Wedding Roulette

by Leandra Logan

  “That’s absurd.”

  She stepped back with twinkling eyes. “Hey, I’m sorry, but you don’t walk like any girl I’ve ever seen.”

  “I was only trying to prove a point—that any human being can move along without shaking a hip out of joint.”

  “All right. I’ll work on the mummy march on my own time.”

  “It’s just so necessary that you don’t stand out, cause the wrong kind of talk. My recipe, my store record, is where I hope to shine.”

  “I’m prepared to help you pull off this madness. But someday, some hour when you least expect it, some girl is going to shake you out of joint but good.”

  He grasped the fist she was shaking, and a trace of yearning, perhaps even fear, crossed his eyes. She sensed that just maybe, he hoped that girl might be her.

  “What now, Svengali?”

  “May I have this dance?”

  She smiled shyly. “I’m not sure I have the right music.”

  “No problem. I’ve got Frank Sinatra—”

  “In the briefcase,” she finished with a laugh.

  They spent a long while in each other’s arms. Both were decent dancers but had to learn to mold in all the right places, discover a mutual rhythm as they moved round the floor.

  A very intimate exercise, dance, Krista decided. Even as they stumbled through faster numbers like the fox-trot and rumba to find their best bets, she felt closer to Michael than she’d felt to a man in years. Even during sex.

  As they rounded off their second hour with some slow, meaningless meandering, Krista couldn’t help feeling they were retracing unnecessary steps. But she wasn’t about to complain. No way…

  When he was preparing to leave her town house around three o’clock, she gave Bob Freeman a call at the newspaper and offered to drive Michael to the airport herself. Bob declined, insisting upon picking him up.

  Thirty minutes later, she spotted Bob’s Town Car at the curb out front, his short boxy figure moving up her sidewalk. The man had a wide variety of tweed jackets, but somehow they all looked the same.

  She led Michael into the foyer. “Guess this is it.”

  He gazed down upon her affectionately. “Not a bad day’s effort.”

  “Not bad at all.” Suddenly she sensed he might want to kiss her.

  The moment was fleeting, lost as Bob rapped once and walked in.

  “Hello, you two,” he said, pressing the joviality. “Michael, would you mind waiting for me at the car? I’d like a word with Krista about a business matter at the paper.”

  An unsuspecting Michael strolled down the walkway.

  Bob stepped through the entryway. “Everything okay, Krista?”

  “Yes, Bob. Though I wish you had just let me take him to the airport.”

  “No, you are put out enough. Besides, I wanted to see you in person, make sure you’re okay with saving my hind end and all.”

  She folded her arms over her chest with a sigh. “I am perfectly fine with saving your anatomy. Please don’t worry so much.”

  “I won’t, now that I see how well you’re handling things.” He moved back to the stoop. “I could come back here on Sunday, if you like, take you to the airport?”

  “Judy’s bringing me so we can discuss some last-minute business.”

  “Okay.” He squeezed her hand. “Thanks.”

  “Just wish me luck.”

  “The way this Collins fella is eyeing you, he’ll need the luck.”

  Chapter Six

  Las Vegas was indeed the land of Lady Luck.

  Or so Michael Collins decided as he spotted Krista crossing the entrance of the Imperial Majestic on Sunday afternoon in a smart travel ensemble of blue gabardine, her raven hair pulled away from her features with a silver headband. If he didn’t know better he’d guess her pantsuit was tailored for her, the matching black leather luggage in the hands of a bellman, custom-made.

  She’d transformed herself not only into a proper lady, but into one of elegance and refinement. She didn’t walk, she glided. She didn’t gawk, she perused.

  By the quirk of her mouth and the gleam in her eye, however, he suspected that she was holding dear to her truer sassy Simona nature deep inside. The dynamite combo of lady and temptress made his pulse quicken.

  He moved across the busy lobby with genuine delight, calling her name when she was in earshot.

  Krista gave a little cry of surprise as he swept her into his arms. Another when he planted a kiss upon her open mouth.

