tissue to Mrs. Embry.
“The flowers, the dresses, the hall.” Mrs. Embry dabbed her teary eyes and shook her head as if it was difficult to take it all in. “The church was just lovely.”
Diana handed the woman a second tissue.
“Thank you,” she said. “I never would have believed Jennifer could look so beautiful.”
“She’s a beautiful woman,” Diana said.
“I know.” Her mother patted her hand. “But today...today...”
“She glows,” Diana finished for her. Taking Mrs. Embry’s arm, she led her to the head table. Scott, who was already seated, got up and met them. “Would you help her to her seat?” Diana asked.
Mrs. Embry was not an old woman. She was overcome with emotion. Jennifer was her only daughter and today she gave her away. Their lives would never be the same.
“Mrs. Embry,” Diana called. “It’s not goodbye. Your lives will be different and better. In a year or so there may be grandchildren.”
Mrs. Embry looked at her for a long time. Then she hugged Diana. “You’re a treasure,” she said. “You’ll be just as beautiful a bride someday as Jennifer is today.”
The compliment should have made her feel good, but the fact that Scott heard it made Diana cringe inwardly. She thanked Mrs. Embry and took a step back. Scott accompanied her to her seat. Diana turned and headed for the bride and groom, who were standing at the end of the dais and waiting for everyone to be seated so they could have the full attention of the room.
“Jennifer, Bill,” she said with a smile. “It was beautiful. I hope you liked it.”
“Everything about it,” Jennifer said, her smile wide and happy. “Thank you so much.”
“I just wanted to say congratulations again, and since my duties are over, I’m heading home for a relaxing day. Tomorrow, I start again.”
“You’re not leaving?” Diana didn’t have to turn around to know Scott’s voice. Ignoring him, she addressed the bride and groom. “Enjoy your honeymoon and have a wonderful life.”
Jennifer leaned forward and hugged her. Bill kissed her on the cheek, and the couple moved away to visit their other guests.
“I wore this tuxedo just for you. Look how well it fits.”
Diana was reminded of the episode in the dressing room. Her face flamed. She could feel the heat rising and her ears burned as hot as the sun.
“Good night, Scott.” Pivoting, she headed for the exit and her SUV.
“You know if you leave, I’ll just come by your house tonight,” he said.
“I don’t have to answer the door.”
“I’ll make a racket and wake up your neighbors.”
Diana stopped walking and turned to face him. “You live in Princeton, right?”
He nodded.
“Then you know how responsive the police force is. I’ll call them and tell them you’re being a public nuisance.”
“I’ll tell them you’re only acting like this because I kissed you.”
Diana felt a lightning bolt jolt her. “What is it you want?” she asked. “We already know we’re not compatible. The computer made a mistake. Why can’t we just go our separate ways. Unless...unless this constant meeting has another purpose.”
“You wound me,” Scott said, placing a hand over his heart. “Seriously, the office has nothing to do with this.”
“Then what does?”
“I’m intrigued,” he said.
“You said that before—and believe me, I don’t take it as a compliment.”
“It is. I think we should talk. We could start with a dance.”
Diana glanced at the empty bandstand. “The band won’t begin until after the meal. The combo will play soft music to accompany the food, but the dancing begins in another ballroom.”
“So you’ll have to stay. You must be hungry. I’m sure Jennifer and Bill included you in the seating arrangement.”
In fact, it was traditional to allow the wedding planner a seat at a back table. As Diana had coordinated the placing of seating cards on the tables, she knew exactly where her seat was.
“You must be hungry,” Scott said. “Last night you had little to eat, and I’m sure you were at Jennifer’s before breakfast. Have you had more than a cup of coffee today?”
She stared at him a moment, then shook her head.
“Stay. Give me one dance, and I won’t bother you again today.”
“Is that a promise?”
He raised his right hand in the Boy Scout salute. “I promise.”
At that moment a procession of waiters came from several doors and made a ceremony of placing food in front of the guests. The smell of an old-fashioned kitchen reminded her that she was hungry. Scott was right about her food intake. Leaving without eating was running away from him, and she didn’t want him to know how much he controlled her actions.
“I will have something to eat.”
“And a dance,” he prompted.
“One dance,” she said. “One only.”
His smile broadened, satisfied that he’d won the argument. Taking her arms impulsively, he pulled her forward and dropped a kiss on her cheek. Heat poured through her. Scott started back to his seat. Diana checked to see if anyone had seen the unexpected gesture. It was not protocol for the wedding planner to act as a guest or to be kissed on the floor of the dining room. But then Scott either didn’t know the rules or didn’t care to follow them. Jennifer and Bill were totally engrossed in each other. No one at the head of the room noticed. However, several people at the table close to where they stood smiled at her.
