“It’s a bit too soon for that, but I wouldn’t be opposed to receiving a little robin’s-egg-blue box next Christmas,” Brooklyn said, blushing. She glanced at her diamond Cartier watch. “It’s showtime. Mr. Vance should be waiting for me at the piano. I’ll see you out there.”
“Okay, and thanks again, Brooklyn, for everything.”
“Don’t mention it. That’s what friends are for.”
Brooklyn exited the suite and returned to the sanctuary. She stood at the edge of the doorway and peered out. The wooden pews were now filled with guests. Mr. Vance was playing an old spiritual song as the minister, Michael and Landis made their way to the altar.
A knot formed in Brooklyn’s throat the moment she laid eyes on Landis. The black tuxedo he wore accentuated his broad shoulders and fit his body as if it were tailor-made. He was the epitome of style and class. His face was smoothly shaven, and his hair was cut to perfection. Brooklyn’s insides warmed at the mere sight of him. She was totally in love with Landis and was excited about their future together.
Suddenly, the fear that had struck Pepper had reared its ugly head again, but this time it was aimed at Brooklyn. She began doubting whether or not what she and Landis shared was a real connection or just hedonistic sex.
Stop it right now! she admonished herself. As she was thinking, she heard Mr. Vance play her cue to approach the piano.
Brooklyn took a deep breath, arched her back and strutted over to the antique mahogany piano. She could feel all eyes on her. She glanced over at Landis, and he was staring at her with a dreamy expression. Watching the love in his eyes was all Brooklyn needed to ease her doubts.
Mr. Vance played “Ave Maria” while she belted out the lyrics in Italian, giving a stellar performance. Once the song was over, everyone clapped as if they were at an intimate concert. Brooklyn bowed her head and walked down the side aisle to the back of the church where the rest of the wedding party waited.
The bridesmaids and groomsmen were paired off and ready to make their entrance. Once they heard Mr. Vance play a rendition of the Carpenters’ wedding song, they began marching toward the altar.
Brooklyn was the maid of honor and didn’t have an escort. As she made her way down the aisle, she kept her eyes on Landis. It was as if she were marching straight to him.
After the flower girl did her job of tossing the lavender rose petals along the runner, Mr. Vance switched songs and began playing the “Wedding March.” Everyone stood and welcomed the bride as she waltzed in on her father’s arm.
The ceremony was short and sweet, with the minister reading from 1 Corinthians and then asking the “do you take” questions. Once the vows were recited, unity candle lit and rings exchanged, a small boy dressed in a tiny tuxedo came ambling down the aisle with an old-fashioned broom that was decorated with lavender and white bows. He put the broom near the altar and returned to his seat.
“Pepper and Michael have decided to jump the broom in celebration of their ancestors,” the minister announced.
Michael took hold of Pepper’s hand. Pepper gathered her dress and they jumped the broom into the land of holy matrimony. The guests cheered and clapped.
“I now pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. Redmond!”
Michael engulfed his bride in a tender hug and they kissed passionately before making their way to the narthex to receive their guests.
Chapter 16
The exclusive country club was ensconced on an incline overlooking the Bridgehampton Golf Club. Pepper’s parents had been members for over twenty years and had reserved the private ballroom for their only daughter. Uniformed servers passed hors d’oeuvres—stuffed shrimp, crab cakes, prosciutto and melon—and flutes of champagne during the cocktail hour before the sit-down dinner was served. The Grecian-style ballroom had multitiered crystal chandeliers, Roman columns, a black-and-white-checkered floor and an antique mural painted on one of the walls. A quartet was playing standard jazz songs as the guests mingled.
“Well, I did it! I’s married now!” Pepper exclaimed, holding out her ring finger and mimicking a character from the The Color Purple.
Brooklyn took her hand and inspected the diamond-encrusted wedding band. “Wow! This is a beauty. Michael did good.”
“He sure did. My husband is the best!”
