Karen’s car was sitting in the parking lot and I smiled, glad that she was already home.
I rang the bell and Karen answered, pulling me into the apartment and hugging me, “Rachel, you remember Clara?”
“Of course I do, you forgot that we’re friends?” What’s all this about?
“So, what’s the surprise?” I asked.
Karen gave Clara a sly look and then told me excitedly, “Clara’s decided to move in with me and be my new roommate.”
What?! I already knew that! I’m puzzled and asked, “That’s the big surprise?”
Karen and Clara exchanged looks for a moment before they both burst into giggles. “No,” they say in unison.
“I’m going to design your wedding dress!” Clara tells me.
I’m completely blown away. “Wow! That is a surprise indeed!” I hug both of them, and we do a little happy dance. That was on my to-do list, but I hadn’t even started to scout for dresses yet.
Clara has just finished her design studies and she’s a great designer. I had seen some of her creations. They were absolutely stunning. I mean STUNNING.
Unfortunately, she hasn’t been able to land a designer job so far. She wants to move to New York City in the future, because that’s where the designer scene is. She told me about her journey and attempt to break into the design industry and her struggles.
Currently, she was marking time working as a personal-shopper and style guide in an upscale department store.
“Look at these,” she tells me, handing me some sketches of wedding dresses she’s already drawn. I’m excited as I take them. She has such a good taste, and because we know each other, she has captured exactly what would suit me well.
“Clara, these are amazing!” I flipped through the pages, pulling out the ones that caught my eye. “This one is perfect! I love it! Please say I can have that one!”
Clara laughed, and I showed her the drawing that I liked most. She asked several questions, where I didn’t quite understand the reason, but I answered them anyways. Once she had finished questioning me, she drew another dress with and a few slight changes, and I grew even more excited.
I held the drawing of the perfect wedding dress! It was a long A-line dress. It had lace straps above a bustier-like top that laced up the back. The adjustable bodice would enhance my slim waist, and allow room to breathe as well.
Little floral ornaments and seed pearls made a waterfall appearance over the top of the bodice and draping down the left side. The full skirt flowed along the ground like a princess dress.
It was simple, yet more elegant than anything else I could ever hope to find. The understated elegance of the dress, the classic lines and smooth fall of the skirt was stunning. We decided upon a champagne-crème color rather than the traditional white. That stark white always seemed to wash me out with my light hair and fair skin. But the crème coloring was perfect. It would give my skin a nice healthy tan look, and was the perfect background for my blond hair.
I was so excited and I couldn’t wait to tell Peter about everything. “What happens next?” I asked Clara as she started putting her drawings away.
“Well, I should have a ‘draft’ version of the dress ready in about two weeks.”
“Draft?” I asked.
“Yeah, sorry. I’ll make the dress out of a cheap cotton fabric first, just to make sure everything fits correctly. Once we’ve got all the quirks worked out, we’ll choose the satin for the real thing.”
“Gosh, I didn’t realize there was so much involved in making a wedding dress.”
“There’s not if you go to one of those shops where they pre-make the same dress in a variety of sizes. This dress is going to be specially made just for you!”
“I can’t wait to see it!”
She took my measurements and Karen and I talked about mundane things for a few more minutes before I realized the time and said I needed to head home. I hugged Clara and Karen, “Thank you so much for thinking of this. I can’t wait to tell Peter!”
“Well, don’t tell him too much. You want him to be surprised, don’t you?” Karen gave me a conspiratorial wink.
That’s perfect! I’ll get to tease him for the next few months! “I hadn’t even thought of that. Thanks!”
I left the apartment and headed home, my thoughts rejoicing that I could mark another item off my to-do list. I couldn’t believe I was actually going to be married in a hand-made, one-of-a-kind, designer dress made just for me! I felt so blessed and couldn’t wait to share everything with Peter. Well, almost everything! Some things would be better seen firsthand!
Chapter 9 - Peter
Earlier that same afternoon.
While Rachel was working in the office next door to mine and trying not to let her curiosity about Karen’s surprise get to her, I was trying to figure out a way to deal with the “Ed problem.”
Rachel had thanked me for helping her out Sunday afternoon, but I had been secretly relieved when the man hadn’t called my bluff. What if he had? What would you have done then?
The uncertainty of my position and authority over the situation had me slightly scared. What if he did try to make trouble for at the wedding? Rachel would be devastated! First Lara, and now this! I needed to do something, but wasn’t sure what my options were.
Seeing Rachel busy at work, I gave her a smile as I closed my office door and sat back down at my desk. Dialing my lawyer, I drummed my fingers on the desktop while his secretary connected us.
“Peter? Good to hear from you. How’s the golf game?” Bill Stephenson asked.
“Good. How’s your new baby doing?”
“Good. I never thought I’d say this, but I can’t wait to get home each night and hold him. Go figure.” Bill chuckled at himself on the other end of the line. “So, what’s up?”
I took a breath and then started to explain about Ed. “The man’s a little shady. No, correct that – he’s a lot shady.”
“Do you know anything about the man as far as what he’s been up to since he walked out on Rachel and her mom?”
