Work Like You Don't Need the Money (17 page)

“But WHY?” cried Emma. “You're so good together, what's the problem?”

“The problem, Sweetie, is that Pete has a plan. Surely as two of his best friends you know this?”

Missy's face grew serious. “Of course he does, Pete always has a plan. Oh, sweet baby Jesus. The plan does not allow for a woman in his life until he's thirty-six, right?”

“Right,” said Holly glumly. “So no matter how it
looks
, it's not going anywhere.”

Emma looked as though she might cry.

“Come on, Em. Don't look like that. I'm okay with it.”

“But Holly, you're so good together. You're perfect for each other, but Pete never,
ever,
deviates from the plan.”

Any sneaking hope Holly had felt died with Emma's words. Emma was the idealist, the romantic, the one who never gave up believing that good things would happen for her friends if not herself. If Emma wasn't going to argue that there had to be a way around Pete's plan, then she had to accept that there really wasn't one. Hell, she'd already accepted it, hadn't she? Apparently not, because where she had been happy and excited looking forward to a fun day with the girls, now she felt sad and deflated.

“I'm sorry, Holly.” Even Missy, who could usually make a joke out of any situation, wasn't going for the laugh on this one.

“I'm okay with it. I know the score and I have since the beginning. We're just having fun. I thought that's what
we
were supposed to be doing today? So can we lose the glum faces and raid the champagne while we figure out which stores we're hitting first?”

She got up and poured them champagne, smiling at the screw top Pete had on the bottle. She looked back at the long sofa and tingled all over as she remembered how close they'd come back there. She took the drinks to the others and sat back down.

“So, we need Em's dress, our dresses, matching fabric for the guys cummerbunds and cravats. And shoes, we can't forget shoes!”

Missy laughed. “Of course shoes, the answer to every girls woes.”

Emma joined in, but Holly could see her eyes were still sad. “Perhaps we should start with some shoe shopping? Nothing to do with the wedding, just to get our shopping juices flowing.”

“Genius, Emma. Pure genius!”

They started planning which stores they wanted to visit and talk of Pete was soon left behind, if not forgotten. Holly forced herself to smile and make the most of the day. She doubted she'd ever know another one like it.

The plane touched down on the runway, and Missy released her death grip on the arms of her chair. “I can't think of one reason why a person would pay millions of dollars for the privilege of hurtling through the sky in their very own tin can. It's completely beyond me.”

“You're just scared,” laughed Emma.

Smoke's voice came over the intercom, “Welcome to San Francisco, ladies. I hope you enjoyed the ride. The guys at the FBO tell me your friend and your car are waiting for you.”

When the intercom clicked off, Holly chuckled, “How about that for a reason, Miss?”

Emma giggled. “He is rather hot. Especially in that uniform.”

Missy snorted, trying to hold back the laughter. “Yeah, his name suits him, Smoke – smokin'!” The three of them fell about laughing at that. “Emma, you'd better behave since we're about to go buy you a wedding dress. You have one very hot man of your own, Mrs. Benson, you're out of the running. Holly and I can fight for him.”

“Ha!” cried Emma, “Why do I get the feeling that Holly can have him and the name Benson has something to do with that too?”

Missy's laughter stopped abruptly.

“Oh no, what?” asked Holly. “I thought you and Dan were getting quite friendly?”

“Yeah, we were. Friendly. But that's all it's going to be. He has a girlfriend.”

“What?” Emma looked stunned. “Since when? Does Jack know? Why didn't we know?”

Missy held up a hand. “Since three years ago apparently. Yes, Jack does know, or knew and has forgotten, or doesn't realize they're still together. We didn't know because it's a strange situation and he doesn't talk about it.”

“It must be a strange situation,” said Holly. “Hasn't he been at Summer Lake with you guys every weekend for the last few months?”

“Yes he has,” said Missy.

Smoke emerged from the cockpit and came through the cabin to open the door and let down the steps. Laura was standing on the tarmac, grinning and waving. While Missy waved back at her and started down the steps, Holly registered Smoke's reaction to seeing Laura.

“Must be something in the water,” she muttered to herself.

“What was that?” asked Emma pausing at the top of the steps.

