Paige put her arm around Jennifer’s shoulder. “Every now and then a little girly and frilly lunch is just the ticket. Let me pay for these and we’ll blow this Popsicle stand.”
Jennifer laughed.
They walked over to the Inn at Irving Place. When they entered a hostess greeted them.
“Good afternoon, ladies. Are you here for tea?”
“Yes, we are,” Paige answered.
“Follow me, please.”
Paige hung back a little when the hostess opened the door.
“Surprise!”
Jennifer jumped.
“Here’s the lady of the hour, everyone!” Paige grinned.
Jennifer turned around. “You did this, didn’t you?”
“Guilty. But your mother and Avery are hosting this shindig for you.”
The surprise five-course bridal shower high tea at Lady Mendi’s was practically standing room only. Even the country club witches showed up with gifts in hand. Jennifer was overwhelmed with the gifts and merriment, and Mrs. Klein was brought to tears.
Paige made sure everything went smoothly. The service at Lady Mendi’s was impeccable and the food was wonderful. Mrs. Granger led the group in some spirited bridal shower games. While the guests played, Paige, Daisy, and Stuart worked to coordinate all the gifts Jennifer received.
“This is some haul,” Daisy remarked.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many high-end boxes in one place in my life,” Stuart laughed. “I think you’re going to need a van to get them back to the Kleins’ place.”
Paige looked at the mountain of gifts. “I think you have a point.” She took her Blackberry out. “Maybe Stephen can pick them up. He has a van.”
“I’ll give him a call.” Stuart went into the other room to call him.
“Oh, Paige, did I tell you the news?”
“What news?”
“Lauren and Jennifer met and Lauren’s going to be the first artist to exhibit in the gallery.”
“Oh, that’s great, Daisy. The gallery is in a great location. She’s going to do well. Both of them will.”
Daisy crossed her fingers. “Let’s hope so.”
“Remember, Daisy, it’s the power of positive thinking.”
Stuart walked back in. “Stephen can do it.”
“Terrific. What’s the damage?” Paige asked.
“He said consider it his way of paying back a favor.”
Paige got it. “Okay.”
“What favor?” Daisy asked.
“I helped him get a last-minute reservation for his anniversary.”
“So he forgot his anniversary and you made him look like a hero.” Stuart chuckled.
“Doing good things brings good karma.”
“I didn’t think you believed in karma.”
“In this business, Daisy, I definitely believe in it.”
With the evening of fun over, Paige waited for Matthew to pick her up. Raymond was there to pick Jennifer and Mrs. Klein up.
“Paige, are you sure we can’t give you a ride?”
“I’m fine, Mrs. Klein. Matthew will be along in a few minutes. He just called me.”
“Paige, I can’t thank you enough for today. It really meant a lot to my husband and me.”
“You’re welcome, Mrs. Klein.”
“No, I’m serious. Margaret told me what you did to get everyone here. You’re more than a wedding planner, you’re a dear friend. Which means you can call me Isabelle and my husband Hiram.”
“Thank you, Isabelle.”
“I would have told you that sooner but it was only after I heard Michael mention that your mother is Southern and your father’s family is from the West Indies that I realized you had real old-fashioned values.”
Paige nodded. “I never call someone by their first name until they give me permission to.”
Jennifer walked over and hugged Paige. “You’re the best, Paige.”
“Oh, my, thank you. I hope you enjoyed your shower.”
“It was beyond anything I could have imagined. I had so much fun.”
“Good, that was the idea. Oh, yes, before I forget I had your gifts sent home ahead of you. We organized them so it would be easier for you to send out your thank-you notes.”
“Terrific. I need to get right on that, don’t I?”
“The sooner the better,” Paige said.
Matthew pulled up behind the Kleins’ limousine.
“Here’s my ride.” She smiled.
Jennifer and Isabelle waved to Matthew as they got into the limo.
“Don’t forget, we only have two more fittings before the wedding!” Paige called after them.
“I won’t!” Jennifer said as she waved again.
Paige walked over to the car and got in.
“So did you have a good time?”
“It was a lot of fun.”
“Good.” He kissed her. “I bet you’re ready for a nice hot bath.”
Paige closed her eyes. “Sounds heavenly.”
“Do you mind sharing tonight?”
“What do you think?”
“A not-so-relaxing bath for two it is.” He grinned as he put the car in gear and pulled away.
Matthew lay on the bed in his robe when Paige emerged from the bathroom wrapped up in a towel.
“That was some bath,” she said.
“Who says water conservation isn’t fun? Remind me to call Kermit so I can tell him that it’s easy being green after all.”
Paige laughed. “You’re too funny.” She patted her shoulders with the towel. “I can’t believe it’s only a week until the event of the season.”
“Me either.” He sat up. “So the bridal shower was good?”
“It was great. We really pulled one over on her. She got quite a haul.”
“I can only imagine. I think they had their arms twisted by a certain grand dame for the high-ticket items. I guess she figured it was the least they could do for being so vile to Jennifer.”
“They didn’t disappoint her.”