“Listen to you, using the H-word,” Brooklyn teased.
“One day, hopefully soon, you’ll be married to Landis and saying, my husband this and my husband that. It surely sounds better than saying, my boyfriend.”
Brooklyn tapped her flute against Pepper’s. “I’ll drink to that.” Brooklyn glanced around the room. “Where are the guys? I haven’t seen much of Landis since we arrived.”
“Michael and the groomsmen are on the patio smoking cigars.”
“In this weather?”
“Yep. Michael wanted to have a moment with the guys before dinner and before the after-dinner festivities began. After we have our first dance, cut the cake and toss the bouquet and garter, Michael and I are out of here. We’re heading back to the city and spending the night in the honeymoon suite at the Waldorf. In the morning, we’re catching a flight to Bora-Bora. I didn’t know where we were going on our honeymoon until a few minutes ago. Michael wanted to surprise me.”
“That’s a wonderful surprise.” Brooklyn gave her friend a big hug. “Pepper, I am so happy for you.”
“Don’t worry, you’ll have your big day soon enough.”
As they were talking, Brooklyn’s cell phone buzzed. She opened her beaded evening bag, took out the phone and looked at the screen. The screen indicated that she had a new text message.
“My mom is trying to get my attention. Excuse me. Let me see what she wants,” Pepper said.
“Okay.”
Brooklyn swiped the phone’s screen to reveal the message, which read:
Hey, Landis, got your text regarding a new development regarding Brooklyn. Call me when you get a chance so we can discuss. Malcolm
She was confused. Why was her manager sending a text referring to her as Landis? Brooklyn examined the phone, turning it over and looking closely at the front and back. The phone had scratches and wasn’t as new and shiny as hers.
“This is Landis’s phone,” she muttered. Our phones fell off the nightstand and I must have accidently picked up his phone instead of mine.
Brooklyn reread the message. Clearly, Landis was in talks with her manager that she knew nothing about. A sick feeling washed over Brooklyn. Landis has been keeping a secret and playing me this entire time! She immediately thought about her ex-boyfriend who had tried to use her to advance his career. Her temper began rising with anger replacing her feelings of disappointment.
“Hey, babe,” Landis said, approaching her.
“Don’t ‘hey, babe’ me. What the fuck is this?” she asked, shoving the phone into his hands.
Landis took the phone. “Uh…I can explain.”
“Save it, Landis. Obviously, you were sexing me up for your own agenda, whatever that is!”
“No, it’s not like that at all…. I was in talks with Malcolm months ago.”
“Yeah, right. Obviously, this is your phone. You must have mine.”
Landis opened his jacket, reached into the inside pocket and took out the phone. He looked at it before handing the phone over to Brooklyn. “This is a total misunderstanding. Please let me explain.”
“You’ve had plenty of time to mention that you’re in talks with my manager, but you chose not to mention whatever you and Malcolm have been discussing.”
“Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen, can you please take your seats? Dinner will be served shortly,” Pepper’s mother announced.
Brooklyn turned on her heels and stormed off before Landis had a chance to explain. She had been down this road before, and his deceptio
n was hurtful and unacceptable.
During dinner, the wedding party sat together at an elongated table in the front of the room. Brooklyn tried to mask her disappointment and look happy for Pepper’s sake, but inside, she was dying. The man she had given herself to physically and emotionally had betrayed her trust. Landis had had ample opportunity to tell Brooklyn the truth, but he had chosen to remain silent. In her opinion, he was no better than her ex.
After dinner, Brooklyn steered clear of Landis as Pepper and Michael danced the tango for their first dance and cut the multitiered red-velvet cake. She watched her friends bask in marital bliss, and a tear escaped her eye. She was crying for their happiness and the demise of her future with Landis. Brooklyn had mistakenly let her guard down and trusted that Landis had genuine feelings for her, but she had been sorely mistaken.
