“Yes. Will you take it?”
She looked around the place. “Yes. I like the idea of working with a blank canvas. Although I don’t know why you’d want to hire me considering you don’t know anything about my taste.”
“That’s a no-brainer.”
“Why’s that?”
“You have this wonderful refined air about you. I noticed it the night we met.”
She smiled. “Even with the glasses you could see that?”
“Definitely. Speaking of glasses, you don’t have them with you.”
“I know.”
“Are they broken, or do you not wear glasses?”
“Yes and yes.”
He looked confused. “I beg your pardon?”
“Yes, they are broken, and I don’t wear glasses.” She paused. “The old saying goes men don’t make passes at women with glasses.”
“So you didn’t want any company that night.”
She took a deep breath. “True, and then you walked in and I changed my mind.”
“I’m glad you did.”
“Me, too.”
“Now can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.”
“I’m curious how you became a wedding planner.”
She paused to think. “I’ve been a wedding junkie since my dad bought an Easy Bake Oven for me when I was four. The first thing I tried to do was stack my little cakes. My father says it was all downhill from there.”
“I guess they knew what you were going to be when you grew up.”
“Not exactly. My parents expected me to have a profession, and wedding planner didn’t qualify. I was a lawyer before I started Bliss.”
“You’re a lawyer?”
“Yes. Although I don’t practice, I still maintain my license. It comes in handy every now and then.”
“I bet it does. What made you go from attorney to planner?”
She thought for a moment. “As an attorney I was sleepwalking through my life. I did everything that was expected of me and I was successful, but I lacked passion. That’s when I decided to quit and I started Bliss, Inc. That was ten years ago, and I haven’t looked back.”
“Good for you.”
Paige leaned on her elbow. “Now tell me how a young man born with a platinum spoon ends up teaching and living in Harlem?”
“Well, it started with my grandfather Alistair. He expanded the family’s fortune tenfold in the twenties and thirties with the idea that it would give him more time to devote to giving back to the community.”
“Your grandfather is still a philanthropic legend.”
“I spent a lot of time with him before he died and he knew how much I loved history. He’s the one who encouraged me to go into education so I could share my love of history and inspire young minds. I knew I could have taught in a prestigious private school but I didn’t want to teach a bunch of spoiled brats.”
“You realize you’re talking about your people?”
“Exactly, and who would know about that better than me? So I took my degree from Brown and applied for positions in Harlem. When I was offered a position to teach high school history I took it. I’ve been teaching for the last six years or so.”
“I’m impressed.”
“Thanks. I leave the family fortune stuff to Michael and my dad.”
“So it works out for everyone.”
“It does.” He paused. “You know, this is so surreal. We were strangers in the night and now here we are together again.”
“And I’m planning your brother’s wedding. What are the odds of that?”
“I would say it was written in the stars.” He smiled.
“I like the way that sounds.”
They cuddled a little closer and kissed until they became one again and again.
* * *
Both Paige and Matthew drifted off to sleep but were startled by frantic knocking in the wee hours of the early morning.
“What in the world?” Matthew sat up straight.
Paige sat up. “Who in the world would come by at this time?”
Nude, Matthew grabbed his robe. “I’ll check it out.”
“You’re not going downstairs, are you?” Paige was alarmed.
“I’m going to check the camera, and then once I see who it is I’ll decide whether I should open the door or not.” He walked into the hallway.
Paige hadn’t noticed his security system, but once she saw it she felt a little better.
“I don’t believe it.” He was in a state of shock. “It’s my brother.”
“Your brother? What in the world is he doing here at this time of night?”
“I don’t know. I guess I have to go find out.”
Paige stayed in bed while he went downstairs. A couple of minutes later she heard a little commotion.
“I’m tired of her trying to run my life.”
Paige realized that was Jennifer’s voice.
“She wants us to elope tonight,” Michael said.
“What happened?”
“I wasn’t there at the time but apparently they got into an argument over bridesmaids.”
Paige rubbed her forehead. I knew that was going to come up again.
“She wants to run our wedding her way. We’re not one of her divisions and she can’t make arbitrary decisions about our wedding. I think we should fly out to Vegas tonight and that’s it.” Jennifer’s voice cracked.
Paige saw her financial future begin to go up in smoke, but she wasn’t one to force clients to make a decision based on her bottom line.
“You’re just upset. Once you have a chance to calm down and we talk to her together things will be fine.”
“What do you two know? You’re guys. Mothers and sons are completely different. You guys practically walk on water to your mom. You can’t possibly understand.”
Clad in Matthew’s shirt, Paige emerged. “But I understand.”
Michael and Jennifer’s mouths fell open.
“Paige?” Michael was flabbergasted. He turned to Matthew. “I knew you wanted to meet up with her, but I didn’t see this coming.”
“Come on into the kitchen and I’ll explain everything. I think Paige needs to talk to Jennifer.”
They walked to the kitchen.
Jennifer flopped on the loveseat. “You and Matthew? This is mind-blowing.”
