Married This Christmas

by Tracey Pedersen

  “You may kiss the bride.”

  “Have you guys talked to the DJ tonight?” a guest in a bright red dress asked hours later as music pumped through the restaurant.

  Jordan took a sip of her drink before answering. “Not tonight, but I’ve met him before.”

  Lori glanced up. “Where did you meet him? We booked him for today from a nightclub in the city.”

  “Yep, that’s where I met him.” Jordan took another sip of her wine as the three women watched Fish working.

  The woman in red spoke again, “He doesn’t seem too bright.”

  “Why do you say that?” Lori asked.

  “I tried to chat to him, but he didn’t seem to know much about world events. I thought he looked old enough to know a little more, especially about stuff in the news.”

  “He’s nearly thirty.” The words were out before Lori could stop herself. She stammered as she continued, “At least, I think that’s what he said.”

  “Knowing about world events doesn’t make you smart.” Jordan frowned at the woman beside her. “All it means is that you keep up with the news. Maybe he doesn’t go online much. He’s a DJ in a nightclub, so he wouldn’t be tucked up at home watching the nightly news, would he?”

  “I guess not. I just… oh, I don’t know. I expected some conversation. He kept asking if I wanted to request a song, like he had nothing else to talk about. I dropped a few hints about us getting together, but he said he was already interested in someone. I pushed him for details, but he just went back to asking if I wanted him to play something.”

  Lori swallowed before she allowed herself to speak. A sudden rush of heat radiated up her spine, but she kept her anger in check. “I’ve spent quite a bit of time with him while organising the playlists for today, and I think he’s sweet.”

  “Me too.” Jordan put her glass on a nearby table and turned to face the two women. “I don’t discount what you’ve said,” she made eye contact with the woman whose name she didn’t know. “Fish is an acquired taste. He’s a good man, though, and he deserves someone who loves him just like he is—not someone who thinks he should seem smarter or otherwise different. If he’s already interested in someone, good luck to her. I guess that’s just not you.” She smiled at Lori and left them to return to Luke at their own table. Instead of letting her sit down, he grabbed her hand and pulled her onto the dance floor.

  “What’s wrong with her?” the woman in red asked, hurt. “All I said was he didn’t seem too bright.”

  Fish’s voice boomed through the speakers and all heads turned toward him. “Ladies and gentlemen, the bride and groom have decided to break tradition and open their gifts with all of you in attendance. They’d like to thank you personally, so please join them at the gift table.”

  A small cheer went up from the guests and most moved in the direction of the table, which was now piled high with gifts. Fish tucked the microphone into its holder and looked up to find Lori staring at him. He grinned at her and she mouthed, “Remember our deal,” in his direction.

  He laughed and turned away to set up the next session of music, and she went to help Rachel and Henry keep track of the gifts, which she’d read was part of being a good bridesmaid in a wedding magazine. Armed with a pen and clipboard, Lori was determined the newly married couple could keep track of who to send thank you notes to.

  As Rachel and Henry opened their gifts one by one, the assembled guests oohed and aahed in all the right places. Lori carefully wrote the name of the gift giver into each wedding card and tucked the card into the gift. On her clipboard, she wrote the information again, just to be safe.

  When Rachel pulled Lori’s gift toward her, she turned to face her friend. “You didn’t have to do this. You’ve done so much, already.”

  “As if I wasn’t going to buy my best friend a wedding present! Don’t worry, it’s not super exciting. Open it.” They smiled at each other. Surrounded by all these guests, the two friends shared a moment of understanding. No matter what was in the box, Rachel knew she would love it. She tore open the paper and picked up the box.

  From the corner of her eye, Lori saw Fish standing at the edge of the crowd, his interest in the gift obvious, if only to her.

  The picture on the side of the box showed a beautiful glass vase, decorated in vivid blues and greens. Fish smirked and Lori looked directly at him as he mouthed, “You lose.”

