by Cee, DW
“Will Michael be at the wedding?”
“I’ve no idea. I assume, since the Benningtons and Reids appear to be family friends.”
“Fantastic! Now I feel better.”
I had no idea why Michael’s presence at my place of work would make Judith’s world a better place. All I knew was that this was going to be the best wedding anyone has ever seen. I’d make all of Jane’s (and my) wedding dreams come true.
I couldn’t wait to get to Florence.
Michael: Kissing Relationships
I received a call late afternoon and feared it might be Helene again. Since our date the other night, she had been calling incessantly. I answered the first few, but then had to push her calls to voice mail. Glancing at the number, it was from America so I knew it was safe to pick up.
“Hello?”
“Hi Mikey.” A little girl yelled the first word, and then whispered the second.
“Is this Elizabeth Reid?”
She giggled like the two-year-old that she was. “Here, Unca Ax.”
“Hello, Mikey. This is Max.”
“Geez. I promised myself I’d never fall in love with another Reid. You think Jake will allow me to marry Elizabeth in twenty years?”
“Hell no! We’d all kill you if you even batted an eye at our precious girl.”
“Damn. I think I’m destined to be a bachelor forever.”
Max laughed. “I’m calling at the behest of every woman in the house to invite you and your sister to our wedding.”
“No need to feel obligated because it’s at our villa. You enjoy yourselves.”
“Trust me. This is not an obligation. I was told you must attend the wedding.”
“By whom?”
“Emily to start. My mother and mother-in-law would love to personally thank you for coming to our rescue. Then there’s Estelle, who commanded you to be there. As for the bride, she doesn’t give a damn if you’re there. As long as the villa is there, that’s all she cares.”
Max had a good sense of humor. “If the incomparable Estelle Cowper is handing down commands, we must oblige.”
“We’re flying in tomorrow. Come join us as soon as you can.”
“You’re sure there won’t be family members dissenting over my invitation?” I coughed up “Asshole Donovan Taylor” to Max’s delight.
“Did I ever tell you that asshole kissed my fiancée/girlfriend-at-that-time?”
“No, but your soon-to-be brother-in-law told me you proposed to his girlfriend-at-that-time.”
Max, no doubt, appreciated my humor, too. He chuckled for a long while. “Jake’s no angel.”
“So if you’ve kissed Emily, Donovan’s kissed Jane, the duke’s kissed Estelle, and I’ve kissed Laney and Bee, which Reid woman hasn’t been molested by a kiss from someone other than her husband?”
“If you’re thinking Elizabeth Reid, we will all kick your ass.” We both laughed. “So Laney and Bee? For a man who lives a continent away from us, you’ve had your lips on quite a few Reids.”
“I didn’t realize Bee was a Reid.”
“Oh, she’s a Reid in all but name. Just don’t tell Nick what you told me.”
“I shall be the perfect gentleman at your wedding.”
“Now that confessional is over, we’ll see you and Ruby in Florence?”
“Do I have a choice? I don’t want to answer to any of those ladies.”
“Good. See you soon.”
“OK. Good-bye.”
“Wait! Hold on…” Max shouted.
“Mikey!”
“Yes, Princess? How can I help you?”
“Talk to Chloe, pwease.”
“Chloe is already in Florence helping your aunt Jane with her wedding. I’ll be at the wedding too. Are you excited to see me?”
“Uh-huh.” I imagined this beauty nodding her head up and down.
“I like lellow dwesses, James likes Legos and JJ likes diggers. Good-bye!” She giggled and hung up on me.
I feared for the man who fell in love with Elizabeth Reid. She knew there was a sucker on the other line. I fell for the big blue eyes, rosy cheeks, and sweet giggles—and she didn’t even have to show her face. I wondered if Burberry made anything in yellow? I’d have to make a stop at Hamleys after finding the perfect yellow dress or two or five.
“Where you off to, Brother?” I almost ran over my sister, daydreaming about a two-year-old.
“Rubes. Where’ve you been?”
“On hellish auditions and call backs. I hate this part of acting.”
“No you don’t. You love it.”
“I do.” She grinned. “I thank the Man upstairs that He gave me a rich grandfather who indulges my whims.”
“I hope you’re free for the next few days. We’ve been summoned to Max and Jane’s wedding.”
“Oh, I know. Jane called me this morning. I told her I’d come with you as soon as auditions were done.”
“So when can we leave?”
“The day after tomorrow with Grandfather so we can hop a ride on his plane?”
“Fine by me. I assume you’re crashing at my place until then?”
“With Mom and Dad away, the house is too empty. I’ll hang in your man cave.”
I nodded my agreement. Soon enough, our families would be reuniting for this happy occasion.