  Holding her close, he murmured in her ear. “Guess we never did get to practice that part.”

  Her voice was as soft as his. “I don’t think you need any practice. But some warning would’ve been nice.”

  He touched some small stray hairs at her forehead. “No time to prepare, with half a dozen nosy conventioneers mingling in the lobby.”

  The lobby was grand in size and splendor, decorated in a sultan’s palace theme. The floor was sunken marble with a circle of small staircases flanked by golden railings. There were twin spurting fountains in the center court, as well as some bronzed statues scattered about.

  Several other men were wearing polo shirts like Michael’s, red in color, embroidered with DD for Decadent Delights. Even now, one of them, in the company of a woman, was closing in. He was about thirty, with a husky build and brown hair; she was near the same age, slender, with a shock of burnt-orange hair.

  The bellman was standing by patiently with the luggage. Admiring Krista a little too much, Michael decided. He sent the young man along to their suite with his key. “Here come Randy and Beth Norquist,” he reported quickly. “They’re out of Chicago like I am. Good friends, in fact. And he’ll expect you to have heard his name. So wing it as best you can.”

  “No problem.”

  Introductions were enthused, suggesting the Norquists were genuinely thrilled to meet Michael’s fiancée. Jokes were made about Michael’s long bachelorhood, the number of times the Norquists had tried to set him up, to no avail. The usual gibes expected from good friends.

  Randy seemed a bit hesitant, half convinced Michael had mentioned a name other than Krista in connection with his fiancée.

  “Must have been a pet name,” Krista improvised.

  “Yes,” Michael chimed in.

  “Started with a C, I think. Colleen?”

  “Oh, Randy,” Beth huffed. “You always get names wrong. A bad habit, being in the service business.”

  Randy laughed. “Sorry. Maybe it was one of Michael’s old girlfriends I’m thinking of.”

  Beth swatted his arm. “Randy!”

  “What now?” he squawked.

  Beth smiled apologetically at Krista. “He’s such an oaf.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” Krista murmured, slipping an arm through Michael’s. “I am totally secure in our relationship. Michael absolutely adores me. Don’t you, sweetie?”

  “I sure do,” he murmured.

  AS THEIR EYES LOCKED, Michael allowed himself to pretend it was real. For the good of the charade, of course. There was no way he could ever hope to end up on the same page with her, but pretending she belonged to him felt strangely thrilling.

  The couples exchanged parting words, agreeing to meet up at the convention’s kickoff cocktail party that night. Michael took Krista’s hand. “C’mon, I’ll show you our suite.”

  “Ooo, tiger,” Krista purred, to the Norquists’ pleasure.

  Michael was still holding her hand as they rode up in the crowded car, liking the way it fit snugly in his, impressed with her firm grip. Perhaps tapping a keyboard all day was good exercise for the fingers, even if the messages she was releasing to the public were dangerous tripe.

  “So did you like that touch?” she asked, once they were alone in the tenth-floor corridor.

  He deliberately gave her a blank look.

  “The tiger thing.”

  “It was fine. Fine.” What Simona would expect of a real tiger was anyone’s guess. Michael was so f
razzled that he nearly went beyond suite 1078. The door stood ajar and the bellman was inside, taking his sweet time unloading the luggage from the cart. Again, Michael sensed another male’s appreciation of Krista. Feeling rankled, he peeled off some bills and got rid of the young male employee posthaste.

  Krista, who had wandered around for a closer look, returned just in time to see the brusque dismissal. “Something wrong?”

  “I didn’t want him hanging around. Not the way he was inspecting you.”

  “Me?” She pressed a hand to her heart in surprise.

  “Maybe your real boyfriends like that kind of thing, but I don’t. For the next few days, you are my woman. I intend to draw a very protective circle around us.” He was immediately embarrassed by his outburst. The sentiments and passion behind his words were completely foreign to him. On top of it all, she laughed.