She nodded to them and quickly walked to her assigned seat. What was she going to do now? She couldn’t possibly eat anything and keep it down. Thoughts of Scott pressing his body against hers in a dance was too much to think about. She was sure if he took her in his arms in the broad light of a beautiful sunny afternoon, she could not say she had no feelings for this man without the world around her knowing she was lying.
Chapter 4
Relax, Diana told herself as Scott whirled her about the room. She stepped on his foot once. He didn’t say a word about it, didn’t tell her to relax, didn’t tell her he wouldn’t bite, only adjusted his arms and pulled her close to him. Diana smelled his cologne. It was mildly sweet with an undercurrent of something that seemed to come from him. She liked it.
His head touched hers, and she closed her eyes. Her body relaxed and found the perfect combination of movement. She felt everything about him, the fabric of his starched shirt, the heat of his body beneath it, his long legs, and the sureness of his hands as they held her.
Being there was like a dream, and for a moment Diana allowed herself to fantasize that she was the bride dancing her first dance with her newly minted husband. Her feet seemed to glide across the floor.
The music stopped and she opened her eyes.
“That was beautiful,” Jennifer said. “I’ve never seen anyone danc
e the way you two did. You make a beautiful couple.”
Diana’s skin burned. She hadn’t realized she was being watched. Apparently, the entire room was staring at them. What had she done? She knew. She’d fallen into the dream and let everything she felt pour through the dance. Hadn’t she thought about that? She knew it was what many professional dancers wanted, strove to show on the stage. They wanted to show their feelings through the steps. Diana hadn’t.
“Thank you,” Scott said, saving her from having to answer anything. “I think we need a drink now.”
He led her away from the prying eyes and toward the bar. The conversations resumed behind her, and she was certain that people had stopped staring at her.
“I apologize,” Diana told Scott. “I never meant to embarrass you.”
“You’ve danced before,” he stated, apparently out of context. “And I’m not embarrassed.”
Diana had taken lessons and learned many dances that couples used for their first dance. Often she needed to school the groom on a few steps before he took his bride onto the dance floor. At the time she viewed it as part of her full service to the wedding program. Today she regretted ever knowing a single step. Or the feel of Scott’s arms holding her, almost cradling her as they traversed the floor.
“But people thought we were...” She stopped, unwilling to finish the thought.
“Thought we were what?” Scott asked.
“It doesn’t matter,” she said. “Whatever they thought, we’re not.”
“Are you sure? I can’t imagine you’ve danced that way before.”
“I may have.” She took affront to his assumption, but knew she had never lost herself in a man’s arms on a public dance floor.
“Then why did the color creep under your skin when Jennifer said we looked good together?”
“I’m not used to being the center of attention,” she said.
“Then maybe we should get you a drink.” They joined the line for the bar.
“And I’m not exactly your type.”
“Type?” His brows rose. “I have a type?”
“You did once, and that usually doesn’t change with age.” She looked at the ceiling for a moment. Then back at him. “At college you majored in female anatomy. I don’t believe I ever saw you with the same coed twice. Except for that one woman who followed you everywhere. What was her name?”
“Linda.”
“Linda.” Diana snapped her fingers as if the name had just come to her.
Scott listened carefully, saying nothing and only changing his expression to take a bite of his dinner or to drink from his glass.
“Your type was the leggy, long-haired, big-boobed girls. While most of us wore jeans and T-shirts to class, your women sported short skirts. The shorter, the better.”
Scott nodded. “I don’t believe I ever saw you with anyone. You were always alone. Neither male nor female satisfied your friendship.”
“You’re wrong. I had friends.”
“Really?” His brows rose.
“Who?”
“I doubt you would know any of them. They didn’t run in the same circles as you and your friends. They were the nerds.”
“Everybody at Princeton was a nerd. It’s an admission requirement.”
Diana moved a step up and Scott bumped into her. “You consider yourself a nerd?”
“On good days. What do you consider me?”
“BMOC, hands down.”
Scott smiled. He’d been a campus sensation and he knew it. Even if he hadn’t been on the swim team, where every woman in school could ogle his phenomenal body, he would have been known for his devastating good looks. Diana was no exception. She’d sit in the back at swim meets and watch him, too. Then she’d leave just before he got out of the pool and started talking to the many women calling his name from the gallery.
They’d reached the bar. “White wine and a glass of ice water,” he ordered. The bartender filled the order, and Scott handed the water to Diana.
“I want the wine,” she said.
Scott took a sip. “I’m not driving. And you are. Wine and cars don’t mix.”
