Playing for Keeps (14 page)

“We still need to decide on the bridesmaid dresses. They take four months to arrive, you know.”

“We don’t have to try on more, do we?” I hoped I didn’t sound too hysterical at the thought.

“I still liked the first one you tried on.” Nell tapped her lip. “Yes, why don’t we just go with that in a nice gold.”

“Was that the one with the short skirt?”

“Quit worrying. You looked fabulous in it.”

Right.

“Gracie, would you take care of ordering them? I’ve been so busy with work and George and everything…”

“Okay.” As if I’d reply in any other way.

“And the caterer called to finalize the menu. Would you mind going over it with her? You’re better with food than I am.”

Deciding on a menu was hardly rocket science. “Sure, I can take care of that.”

“And have you looked over the guest list yet?”

“Not yet.”

“Gra-cie, we need to get going with that.”

I wanted to snap back if that was the case she could do it herself, but I swore I felt my mother’s presence so I just said, “I’ll look at it tonight.”

“Good.” She tore off a piece of bread and dipped it in olive oil.

“Since we’re talking about wedding stuff, I wanted to discuss the flower arrangements.”

“Have you found a good florist?”

“Actually, I was thinking I could do the flowers myself.” I rushed on before she could utter a word. “The florists were really expensive and if I took care of them you’d save a bundle.”

Nell gave me a Madonna smile. “Thanks for offering, Gracie, but you don’t need to go through that trouble. Just pick whatever florist you think is best. I’m sure we can afford it.”

“It’s no trouble—”

“That’s so sweet of you though.” She patted my hand. “About the autumn theme. I was thinking that maybe we should go with something with more pizzazz.”

“More pizzazz?”

“Like a costume ball. I saw it online on a wedding site. It’s all the rage.”

I stared at her, wondering if she were for real or just trying to torment me. Fortunately I didn’t have to answer that question because our food arrived.

She kept up a monologue through the rest of lunch, which at least saved me the effort of being sociable. Most of the stories were about George. I didn’t bother to point out that it was bizarre that a newly affianced woman didn’t mention her betrothed even once. Poor Riley/River. I wondered if he knew he’d been deposed by a mutt.

Nell dropped me off back at the studio, but because I suddenly had more wedding to-do items that needed to be taken care of, I only stopped in to gather my belongings. On my way out, I noticed my dad talking to a tall, older woman in a gi. She was obviously a new student. It was strange that he’d be here when it wasn’t his hour to teach, but I shrugged and headed home. I had things to do.

I bypassed the yard with a furtive glance and raced up the stairs to change. My batman pjs were the perfect wedding planning attire.

Armed with my notes, lists, and spreadsheets, I went downstairs to the kitchen. Imagine my surprise when I found Fawn and Leif sitting at the table, eating triple-decker ham sandwiches.

We all froze. Suddenly it all made sense.

But it also didn’t. “I thought you guys were vegetarian.”

Fawn grinned sheepishly. “Well, yes, but I have such a weakness for ham.”

Leif nodded and took such a big bite his eyes rolled back in his head.

I dropped down into a chair, my world completely blown away. What were they going to tell me next? That they bought a new wardrobe entirely of fur?

Then I had a horrifying thought: what if the ham and bacon was the only reason they’d hung around so long?

First thing tomorrow I was cleaning out the fridge.

“Oh, is that the wedding menu, dear?” Fawn craned her neck to look at the top page on my pile.

“Yeah. Nell just gave it to me today so I could look it over.”

“Mm-hmm.” She turned it so she could read it more easily. After she finished she handed it back to me. “You know what this needs?”

I was afraid to ask. “What?”

“A spit-roasted pig.”

“A what?”

“A spit-roasted pig.”

Leif nodded enthusiastically.

“Maybe we could even do a whole luau motif—dancers in grass skirts, poi, and the whole works.” She frowned. “On second thought, that may be overkill.”

“Whatever you say,” I agreed quickly, wondering how Nell would feel about hula dancers at her wedding.

“But we should definitely do the roasted pig. In fact, why don’t Leif and I take care of it. It’ll be our contribution to the festivities.”

What could I say to that? “Should I still make sure there’s tofu on the menu?”

