Danielle Steel - the Wedding (2000)

I've been working on it ever since, Jeff said ruefully, and then shook Allegra's mother's hand politely. He had been carefully brought up, and it showed as Allegra watched him.

Sam joined them after that, and they sat and talked for a while before going in to dinner, about Jeff's career, their new kitchen, and Hollywood vs. New York. Jeff had to admit that he missed the New York life, but there were a lot of things about living in California that he found very appealing. Allegra most of all. He had originally planned to stay for a year, and go back to New York to write his next book. He had even thought of moving to New England or Cape Cod. But before he went anywhere he had to make his movie in May and probably wouldn't be finished till September. But Allegra looked faintly concerned as he explained his plans. She'd had no idea until then that he might be leaving to move back East again and she looked crestfallen as she listened.

That's not good news, Allegra said softly as they went in to dinner. It upset her to think of his leaving now, so soon after they'd met, and everything was going so smoothly.

I can be talked out of it, he whispered, and his lips brushed her neck reassuringly.

I hope so, she answered.

And all through dinner Allegra was amused to see her mother watching them. She wanted to know who he was, and where he'd been, where Brandon was, and what this man meant to Allegra. But as long as Jeff was there, there was no way Blaire could ask her. The group was very congenial, and Allegra noticed Sam looking Jeff over as well, and afterward when they went back to the living room, her mother finally cornered her and asked some questions.

Is there something different in your life, Allegra? she asked, when Jeff went outside for a brief walk with Simon to talk about the movie business. They were talking about unions, and production values, and problems, and Blaire smiled into her daughter's eyes. She wanted to know the whole story. She had obviously missed several chapters.

What do you mean, Mom? Allegra played her along and the two women laughed, as Sam rolled her eyes. It was easy to figure out he was crazy about Allegra.

I never thought we'd see the end of Brandon, her mother said. Is he in San Francisco this weekend, or does this mean what I think it does? She didn't dare be too hopeful.

Possibly. Allegra looked like a blonde Mona Lisa. She wasn't giving anything up yet. It was too soon to issue statements. She had just wanted them to meet him.

You could have said something, Blaire chided her, as Sam lay down on the couch. She was exhausted, and she thought her sister's love life was boring, although she liked Jeff a lot better than Brandon.

He's a lot cuter than Brandon, Sam pronounced with polite interest. So what happened, Allie? Did Brandon dump you?

That's no way to ask. Blaire frowned, and then turned back to Allegra. What did happen, dear? She couldn't resist the urge to ask the question. She hoped it was nothing too unpleasant. She was just pleased that he was gone, or seemed to be. She had never thought he had really cared about Allegra. He had always seemed so indifferent to her, and so aloof, even disapproving, and the fact that he never got divorced had really disturbed them.

I guess it was just time, she said cryptically.

How long's it been? Sam asked, curious. She sensed that there was more than Allegra was telling.

A few weeks. I met Jeff in New York. She decided to throw them a bone and her mother looked pleased. She liked him, and so did Simon.

He's very good-looking, Blaire said easily, and a few minutes later, he and Simon came back in, and they were still deep in conversation about Jeff's movie.

I'd like to see your new book sometime, Simon said seriously. Actually, I'll buy it. It just came out, didn't it?

It's been out for a while. I just finished a brief publicity tour. I don't see how you have time to read, with everything you do, he said, impressed by their conversation.

I manage. Simon looked at his wife then, and Allegra saw an odd little look pass between them. It wasn't animosity, or anger certainly, it was just the faintest of chill breezes between them. She'd never seen anything like that before, and she wondered if something had bothered either of them early on, like maybe the kitchen. He hated the inconvenience, and her mother loved remodeling, so that occasionally provided some domestic friction.

Allegra didn't say anything, but when she went out to the kitchen with her mother afterward, she glanced at her carefully, and there didn't seem to be anything seriously amiss. But she had looked tired lately. She was worried about the show, and she was always much too busy.

Is Daddy okay? Allegra asked calmly, not wanting to pry. All couples had arguments sometimes, and perhaps they'd had one earlier that evening.

Of course, dear, why?

I don't know ‘ he just seemed a little cool tonight. Maybe it was my imagination.

Probably, Blaire said, unconcerned. He's furious about the garden. He likes it the way it is, and he just can't believe that what I'm doing will improve it. It was an old battle with them, and it made Allegra smile. She had thought it was something like that. It was never anything more serious with them. They had a terrific marriage. I like your friend, by the way. He's so intelligent and pleasant and easygoing. Nice-looking too. She smiled, pouring herself a glass of water. I'm awfully glad, she said, and Allegra laughed, she knew what her mother meant. She was relieved to see the last of Brandon.

I thought you would be, Allegra said to her. It was a little bit sad that everyone was so pleased that she had broken up with him. It seemed odd to her that everyone had seen all that she hadn't. This has been sort of a whirlwind with Jeff for the past few weeks. We met in New York at the home of an agent I was meeting with, and we've been together almost constantly ever since. She looked at her mother shyly then, and it touched Blaire to see it, He's so good to me’ . I've never known anyone like him ‘ except Daddy.

Oh, my, Blaire said, staring at her. This is serious. Women only compare their fathers to the men they marry.

Hardly, Mom, Allegra said, blushing in embarrassment. We've known each other for three weeks.

You'd be surprised how fast things happen when the right man comes along. Hearing her say it reminded her of Carmen and Alan, and she was tempted to tell her mother about them, but she knew she shouldn't.

They went back to the living room to join the men, and by then Sam had gone to call her friends. Jeff and Allegra stayed till eleven o'clock, and they chatted and laughed, and had a very pleasant time with her parents.

And as soon as they left, Blaire grinned broadly at her husband.

Now, come on, Blaire ‘ never mind ‘ don't get all worked up. She hardly knows him. He was chuckling, and could see in his wife's eyes all her excitement about Allegra's new romance.

That's what she said, but you're both missing the point. The guy is absolutely wild about her.

I'm sure he is, but give him a chance before you put a noose around his neck. He had meant it jokingly, but the moment he had said it, he knew he shouldn't. I didn't mean it like that, he said, trying to correct it, but it was too late. She had turned away with a small shrug. She had gotten the full gist of his meaning. He never used to make comments like that. Nor had she. But lately, she noticed that they both did. He insisted it didn't mean anything, but she knew better. There was no serious unraveling yet, but there were suddenly the slightest of frayed edges around the borders of their marriage. She thought she knew why, but she wasn't sure of it. And when she looked up at him, something distant and cold struck at her heart. It was nothing you could really define, but it was there, like a poltergeist, drifting through rooms, and wafting icy fingers along her spine as she watched him.