“I hardly think one glass of wine will impair my driving, but I won’t argue.” Diana knew she could handle a glass of wine, but the stress she’d been under the last few days, along with an impromptu trip to Montana and missed hours of sleep, she knew she probably should stick to water. Taking a sip, she looked up and several members of the wedding party heading for them. They acknowledged her and began talking to Scott.
Diana took the opportunity to slip away. Once outside, she practically ran to her van and was out of the driveway before Scott had a chance to stop her retreat. She promised him one dance. Promised and fulfilled. She didn’t need to wait for his friends to criticize her for the past or to gape at how much her appearance had changed. She could say a thing or two about the change in them. And it would be less flattering.
* * *
Scott’s sister’s voice broke the silence as he entered his apartment later that evening. He ran for the phone, grabbing the receiver just as she clicked off. Piper always tried his home number first. He pulled his cell out, ready for it to ring when the light on his answering machine started to glow.
Pressing the button, he listened to Piper’s deep alto tones as she asked about the wedding and if he’d met anyone interesting. Scott smiled at her comment. She was almost as bad as a mother wanting a grandchild. Piper had been married twice, divorced once. While she had no children yet, she wanted them, and each time she called, Scott wondered if she would tell him she was pregnant.
He checked his cell as he listened. It remained silent, but her voice said, “You’re probably still at the reception or you got lucky, so I won’t interrupt you by ringing your cell. Talk to you soon.”
He heard the click when she disconnected. He and Piper were close. They had always been both friends and siblings. She understood him, but he knew the real purpose of her call was to test his attitude. She knows his buddies would rib him for being the last bachelor. He’d avoided the ribbing last night by ditching most of the bachelor party. But he couldn’t skip the wedding or the reception.
They cornered him at the bar and Diana had gotten away. Almost the moment she was out of earshot, the conversation started on him settling down.
Then the matchmaking began. Women didn’t think men tried to set other men up, but they were wrong. Even if men weren’t looking for a long-term relationship, they wanted someone to have fun with. If that fun morphed into a relationship and then into something more, all the better.
“Where’s that woman you were making love to on the dance floor?” asked Dan, a linebacker-size friend who never held his tongue.
“We weren’t doing that,” Scott said, feeling he needed to defend the absent Diana.
The guys laughed.
“She’s a beauty. You could do worse,” Steven put in. “But since she’s gone, the woman I accompanied down the aisle does simultaneous translations. She works at the United Nations.”
“Are you trying to set me up again?”
“You’re not getting any younger,” Steven said.
“I’m thirty-two, not sixty-two.”
“And you fly around the country, not stopping long enough to spend a night in one place.”
“I spend plenty of nights here.”
“Are any of them with her?”
Dan’s question had them all staring at Scott, waiting for an answer. While there was noise in the rest of the room, the small circle where they stood was a bubble of silence.
“Kiss and tell,” Scott finally covered. “You think I should do that?”
“Yeah,” Mike answered.
“We’re no longer in college, guys,” Scott reminded them.
&
nbsp; “College,” Mike said. “Was she...” He stopped. “No...she’s not.” He looked both surprised and incredulous.
“What are you trying to say?” Dan asked.
“Brainiac?” Mike’s eyebrows rose. “Diana 4.0?”
“Who’s Diana 4.0?” Dan asked.
“Tell me that’s not her?” Mike addressed Scott. He looked over his shoulder in the direction Diana had gone.
“That’s her,” Scott said.
“Oh, man.” Mike spun all the way around, giving a hoot and doing a little backward dance. “Whoever would have thought you and Diana 4.0 would have anything in common?”
“I’m lost,” Dan said. “Who is she?”
“She was the brain in college,” Mike explained. “Wow, the difference in appearance is almost indescribable. At school she had all this hair covering her face. Some of the guys on campus called her Cousin Itt.”
Dan and Steven laughed. Scott didn’t.
“Her nose was always in a book and our friend Scott here taunted her to no end. She hated him,” Mike went on. “And you had no love for her, if I remember right.”
“I remember her now. How did you two get together?” Steven asked.
“We’re not together,” Scott denied.
Dan looked at the dance floor. “I think there’s a permanent groove out there where you two danced.”
Scott knew he wasn’t going to be able to explain this or live it down. Even Jennifer had remarked on his behavior on the dance floor with Diana. The problem was he hadn’t been conscious of it while it was happening. If it was just his friends ribbing him, he could endure it, but Jennifer wasn’t part of the group. She was Bill’s wife now, but she didn’t have the same history with them.
“What about Dorothy?” Steven asked.
His Love Match Page 5