“That makes two of us with blown minds. But that aside, I heard you talking about your mom. What’s happening?”
“Are you worried about losing out on all that money if Michael and I elope?” Jennifer’s tone was ripe with cynicism.
Paige shook her head. “I don’t have a problem with you eloping as long as that’s what you want to do.”
“I find that hard to believe. You are in business, aren’t you?”
Paige paused for a moment. “Are you under the impression I’m a wedding planner because of the money?”
“Isn’t that why anyone does anything?”
“As a matter of fact, it isn’t. I’m not a wedding planner because I want to be rich. I’m a romantic. I’m in it because I love weddings and it’s nice to be a part of something so special in someone’s life. Weddings represent new beginnings and endless possibilities. What’s not to love? Besides, if I were in it for the money I’d schedule twice the number of weddings that I have now, but I don’t because I want to make sure all of my planners are able to give our brides their full attention.”
Jennifer backed down. “I get it. It’s all about the romance to you.”
“Exactly. If Vegas is where the romance is for you, then mazel tov! Go with my blessings.”
“You said you understood what was happening with my mother.”
“I do understand what’s happening. You and your mom are not the first mother and daughter to disagree.”
“I know, but it feels that way sometimes.”
“I’ve been there, too.”
“You know, the other night I watched Platinum Weddings and there was this m
other and daughter on and they seemed to get along about everything.”
“You’re talking about the episode where they got married in a castle.”
“Right. It was a nice wedding and the two of them really…” Her voice trailed off. “They got along like a house on fire. It made me wonder. Why can’t my mother and I be like them?”
“I can’t answer that one. I used to feel the same way with my mother.”
Jennifer started to tear up. “She just doesn’t understand what it’s like for me. I want this wedding to be about Michael and me. I don’t want to share the spotlight.”
“Are you talking about the salad witches?”
Jennifer chuckled as she wiped her eyes. “Yes. She still wants me to ask them to be in the wedding and I don’t want to.”
“Your cousin Avery is enough for you?”
“Yes. There’s no way I want those girls in my party.”
“You feel like you’d be upstaged by them, right?”
“I know I will. It happened at their sweet sixteen parties, the prom, and even their bridal showers. I was always the poor fat girl in the midst, the one girl they could point to if they wanted to feel better about themselves.”
“I understand where you’re coming from, Jennifer. I’ve been the big girl since birth so I know how you feel. You have to try to make her understand how you feel and that might mean saying, ‘I don’t want those miserable witches in my bridal party.’ ”
“I’ve been trying and it doesn’t work.”
“Maybe you’re a little too close. I can talk to her if you’d like.”
“Would you do that?”
“Sure. It’s your wedding and you can cry if you want to.”
She laughed. “I scared Michael to death when I showed up at the townhouse with my overnight bag.”
“I bet you did.”
“But it looks like we scared you and Matthew to death.”
“That’s putting it mildly.”
“When did you two get together?”
Paige tugged at Matthew’s shirt. “That’s a story I’ll leave for Michael to tell. I know he’s getting the complete 411 on everything.”
Jennifer thought for a moment. “I can’t say I’m completely surprised. I thought I picked up on a vibe between you two at lunch the other day.”
“Matthew is a great guy.” Paige felt a little bashful.
Jennifer smiled. “You’re blushing. You do know what a great guy he is.”
“I do.” Paige smiled. “No pun intended. So are you ready to catch the red-eye to Vegas?”
Matthew and Michael walked back into the living room.
“So are you okay? Or do I have to log on to book two tickets for Las Vegas?” Michael asked.
“I’m okay. Paige is going to help me.”
“Thanks, Paige,” Michael said, relieved. “I was trying to figure out how I would explain it to both our parents.”
Paige laughed. “I’m sure that is a conversation you’d rather not have.”
“That’s the truth.”
Jennifer got up and walked over to Michael, who put his arms around her. “Why do you put up with me?”
He looked at her lovingly. “I love you, Jennifer, and no matter what you do, you’re priceless to me.” He kissed her.
“Aww, isn’t that sweet?” Matthew asked with his tongue firmly in his cheek.
“Look who’s talking?”
Paige laughed again. “It’s like being a part of some kind of brotherly stand-up act.”
“Don’t get them started. They love to fool around.”
“Okay, I guess I should get you home so we can let these folks get back to whatever they were doing.” Michael winked at Matthew.
“So I’ll see you on Monday, right?” Jennifer asked.
“Yes. Monday bright and early for the florist. Just take it easy with your mom. It will work out for the best, I promise.”
“I know you’re right.” She and Michael walked to the door. “We’ll see you later.”
“Later, brother.”
“I’m going to walk them downstairs. I’ll be back.”
“I’ll be in the bedroom,” Paige said as she walked past him.
“I’ll make it quick.” He hurried downstairs behind them.
Paige climbed back into his king-size bed. A minute later Matthew walked in, threw his robe off and climbed in next to her.