“I'll tell you later, get a move on.”

Once Emma started down the steps, Holly turned to Smoke. “Thanks for the ride. Pete said we should let you know an hour before we head back to the airport, is that enough time for you?”

“That's great thanks, it gives me time to file our return flight plan and be ready to go.”

Holly waved down at the others who were waiting. She raised an eyebrow at Smoke. “Could I introduce you to Laura before we leave?”

Smoke grinned and followed her down the steps.

“Laura, this is Smoke. Phoenix Chief Pilot and an old friend of Jack and Pete's. Smoke, this is Laura Benson, Jack's cousin.”

The two of them shook hands and locked eyes.

“There's not enough room for all of us on this thing,” said Holly, climbing onto the golf cart. I'm going to commandeer it to get to the ladies room and send it back.”

“Me too,” said Missy. She jumped on the back followed by a giggling Emma.

“Go, go, go!” Holly told the man driving it, when Laura turned away from Smoke to join them. “Sorry Sweetie, no room!” Missy waved happily from the back of the cart as they drove away. “We'll send it back for you.”

Laura eventually caught up with them at the front of the building where they stood smirking by the limo Pete had arranged for the day.

“Oh, my God you guys! How could you?”

“How could we what?” asked Emma sweetly.

“Sorry, Sweetie,” laughed Holly. “Had to get to the bathroom.”

“How about a thank you?” grinned Missy.

Holly knew she'd done the right thing when Laura clasped her hands together and grinned. “Thank you, thank you, thank you! Where did you find him and can I keep him?”

“Come on,” said Holly, smiling at the driver who stood waiting. “In the car everyone, we can do this on the way, there are shoes and dresses out there with our names on them.”

In the back of the limo, Missy poured champagne while Laura babbled.

“Did you guys see him? I think I may still be drooling!”

“I know I am,” said Holly, “But he only had eyes for you. He lit up the moment he clapped eyes on you!”

“But you were sooo mean running off like that. And I am so grateful!”

“So did you get his number?” asked Missy.

“We exchanged cards.” Laura tried to say it with a straight face. “It was a little awkward, you know? But he said he would be at the wedding, so I'll see him then if nothing else. Will you hurry up and set a date, Em, and make it soon?”

Holly's heart sank. She'd much prefer it if Emma and Jack went for a long engagement.

Holly sat back in her seat and pushed her plate away. “That was wonderful,” she declared.

Emma and Missy agreed.

“I'm glad you enjoyed it,” said Laura. “This is one of my favorite places for lunch.”

She'd brought them to a place down on Fisherman's Wharf after a morning spent in a shoe frenzy for all of them, followed by a fruitless wedding dress hunt.

Holly hadn't wanted to make appointments at the major bridal stores. She knew Emma's taste and temperament too well. She figured she would end up making something herself created from the details Emma liked along with her own design skills.

“What's the plan for the afternoon?” asked Missy.

“I want to walk Em through one more store. If we don't find 'the one' then I suggest we start focusing on bridesmaids dresses to give Em's brain a rest.”

“I don't mind if we go straight to bridesmaids dresses,” said Emma. “I think my brain is fried already.”

“Just one more, Sweetie. You can do it.” Holly patted her hand. “I promise I won't make you do any more today, but this place may be the one. I have a hunch.”

“Okay then,” Emma nodded obediently.

“You're so laid back about it, Em. I think I'd be driving you all nuts dragging you into store after store if we were shopping for my dress,” said Laura.

“Yes, but that's because you have dress sense and know what you want,” said Emma. “I, on the other hand, am clueless, but very fortunate to have Holly. She is a fashion guru. She knows what works on me better than I do
and
can make it all happen. I just do as I'm told.”

Holly laughed. “I think I got the easy job. She is quite docile when it comes to clothes. It may be harder for you two with the cake, since she knows what she's doing there and is used to being in charge in the kitchen. Beware, the Bridezilla may strike yet!”

“Why do you think we're keeping it top secret and under wraps?” laughed Missy.

Emma frowned. “Yeah, I'm still not so convinced that's a good idea...”

“Em, Honey, it's decided. You get to make your top layer, but the rest is one thing too many for you to deal with, so let me and Laura handle it. Better still, forget about it – do us all a favor!”

