Three Weddings and a Dress (42 page)

“Do you have any more files I need to update?” Gerard stood with his sisters.

“Why don’t I walk you girls out, you never know who may be lurking in the street.” Conner laid his cloth down and held an arm out for each of them.

Ari burrowed her brow, what was Conner talking about? They lived in a safe neighborhood. As safe as anyone could be in the city, she thought. Puzzled she watched him hustle the two young women out, with a tossed comment over his shoulder to leave the dishes.

Gerard looked as confused as she felt. Finally, he turned to look at her, and gave her inquiring expression.

She didn’t understand, then she remembered. The file. “It’s in my room, come on.”

When he just stood at the table, she realized he wasn’t about to enter her room. A plan had formed out of nowhere. Suddenly she wanted him to see Bella. The gown must be sending her vibes. Trying not to feel like a crazy person, she went back and grasped his elbow.

“I want to show you the inspiration for my designs.”

He didn’t budge. “The dress you were wearing the day we met. I’ve seen it. I need to hurry. Please get the file.”

Since the others had left, his manner had turned almost hostile as if he’d rather be in the pits of hell than alone with her. Could Conner be right? Was he afraid to be alone with her?

“One little look won’t take long and I want to show you what I’m working on.”

“Fine. Make it fast.”

She felt his gaze on her as she led the way to her room. When she entered, she flipped on the overhead light and turned her head to watch both Bella and Gerard. The dress stand swayed, Bella’s beads gave a glimmer and a shiver.

Even though she’d known Bella had wanted him in the room, to actually see them together, gave her tummy a flip. Gerard blinked then he stared at the white gown, now smooth and free of any movement.

He didn’t acknowledge he’d seen anything, but Ari knew he had. His expression of surprise had given him away.
 

“Nice dress.” He shifted his stance. “Now what did you want to show me?”

Ari faced him and grabbed a hunk of tee shirt in each fist. She stood on tiptoes and pulled him into her. Two seconds before her lips captured his, his eyes widened in shock.

The Star-Spangled Banner danced over her. Rockets’ red glare and tremors chased down her spine. She pulled away only slightly, to run her tongue over her tingling lips.

The stunned expression on his face told her he’d experienced the same.

“Let’s try that again,” she said. “In case you don’t understand what I want to show you.”

Dear Diary;

The Kiss

My bride pulled Gerard back to her and they kissed again. When his arms finally wrapped around her back my beads rippled in delight.

Now I would have my day. I couldn’t contain my excitement as the two continued to kiss. Then he pulled away, my hem crinkled in trepidation.

“Arabella. I don’t have time for this.” His hands were now on her upper arms.

My Ari held her ground. “I damn well don’t have time for this either. Do you think I wanted to freakin’ fall in love?”

The anger in her voice surprised not only me, but Gerard too. He raised a brow, but didn’t step away. This I took as a good sign.

“So why did you? It’s not like we’ve been dating. In fact we haven’t even gone on a date or been alone together.”

“We were at the ball park.”

“Oh yeah. And there wasn’t a dozen little league tykes around at all. Why me?”

Ari swallowed and I could see the glisten of tears brimming in her eyes. “I don’t know. I didn’t exactly choose you. Bella did.”

Gerard looked over her shoulder at me, concerned I suspect, of Ari’s sanity. I decided to let him know Ari wasn’t crazy.

I concentrated with all my might. A bit of a sway one way, then the other. After a millisecond, I had my mannequin swinging as a chapel train would from a breeze through an open window.
  

He dropped his hands from her arms and stepped around Ari. He stared at me, my satin and lace felt warm all over. This was my bride’s, groom.

He swung back to demand, “Did you see that?”

“Bella is magical.”

“You said she was a Design by Heidi. I know she claims her creations are magical only when they find their soul mate.” His look ping-ponged from Ari to me. “Let me get this straight, you are Bella’s soul mate? So what does that make me?”

Ari’s shoulders lifted in a shrug. “My groom.”

“Oh no. I don’t think so. I hardly know you.”