  She rolled her eyes and turned her attention to Rachel. “You have to open it, Rach.”

  “Oh.” Rachel opened the top of the box and reached in to pull out a small stack of paper. “It’s not a vase?” Lori’s eyes flitted to Fish and she smirked at his look of surprise. Rachel lifted a small card above her head and said, “Awesome! Six months’ worth of movie tickets! Thank you so much—this is an awesome gift!” She hugged her friend and Henry kissed her cheek.

  “Great idea. Thanks, Lori.”

  “You’re welcome.” She smiled and wrote her name and gift on the clipboard, lips twitching as she fought the urge to look for Fish. When she finally looked up as the paper came off the next gift, his eyes bored into hers. She smiled serenely and turned her attention to the rest of the gifts.

  She was certain from the look on his face that she’d won the bet.

  Two hours later, the wedding reception was winding down. Rachel sat on Henry’s lap at the bridal table, and most of the guests were on the dance floor.

  “How are you feeling, Mrs. Baxter?”

  “I’m feeling pretty pleased with myself. Today was lovely.”

  “We managed to pull it off, didn’t we?”

  “We did. I can hardly believe it.”

  “It’ll be time to go soon.”

  “I know.” Rachel looked around the room at the twinkling lights, the beautiful flowers, and all their friends enjoying themselves on the dance floor. “It will be hard to leave,” she sighed.

  “I have plenty in store for you. The night is still young.”

  She laughed and snuggled closer. “It definitely is. Fish said he will announce when it’s time to go.”

  “The music was awesome tonight. Lori did well.”

  “Did you know she’s been trying to get him to ask her out and he keeps refusing?”

  “Really? Why?”

  “He says he’s sworn off women.”

  Henry watched Fish set up the next song before glancing at Lori, who packed their gifts into a box and folded the lid closed. She’d promised to take them home tonight and babysit them until after the honeymoon. “They’d make a cute couple.”

  “I know! She says they have some kind of bet going, so maybe after tonight their relationship will change.”

  “It’s Christmas. People shouldn’t be alone at Christmas.”

  “I can’t decide if Christmas hookups are romantic or not.”

  “I wasn’t talking about a hook up. If she’s as keen as she says, she’ll have to tell him she’s serious. That must be why he’s sworn off women: too many bad experiences.”

  “Well, don’t you sound like you know exactly what you’re talking about?”

  “Not really. How about we give him a little break and make Lori invite him to dance?”

  “Oh, we’re matchmaking now?”

  “Well, I’ve had some success in the past.” He nodded to a couple engrossed in each other at the edge of the dance floor. “Rodney looks happy with Reggie tonight.”

  “He does. If sitting on your lap in a wedding dress didn’t remind me of how much I love you, seeing Rodney with his entire life turned around would do it. Your small gesture of giving him somewhere to stay has led to enormous changes for him.” She rested her head on his shoulder. “You did a good thing.”

  “I owed him. It got me thinking about all the people who don’t get that chance, though.”

  “There are plenty who just want an opportunity.”

  “So, what do you think of creating opportunities for them?”

  “How do you mean? Like a charity?�
�

  “I’m not sure, yet. The idea has been rolling around my head this week—some kind of way to help people get off the streets. It’s still percolating in my brain right now, but I might ask Rodney to head it up if we do it.”

  “What a great idea! Make sure he wants to take it on, though. I watch him, sometimes, when you’re talking to him, and I can tell he feels like he should repay your kindness somehow. You could talk him into anything.”

  Henry grinned. “I love you.”

  “And I love you.” She lifted her head from his shoulder, “Now, dance with me, my husband. It’s nearly time to go.”

  “I have a gift for you, first.”

  “Ooh, what is it?”

  “Well, would you like to know where we’re going for our honeymoon?”

  Rachel squealed, “Yes! I’m dying to know.”

  “I’m taking you to Vegas, baby!”

