by S. E. Law
I laugh at Hadley’s enthusiasm. We’ve known each other since first grade and the bubbly, petite blonde is a constant source of entertainment.
“Hi Hads.” I look behind her. “No date?” I raise my eyebrows at her, teasing.
She grimaces.
“Ugh, no. I was going to bring that guy I met online the other week, but then he started talking about how much he loves his cat and I was like no thank you and also figured like all of Marky’s hot friends are going to be here plus his dad is super fine so I mean, really.” Hadley shrugs at the end of her dizzying speech. “Where is Marky, anyways?”
I look around the nearly full room. No fiancé to be found.
“I’m not sure. He said he had to work late, but I’m sure he’ll be here soon,” I tell Hadley, not wanting to admit my growing annoyance over his absence.
“But his dad’s here.” Hadley gestures across the room to Matt, who is talking to a particularly curvy redhead. Who is that woman? I frown at them, unsure why I feel a twinge of jealousy. “Doesn’t Marky work for his dad?”
“Yeah but Mr. Harrison owns the company. Marky, child genius he may be, is merely a junior architect.”
Suddenly, Matt looks up to see Hadley and I looking at him. He raises his glass at us, and I respond in kind and smile at the handsome man, but just as quickly turn away.
Who is that woman? The thought bugs me, and I shake my head with annoyance.
“Well, it’s just as well because I want to see that rock again,” Hadley coos as she grasps my left hand in hers and examines my engagement ring intently. “Oh gosh, Cora. This ring is to die for.” She fakes fainting and I can’t help but laugh at her antics.
“It is lovely.” I sigh with delight while I gaze at the pretty heirloom. It’s been in Marky’s family for generations and it’s single-handedly the most beautiful thing I’ve ever worn. The ring is an antique, 18-karat gold band set with real pearls and delicate diamonds. All of which centers on a flawless 1.5-carat center diamond. Given its age, perfect condition, and giant gemstone, the ring probably costs more than my car. I love wearing it but I’m also terrified to be entrusted with something so precious.
“Lovely is an understatement.” Hadley shakes her head. “Marky must really love you.”
Suddenly, we’re interrupted.
“Oh the ring! I would love to get a closer look, Cora,” comes a high-pitched wheezy voice. My Great-Aunt Sue ambles over, always eager for the latest gossip to snag and immediately share.
“Hi Auntie. Thanks for coming.” I kiss her withered old cheek and hold my hand out to her.
“Cora, this ring something special. What’s the story?”
“Well, it’s been in Marky’s family for several generations now, on his dad’s side.”
Auntie Sue nods, looking at the ring thoughtfully.
“It looks like it’s expensive. I wonder how much…?” She regards me inquisitively but I just laugh. “Fine, keep your secrets, Little Miss. And mind you take good care it,” Aunt Sue lectures me.
“I will. I’m really blessed to have such a beautiful and treasured ring. I know it means a lot to the family.” I smile at my relative, sincere in my words. I’m so lucky to have a ring from Matt Harrison.
“Well, you look as pretty as a picture.” The older woman pinches my cheek and walks toward the bar. “Take care sweetie pie. I’m going to get myself another cocktail. Those Aperol spritzes are good!”
As my aunt ambles away, my best friend giggles a bit.
“Wonder how many drinks she’s had,” Hadley teases.
“She is a character.” I roll my eyes.
“But she’s right, you do look so beautiful.” Hadley squeezes my hand.
I beam at her and look down again at my stunning engagement ring. Tonight, set against my creamy skin and blue velvet dress, the ring sparkles especially bright, a visual representation of my mood.
Well, almost.
Where the heck is Marky?
Across the room, Matt shoots me a glance, even though he’s still talking to the redhead. Who is that woman? I think to myself for the third time. I smile slightly, and turn away from him, not entirely sure why I suddenly feel both embarrassed and thrilled to catch him looking at me.