“After Ms. Granger tore them a new one, they wouldn’t dare.”
“I think Tony Soprano could have learned a few things from Ms. Granger.”
“Hey, I told you the society set wasn’t for weak stomachs.”
Paige sat down on the bed. “So we have a week until the wedding and I haven’t heard anything about a bachelor party, Mr. Best Man.”
“Oh, no. I’m not biting.”
“What are you talking about?” Paige asked innocently.
“Don’t give me those doe eyes. I know you’ve got some brass ones, sweetie.”
“I didn’t say a word.”
“You want to know about strippers and such.”
“Matthew, I’m old and wise enough to know what goes on at bachelor parties.”
“So you know that I have to plead the fifth.”
“Plead away. All I’m worried about is that you don’t have it too close to the wedding. The last thing I need is a groom and best man with hangovers.”
“Don’t worry, it’s not happening the night before.”
“Good, because those strippers have nothing on me.” Paige dropped her towel and revealed her black off-the-shoulder bustier set.
Matthew was speechless.
“So what do you think?” she asked as she struck a sexy pose.
His eyes lit up. “Hubba, hubba! When did you have time to pick up that little number?”
“Occasionally I pick up a little something for me. Or for you is more like it.”
“Oh, baby, you look unbelievable.”
“You haven’t seen anything yet. Normally I listen to classical music but I think this is more appropriate. I’m sure you’ll get the idea.” She gave him a sly grin before she turned on the CD player. Paige did a slow striptease to the music in front of a very captivated audience of one. With her back turned she shimmied out of her bustier and tossed it to Matthew.
He smiled from ear to ear.
&n
bsp; Her arms covered her breasts as she rotated her hips. She pulled at the sides of her thong as if she were going to take it off but she didn’t. Then came the big finish when she revealed all. Matthew was on his feet, and then Paige was off hers.
* * *
A few hours later a restless Paige awakened and struggled to get comfortable enough to go back to sleep.
“Are you okay, Paige?”
“I’m sorry. Did I wake you?”
Matthew turned onto his back. “That’s okay. Is there something on your mind?”
“I can’t sleep, that’s all. Go back to sleep. There’s no need for both of us to be awake.”
Matthew sat up. He wasn’t buying it. “Come on, Paige, something’s bothering you.”
She relented. “I was thinking about the last shower I had at Lady Mendi’s. It was Siobhan’s baby shower.”
“That must have been fun.”
“It was.”
Matthew got up and opened his backpack. “You know, I completely forgot Derek gave me a CD the other day.” He flashed the CD case. “Here it is.” He climbed back into bed.
Paige looked at it. “He burned a CD for you?”
“Not just any song. It’s Anthony Hamilton’s ‘Sista Bigbones.’ ”
Paige laughed. “I know the song.”
“He thinks we should play it at our wedding.”
“It’s a good song,” he said as he put the CD on the nightstand. “You know a few weeks back when I told them about our engagement, I sort of invited them to the wedding.”
“You sort of invited them to our wedding? We haven’t set a date yet.”
“I know. Are you mad at me?”
“Why?”
“For opening my big mouth.”
“Of course not.”
“Good,” he sighed. “They were excited about the wedding.”
Paige wasn’t sure if it was the right time to have “the talk” but decided she’d bite the bullet. “Matthew, we’ve talked about a lot of things together but there is one subject we’ve yet to broach.”
“That sounds serious.”
“Do you want children?” Paige blurted it out.
“That came out of left field.” Matthew was taken aback.
“I’ve been thinking about this for a while. Maybe you haven’t, but I have.”
“Where is this coming from?”
“Come on, Matthew. I’ve seen you with kids, you’re a natural.”
“I like kids.”
“Have you thought about having your own children?”
“I’ve thought about it.”
“And?”
“I love working with kids, but I don’t want any of my own.”
Paige looked stunned. “You don’t?”
“No.”
“You said that so easily.”
“That’s because it’s the truth. What about you? Do you want more children?”
“No. I don’t think I do.”
“That’s fine with me.”
“Are you just saying that because that’s the way you’ve felt all along? Or are you afraid to have a biracial child?”
“Wait a second! You just said you didn’t want children either. Are you afraid of having a biracial child?”
“Of course not.”
“Neither am I. What in the world made you say that?”
“I don’t know.” She shrugged. “I guess I was playing devil’s advocate.”
“Well cut it out.”
Paige rubbed her forehead. “I just don’t know how you can make a decision like that. You’re thirty-three years old.”
“So that means I don’t know my own mind?”
“No. I’m just saying that’s a pretty big decision to make at your age.”
“I’m not a child, Paige.”
“I didn’t say you were.”
“Then what about you? You could change your mind about having kids.”
“I’m happy with having one. It took two years for me to get pregnant with Max.” She sighed. “Even though Dr. Schwartz said I could get pregnant if I wanted to, I really don’t have the energy anymore.”
“You talked to your doctor about this?”
“Yes. I went to him to get checked out.”
“Why?”
“Because of you.”
