by Sophie Meyer
Shane looked at him oddly. “Funny, you sound just like Gideon,” she said.
“Like who?” asked Ray, perplexed.
Everyone stared at him, and Ashley’s stomach clenched. She hadn’t told Ray the name of the groom was Gideon.
“Ashley’s groom!” said Robyn, truly suspicious now. “You don’t know his name?”
“Oh, Gideon! Of course I do,” Ray was only flummoxed for a second. “I just got confused for a second because Gideon changes his name from time to time.”
“Changes his name? Jessica shivered, “that doesn’t sound good. What’s he changing his name for? Hiding something?”
“No, he’s just a creative type,” Ashley broke in.
“Sounds like a creep to me!” Jessica wouldn’t be de-railed. “I have to say it. It’s how I feel. This guy could have something up his sleeve.”
To Ashley’s huge relief, Ray interrupted, wouldn’t let Jessica’s train of thought go any further, switched the conversation back to Shane.
“In what way do I remind you of Gideon, Shane?”
“Gideon’s told Ashley, there’s no time to wait, that they had to get married immediately!” said Shane.
“And none of us have figured out Why?” Robyn burst in. “Perhaps you can fill us in, Ray?”
Ray smiled broadly, “Of course I don’t know Gideon’s exact reasons -.”
“And maybe you do,” Robyn confronted him. Ashley had never seen Robyn behave this way before. Usually she thought only the best of everybody. Ashley wondered if Robyn thought Ray was the groom.
Ray acted oblivious to Robyn’s suspicions.
“Gideon probably realizes that waiting can be the worst thing we do,” he went on, “when we wait, we stop everything cold, dead in its tracks. We make space for fear, doubt, confusion to come and trap us!”
The women listened to him mesmerized, like the people at the workshop listened to Vince.
“When you know something’s right, you know it!” Ray was heating up. “It can be dangerous to wait! When the moment comes, grab it!”
Tamara trembled. “I love that,” she said. “That’s exactly how I’ve lived my entire life!”
“You have?” Ray was impressed.
“Absolutely,” Tamara beamed at him, “But I’ve never heard anybody put it that way!”
“It’s the only way to live. Grab happiness when it comes!” Ray was on a roll. “Welcome it completely! Throw sadness away like toxic dust.”
“My God, my God,” gasped Tamara enchanted. “Where in the world did Ashley ever find you?”
“She came for classes in my yoga studio,” Ray announced proudly, “and I happen to be looking for a new studio right now!”
“Really?” said Tamara.
“A place right in this neighborhood,” Ray added, “with wonderful vibes. I’ve seen two already that are downhearted.”
“No,” Tamara breathed, “you definitely don’t belong in something like that.”
“Absolutely not,” Ray smiled at her warmly, “you got it. And the studio’s on its way to me as we speak.”
“I’ll help you find it,” Tamara whispered, “I know tons of suppliers all around town.”
Robyn and Jessica threw each other a nervous glance, but Tamara went over to him and gave him her card.
“Give me a call and we’ll talk,” said Tamara. “I can just feel hundreds of places that you’d never dream of, waiting. Someone has something for sure.”
Ray’s eyes opened as he took her card. “Thank you so much,” he said.
Iris breathed deeply, watching all of this go on.
“This is all very lovely,” she murmured finally, “and now it’s time to get specific. I need to know the date of the wedding?”
“It’s around the corner,” Ray stepped in boldly.
“Around the corner?” Irises’ eyes opened wide.
“Life happens like that!” Ray exclaimed. “When’s your earliest opening?”
“Believe it or not,” Iris breathed, “we had a cancellation yesterday afternoon. It rarely happens, but it just did.”
“Fantastic,” said Ray, “when is it for?”
“Sunday afternoon May 30th,” Iris exclaimed.
“The Memorial Day weekend!” Ray was delighted. “Perfect, it gives people an extra day to come and go.”
“That’s five weeks away!” Jessica gasped.
May 30th is open,” Iris repeated “and the next opening is eighteen months away.”