“Do you think I want this? My dream has finally come true. My designs ready for the world to see. The last thing I needed was to fall in love.” Her shoulders slumped. Emotion caused her words to come so softly I had to strain to hear. “I love you, Gerard. We both design, our work compliments each other. We both love movies, watching the kids play ball in the park. I can’t explain it all. I just know I love you.”

I wanted to gather in my bride with the sleeves of bolero to comfort her. Wipe the tears from her face. Gerard stood very close to my hem. I focused until I leaned into him with an encouraging nudge in her direction.

He moved as if he’d been shot. But the next thing I knew, Ari was in his arms.

“Shush, we’ll figure it out.”

Ari sniffed, pulled away enough to look at him. “Figure what out?”

“Come here.” His hands cupped her face and this time he kissed her.

My seams quivered in happiness, until his fingers started to slip her straps down her shoulders. Oh my, what was he doing? Then her top slithered down to reveal her breasts. My beads warmed.

When he bent his head to kiss those, my satin shivered in shock. I could not watch whatever it was they were doing.

Using my hem, I skipped an inch at a time until I faced the closet. My lace hummed to cover whatever noise they were making. After some time, I noticed that the room had grown quiet. I wasn’t about to peek around. I didn’t know what scene I’d encounter. Better to keep myself in the dark.

I knew that my bride and groom would give me my day.

Epilogue

Dear Diary;

My day has come!

Today I’m in the room at Classic Manhattan where I first met my bride. The journey to this point has been up and down like the needle on a sewing machine. At times, I didn’t think we’d make it.

Here I am, draped over my bride, my bolero snug on her shoulders. Darlene is behind Ari and they are both gazing in the mirror. Her skin shivered and I could feel the nerves as they race over her body.

Oh my scrap! She looks beautiful. Her golden hair somehow arranged on the top of her head. Ari’s favorite sunflowers interlaced with the strands.

Her groom must be so proud to have her for a bride. There was a knock on the door, and I heard Conner call out that it was time.

Darlene opened the door, and Conner held out his elbow. Darlene left first, then Ari grasped his arm and they both followed. I could hear the music. It was soft, just what Ari liked to listen to after she’d found her story and she wanted to work, not dance.

Then we were in the doorway to the Atrium. The soft lights cast a cornflower blue glow over the room. Sunflowers covered every surface as if we were walking into a field of them.

Gerard stood at the front. His handsome face wreathed in a smile. His expression so full of love that my bodice clutched my bride, I could feel her heart hammering in response.

The ceremony passed in a blur for me, my brides emotions swam over me. Joy swarmed my satin.

Then the preacher told Gerard to kiss the bride, but my bride didn’t wait. She grabbed his jacket, uncaring that her bouquet fell to the floor, and hauled him to her and kissed him. The warmth from both their bodies cloaked me in their love.
 

After, all the well-wishers congratulated my couple they cut the cake. It was a three tiered masterpiece decorated in sunflowers as was everything else.

By the end of their joyous day I knew that my happily ever after had just begun.

About the Author

Mary lives in Magna, a little town west of Salt Lake City, Utah. Together with her husband, she has six grown children, and five wonderful grandsons and two beautiful granddaughters.

Mary and her husband love to travel, especially to the Caribbean for relaxing and Italy for the wine. With the experience from the exotic places she has visited, she is able to fill her books with colorful descriptions of cities, painting a colorful backdrop for her characters.

Mary and her husband are avid college football fans. They have season tickets to the UTES, University of Utah Football and they tailgate every game. They love tailgating so much, that they were married at a tailgating in 1999.

Visit her website for more information
www.marymartinez.com

Other Books by Mary Martinez

The Beckett Series

The Beckett’s have a strong sense of family and honor.

When on of their own is threatened, their bond is as strong as a badge of steel.

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Keira Cavanaugh is the only witness to a hit ordered by a crime boss.  The safe house is compromised and the same hit man shoots Tyler. Fearing Tyler is dead, Keira plans revenge on the crime organization. She must fake her own suicide in order to survive.

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