Three Weddings and a Dress

by Mary Martinez

  Here it came. The denial. Ari braced herself.

  Taking a deep gulp of air, Ari gripped the pencil still in her hand until a tiny crack sounding like a gunshot undulated over the room. She reached over and dropped the two pieces in the garbage. Then she continued the torturous wait.

  Good lord, how long was Gertrude going to make her stand beside the presentation while droplets of sweat rolled down her back? The beautiful coral tulle was already plastered to her spine.

  “It’s a good plan, and will give us a niche. Heidi has done well, but women have to shop there and take their purchases to another salon. In fact, it could be Classic Manhattan’s new slogan. ‘We do everything… From Dress to Dessert.’ Good work.”

  She went to her desk and sat behind it. Then looked at both Ari and Darlene as if they’d grown two heads or something. “Off with you, I have work to do. Arabella I expect a professional business proposal on my desk by the end of the week. I’ll present it to our banker.”

  “But…”

  “Do not worry, we will work the details of investment out, you deserve to own your share.”

  Darlene held the door, “Come Ari, we’ve kept Gertrude long enough.”

  Once the door was shut and they’d gone the few steps to Ari’s office, Darlene ushered her into the room. She threw her arms around her in a bear hug.

  “You did it. Your designs are perfect. And your plan is solid.”

  Ari stepped away and grinned at her friend. She put her hands above her head and wiggled her butt in a victory jig.

  “I hear the forecast now, flooding in downtown Manhattan.” Darlene chuckled.

  Ari smiled stopped her dance and faced her friend. “I can’t believe she’s going to go with my ideas. I was prepared for more of a battle.” Her brow wrinkled. “It’s sort of a letdown.”

  Darlene’s hand slapped her back knocking her a step forward. “But you did it! I can’t wait until we can start showing our clients. If only we had a better way.”

  “What do you mean?” Ari went to her desk relief caused her knees to give out. Her chair caught her before she hit the ground.

  “Instead of making the clients look through a book for the cake, the flowers, and colors for their favorite style of weddings. Other salons are updated with cyber tours.”

  “We’re classic, you know Gertrude likes to keep to the traditional ways as much as possible.”

  “We could still use technology and still create an air of classic or traditional, if you know what I mean.”

  Ari’s thoughts turned to Gerard and his video game designs. “What do you think about a virtual wedding?”

  “Like?”

  “If we had a way to put in key words of what the client wants. The computer processes their ideas and comes up with a cyber wedding for them to view. ‘This is what your wedding would look like’ type of thing. And…” She was on a roll now. “…a bridal fair. All our vendors could participate. We could have a drawing for a grand prize, a wedding at Classic Manhattan.”

  “That would cost a pretty penny, and after you just talked her into your dress expansion, I doubt it will happen. Besides do we know anyone who could do a cyber tour?”

  “I might.”

  Dear Diary;

  It’s a go!

  Time seems to have stopped. I’m so anxious to find out if my bride’s plan found favor with her boss. Shadows are already surrounding the room. I know she will be later than usual since she didn’t take her little scooter. Still my pleats are tightening with impatience.

  Was that the door? Yes. Those were her shoes dropping, not Conner’s. Then I heard something I’d only heard once since Heidi had created me. Humming. Heidi likes to do this while she works on her girls.

  Warmth swam up my zipper at the memory. Something must have gone right.

  Ari waltzed through the door holding her shoes with one finger. For once, she had picked up after herself; the piping on my bolero constricted in delight as I watched her dance.

  “Bella, Gertrude thought my idea was wonderful. I wish you could have heard me. I made them see my stories and how my designs told it all,” Ari said this as she put her shoes away and hung up her dress.

  I wanted to tell her that I wasn’t surprised. She pulled on her work shorts, as I call them now. And started on a new creation. I was disappointed that there would be no joyous brainstorm dancing as Conner called it.

  Calm settled over her room, as Ari’s fingers pushed her pen across the paper. I could hear her humming, faint almost as if it were my imagination.

  Conner had come home hours ago, his movements hushed as he prepared for bed. A while ago, Ari had reached over to the cord and opened the blinds. I watched the moon’s progress across the sky and still my bride worked tirelessly.

  I was curious about this story for the new design. My beads puckered in puzzlement when I realized she wasn’t sketching. She was writing words. What could it be?

  Ari’s spine stiffened. Her hands reached to knead the middle of her back. I wish my bolero sleeves could help her. She swiveled around and grinned at me.

  “Bella I like drawing a lot better than writing a proposal. Gertrude needs it by Friday. I have a feeling I’m going to be rewriting it every night.”

  Ari hopped up to do her nightly thing in the bathroom. But when she came back she gave me a hug, right there, as I hung on the mannequin. Her arms warmed me to the core of my bodice.

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Ari parked the Love Machine in her usual spot by the front stairs of her Brownstone apartment. She loved New York. It was the only place she’d ever experienced so much energy. In her opinion, the city had more culture than any other city. Not that her opinion counted, she wasn’t a seasoned traveler, but she read about places.

  As she skipped up the steps, her tastes buds were already salivating for Conner’s newest creation. Gerard would be over for dinner, too. She hadn’t seen him since Sunday evening. Hopefully, he’d consider her idea about the cyber wedding program. There had to be a way for him to design it.