Brendan: Repairing Relationships
I hated to admit it, but I was a damn mess. I didn’t think Chloe was under my skin so deeply, so quickly. We’d just started dating.
Thinking back to our last conversation, Chloe was right to be angry with me. Had she extolled Michael’s every virtue, but then introduced me solely by my first and last name, I’d be pissed too. To make matters worse, I told her to have a good life. It wouldn’t surprise me if she told me to take a hike and never come back.
What was the best solution to this predicament? A lone phone call wouldn’t do. A grand gesture was necessary.
“Cat?” I called her at her day job.
“It took you long enough. You finally calling for Chloe’s info?”
“How’d you know?”
“Dan and I watched you mope around the flat the last three days. We wondered when you might ask for Chloe’s whereabouts.”
“Do you have an address?”
“You’re thinking of flying all the way to Florence?” She didn’t keep her shock a secret.
“It’s only a two hour flight. Don’t you think that’s much more effective than calling her?”
“I suppose. You like her that much?”
Cat’s question was an odd one. Didn’t she want to see Chloe and me together? “Don’t you want me to like your friend that much?”
“I don’t want to see either of you hurt. If you don’t think it’ll work, I’d like to see you end the relationship now. It won’t be as hard. If you fall any deeper, you’ll be crushed from the pain.”
“Is this pep talk meant for me or for Chloe? Are you trying to give me hints on Chloe’s state of mind? Should I not visit her in Florence?”
“It’s nothing like that. I figured if this wasn’t going anywhere, it’d be easier to be friends and roommates than lovers.”
Cat wasn’t wrong. But, I wanted more. “Thanks for the advice, Cat. I’m off to Florence and then to Paris to see my boss again. I’ll be back within the week.”
“Good luck.”
Luck was something I needed in abundance as I packed and boarded a plane headed for Italy.
The Bennington Villa was stunning. Perched atop one of the rolling hills of Tuscany, the views were spectacular. I could only imagine the sunset each night.
“Brendan.” Here was the woman I was looking for—had always been looking for?
Not caring about her protest, I wrapped my arms around her, and we swayed like at a junior high school slow dance.
“Hi,” I said after kissing her cheek. The junior high theme continued.
“Hi.�
�� The shy, demure thing going on was working for me.
“How’s the wedding planning?”
“The house is ready. I have all the workers lined up. The chef is whipping up his creations. Speaking of, have you eaten?”
“I have not.”
“Come with me.” I grabbed her hand before she walked away from me. Within a few steps, she led me to a large round table overlooking Tuscany. This scene was so romantic, the woman with her hand in mine was so beautiful, and I decided here and now, I’d follow her anywhere. “Give me a moment?” She wiggled herself free and walked to speak with the nearest person. She came back with a smile and explained, “We’ve been trying to create the perfect reception before Saturday night. Each night, we place the table in different parts of the villa and we all have dinner under Tuscan moon. Why don’t you join us? There’s nothing like eating outdoors on these hills.”
Hell yes! What possessed me to tell her to have a nice life? “I’d love to. Thank you.”
The chef had created a small feast for the few of us in residence. “What do you think? Will it pass muster as wedding food for the Reids?”
“The food, the setting, and especially the company are second to none. I’d replicate this for my own wedding.”
Chloe’s face lit up. “Good to know you approve.”
Dinner was a small affair with me mostly listening to wedding plans. Every person at the table spoke animatedly about the upcoming nuptials.
Once dinner was done, I decided to monopolize Chloe’s time until I had to leave. “Do you need to help clean up or can we go for a stroll around this impressive property?” She stood up and led the way. “The past few days, I’ve been miserable, Chloe.” Her lips stayed closed. Her eyes stayed undecipherable. Had I screwed this up already? “I wanted to apologize for all the rash words I spewed out the last time we saw each other. I don’t want us to part, I’m sorry for leaving out your praises while waxing lyrical about Helene, and I sure as hell don’t want you to have a nice life without me.”
When a man speaks heartfelt words, whether with love, anguish, or apologetically, one expects the woman to respond effusively. A throwing of the body, a river of tears, or unintelligible babbling—I thought I’d be the recipient of at least one of these shows of emotions. When nothing happened, I was scared I’d fucked up.
“Are you really moving to LA?”
“I haven’t answered the company, but I’m leaning that way. It’s a promotion, a raise, and a great position.”
“Congratulations. All that hard work paid off.” I waited…and waited…for more. It came after a long exhaling of breath. “Seeing my parents, my sister and my nephew a few days ago, I know for sure that I don’t want to live anywhere other than the UK again. Though we don’t get together often, it’s reassuring to know my parents are a train ride away. Having been away from them for so long, I missed them. I’m done feeling like an orphan during the holidays and birthdays.”