“Okay, can I have all my single ladies over here? It’s time to toss the bouquet,” Pepper said, waving a dozen white roses as Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” played in the background.
A group of women quickly formed near Pepper, waving their arms, eager to catch the bouquet. Brooklyn stood back and watched them; she didn’t budge.
Pepper looked across the room. “Hey, Brooklyn, get over here!”
Brooklyn shook her head no.
“Come on. Don’t be shy. I’m not throwing this bouquet until you get in line.”
Brooklyn didn’t want to cause a scene. She walked slowly over to where the other women were and stood there, stiff as a statue.
“On the count of three,” Pepper announced. “One…two…three.”
Pepper turned her back, glanced over her shoulder and threw the flowers directly at Brooklyn.
Brooklyn caught the bouquet, but wanted to throw the flowers back at her friend and walk out. But she didn’t. The last thing she wanted to do was ruin Pepper’s big day. She walked back to her chair with the heavy burden of disappointment weighing her down.
Once the women returned to their seats, an attendant brought a chair to the center of the room for Pepper. Michael came and knelt in front of his bride. He proceeded to lift her dress and remove her blue garter with his teeth.
“Okay, single guys, it’s garter time,” Michael said, waving the garter in the air.
Brooklyn watched a group of men, including Landis, come front and center.
Michael counted down to three and tossed the garter. Landis reached up and plucked the lace band out of the air.
“Oh…I think we have our next newlyweds. Brooklyn, can you come here, please?” Pepper asked excitedly.
Brooklyn was mortified. She didn’t want to be anywhere near Landis. Unfortunately, Pepper was unaware of what had transpired between them.
“Come on, Brooklyn,” Pepper said, waving her friend to the front.
Brooklyn rose and walked slowly toward Landis. When she reached him, she stood there with her gaze cast to the floor, avoiding eye contact.
“Brooklyn, please have a seat so that Landis can put the garter on your leg,” Pepper instructed.
Brooklyn took a deep breath. She didn’t want Landis to touch her, but there was no way she could get out of this tradition, so she reluctantly sat down.
Landis knelt in front of her, put the garter in his mouth and slowly eased the sexy material up her leg, all the while staring at her face.
Brooklyn couldn’t deny the sensual sensation running up her spine. He’s just trying to entice you. Get a grip! she told herself.
The moment the garter was firmly on her thigh, Brooklyn stood up, smiled politely and excused herself. She rushed into the restroom, locked herself in a stall and let out a flood of tears. She cried for Landis’s deception and the future they would never have.
Chapter 17
Landis returned from the reception alone. He had searched for Brooklyn before he left the country club, but hadn’t found her. When he opened the door to their room, it was dark. He flicked on the lights. The room was empty. Although Landis wanted to see Brooklyn and explain himself, he knew that she wasn’t going to return. The way she had avoided his eyes while he put the garter on her thigh told him that she was pissed.
He closed the door and spotted a note on the nightstand. Landis made his way over, sat on the bed and picked up the piece of paper. He unfolded the note and read it silently.
Landis, you have broken my heart. I thought we had a future together, but I see that you were only interested in me for business reasons. I’ll never understand why you didn’t tell me about your involvement with Malcolm. In any event, it’s over between us. And you can forget about any future dealings with my manager.
B.
Landis crumpled the note in his fist and threw it across the room. He couldn’t believe the sudden turn of events. He looked down at the tousled bed linens and flashed back to earlier that day when he and Brooklyn had made exquisite love.
Suddenly, he felt sick to his stomach at the thought of losing the love of his life. His pulse began racing as panic set in at the possibility that this could be the untimely end of their relationship. He slumped down on the bed and could feel his underarms beginning to perspire. His nerves were getting the best of him. Landis knew that he had to get a grip—and quick—before Brooklyn walked out of his life forever.
He took the phone out of his jacket pocket and called Brooklyn. The line rang and rang before going to voice mail.
“Brooklyn, I know you’re upset, but please call me back so I can explain.”