“Soy protein is great for your heart.”

“Right.” Tofu it was.

“But I didn’t see any red meat on the list. You might ask the caterer about adding some. Filet mignon is delicious, isn’t it, honey?”

Leif rubbed his hands and smacked his lips together.

“I’ll see what the caterer says.” I didn’t even want to add up how much filet mignon for the masses would cost. “She’s a little bit of a prima donna. It might be hard to get her to change the menu.”

“Be firm, dear. Don’t let people walk all over you.”

Right. I should stop letting them do that.

“Excuse me.” I picked up the receiver, gathered the menu, and headed for the living room. The call to the caterer seemed like one that required some privacy.

The caterer gave me the creeps even over the phone. I finalized the menu, telling her we didn’t need so many vegan dishes, and got off the phone as quickly as I could. I was cultivating a colossal headache going through the guest list when I heard a knock.

Riley/River flashed his too perfect teeth at me. “Hi Grace. How’s it going?”

“Okay.” I was too stunned to see him to make a sarcastic remark. “Haven’t seen you in a while.”

“I know.” He had the grace to wince. “I’m sorry.”

“I just figured you’d come to visit your parents more often.” Hint hint.

“About my parents. I’m sorry they’re still here. I thought they’d be on their way by now.”

I just stared at him.

“Right.” He raked his coiffed hair and dropped his gaze. Whatever he saw didn’t please him because he frowned.

I looked down to see what he was looking at. Oh—the guest list. “Nell asked me to take a look at it.”

“I thought we already discussed it.” He picked it up. “Who are all these people?”

“Beats me. I figured they were friends or colleagues of yours and Nell’s.”

He scowled at me. “I thought we were having a small wedding.”

“Hey”—I held my hands out—“I’m just a lackey. Take it up with Nell.”

“I would if I ever saw her,” he grumbled, handing the list back to me.

Uh-oh. Trouble in paradise. “She’s been really busy.”

“With what?” Riley’s tone dripped with bitterness. “She’s been making you do all the wedding planning, hasn’t she?”

“Uh—”

“It’s that damn dog. Since she’s bought him she never has time for me.”

Riley was jealous. Justifiably so, since that mutt
was
taking all of Nell’s focus.

Still, I felt compelled to defend my sister. “I’m sure it’s not so bad.”

“We haven’t had sex in three weeks.”

Oo-kay. I jumped up from the couch. I didn’t need to know that. “Well, it’s been good seeing you.”

He dropped onto the spot I’d vacated, his head in his hands. “I just don’t know what to do. Is it temporary? Pressure from having to plan the wedding?”

Highly doubtful since I was the one doing all the work. I awkwardly patted him on the shoulder. “I’m sure she’ll get over this.”

He clutched my hand like it was his lifeline. “I know you and I have never been close, but I’d like that to change.”

“Um. Sure?”

“I know how much effort you’re putting into helping Nell make arrangements, and I’d like to offer you my help.” He reminded me of George with his earnest
please please please
look.

“Okay.”

He immediately brightened. “Great. How about if I handle getting a DJ and a photographer. I can buy the liquor, too. A friend of mine works for a wine distributor. I’ll come over tomorrow evening to help with the guest list.”

“Excuse me.”

Riley and I looked up to find Chloe arching her brow at us from the entryway.

I blushed and tried to pull my hand away but Riley held fast. Who knew he was so strong under his preppy clothes?

He beamed at Clo. “Your sister just made me a happy man.”

Chloe smirked. “Does Nell know?”

I rolled my eyes and jerked my hand free. “Have you put the laundry away yet?”

“Gotta go do homework.” She grabbed her bag and took the stairs two at a time. A second later I heard her door slam shut.

At least she was out of my hair for the evening. Now if only I could get rid of Riley.

As if on cue, Riley stood. “I guess I’ll get going. Thanks again, Grace. You’re great.”

There
was
a God. I walked him to the door, grabbed a pint of ice cream, and barricaded myself in my room for the night.

Chapter Eleven

At first you are like a maiden, so the enemy opens his door; then you are like a rabbit on the loose, so the enemy cannot keep you out.

— Sun Tzu, The Art of War

The next evening was a nightmare come to life.