“My God,” Ray exclaimed, “eighteen months is out of the question. May 30th is perfect!”
Ashley wanted to stop him, but couldn’t.
Tamara was breathless, absolutely thrilled. “Are you sure?”
“Absolutely,” said Ray.
“How can you be so sure without asking the groom?” Robyn jumped in.
“I know what they both need,” Ray tried to reassure her.
Robyn was buying it. “The groom has to confirm on his own.”
Jessica nodded furiously, in agreement.
Tamara interrupted though, “Ashley is lucky to have you as a best friend Ray,” she whispered.
“I’m lucky to have her,” answered Ray. “And I’m lucky to have met you, too.”
Tamara flushed.
“Well, what about it?” Iris asked. “Obviously, we need a deposit right away.”
“Give it to them,” Ray said to Ashley definitively! “Not only is it perfect and beautiful, but what else can you get at such short notice?
“It’s not about long or short notice, though,” Jessica jumped in. “This is about Ashley’s wedding day.”
“Exactly,” Robyn seconded. “What’s the urgency?”
“Take it,” Ray said softly to Ashley, “don’t listen to the naysayers, you won’t be sorry. I promise you.”
*
After the deposit was left and papers signed, Ashley suddenly felt completely exhausted. She desperately wanted to go home and sleep and sleep and sleep.
“I’ve got to go now,” she told her friends quickly.
Tamara understood. “Picking out a venue can be overwhelming,” she said, coming close to Ashley, leading her towards the front door of the hotel. “Now the date is set, the place is picked. We’ve got to get your fittings scheduled fast.”
“The dress fits perfectly,” Ashley mumbled.
“But even just one fitting. There’s always a little something to be done,” Tamara said. “Don’t worry, I’ll make all the appointments, take care of everything for you.”
“Thanks, Tamara,” Ashley said, feeling just a little less wobbly.
“I’m so glad Ray came too, I love him,” said Tamara.
“It would be so wonderful if you could help him find a studio,” Ashley said. “Stay and talk to him about it. He’ll describe exactly what he’s looking for, the space, the size, the energy.”
“Absolutely,” Tamara agreed.
Ashley let Tamara put her into a taxi. As she piled in, she saw her bridesmaids, standing on the curb, waving to her, as they talked to each other feverishly.
“My friends are upset,” Ashley whispered to Tamara.
“It isn’t unusual,” said Tamara, “bridesmaids feel they have to protect the bride. They haven’t met the groom and it’s making them nervous. They want to give your guy the seal of approval, make sure you’re in good hands.”
Ashley realized that she’d felt the same way about Shane and Doug.
“When something happens so fast everybody wonders why,” Tamara continued. “Lots of guys enjoy playing games with women. Believe me I know,” and she threw Ashley a quick glance.
“I know, too,” said Ashley sadly. Tamara was so warm and understanding that Ashley fought hard from breaking down and telling her everything. But deep down Ashley didn’t want to. She wanted to give things a chance, she loved being at the wedding venue, loved the location, thought how beautiful it would be to have butterflies at each table.
“We’ll all m
eet him soon though, won’t we” Tamar asked then.
“Very soon,” whispered Ashley.
As the taxi drove back to her apartment, Ashley took out her cell phone to check and see if she’d gotten any messages. To her great delight, three texts from Aldon were waiting.
Hi, how’s your day? Miss you. Why aren’t you answering? I can’t stop thinking about you.
Ashley breathed a deep sigh of relief and immediately texted back.
Miss you too, been crazy busy. Can’t wait to see you again.
CHAPTER 20
Dennis called Scott in England immediately after he found out what was going on with
Ashley. After all, Scott was his oldest friend and he’d dated Ashley for three years. He deserved to hear the news.
“Hey man,” Dennis said, “Ashley’s getting married! Soon!”
Scott didn’t believe it. “What are you talking about?”
Dennis had to keep repeating it over and over again, until he finally he got off the phone.