  “Oh, Michael, we are in a city full of showgirls who strut around in tassels and garters.” She gestured to her conservative pantsuit. “I doubt I had any affect on that twenty-year-old kid.”

  “Maybe in one of your obvious Simona getups, he would’ve passed you by. But there is a lot to be said for subtlety, for keeping feminine assets covered. It stimulates the imagination. C’mon, you know you’re beautiful.”

  Absolutely radiant now, she linked her arm through his. “You have nothing to fear. I promise not to do any tricky hip rolls or tease my hair or plaster on the makeup—”

  “But can you possibly keep such promises?”

  “On Girl Scouts honor.”

  “You were a Scout?”

  She lifted her chin proudly. “Sure. It was a very memorable time in my life.”

  “I’ll bet the Scout leaders remember it, too.”

  “Probably do, as I won more merit badges than anyone else in my troop.”

  He shook his head. “One minute I think I understand you, the next I don’t have a clue.”

  “Mysteries can be fun.”

  Too true. Heaven help him, he was already way too curious about all her secrets.

  “In any case, we are off to a decent start,” she said. “The Norquists seem very nice.”

  “Oh, they are,” he said absently. “But did you see the way some of those other DD owners were looking you over with raw envy?” He rubbed his hands together with glee. “This whole thing is going to be so great!”

  She lifted a dubious brow. “What happened to the circle of protection?”

  “You’re in it, of course. But you can’t blame me for showing off for the guys I know.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Boys will be boys.”

  “C’mon, I’ll show you your bedroom.” He picked up her suitcase and garment bag. She followed with her tote and purse.

  The room was garish, done in silver and royal blue with traces of purple.

  “It certainly is bright.”

  Michael shrugged, setting down the cases. “I suppose they don’t expect people to do much sleeping in here.”

  Her eyes immediately fell to the round king-size bed that resembled an adults-only trampoline with its chrome coverlet and velvet accent pillows.

  “Because of the games,” he clarified.

  “Games?”

  “In the casinos.”

  “Yes. Those games. I imagine this color scheme would go far to drive people downstairs.”

  It didn’t seem the right time to admit that he had expected her apartment to be decorated along these very lines.

  Krista sighed. “I suppose once I close my eyes, I can pretend the room is a relaxing white.”

  Michael left her to the chore of unpacking. He’d just spread the contents of his briefcase on the living area’s desk when he heard a cry of dismay. He raced back to the bedroom to find Krista on her knees in the center of the huge bed, desperately pawing through an open suitcase.

  “What’s the matter?”

  “I’ve forgotten some shoes.”

  “That’s all?”

  “The shoes for tonight’s big cocktail party.”

  He growled in dismay. “The event is so important. Gerald Stewart intends to honor us in a toast.”

  “I remember, I remember.” She inched off the bed and gestured to the closet door. “I was just setting my dress out and didn’t recall packing the shoes. Now I’m sure they aren’t here.”

  His annoyance faded slightly as he scanned the dress hanging on a hook attached to the door. It was an off-white gown with simple lines. Not too flashy, not too inconspicuous. “This is perfect. Just perfect.”

  “You don’t have to look so surprised!”

  “Sorry, this is no time to bicker, anyway. Let’s go down to the main level and find you a pair of shoes. There are several shops to choose from. In fact, it’ll be my contribution to your wardrobe.”

  “I can buy my own shoes,” she said, brushing past him through the door.

  “If you’d packed well, no one would be buying them. I never forget anything. Make a checklist. Then check off each item as I stow it away.”

  “Gee, let’s stop off and cable Irritated In Illinois, let her know of the fun she’s missing.”

  He couldn’t help chuckling. “We’re sounding more like a real couple every minute.”

  Shopping was a strength that Krista knew she could carry off well under any persona. A little later, as she and Michael stepped off the elevators to join the bustle of people on the main level, she went straight to the reservations desk to pick up a hotel directory. All but casting aside her anxious escort, she studied the shops listed, their locations in the complex, and set out to buy some shoes.