I sat at the kitchen table, my fingers speared through my hair, my thumbs pressing my eyelids to keep them from twitching.

“I’m just saying I don’t know who this person is.” Riley looked like I felt. His tie was skewed, his shirt looked like he slept in it, and his hair was the least picture perfect I’d ever seen.

Nell scowled. “We met them at your firm’s Christmas party last year. I thought you wanted to invite your coworkers.”

I wasn’t sure why Nell showed up except to make my life more hellish than it was. The only bright side was if they kept this up it was doubtful they’d make it to the altar.

George scratched at the door, whimpering. I tried not to think about the damage he was doing outside.

“Gracie!”

I winced. “Yes, Daddy?”

“Where’s the goddamn smoked ham? I thought I told you to buy some this time.”

I glanced at Fawn and Leif, also sitting at the table. Leif smiled at me guiltily. Fawn was too engrossed in the menu to look up. “Sorry, Daddy. I must have forgotten.” Better that than to tell him there was a vegetarian pork fiend in the house.

“Damn it, Grace.” He slammed a cupboard shut. “This never happened when your mother was still with us.”

My left eyelid spasmed.

“I don’t understand the logic behind this menu.” Fawn waved it in front of my face. “There are too many green foods on it. It won’t be esthetically pleasing.”

“Nell asked her for vegetarian selections.”

“But this is overboard,” she declared indignantly. “But don’t worry. I’ll take care of it.”

Riley shuffled through the papers in front of him. “Why do we need to invite so many people anyway?”

“You’re the one who wanted to invite your whole goddamn firm,” Nell snapped.

I winced and shot a furtive glance at Fawn and Leif. But they were busy discussing the menu so they didn’t notice their future daughter-in-law’s language.

“I didn’t want to invite the whole firm.” Riley pushed the spreadsheets away. “I just wanted to marry you.”

Oh, that was sweet. I looked at Riley/River in a new light.

Nell didn’t though. “Well, if it’s so much trouble maybe you should reconsider.”

“I don’t want to reconsider. I want
you
. I don’t care about this”—he waved his hand over the mess of paperwork on the table—“this stuff.”

I blinked. I could tell by the way the vein in his forehead throbbed that he really meant it.

Riley stepped up in my estimation. Anyone who wanted Nell that desperately couldn’t be bad. Foolish, but not bad.

The refrigerator door slammed shut. “God
damn
, Gracie. A man should expect to find food in his own house.” Daddy muttered a few more curses under his breath, grabbed his keys off the counter, and strode out the back door.

I wanted to ask him where he was going but I couldn’t muster up the energy. I only felt relief that I wouldn’t have to deal with him at the same time as the rest of this menagerie.

“Gracie, what did you decide on the florist?”

I frowned at Nell. “The florist?”

“Hell.” She threw the papers she held in her hand down on the table. “I thought you were going to make a decision. I need to figure that in the budget.”

My heart caught in my throat. “I’m still considering doing them myself.”

She sighed. “I thought we went over this.”

“Yes, but—”

“Just pick an effing florist, okay?”

“Fine.” I was picking me.

In fact, I was picking me
now
. What was I doing here, going insane, when I could be with Pete going
insane
?

“Enough.” I slammed my fist down on the table. Everyone stopped and goggled at me.

I stood up. “I’ve had enough of this. You two—” I pointed at Nell and Riley. “You have a week to get the guest list together. I’ll handle the invitations like I promised.”

They nodded in polite shock.

“You two—” I pointed at Fawn and Leif. He smiled at my fondly. I had the feeling he was proud of me for standing up for myself. “The next time all the ham’s gone, I’m not taking the fall for it.”

“We just—” Whatever Fawn was going to say was cut off by Leif’s restraining hand.

“I’m outta here. See you in the morning.” My purse was conveniently by the front door.

“But Gracie,” Nell called. “We have a ton of work to do.”

“I’ve been working my butt off for weeks and I’m taking a night off.” I walked out the door and let it slam shut.

It felt
good
.

My euphoria lasted until I had the key in the ignition. That’s when sheer panic froze me.

I hadn’t heard from Pete in forever. What if I’d blown it? What if I went over there and he turned me away? Worse, what if he had another woman over?