“Okay, okay!”

Holly's hunch proved right. She let Missy and Laura pick out a bunch of dresses with Emma and go to try them. She went to talk to the in-store designer, who she had met at several fashion shows in LA. She was a tall willowy girl in her mid-twenties who seemed to design for figures like Emma's; shorter in stature with fuller curves. Holly described what she had in mind.

Tara smiled, transforming her angular features. “Hang on, I may have something.” She disappeared into the back and returned in just a few minutes with two gowns. She held up the first one, it was silk with an embroidered bodice and full skirt. If Em were to go for a traditional style, this would be the one. Holly believed she would want something a little different though.

When Tara held up the second one Holly grinned. “Jackpot!”

It was satin, a simple Greek style, which would drape wonderfully. It had Emma's name written all over it, it would accentuate her curves beautifully.

“This is perfect! What sizes do you have it in? I'd like her to try it.”

“There's only this one, but I'm guessing it will fit her. She's my ideal model.”

“I know. That's why I thought we'd find 'the one' here. I'll go see and let you know how we get on.”

The dress fit Emma perfectly. They filled the dressing room with squeals of delight.

“Em, you look gorgeous. I think I might cry!” Missy eyes were indeed shining with tears.

“It's like it was designed just for you,” said Laura. She turned to Holly, “Was it? Did you have this all set up?”

Holly laughed, she was thrilled. “No, but I told you I had a hunch. I know how Tara designs and thought something of hers might work for Em.”

“And I told you Holly is a genius.” Emma smiled. “I knew she'd find me my dream dress, but this is so much more. Whenever I dream of my wedding day I keep changing the dress in the picture. I couldn't even imagine the right dress, and Holly found me the perfect one in reality.” She twirled in front of the mirror. “See, it even feels like me!”

Holly grinned, hearing that confirmed it all. “Sweetie, if you can feel that comfortable while looking that sensational, then my work here is done. I am happy.” Even as she grinned, she wished she was as happy as she sounded. She wondered if she would ever shop for her own wedding dress. Pete was the first guy she had cared about in a long, long time and it was a road to nowhere. She already knew it would take her an even longer time to get over this…this…whatever it was they were doing.

“Finding something that will suit all three of us might be quite a challenge you know.”

They'd taken care of Emma's dress and were beginning the quest for bridesmaids dresses. Holly looked at Laura, she was tall and tan with long black silky hair and pale blue eyes. Missy was much smaller, about the same height as Emma. She, too, had dark hair, not as long as Laura's, but her complexion was much fairer with steel gray eyes and porcelain skin. Holly, herself, brought chocolate brown hair to the equation, amber eyes and, at five seven, fit right between the others height-wise.

She looked at Emma. “Sweetie, have you decided what color scheme you want?”

Emma grinned, she was still too excited about her own dress. “Not really. I like pink, but I'm open to opinions?”

Laura shuddered. “I don't do well in pink, but I'm not going to kick up a fuss if that's what you want.”

Missy pulled a face but said nothing.

“Like I said,” smiled Emma. “I really am open to opinions.” She looked at Holly, “What do you suggest, oh great fashion Goddess?”

“Well, as far as color goes, we've got to consider the setting and our own coloring. Then for style, we've got three different shapes to work with. So, let's get to it.”

She worked her way around the rails, pointing out a selection of styles and colors to the lady that was helping them. “Can we get these in each size to start with? We'll set up in the dressing room and take it from there.”

Two hours later, Holly stood between Laura and Missy for Emma's inspection. “And the verdict is?” she asked.

“Absolutely gorgeous!” cried Emma. “If I didn't love my own dress so much, I'd want one of those too!”

After trying on so many different dresses, only to find each time that the style or color worked beautifully for two of them, but not for the third, Holly had started to think they may have to take a different approach. She'd wandered back out through the store and found it; a rich purple colored satin number, body hugging with asymmetrical pleats, gathering it all to one side at the waist. It was a little sexier than your typical bridesmaids dress, but it worked well on every one of them.

“I'm going to have to call you Team Slinky,” laughed Emma, she was thrilled with the look.