Scott had never felt such a mixture of emotions as he did after that call. Ashley getting married? It flung him into a whirl. Memories of their wonderful years together suddenly drifted up in front of him, the sweetness and innocence, the trust they’d felt. Their relationship had been totally without complication or plans. Everything just happened on its own and whatever happened Scott had thoroughly enjoyed. Who was she marrying? When did she meet him? How long ago did they decide?
Scott suddenly felt as if the wind had been knocked out of him, and almost fell backwards onto the expensive leather chair at his desk in the beautiful apartment he shared with Felice. Ashley getting married? Somehow it didn’t feel right.
Scott always enjoyed hearing from Dennis and appreciated it, but today was different. Scott never in a million years expected to hear news like this, or for it to affect him the way it did.
He leaned over a bit and rubbed his temples. How could Ashley decide to get marry and not let him know? He soon realized that was crazy. Why should she let him know? They’d completely let go of their relationship, relegated it to a different era. It had been a first love for both of them and no one expected something like that to last, least of all them. Scott knew he had to go forward and leave the country when a wonderful career opportunity came to him. Ashley agreed. They’d both realized they were young and had a lot of growing to do. So, what was the big deal now? Why did it hurt so much?
Scott got up from his chair and walked slowly back and forth in his well-appointed office. The room had high ceilings, wood paneled walls, and custom designed book shelves as far as the eye could see. On the huge, carved oak coffee table across from a sofa, sat books on architecture and design. Scott was proud of the room, it expressed who he was, displayed a well thought out, powerful life.
Scott was tall, handsome, with long dark, wavy hair, soulful dark eyes and a winsome expression. Still, when he’d dated Ashley he thought she was the only one who would ever care for him the way she did. To his surprise, after he was on his own he discovered that women adored him wherever he went. It had surprised him to find that out. Now, suddenly he wondered if maybe he’d been right in the first place. Had any woman ever cared for him as deeply as Ashley had?
Living here in England, Scott was quickly becoming one of the most sought after young architects in town. And, he was considered a prize bachelor, on the top of everyone’s list. Though that definitely pleased him, something was missing too. Sometimes he wondered if he just needed to go back home?
Right now he was living with Felice, his third girlfriend, who’d moved in a few months ago. Scott remembered mentioning to Dennis that their relationship was becoming serious. He regretted having said that now, he’d jumped the gun. He couldn’t help wonder if Dennis had mentioned that to Ashley? The thought of it bothered him. Not only might it have hurt her, but these days Felice was becoming more and more irritating. She kept insisting they show up in all the right places and be seen by all the right people at the right times. Ashley was never like that, Scott thought now. Being with him was all she’d cared about.
Despite himself, Scott went over to the far closet and pulled out old scrapbooks he’d piled in there. It had been years since he opened them and the dust on the covers had to be brushed off first.
Scott brought the scrapbooks over to the desk, opened them, and looked at the photos of him and Ashley and his heart skipped a beat. My God, she was beautiful, he’d forgotten how beautiful, really. Her skin was flawless and her cheeks had the flush of spring about them. Her eyes were shining as the two of them were photographed, looking at each other, laughing. In every photo, either alone or together, her warmth and sweetness shone through. For a sudden moment Scott’s whole being ached, and he longed to see her just one more time.
Scott shut the scrapbook quickly, opened his computer and rushed to her Facebook page. He and Ashley had friended each other long ago, though neither of them did much about it. Now he flipped onto the page quickly to see her again and to see the guy who was replacing him. He’d better be worthy of her, Scott thought.
Ashley’s page flipped onto the screen and there she was, as dazzling as ever, looking out at him draped in a satin wedding gown. Scott’s heart pounded terrifically, as the gorgeous vision of Ashley reminded him of all the beauty and happiness they had shared. Only now she was going to belong to someone else. Who was she marrying? Who had captured her heart?
Scott scrambled around the page, agitated, looking for the groom. All the bridesmaids’ photos were displayed, including a picture of a big woman with wild, red hair. Scott wasn’t interested in any of them! He wanted to see the groom! Where was this guy? What did he do to deserve someone as wonderful as Ashley? Scott needed to actually look at the picture of the two of them together to help himself make it real.