“Because of me.” He looked bewildered. “You’re kidding.”
“No. Don’t you remember wondering out loud what personality traits your children would get from you?”
Matthew shook his head. “I was just thinking out loud. I wasn’t serious.”
“I didn’t know that. I just assumed you wanted kids.”
“You know this is a silly conversation. There’s no need for us to go around in circles about this.”
“I just don’t want to be unfair to you again.”
“Again? What do you mean?”
“I know that being engaged to me isn’t easy in your circle.”
“My circle is fine. You’re talking about my parent’s circle.”
“Still, that was the world you grew up in. I’m sure your parents have mentioned a few things to you.”
“So what if they did? It doesn’t matter to me at all.”
“Matthew, these people were prepared to boycott a bridal shower because of me. If I hadn’t gone straight to Ms. Granger no one would have been there.”
“What can I tell you? They’re small-minded people who don’t have anything better to do than worry about who’s polluting their little club. I’ve never been about that.”
“I know you’re not, but it has to bother you.”
“It only bothers me when it hurts you. I could give a rat’s behind what they think. Most of them voted for George W. If that doesn’t prove they’re idiots I don’t know what does.”
Paige sighed and looked at the clock. “It’s really late, we should get some sleep.” Paige laid back down.
Matthew laid down. “All I want is to be married to you. That’s enough for me,” he whispered as he put his arms around her.
Paige quietly lay awake for a while after Matthew dozed off. Despite his protestations, she still felt guilty and selfish. I should have at least wanted to have his child, she thought as she closed her eyes. She then thought about what kind of looks their child would have been subjected to. Maybe ten years ago I would have had the moxie to deal with it, but all I want to do is build my business, watch Max grow up, and spend the rest of my days with Matthew.
* * *
After a quiet Sunday and another restless night Paige was back in her office Monday morning pouring over the list of guests who booked rooms at the Waldorf. She yawned.
“Looks like you could use another extra-large cup of coffee,” Adriana said as she stood in the doorway.
“What I could really use is a coffee IV bag. That would do the trick.”
“Coffee in an IV bag, I bet it would sell.” She laughed.
Paige yawned again. “Sorry about that.”
“Long night?” Adriana said suggestively.
“Not the kind of long night you’re alluding to.” Paige thought for a minute. “Matthew and I had the talk about kids.”
Adriana sat down in front of Paige’s desk. “So how did it go?”
“I’m not sure.”
Adriana looked puzzled. “What do you mean, you’re not sure?”
“Matthew said all the right things, but I’m just not sure if he means it.”
“You told him you don’t want more children, right?”
“Yes. He said he was fine with that.”
“Wasn’t that a good thing?”
“As long as he really meant it. It’s enough that he has to deal with the race thing because of me.”
“Where did that come from?” Adriana looked surprised.
“It’s the truth.”
“Paige, you knew he was white when you met him and he knew you were black. So to bring up the race thing like it’s an issue is ridiculous. You had your e
yes open.”
“I really hate it when you’re right.”
“I know. It’s the only ace I can get since I can’t beat you at tennis.”
Paige laughed.
“So give the man credit for knowing his own mind.”
“But I feel guilty.”
“Now you’re being silly. If he’s cool about it there’s no need to start a fire where there’s no smoke.” She pointed to Paige’s hand. “I see you still have the ring on your finger.”
Paige glanced at her hand. “Yes, I do.”
Adriana stood up. “So stop making mountains out of molehills. Anyway, I’m about to make a caffeine run. Do you want another extra-large coffee?”
Paige rubbed her eyes. “What do you think?”
“Okay. One extra-large coffee, extra light with cream and three sugars, right?”
“Exactly.”
“I’ll be back in about ten minutes,” she said as she left the office.
“I’ll be here.” Paige went back to counting the number of guest rooms.
* * *
The day over, Matthew headed back to his brownstone after work. When he got there he saw Larry standing on his steps.
“What’s up, teach?” Larry grinned.
Matthew looked at his watch. “Hey, Larry. Isn’t it kind of early for you to be out and about?”
“I, my friend, have the day off,” he said triumphantly.
“And your wife has no chores for you?” Matthew asked as he walked up the steps.
“My wife doesn’t know I’m off.”
Matthew opened the door. “How’s that?”
“I didn’t tell her.”
They walked upstairs. “My God, Matthew, how do you climb these stairs after work?” Larry huffed.
“It’s not that bad.” Matthew opened the door.
Larry walked in and collapsed on the only other piece of furniture in the living room, the futon. “You don’t have my knees.”
Matthew put his backpack down and went to the kitchen. He returned with two cold bottles of Coke.
“You don’t have beer?” he asked as he looked at the bottle.
“You did say you didn’t tell your wife you were off, correct?”
“Good thinking. It would be a little hard to explain how I saw patients if I smell like a brewery.”
“See, I was looking out for you.”
“Thanks.” He took a sip. “So how are things with your lady love?”
“Good.”
“That didn’t sound convincing. What’s going on?”
Bliss, Inc. (Indigo Love Spectrum) Page 34