For the next several minutes, I make the rounds and continue to greet my guests, sneaking in quick calls to Marky that range from worry about him to demanding to know where he is. I’m growing more and more frustrated that my fiancé still hasn’t made an appearance when, finally, after my fifth phone call, Marky picks up.
“Hey, I’ve been trying to reach you. Where are you?” I try to control my exasperation, relieved that he has finally answered.
“Sorry, I know. Look I can’t talk but I’ll be on my way soon,” he says in a slightly breathless voice. Has he been working out? Why would he sound like that?
Marky hangs up abruptly before I can ask, and I stand there for a moment, wondering what is going on and why I’m alone at my own engagement party.
Sighing, I sip on my almost empty glass of champagne and observe the joy around me. Where is my handsome fiancé? And why hasn’t he made an appearance yet?
2
Matt
Taking in the busy scene before me, I take another swig of whiskey. The busty redhead won’t stop talking my ear off, but I’m trying to be polite. She’s pretty and curvy, and a friend of Marky’s from college so I’m obligated to listen. I nod at her chatter and laugh quickly whenever she makes a joke.
But my actual attention is focused elsewhere, across the room where a beautiful brunette is greeting friends and family all alone, on what should be a happy evening. Instead, Cora looks distracted and upset. Even from my distant spot across the packed room, I can sense that something is bugging her.
Where the hell is Marky?
I scan the room for my son, unsure why he’s late. I even made him leave work early so he could go home and get ready.
My eyes land on Cora again. Wow, she looks insanely good.
Her deep blue dress compliments her milky skin perfectly, and fits her like a glove. Her tousled brown hair is swept to the side in a pretty style, showing her delicate neck and the deep-v neckline of the dress. My gaze lingers a little on the neckline, and I let it slip lower to take in her full backside and how well the dress hugs it.
Cora is a beautiful woman, and any man would have to be blind not to see it. Of course, she’s my son’s fiancée, but I’m a red-blooded male with 20-20 vision. She’s absolute dynamite, and I can’t help but notice.
However, something tells me that she doesn’t see herself as a stunningly attractive woman. On more than one occasion, she’s made a self-deprecating comment about her weight or clothing, and it’s all I can do to not shake her, and tell her how gorgeous she is.
I don’t know why Marky isn’t complimenting her non-stop. While the kid is sweet enough, my son sometimes has his head in the clouds. Sure, he’ll say she’s pretty or that she looks nice, but he hasn’t really learned to communicate in a way that makes a woman feel truly special.
I take another long sip of my drink. Fine, I can’t blame Marky entirely, I admit to myself. It’s probably because his mom and I got married too young and had our own communication issues.
I could also blame Cora.
The woman is a temptress, whether she knows it or not. With those deep brown eyes, plump lips, soft, creamy skin, and full, womanly figure, she looks like an ad straight out of a dirty magazine.
And she’s so determined to be sweet and friendly. She has no idea what I’d really like to do.
I shake my head. I shouldn’t be thinking about my future daughter-in-law like this.
But I can’t help myself. I let my gaze flit across the room again to land on the curvy brunette.
I frown at what I’m witnessing.
God, she looks like she’s about to cry, I realize as I watch her hang up her phone.
Before Cora can get a moment alone, I watch as another well-wishing family member a
ssaults her to see the engagement ring. Cora’s normally lively eyes look slightly pained while she talks politely with this newest guest.
I observe the interaction – the relative asking about the ring, Cora holding her hand out daintily, and the relative fawning over the expensive jewelry. To my surprise, however, Cora doesn’t appear to want to flaunt the ring, but instead holds her hand close to her heart as if showing how much it means to her.
I smile as I watch the young girl cherish her engagement ring. But then, I frown a bit. I know that ring far too well. I gave it to my ex-wife about twenty-five years ago, when I found out she was pregnant with Marky. It had been the right thing to do at the time and I married my pregnant college girlfriend like a good man. But the relationship had quickly gone sour, especially when I found out she’d been cheating on me for years.
I shake my head at the recollection. It was a hell of a time, trying to pry that ring off of her finger.