  “No way! That’s perfect. Lori helped me pack; I’m definitely prepared for a hot Vegas honeymoon.” She clapped her hands.

  “It’s hot in August—not so much at Christmas.”

  “Oh my gosh!” Her face fell as she stood. “I didn’t pack my passport, and now I’ll need some warm clothes. We’ll have to go home first.”

  “Nope, we took care of that.” He reached into his jacket and, to Rachel’s surprise, pulled out her travel wallet. “I have your passport and Lori has a bag of your warm things in her car.”

  “You two are sneaky.”

  “We are. We’re leaving on a flight tomorrow night. I didn’t want to have to get up early the day after our wedding.”

  Rachel took his face in her hands. “I’m on board with that. I expect we’ll be having a late night tonight.”

  “That is my plan.”

  “You tricked me!”

  “Why do you say that?”

  Fish rolled his eyes and ran his hand through his blond hair. His tall frame towered above her slight one as she looked up at him with a glimmer in her eye. “Oh, come on. You must have known what I got them. There’s absolutely no chance we could have given them the same gift and that both of us packed it in a bigger box. This was no accident.”

  “It’s fate, Fish. Accept it and take me out on a date.” She pouted, but it was hard to keep up the look, as she wanted to laugh out loud at the suspicious expression on his face. “Don’t be a sore loser; we had a deal. I’m sure Rachel and Henry could spare a double pass to the movies from their stash, if you need somewhere to take me.” She took a step away, but Fish held onto her arm.

  “How did you know?”

  “I didn’t,” she lied.

  “So, it’s a coincidence?”

  “Must be.” Her eyes danced as she took in his confusion.

  He can’t really believe me, can he?

  “Wow. I’m amazed.”

  She giggled as his innocent look told her he did believe. Now she felt mean for making him fall for her joke.

  “Dance with me and I’ll make you forget all about it.” She tugged on his sleeve and took a step toward the dance floor. “I know Henry told you to take a break.”

  “I should get a glass of water and get back to the equipment.”

  “Are you thirsty?” Lori watched his eyes and saw the guilty expression settle onto his features. “No? Let’s dance for one song and then you can hide behind the security of your little table.” She pulled him toward the crowd of people moving to the music and then turned to wrap her hands around his neck. “There, that’s not so bad, is it?”

  “Why are you still chasing after me?”

  “Chasing makes it sound worse than it is.”

  “Sorry. You know what I mean. You should have lost interest, by now.”

  “Is that what normally happens?”

  “Yep. If I spend more than a day or two with someone, they usually run in the other direction. If they stick around, I always find out there was a specific reason.”

  “Like the woman who tried to convince you she was pregnant with your baby?”

  “Just like that.”

  “I’m not like them.”

  “I’m beginning to work that out.”

  “You’ll have even more of a chance to get to know me now that we’re going on a date.” She laughed and he finally smiled. His shoulders relaxed and his grip tightened on her waist. “That’s better. I promise I don’t bite. What’s the record for someone losing interest?” Lori tried to make conversation, but she worried this was the wrong one to have with him.

  “Oh, that’s easy. Jordan ditched me after coffee the morning after.”

  “Jordan? The woman in the green dress dancing with the blonde guy?”

  “That’s the one. Years ago, we had a big New Year’s and woke up in bed together. Neither of us can remember a single moment. The morning after lasted all of fifteen minutes, and she insisted on driving me to my car and then escaping to have lunch with her friends.”

  “Is it weird to see her here?”

  “Not at all. I did the music for their double wedding with their friends. It was clear we weren’t meant for each other from that first morning. As I said, we don’t remember a thing from that night. In theory, we might not have even slept together.”

  “That’s still kind of awkward.”

  “Nah. I suspect she didn’t think I was very smart—nothing new there—and then I insulted her coffee-making skills.” He glanced at Jordan laughing and twirling with Luke. “She’s right where she’s meant to be.”