He disconnected the call and put his head in his hands. Landis was at a loss. He didn’t know what to do. He started to call Malcolm, but it was late. Landis lay across the bed and closed his eyes. He tried to sleep, but was too wound up. Landis lay awake until the sun began peeking through the blinds. He reached for his cell phone, hit redial and called Brooklyn again, and again his call went to her voice mail.
“Brooklyn, baby, please call me back. This is a total misunderstanding. I would never use our relationship for my own agenda. Call me…please!”
Landis wasn’t going to sit back and wait for her to return his call. He needed to act fast if he wanted to salvage their relationship. His next call was to Brooklyn’s manager.
“Hello?” Malcolm answered in a groggy voice.
“Hey, man, I’m sorry for calling you so early, but I need you to talk to Brooklyn and explain our business dealings,” Landis said in a rush.
“What’s to explain? I told you that she’s not discussing business until after the holidays.”
Landis went on to tell Malcolm the recent turn of events. He started with the fact that he and Brooklyn had gone to the same college. However, he didn’t know the shy girl in his statistics class had lost weight, changed her name and was now a superstar.
“Can I be honest with you, Malcolm?”
“Of course.”
“I’m in love with Brooklyn and will gladly remove my agency from the list of contenders.”
“Really? Are you serious? You do know that the agency that’s selected to handle her endorsement deals stands to make a hefty commission.”
“I don’t care about the money. I care about Brooklyn. I should have told her the minute we reconnected that my agency was vying for her business. I feel like I’ve misled her, and that was not my intention. Please, can you call her and explain the truth?”
“Man, sounds like you’ve got it bad.”
Landis exhaled into the phone. “She’s my soul mate. I can’t go through this life without her.”
“Wow! That’s heavy. I’ll call Brooklyn and tell her the whole story, but I can’t make any promises.”
“Thanks, Malcolm.”
Landis disconnected the call, tossed the phone on the covers. He thought for a moment. He wasn’t going to leave his fate in the hands of Brooklyn’s manager. He reached for the p
hone and dialed Brooklyn’s number. It went straight to voice mail again.
“Brooklyn, if you’re willing to give me another chance, meet me at Rockefeller Center on New Year’s Eve in front of the Rock Center Café. I’ll be there at eleven-thirty waiting…I love you.”
Landis closed his eyes and said a silent prayer. This was the season for miracles, and he only hoped that his one wish—Brooklyn’s forgiveness—came true.
Chapter 18
The night of the reception, Brooklyn had cried her eyes out while hiding in the ladies’ room. After she shed the last tear, she exited the stall, cleaned the smudged makeup from around her eyes, applied some eye drops, reapplied her makeup, put on a brave face and went to find Pepper. Brooklyn had come out of the restroom just in the nick of time; Pepper and Michael were heading toward the door on their way out.
“Have a great honeymoon,” Brooklyn had said, giving her friend a tight hug.
“Thanks. You should go find Landis and enjoy the rest of the evening. There’s plenty of champagne left,” Pepper said, still beaming from the day’s events.
“I’m a bit tired. I think I’m going to call it a night.”
“Don’t be silly. Just because Michael and I are leaving doesn’t mean you guys can’t stay and party like rock stars.”
Brooklyn was dying to tell Pepper the truth as to why Landis had befriended her so fast, but she wasn’t going to ruin Pepper’s special day.
“Okay, I’ll stay,” Brooklyn said, only to appease her friend.
“Have fun! We’re off.” Pepper kissed Brooklyn on the cheek before dashing out the door with her groom.
Once Pepper and Michael’s car had driven off, Brooklyn retrieved her coat from the coatroom, called her bodyguard and had him bring her limousine around. She went back to the house, quickly packed and wrote Landis a goodbye note. Brooklyn wanted to get as far away from Landis as possible. There was no way that she was going to stay in the same house, let alone the same room, with Landis after he had deceived her.
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