In front of Marky, I’m careful to never speak ill of his mother. But in my private thoughts, I can’t help but be angry with Angelica. I’ve never known martial bliss, and Marky’s never had a loving, attentive mother.
She couldn’t even make it to her own son’s engagement party, I think sourly, looking around the room. Shows how much Marky means to her.
A voice interrupts my thoughts.
“So that’s when I told the bartender like, nah-ah, you have to pour me another drink because – ” the busty redhead is recounting some absurd story and I try to focus on her but I can’t.
“Of course, he should,” I reply automatically, hoping my inane comment buys me a few more moments of silence. But my reverie is interrupted when I notice that Cora is now standing completely alone, staring out the doorway and looking completely miserable.
Screw it. I stand up quickly. Shit, what’s this girl’s name? I look at the redhead, trying to recall what we were talking about.
“Excuse me, I see someone I need to greet,” I smile slightly at the woman who’s been talking nonstop since I sat down and head over to the bar. She pouts at me and literally shakes her bust, hoping to entice me to stay. But I merely look away and stroll to the bar.
“One glass of champagne.” I drop a tip into the tip jar as the bartender hands me the chilled glass of bubbly. “See that young lady over there?” I point to Cora. “That’s the bride to be. Her glass should never be empty, got it?”
“Yes sir, we’ll take care of it.”
“Good. I’ll take this one over myself.” I give the bartender another generous tip, and then walk over to Cora. Yet another relative has approached the poor girl and is drooling over the engagement ring, oblivious to Cora’s miserable state.
“How wealthy are the Harrisons? Because I mean, surely you know how much the ring worth. Aren’t you going to get it insured? You must know its value in order to purchase insurance,” an older woman presses. “So, how much?”
Cora just looks distressed.
“More than money can buy,” I intervene and hand the curvy girl the fresh glass of champagne. “It looked like you could use a refill.” She smiles at me gratefully. “Ma’am,” I smile as I turn to the annoying relative, “I need a minute with my future daughter-in-law, please.” The woman eyes me with interest, and then she scurries away.
When the relative is out of earshot, Cora sighs with relief.
“Thanks. She’s a distant cousin my mom said I had to invite, but she’s always been so nosy.” Cora takes a dainty sip of her chilled drink and sighs again. “I feel like I’ve been talking for hours,” she laughs but it doesn’t reach her eyes.
“Are you okay, Cora?” I search her face with concern. Her features are lovely but looking a bit pinched.
“Yes, of course, I’m fine,” she tells me unconvincingly.
“Sweetheart, you’re going to have to try a lot harder than that.”
She looks down for a moment at the champagne glass in her hand.
“Well, it’s just, do you know where Marky is? I finally got a hold of him but he said he couldn’t talk and just hung up on me. It was really weird.” Cora looks genuinely troubled and it’s all I can do to not pull her into my arms.
Get it together. She’s about to be your daughter-in-law.
“I’m not sure where Marky is,” I tell her, and it’s the truth.
“Was he still at work when you left?”
I shake my head.
“No, and I told him to leave early, so he could focus on getting ready for tonight. He left right after lunch, saying he had some stuff to wrap up today.”
“After lunch? Oh sure, no that’s right. I forgot that.” Cora takes another sip. I can tell she’s fibbing, but decide not to press her on it.
Out of mercy, I change the subject.
“Are you surviving the onslaught of relatives?”
“Barely.” She smiles weakly. “But I’m happy so many people could make it. And the restaurant really is just perfect. Thank you again.”
“You deserve nothing but happiness Cora. This is your day.” I smile at the girl, but to my surprise, her eyes are misty. “You okay?”
“Yeah, just wedding jitters.” She goes to take a sip of champagne but holds up the glass, now empty. “Oops, drank that too fast. Don’t want to be getting drunk at my own engagement party!”
Suddenly, a member of the serving staff materializes at Cora’s side within seconds with a freshly chilled, full flute of champagne. Oh shit. Maybe I shouldn’t have given that instruction to keep her glass filled.