To Scott’s dismay he couldn’t find a photo of the guy who was listed as her groom anywhere. That was odd, wasn’t it? He was tempted to pick up the phone right then and call Dennis to ask him exactly who Ashley was marrying when the office door quickly opened and Felice marched in.
“I told you to knock, didn’t I?” Scott burst out, annoyed.
“My God, whatever is wrong with you?” Felice snipped right back, “it’s time to go.”
Scott spun around and looked at her. He’d forgotten they were supposed to leave for the afternoon. Felice was totally dressed and ready. Compared to the sweet freshness of Ashley, she looked angular and heavily made up.
“I’ve told you not to just come into a room without knocking, Felice,” Scott repeated.
“Why not? I live here, don’t I? Why can’t I just open the door in my own home?”
“It’s unnerving, it’s impolite.”
Felice put her hands on her hips, “anything else wrong with me today?”
Scott took a deep breath. He didn’t want to get into one of their fighting matches, not now.
Felice walked deliberately over to where he was sitting and craned her neck in front of him.
“What’s that you’re staring at on the computer?” she asked, scrutinizing the screen.
Scott couldn’t have stopped her, if he’d wanted to.
“Someone you know getting married?” Felice turned to the screen and back at him again several times.
“Someone I used to know,” he mumbled.
“Who?” Felice’s eyes narrowed. “Someone important?”
Scott knew he should say she’s not that important, to defuse Felice’s ever ready jealousy. If he didn’t say it, he’d hear about it all day long.
“She is someone important,” he said slowly though, mostly to himself.
Felice heard every word completely. “Someone important? To who? To you?”
Scott watched Felice’s face grow whiter and tighter. The rest of the day was clearly ruined. Did he have the courage to actually tell Felice that Ashley used to be very, very important to him, and that although he’d had no idea of it, she was still important now.
<
br /> “Who is she important to, Scott? Tell me!”
“To everyone who knows her,” Scott finally said, as Felice turned, stormed out of the room and slammed the door behind her shut.
CHAPTER 21
The more Aldon texted, the better Ashley felt. Even though he wouldn’t be back for a few days, as they sent messages to each other all day long it made her feel secure, kept her spirits up, fuelled the wonderful fantasies she kept spinning. It also helped buffer the anxiety Ashley felt every day when an email came from tietheknot - reminding her what still had to be done before the wedding. Not only did they send her updates regularly, Ashley even received a personal note from someone on the staff.
Just checking in, a woman named Laura wrote. We notice you haven’t yet gotten the ring. Ashley had to check each thing off as it happened on their webpage and she hadn’t checked that she’d received the ring yet. It’s very close to the wedding, not to have received the ring, and we’re concerned about it. You’ve taken your venue, you’re ordering bridesmaid’s gifts, you’re looking for florists. Please be careful. Make sure he’s really committed! We don’t want you to lose money. Some men say one thing and do another, they can’t really commit. Before you go further, make sure – for your sake and the sake of the merchants as well.
That note had thrown Ashley into a tizzy. She knew they were doing it to protect her, but she hated being checked on. She hated that she needed a ring to prove that this was happening, that she was worthwhile and someone really wanted her.
So, when Tamara called a little later to talk about the wedding checklist, Ashley didn’t want to hear a word.
“The wedding checklist is set up and we have to go over it,” said Tamara. “And I need a definite budget, otherwise, we’ll be over the place.”
“What else?” asked Ashley lightly, as if everything could be managed with the flip of the hand.
“We’re all meeting in three days at Rodeo’s to listen to bands. Will the groom be back to join us for that?”
“Not yet,” said Ashley, “soon.”
“Soon? Tamara sounded put off.
“Yes, very soon, “said Ashley. The world of wedding planning was an alternate reality, and once you stepped into it, it was hard to get out. It was a reality Ashley was getting used to though, almost like moving to a foreign city, where the rules were different and everything centered around love, matching dresses, flowers, wine, music and the big moment under the canopy that would flash through your life forever like a shooting star.