Shirley Hailstock - His Love Match

“Why?”

“He volunteered to stand in for the groom, who wasn’t there. And the bridesmaids were too superstitious to stand in for Jennifer. You know Jennifer’s many beliefs. Apparently her friends are just as bad. So I ended up doing it.”

“But you’re not supposed to practice the kiss,” Teddy said, her eyes following Diana as she moved from place to place collecting supplies.

“I know that. It was Scott who started it.”

“And you finished it?” Teddy questioned.

“Not exactly.” Diana stopped searching and turned to look at her partner. She wanted to tell someone. She wanted to explain her feelings and have someone sympathize with her. Teddy was the perfect choice, but Diana was unsure of her feelings. She hadn’t had time to process the changes that she saw in Scott or the way she felt about him. And there was still the matter of her offices. Could he be using this tactic to get her to do what he wanted?

But the worst part, the reason she couldn’t explain everything to Teddy was she didn’t even realize kissing Scott was anything but natural. They stood at the altar. The ceremony was over. Father Ryan said, Kiss the bride, and Scott kissed her. She’d fallen into his arms so easily, it was as if she belonged there, that it was natural for her to be there. She’d become unaware of the other people in the church until she’d heard Jennifer clear her throat. She would have remained in his arms and gone on kissing him. Thank goodness Jennifer interrupted them.

“Did you like it?” Teddy’s voice intruded on her thoughts bringing her back to the office.

“It’s been a long time since anyone kissed me.”

“I’ll take that as a yes,” Teddy said.

“Well, I only have to deal with him for one more day.” Diana went back to getting everything she needed. “Once the ceremony is over and the requisite photos are taken at the reception, I’ll be out the door faster than she can get the white off that dress.”

Teddy laughed. It was a saying they used to mean the consummation of the vows. Diana’s mother had coined the phrase and the two women adopted it.

“How did you get out of the church without explaining?”

“I asked Father Ryan if he had any further details to share. Then I left.”

“Your face must have been burning.”

Her entire body was burning. Even now, she felt the heat of last night. “I think that’s everything,” Diana said, finally feeling she was ready to leave. She looked at her desk, her bag of essentials, her notebook, assessing that everything was in order.

“What are you going to do about it?” Teddy asked.

Finally Diana looked at her partner. “About what?”

“About your attraction to our landlord. Maybe you can use that attraction to get him to back off about the offices.”

“Teddy!” Diana was appalled at the suggestion. “Have you stopped to think that his attraction for me, if there is an attraction, may be for the same reason?”

Teddy’s happy face turned to one of concern. “I hadn’t thought of that.”

“Think about it.” Diana looked around one more time, then checked her watch. “I have to go. You’ve got everything under control here, right?”

She nodded. “My wedding isn’t until five, so I’ll head over to the bride’s house this afternoon.”

“See you tomorrow, when we can go back to business as usual.” Diana threw the words over her shoulder as she headed through the door.

“Wink at him during the reception...maybe ask him to dance,” Teddy shouted at Diana’s back.

Diana wouldn’t even make eye contact with him if she could help it. She wanted things to go back to the way they were just twenty-four hours ago. She’d been on a plane from Montana. Anything after she arrived at the church she wanted expunged from the universe.

That would include his kiss, a voice spoke in her head. Diana stumbled and twisted the toe of her shoe on the broken parking lot pavement. A large gash appeared in the front.

“Damn,” she cursed. “This is Scott’s fault.”

Everything was his fault. Well most of it. From the moment she walked on campus ten years ago until he left her house last night, he’d been a thorn in her side. After the wedding today, she didn’t want to see him again. He could deal with her lawyer regarding their offices if any more discussion was necessary—and as far as she was concerned, there wasn’t.

So life could go back to normal. Diana thought it, but she didn’t feel it. She knew something more would happen, something unexpected. Scott wasn’t the type of man to just drop things. He had a plan in mind, and Diana wondered what it was. She needed to be on guard for whatever he might spring on her. His appearing at her home last night was unexpected and designed to throw her world out of kilter.

He’d succeeded.

Diana took a deep breath as she parked along the curved driveway of the house where Jennifer lived. The street and drive leading to the house was ringed with cars. Only Jennifer would have a procession leading to the church. For days workmen had been setting up for the reception. Thankfully, the weather was cooperating.

Getting out of the car, Diana went to the trunk and changed her broken shoe for another pair. She had learned the necessity of being prepared for every contingency. Not only did she have extra shoes, she had several changes of clothes in case they might be needed. Diana turned and took a long look at the cathedral. She’d done a few weddings here before, but this was the first one where she felt as if a huge weight was on her shoulders. Even when she first started and bluffed her way through her first solo as a wedding consultant, she hadn’t been this nervous.

The limousine arrived carrying the bride. Behind her car was a succession of stretch limos carrying the twelve bridesmaids. Diana greeted the bridesmaids and ushered them into the rooms set up for them. Then she accompanied the bride. Jennifer truly looked wonderful. Her face had that bridal glow to it. Or was it that she was so in love with Bill that it was visible? For a moment Diana envied her. She wondered if she’d ever look like that when she thought of a man.

Jennifer had a perfect day for her ceremony. Diana assumed all the numbers had clicked into place, and from this point on Jennifer’s life would be on the schedule she’d set up for herself.

Diana could only hope her own life had a plan. She thought it did. Or it had. Until a few weeks ago when an innocent cup of coffee had thrown her world into chaos. Maybe she should have given up the offices and been done with any dealing with Scott. But fate wasn’t on her side. Fate had brought him to this wedding. Even if she had agreed to relocate, he would still be an honored guest at the head table. But they wouldn’t have stood before the altar. He wouldn’t have come to her apartment. And she wouldn’t continue to feel the tingle of his mouth on hers.

“We’re ready,” Diana told the bridesmaids as she shook thoughts of Scott out of her mind. A hush settled over the women as if everyone was afraid of opening night. “Just do what we rehearsed. It’ll all be fine.”

She looked at one particular bridesmaid, younger than the rest. Her color was paste-white. “Breathe,” Diana said. “And smile.” She gave the girl a smile, and after a second the girl returned it. Diana leaned close to her and whispered, “Even if you fall on your face, it won’t be a catastrophe. One of those hunky groomsmen will rush to your rescue.” The girl tried to hide her laugh behind her hand. Diana pulled it away and watched as she relaxed.

One by one the bridesmaids floated down the aisle. Diana stood up from her crouching position as the ring bearer and flower girls took tentative steps down the long aisle. As Jennifer embraced her father’s arm and headed toward wedded bliss, Diana breathed a sigh of relief. It was almost over for her. So far she’d avoided making eye contact with Scott, although she’d felt his eyes on her several times. She knew he was looking at her by the heat that surged through her body and inched up her neck. Everyone else would think it was exertion and stress from making sure every detail was going as planned. Scott would know differently.