  “I talked to her earlier. Several of us girls were discussing the hot DJ.” Fish rolled his eyes as she continued, “She said, and I quote, ‘He deserves to be with someone who loves him just like he is.’”

  “Did she?” Fish grinned and turned them sideways, so they couldn’t see Luke and Jordan. “What did the committee think of that?”

  “One of us was offended, but I thought she was onto something.”

  “You like me the way I am?”

  “I do.”

  “You don’t think I’m a bit dumb?”

  “No! Of course not!”

  Fish laughed. “We definitely need to spend more time together, then.”

  “That’s what I’d like. I’ve been trying to get you to go out with me for months, and honestly, I’m starting to appear desperate.”

  “I’m sorry. You just caught me at a bad time. Let me make it up to you by taking you out tomorrow and honouring our bet. I’ll get you that brunch you’ve been craving.”

  “That’s perfect! I have tomorrow off.”

  “Awesome. That will give you time to work out how to confess how you managed to get them the same present as me.”

  Chapter 9

  Fish pulled out Lori’s chair and waited until she sat before moving to his own chair beside her. He handed her a menu and chose to ignore her leg pressed against his.

  “What’s good here?” she asked.

  “Can’t go past the pizza, in my opinion, even though it’s early.” He put his menu aside and glanced at the seat opposite. Their table was round, but it still felt too close for a first date. That thought fled, however, as she placed her hand on his thigh; when he glanced at her face, her wicked grin alerted him to her teasing. “Are you trying to freak me out?”

  “No, I was just having fun. I’m sorry.” She started to remove her hand, but he covered it with his own.

  “Leave it there.”

  She smiled and returned her eyes to her menu. “Should we share a pizza?”

  “That sounds good. Do you have a preference?”

  “No. Order your favourite. I like everything.”

  After Fish placed their order, Lori quickly turned the conversation to him. “So, you’ve barely dated in the past two years, you live with your mum, and if you’re not working at the club, you’re doing extra gigs on your days off.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “When do you ever relax, William?”

  “William? You’re not going with Fish?”

  “I like William much be
tter.”

  “Suit yourself. To answer your question, I don’t have much time to myself,” he admitted. “Between Mum and work, my life is busy.”

  Between Mum and work?

  Before Lori could ask another question, their pizza arrived. Silence followed as they each bit into the hot, gooey goodness. Fish ate with a thoughtful expression, and when he finished his mouthful, he looked at Lori.

  “It’s my turn to ask a few questions.”

  “Go for it.”

  “How long have you worked at your job?”

  “A couple of years. As you saw, Mr. Lorimor gives me a lot of responsibility.”

  “That’s good. It doesn’t get boring, working in an office?”

  “Not at all. As I said, new things happen all the time, so it keeps me on my toes. I thought it might be boring, since he specialises in business law and not criminal law, but I like it.”

  “At the wedding, Henry said in his speech that he met Rachel when you guys were all skydiving. You really went skydiving?”

  “Yep. Rachel and I were both single and we decided to do something fun every month. We went hiking, had a weekend exploring Tasmania, and I organised for us to jump out of a tiny plane. I don’t know what I was thinking.” She laughed and took another slice of pizza.

  “Was it scary?”

  “Terrifying. It was the only time I’ll ever do it.”

  “What other things did you do?”

  “We didn’t have any other outings after that day. She was all about Henry after that, and I met someone, so I was busy for a while.”

  “It didn’t work out?”

  “No, we drifted apart. I haven’t dated anyone in months.”

  “And now you’ve set your sights on me.” It wasn’t a question.

  Lori frowned and pushed her plate away. “Where are these questions leading? I haven’t set my sights on you, as you so graciously put it. I like you, William. I never like anyone that quickly, so I thought it was a sign, and then you showed up at my office, so I took it as another sign that I was meant to see if this could go somewhere. If you want to call it quits and not see me again, just say so. I don’t need a sympathy date.”