“No,” I explained, “and that’s probably what has my alarm ringing the loudest. To my knowledge, he never once tried to contact Rachel after he left. Ed spun a very pretty tale about being run off by her mom, and how he was kept from seeing his little girl, but frankly – I didn’t buy a word of it.”
“What was Rachel’s take on him?”
“She’s not buying it either.” Not at all!
Bill just had to give me reassurance that we didn’t have problems with Ed in the future. Rachel deserved all the happiness I could provide for her, and that included a worry-free wedding.
I marveled at how my priorities had changed over the past few months. My prior relationships had all been good in the beginning, even the one with Lara. But none of them had been meaningful enough to make me willing to put aside everything else. I loved Rachel more than anyone else in the world and would do anything to make sure she was happy and well-cared for. I couldn’t stand to see her sad or worried.
I grinned as I recalled how shocked my secretary had been when I told her that anytime Rachel called or needed to talk to me, she was to interrupt me – no matter who I was with, or talking to. I think she’d been secretly pleased as well!
Now I would put everything down, including leaving a meeting with an important client if Rachel needed me. Not that this had happened, but I often thought that this love I had for her was so special and I relished each opportunity to make her smile.
This was something very new to me, but my biggest concern at any time of the day or night was to protect Rachel and make her happy. I had never had an urge to do so for any of my previous girlfriends. That’s because those relationships had been more about your own pleasure and needs, rather than theirs! The little voice inside my head was correct. I really did care more about Rachel’s needs than my own. Is that the true definition of love? Whatever it is, I like it and I will do whatever it takes to protect i
t! Even if it means dealing with her “father.”
I was determined to solve the “Ed problem” for her. If I had my way, neither of us would ever have to deal with that man again.
“I was hoping you could meet me for drinks after work and we could discuss this further.”
“That sounds fine. I’m getting ready to head over to the courthouse, but I could meet you around 6 p.m.?” Bill offered.
“Great. See you then.” I hung up the phone and then turned my attention back to the work sitting on my desk. If there was something else to be done about Ed, Bill would identify it and I’d see it carried out.
***
“Peter, I’m sorry, but there’s not much else I can offer you right now,” Bill told me.
We had met for drinks at a local pub and I had filled him in on everything that had transpired, including Ed’s verbal threat.
“Until he actually crosses the line with physical violence, or a much stronger threat in a public place, he hasn’t broken any laws. A verbal threat to ‘ruin your wedding’ doesn’t have any meat to it.”
I sat back in my chair and took another sip of my drink. “Perhaps he’ll simply disappear.”
Bill laughed, “Probably not, but you can always hope. He doesn’t seem like the type of person who’s up for an open fight. If he does act on his verbal threat, it will most likely be covert. My advice is to be a little more vigilant in your security measures and leave things alone for now.”
I nodded, “Okay….but”
“In the meantime, why don’t I draft a ‘take-a-hike’ letter? It won’t be anything formal by legal standards, but if he shows his face again, you can serve it to him. It will spell out in great detail the consequences that will be imposed upon him if he persists in bothering you or Rachel.”
“Like?” I asked, wondering what Bill had in mind.
“Like a restraining order. If he shows up again, after you’ve basically told him to leave Rachel and yourself alone, that’s harassment. Once a restraining order is in place, the next violation will get him arrested.”
I nodded my head, liking the fact that I could possibly stop him from acting upon his threats if he showed up and started verbally harassing Rachel again. “That sounds good. Does that include phone calls and such?”
“Anything that you or Rachel considers harassment qualifies. If she doesn’t want him to contact her, and she tells him that, future communication initiated by him is crossing the line.”
“Thanks, Bill. You’ve given me some things to think about. Go ahead and draft up that letter. Hopefully, we won’t need it, but I don’t have a lot of confidence that we’ve heard the last from Ed.”
Chapter 10 - Rachel
A few days after I met with Karen and Clara, I found myself standing in front of my closet and the open suitcase sitting on the bed, nervously packing and repacking my belongings.
“Rachel, aren’t you finished yet? The cab will be here shortly to take us to the airport.”
I looked at Peter and asked, “Do you think this dress is going to be okay if we go out to dinner with your parents?” I was holding up a navy blue sheath dress I had purchased over a year ago off a clearance rack, but had never had an occasion to wear it.
Peter walked over to me and pulled me into this strong chest for a hug, “What are you so nervous about?”
I looked up at him in amazement. What am I worried about? How about the fact that your stepmother owns and is the editor for one of the premier fashion magazines! “Your parents…”
Peter shushed me, “…will love you just as you are.”
I held up the dress again, “But do you think this dress…”
“Rachel, wear what you’re comfortable with, darling. It’s not like we’re going visit the president.”
I gave him a shocked glance. Was that even an option? Oh God, what am I getting myself into!
He must have seen my expression because he quickly put a hand on my shoulder and said, “That was a joke Rachel. Relax. My father will love you, and Sara - his second wife, is the sweetest person I know. Apart from you of course.”