“Is this your way of telling me to have a nice life in LA while you’re in the UK?”
She laughed. “A bit presumptuous of me, huh? Considering you never asked me to move with you, my embarrassing statement and I will shut up now.”
“As soon as I was told of the promotion, my first thought was to ask Daniel, Cat, and you. I’d like to replicate what we have, but in sunny California.”
She shook her head no. “All those years I didn’t come home, I told myself I’d never be an orphan again when I returned to the UK.”
“But you’ll have me, and Daniel and Cat if they choose to relocate. You won’t be an orphan.”
Her thought was resolute. “I want to stay here.”
“All right. Let’s table that for now. Do you see us going anywhere?”
“Not if you’re thousands of miles away.” That was the quickest answer she’d given me tonight.
“But I’d be here often. It’ll be like when I travel, but in reverse.”
“I’ll be honest with you. I’m no expert in relationships. I’ve been together with a few guys, but it’s never led to anything serious. You might have done the long-distance relationship, but I haven’t and I don’t want it. If I’m with a man, I want him next to me, always. What’s the point of being with someone if you can’t share your daily goings-on with him? Something about him being only a tube ride away gives me great comfort.”
“Damn. This isn’t what I was expecting.” I had to redirect because our conversation was going nowhere. “Simply put, it’s not me. It’s the job in America?” She nodded yes. “This has nothing to do with Michael?” Her eventual shaking of the head no, came slower than I liked. “If I stayed here, you’d want to be my girlfriend?”
“If that’s what you want.”
“How could you even question if that’s what I want?” Her doubt perturbed me. “I asked you to move cross-continents with me.”
She opened her mouth to respond but stopped herself. Folding her hands and thinking through her answer, she said, “I don’t want the responsibility of putting the brakes on your career. Your career will be a lifelong journey. I may only be a blip on your radar.”
Deep breathes! That’s what I needed to push away these irritated feelings. Knowingly or not, she was pushing all my buttons. “I have an early meeting in Paris tomorrow, so I’ll leave us at an impasse for now. When will you be home?”
“I would assume Sunday or Monday?”
“We’ll talk more then?”
She hesitantly answered, “Sure.”
This relationship business was not easy!
Chloe: Eye-opening Relationship
After Brendan left, I decided there was no use thinking about what might or might not be. Like I had mentioned, I was most likely a blip on his radar. It was fun, but not an everlasting kind of relationship.
Now Max Davis and Jane Reid—there was an everlasting, made-in-heaven, make-a-cynic-fall-in-love kind of relationship! A large group of them arrived and divided themselves between the Bennington villa and Sir Roland Ascot’s villa.
Though I greeted everyone, my main concern was Jane. With the amount of work facing us, I didn’t have time to socialize with anyone else.
“Let me show you all the options you have for your wedding, Jane.” We literally went through all the possibilities and it took an entire day just to lay out the choices.
We started with the possible reception sites on the property and ended with the food.
“Max. Can you come here?” It was sweet how Max was never more than a call away.
“Yes, Dear.”
“What do you think of this consommé? The chef thought since it’s so hot, we shouldn’t have a heavy soup. Do you like it?”
I could tell Max didn’t care whether they had consommé or a chicken potpie. He was here only to please his bride. “Yes, Dear. I like it.”
Jane wasn’t appeased with his answer. “Maybe we should try the gazpacho. It’s unseasonably hot this week. With our luck, it’ll be hot today, then raining on the day of our wedding. My hair will be either too frizzy from the humidity or limp from the rain.” I knew better than to agree or disagree. Jane was getting a case of the nerves.
“Whatever you like, Dear.” I almost died laughing when I saw Jane’s pretty face turn into something a teeny-tiny bit ugly.
Max watched his bride march off to the kitchen like an army drill sergeant. “Are you doing all right?” I asked.
“Do I look all right?” His answer and chuckle came only after his bride had disappeared.
“You look remarkably unperturbed.” It was unprofessional to laugh but I didn’t know if I could hold back.
“I think my remarkably unremarkable appearance is what’s perturbing the bride.” What a hoot this Max Davis was. Maybe I should ask Emily to introduce me to his brothers.
After laughing a little too loudly and a little too long, I told Max how much I liked Jane. “Jane is lovely. For a bride who’s had to change ven
ues with ten days left on her already-tight calendar, she’s doing splendidly.”
“I know. I’m trying to loosen up the bride and have her smile more. She’s even more beautiful when her lips are turned upright.”
Max’s simple statement shook me to the core. It was a life-altering moment for me. My outlook on life, love, and men were forever changed. I decided here and now that I wanted a man who loved me so much, he didn’t care for anything but me and my happiness. Getting a glimpse of Max’s heart made me ache for what was lacking in my life—unconditional love.