“That was quick. Did you give them the bum’s rush or something?”
“No. It doesn’t take all night to say good night.”
“I guess not.”
“I have to tell you my shirt never looked as good on me as it does on you.”
“It’s comfortable, and it smells like your cologne. If my nose doesn’t deceive me, it’s Cool Water by Davidoff. Am I right?”
He was impressed. “You’re right. You’ve got a sensitive nose.”
“It’s one of my favorite scents for men.”
“Good to know.” He leaned over her. “You know there’s only one thing I like better than you in my shirt.”
“What’s that?”
“You out of my shirt.” He unbuttoned the shirt in record time. “Oh, now that’s much better.”
As long as they were up they decided to make the most of the early morning.
CHAPTER 11
Paige squinted at the bright morning sun in the window. She looked over at Matthew, who was sleeping soundly. She sat up to see a cat curled up on the bed. She didn’t know he had a cat.
The silence was broken again by Paige’s cell phone. She scrambled to reach her bag to answer it.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Mom.”
“Hi, Max. Is everything okay?”
“It’s fine, Mom. Dad’s taking me to a Knicks game tonight.”
“That sounds like fun.” She kept her voice down.
“Are you okay, Mom? You sound kind of funny.”
“I’m fine. It’s just a little frog in my throat.”
“Oh, okay. I’ll call you after the game.”
“Good. You have a good time with your dad.”
“I will. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Okay, hon.” Paige closed her phone and saw the time. “Oh, God, it’s nearly eleven o’clock already.” Paige slid out of bed and wrapped a sheet around her, which disturbed Prudence. “Sorry, kitty, I need this more than you right now.”
“Paige?” Matthew was groggy. “I see you’ve met my tenant’s cat, Prudence.”
“Yes. She seems like one contented kitty.”
“She loves coming up here.”
“It must be your cologne,” Paige teased.
“It could be.”
Paige scurried around the apartment looking for her clothes.
“What’s the matter?” he asked as he rubbed his eyes.
“I didn’t realize the time. I overslept.”
“We did have a bit of excitement last night, in more ways than one,” he winked.
“I know, but I have a wedding today.”
He looked at the clock. “I hope it wasn’t this morning.”
“It’s not until the evening, but I have a lot to do before the wedding.”
Paige wiggled herself into her clothes.
“Can you bring a date to this function?”
“Not really, I’m working this party. We could get together Sunday before my ex brings Max back.”
“You mean visit you on the Island?”
“Sure. Or I could come back in for the day.”
“Either works for me. How about I come out to your place?”
“That’s fine with me.”
Matthew threw on some clothes and they made it to Penn Station in record time. Paige checked her schedule. “The trains usually run hourly on the weekends. Let’s hope I’m in time for the next one.” She searched the schedule.
Matthew looked at the board. “It looks like one will begin boarding in about five minutes.”
“You’re righ
t. Thanks for getting me here so quickly.”
“You’re welcome. I’ve had many days where I’ve been crunched for time, so I know a few shortcuts.”
“Shortcuts are a good thing.”
He wrapped his arms around her waist. “I wish you didn’t have to go. I wanted to spend a long, leisurely day in bed with you.”
Paige closed her eyes. “That’s a nice thought. Maybe we can do that another time.”
“Soon, I hope.”
“Very soon.”
The minute they kissed, the announcement to board the train echoed through the waiting room.
“They’re playing my song.”
“Okay. How about one more kiss for the ride home?”
They kissed each other tenderly.
Paige pulled away. “Okay, sweetie. I’ll see you later.”
“Okay.”
She blew him a kiss before disappearing down the stairs.
Once Paige got a seat in one of the smaller cars she checked her messages.
Good God, I have seven messages from Deidre. She scrolled through her missed call list and decided in the interest of time to call Deidre instead of listening to the messages.
“Hello?”
“Deidre, it’s Paige. You called me.”
Paige could hear her breathe a sigh of relief. “I was calling about Patricia’s wedding.”
“What about it?”
“Daisy called. It seems she has a stomach virus, so she won’t be able to work the wedding.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. I’ll give her a call later to see how’s she’s feeling. But you called me seven times. What’s the emergency?”
“I couldn’t get in touch with Eve or Adriana to cover the wedding in her place.”
“Adriana has Terri Wood’s wedding. Eve had the Mehndi and Sangeet party yesterday evening for Charu and Ajay’s wedding and she’s supervising a team today to get things ready for Charu’s family’s Baraat party this evening.”
“A what party?”
“A Baraat party. It’s when the bride’s family welcomes the groom’s family as a symbol of the two family’s oneness.”
Deidre groaned. “You told me that once before. This is why I’m not ready to work a wedding.”
Paige shook her head. “You know, Deidre, if you want to be a planner you will eventually have to work a wedding. All this nonsense about you not being ready just reinforces your negative self-fulfilling prophecy. You need to adjust your attitude.”
Bliss, Inc. (Indigo Love Spectrum) Page 11