He gave me a wicked smile and then pulled me into his arms for a big kiss. He didn’t ease into the kiss, but devoured my lips, nipping at my bottom lip and then swiping it with his tongue before delving inside the warmth of my mouth and overwhelming my senses.
I tried to hold myself back. We were leaving for the airport within the hour and I hadn’t even finished packing yet, but resisting was futile. Peter had a way of making every thought flee my brain when he set his mind to it.
When I went to wrap my arms around his shoulders, he instead, picked me up and tossed me backwards onto the bed, barely missing the open suitcase.
“Peter!” I protested.
Peter followed me down upon the bed, covering my body with his own before inserting one muscled thigh between my legs and capturing my mouth once more. I gave in for several minutes, but when I felt him pulling my shirt from the waistband of my pants, I needed to halt things right now. I was too nervous.
“Peter! We can’t do this now!”
Peter leaned his forehead against my own for a moment, and then kissed my nose, “Why not? You are so sexy.”
I threw him an indignant glance. “Because I need to finish packing…”
“Rachel, calm down. I just wanted to take your mind off things for a moment or two.”
I laughed up at him, “Well, you certainly did that. But now, you need to get off me and let me finish packing.” I was already dressed for the flight and I didn’t want these clothes to be all rumpled. “I want to make a good impression on your parents.”
Peter just laughed down at me, “You will darling, don’t worry.” He planted another big kiss upon my lips before levering himself from the bed and then helping me roll out as well.
I straightened my blouse, tucking it in and running a hand down my hair. When I saw him watching me, I shook my head at him, which caused him to grin at me. He has no idea how nervous I am.
Bending down, I retrieved the fallen dress and then looked at him once more. I’ve asked Peter a million times over the last few days about what to wear, but being a guy, he just shrugged it off and laughed when I got irritated. Seeing him watching me with amusement lurking in his eyes, I realized I was going to get no help from that quarter.
“Maybe I should take the black dress instead,” I commented, more to myself than Peter. I pulled it from the closet and held both dresses, trying to decide between the two.
“Rachel, pack them both. Again, I want you to be comfortable. Now, finish up and then holler at me and I’ll come get your suitcase and take it down.”
I nodded my head as he walked out of the bedroom. It was so easy for him, he already knew these people. He was comfortable in their world. But this is not my world and I just hope they’ll like me.
***
The plane ride was uneventful, which was nice, but didn’t help lessen my anxiety one bit. Peter had booked seats in first class, and I was amazed at the comfort and service differences.
The three-hour flight included lunch, served on glass plates with real silverware. Having only traveled in coach in the past, I vowed to always travel first class from there on. Lucky for me Peter likes to travel in style as well!
Even though there was a movie shown, my mind kept wandering to what would happen once we landed in New York. Peter could tell I was worrying, and after the lunch dishes were carted off, he took my hand closest to him and started massaging it. “You need to quit worrying.”
I bit my lip as I nodded, closing my eyes as the tension began to leave my body. Peter’s hands were working magic on my own, and as they worked their way up to my elbow, I found myself biting my lip again. God, that feels so good!
Peter chuckled next to me before saying, “It’s a good thing you’re not a cat.”
Without opening my eyes, I whispered, “Why’s that?”
“They’d hear you purring in the cockpit.�
�
My eyes popped open and then I saw his teasing grin, “I wasn’t making any noise.”
“I’m just teasing you.” He let go of my hand and then leaned down and kissed me, “Everything’s going to be fine. You’ll see.”
I returned his kiss, willing to go along with his prediction and hoping that he was right.
Chapter 11 - Rachel
The plane landed and we collected our luggage. Peter had told his dad that we’d grab a cab from the airport since the parking situation was such a nightmare. His parents lived in a penthouse in the middle of the city, and I couldn’t stop gawking at everything around me as we made our way to their home.
Peter paid the cab driver, and then smiled at me, “Shall we?”
I nodded my head, my stomach turning over as my nervousness took center stage. Peter nodded to the bellman as we entered the impressive building, led me to the elevator and pushed the button for the top floor.
The foyer was luxurious and only served to fuel my anxiety. The marble floors, and floor to ceiling mirrors in the elevator had me swallowing nervously.
“Relax,” Peter commanded me.
I smiled at him and tried my best. The elevator arrived at the top floor and the doors opened to reveal his parents standing there waiting for us.
Peter smiled down at me and then put his hand on my lower back and escorted me from the elevator car. His stepmother came hurrying towards me, embracing me in an enthusiastic hug and chattering up a storm.
“Hello Rachel, I’m Sara. I’m so glad to meet you.”
She continued to chatter away, not pausing for even one second. She told me a lot of things, most of which I couldn’t even begin to take in. “I’m so happy that Peter found you... Can’t wait for the wedding... We have so much planning to do… I hope we’ll become good friends... Have you decided on a decorator yet?”
The questions and comments kept coming, all while she held me at arms’ length. I looked over her shoulder and could see Peter and his father, Gordon, exchange a short hug of greeting.
Falling for Him 5 (Rachel and Peter in Love) Page 4