  By shop number five, Michael had had his fill. “Please. Krista. Choose some shoes here.”

  She couldn’t help thinking how cute he looked, full of weary yearning. “You could go up to the suite and wait.”

  “And trust you? No, I think I’ll hang on awhile longer.”

  She was reminded that he’d expect her to make an unusual choice. Lost in her mission, she’d forgotten that. “Why don’t we split up?” she suggested. “You try the displays on the left while I try the right side.” Once out of his reach, she punched in her work number. Judy answered. “Jude, it’s me.”

  “I knew you’d be calling to check on us. You were supposed to leave our business in my capable hands!”

  “I can’t bear to be totally cut off. Quick, tell me if you heard from Baxter Interiors about my sky writing idea for their grand opening.”

  “No word yet.”

  “Has my T-shirt order for Life Form Fitness Center arrived?”

  “Yes. I plan to deliver them to the center myself. So, how are things going with the scam?”

  “Okay. We’re shopping for shoes to go with my cream cocktail dress and Michael doesn’t trust me to choose them without his help.” She glanced nervously at Michael, just out of earshot by a clog display. “That’s another reason I called. I need Courtney to recommend some shoes, something inappropriate, something Michael can inflate his ego by correcting.”

  “Hang on. Our resident bohemian is doing some filing.”

  Courtney was soon on the line. “Hello, Ms. Mattson. Still can’t believe you just took off on a holiday. Especially to Vegas. Neither can my mom or my boyfriend—”

  “Courtney, I brought along my cream dress, the one I wore to the Christmas party. If I want to add some pizzazz to my look, what sort of shoes would you suggest?”

  “A Taurus like you doesn’t take risks. You are deliberate, methodical.”

  “What would you do about the shoes?”

  “If I were a Taurus, you mean?”

  “Yes!”

  “Your colors are pale blue, green and pink. Any of those would work.”

  “Okay.”

  “I can’t be sure without my charts, but I think according to your sign, Venus is in Cancer.”

  “Does that have a bearing on my shoes?”

  “No. Just thought I’d throw it in. You being on vacation and all. Be aware that you’r
e bound to be full of sensual passion. Possessiveness can be a problem. It is also a time for Taurus to apply business sense to the business of relationships.”

  The hints of possible sense in that jumble of nonsense gave her a little shiver. Which she promptly shook off. “Thank you, Courtney.” She disconnected as Michael approached.

  “Who were you talking to?”

  She hesitated. “Judy.”

  “I like that girl’s savvy. Could be a stable influence, if a person let her.”

  “Don’t gush too much. She’d think twice before jumping into a deal like this.”

  “Ah, but she’d never get me in a jam in the first place. Now don’t blow a fuse,” he begged as she geared up. “I think I found something.” He held up a stunning suede pump with a medium heel and smooth line.

  They looked perfect, the sort of thing Krista bought frequently. Not about to give in easily, however, she continued to roam the shop. “Hang on to those while I take one last loop around.”

  He was anxiously at her side as she picked up one glittery shoe after another. It was a bit of fun, watching the confident executive gape and blanch over the most inappropriate possibilities. Ultimately, she chose some dainty slippers with high heels. They were light green in color with a crystallized texture. “You’re sure to like these, in your favorite color.”

  “Green isn’t my favorite color. I just read someplace that it makes a good impression on people.”

  “But I should be taking a fashion risk here, being a Taurus full of passion.”

  A hint of fire lit his face at the mention of passion. “They are dazzling.” Just the same, he planted the suede shoe in her hand. “We’re taking enough risks as it is. Let’s try these on.”

  The moment the salesman slipped the shoes on her feet, she was aware of a snugness in the toe. Then she stood up and walked back and forth to verify a very pronounced pinch.

  “They aren’t the best fit,” she told a very disappointed Michael. The salesman had to be commissioned, for he too looked disappointed. “Have you a half size larger?”

  “They run only in whole sizes. The next size up would be too large.”