“Oh wow, thank you,” she says with surprise. The waiter nods politely and then strolls off to help another guest. “They’re very attentive here,” Cora says to me.
“Yes, they are, aren’t they?” I say vaguely. “Great service.”
Cora looks at me, her brown eyes questioning. We look at each other quickly, and the moment is electric, but she breaks contact first.
“So I’m surprised Marky’s mom isn’t here.” She looks at me with a questioning look, and then grows red. “Sorry, I just thought it was weird that she refused to come.” Cora looks down at her feet, embarrassed.
I laugh lightly.
“Honestly? I bet it’s just because Angelica didn’t want to see that ring on your hand.”
Cora looks confused as she looks down at the heirloom, letting the light reflect brilliantly off the delicate diamonds.
“Really?”
“Yes,” I reply. “That ring was hers for years, and I had to pry it out of her possession as part of our divorce. Otherwise, it would still be in her jewelry chest.”
Cora blushes.
“Oh my god, I’m so sorry.”
I shrug.
“Don’t be. It looks good on you, sweetheart. Much better than it ever did on Angelica, with her blood-red talons.”
Cora smiles a bit, and I nod.
Good, glad she’s lightening up a little. But where is Marky?
More than ever, I’m tempted to touch Cora. Giving in, I sweep a wisp of her dark brown hair back from her face and tuck it behind her ear, and we both pause at the gesture. I drop my hand abruptly, and Cora takes a long sip of her champagne. The air between us is tense and vibrating with electricity, as if we both know I’ve done something taboo.
Just as I start to make an excuse to step away from the temptation that is Cora Morrissey, from the corner of my eye, I see Marky arrive for the party, looking messy and out of breath while standing in the doorway.
What the hell happened to his hair?
Marky hasn’t gone a day in his entire life with untamed hair, and, while an odd thing to notice, it’s my first indication that something is off with him.
I observe my son more carefully, trying to read whatever emotion is etched across his chiseled face. He’s manly, yes, and a good-looking kid. In fact, he looks just like I did almost twenty years ago, with the same strong jaw and vivid blue eyes. But tonight, looking at him in the dimly lit room, something’s off. What would possess him to come
to his own party with rumpled hair and a crinkled suit?
Marky slips into the packed room, waving greetings here and there and offering quick hellos, a fake smile popping on his face in salutation but disappearing just as quickly when done. It seems almost as though he’s looking for someone, and – assuming it’s Cora – I wave at him to come to where we’re standing. He holds up his hand, signaling that he needs a moment, as he keeps peering around the room. Finally, he gives up and approaches Cora and me, seeming flustered in addition to moody.
My worry remains as I observe Marky and Cora exchange a quick, awkward greeting, her face full of questions while Marky turns away with a shuttered expression.
“Hey, Dad. How’s it going?”
“Son.”
“Why are you so late?” Cora demands, looking relieved to see her fiancé but also put off.
“It’s a long story. Can we just talk about it later?” Marky asks vaguely, his brilliant blue eyes still scanning the room.
I step in.
“Who are you looking for?” I ask.
“What?” Marky sounds distracted. “No one, sorry. I’m here now, can we just talk later?”
I clear my throat.
“Well, I’m going to take that as my cue to return to my seat. Now that you’re here,” I clap Marky on the shoulder, “I think we’ll settle in and get the dinner going.”
“Sounds good. Thanks again for all of this, Dad. It’s great.” Marky gestures absently around the decorated room.
“Of course.” I smile again and lean in toward Cora so she can hear me over the noise of the party. “You sure you’re okay?”
She smiles tremulously and whispers back.
“Yeah, everything’s good. Thanks so much, Mr. Harrison.”
I back away from her irresistible form before things get too out of hand.
“I think we’ll go ahead and get started with the toasts, once the first course is served. Get things moving along. Sound good?”
“That’d be great, thank you, Matt.” Cora is searching my eyes with her large brown ones, almost as if looking for me to say or do something else. Instead, I take a decided step back, too close to her to control myself much longer.