  As she opened the door, the scent of garlic teased her senses. Where else in the world would she be lucky enough to have an apprentice sous chef for a roommate?

  A long sigh slipped out, “I love New York.”

  Conner held the handle of the pan he had inches above the flame of the gas stove as he sautéed. He glanced over his shoulder. “You’re telling me this, why?”

  “Just a statement. What smells so delicious?” She kicked off her shoes then made her way to peek over his shoulder, but he half turned, just enough to block her view. She laughed, slapped him playfully on the butt, then went to sprawl on the couch.

  “Aren’t we happy today?” He talked as he continued to work. “Your boss must have liked your plan?”

  “Yes. I have to have a proposal for the bank on Friday.” Ari resisted the urge to pinch herself. It seemed so surreal. “I have an idea about a virtual wedding program. I thought I’d run it by Gerard tonight. Do you think he can do something like that?”

  She let her head fall over the edge of the couch as she stared at the ceiling. If he could do the program the way she had in mind, the possibilities would be endless.

  “Oh man,” Conner said.

  “Hey don’t burn my dinner, I plan to enjoy it.”

  “It’s not dinner. I haven’t seen you since Sunday. I should have left a note.”

  She pulled herself up to stare at him. “About what?”

  He placed the pan down, dried his hands off before he turned to face her. A quiver of dread danced over her.

  “Gerard begged off tonight. He said he had too much going on.” He lifted his shoulder. Then wiggled his brows in suggestion. “I offered to send a care package over. I was going to send you.”

  “He didn’t want one?”

  “No. He said thanks, but he’d order himself a pizza.”

  Disappointment swallowed up the dread. She told herself it was because she’d wanted to share
her plan. Her heart did a little flop that echoed displeasure for a totally other reason.

  Ari did not have time for a relationship and if that was her new mantra, then she’d repeat it often.

  “How much longer before dinner?”

  Conner seemed to understand, “Another thirty minutes and it will be ready.”

  “Fine. I’ll see if I can persuade him.” Her bag with her designs and proposal still sat on the entry table. She picked it up on the way out. No need for shoes, it was just up a flight and down the hall. “Be back. And cross your fingers I have Gerard in tow.”

  “…Luck!” She only caught the last word of Conner’s wish.

  She didn’t need good luck. Gerard was smart he’d listen to her if nothing else out of curiosity.

  By the time she’d reached his apartment, she had to take a moment to catch her breath. She raised her hand and dropped her fist on the wood a few times. When no one answered, she repeated. Damn, he wasn’t home.

  Her shoulders slumped. She’d been so sure he’d want to throw his hat in the ring with her. That wouldn’t happen if she couldn’t even present it to him.

  The creak of the front door of the building rebounded up the stairwell. Halfway down the flight to her floor, she paused to hang her head over the rail to see who came in.

  Her heart began to pound when she saw the dark curly hair. Then he looked up. She waved, taking the stairs two at a time to meet him. She crossed her fingers she wouldn’t stumble and kill herself.

  “Gerard…” Sucking in air she didn’t give him a chance to say a word. “You need to come to dinner. I have a proposition for you.”

  His brow rose at that, but there was no answering smile. What was his problem? Her mind did a trip back over Sunday’s dinner. Was he offended she’d left him alone with Conner to watch the ballgame? No that was just silly.

  “I told Conner I was busy.” He tried to step around her, but she sidled in front of him, lifting her bag to block his way.

  “I know, but I think you want to hear this.”

  “Look Ari, I think you’re really a nice girl…”

  “This is about computer designing, Gerard. I have a great idea. I have it all here, let me give you a quick look. I promise you’ll want to hear more.”

  This time he held her arm as he stepped around her, not letting her get in his way. Over his shoulder, he tossed the rest of his answer. “I do not have time for a relationship right now. I’m trying to branch my programming out into other areas. I’m tired of gaming.”

  Did he not hear what she just said? “That’s what I want to talk to you about.”

  Her spine stiffened when his last words penetrated her mind. He wasn’t coming to dinner because he didn’t want to be involved with her? Her foot stomped on the bottom step. She yelled at his back. “Fine, if you want to miss out on a good opportunity, it’s your problem. As far as the other stuff, it’s just dinner, get over yourself!”

  She spun around and marched to the apartment letting the door slam behind her. Resting her back against the wood, she slid down to the floor. Her arms encircled her knees as she rested her head on them.

  “You okay?”

  She’d forgotten Conner was there. Lifting her head, she attempted to smile. “Gerard isn’t coming because he thinks I have the hots for him. He’s not in the relationship market.”

  Conner moved to stand in front of her, his hand reached out. “Come on. We’ll discuss this over my fabulous dinner.”

  Ari allowed herself to be helped up and over to the table. She’d think about Gerard later. It stung to have him be the one to back off. Even though she wasn’t interested that way, either.

  “What’s wrong with me?”

  Conner paused in the process of taking dishes from the cupboard. “Nothing. If there was, Gerard would be sitting next to you waiting to enjoy my latest creation.”

  He placed a couple of bowls on the table, then grabbed the pot and ladled a thick orange colored soup into each. Ari breathed in deep trying to determine what ingredients.

  “Don’t tell me, let me guess.”

  She couldn’t identify any particular spice. Scooping up a taste on her spoon, she sipped. Not pumpkin. She’d recognize one of her favorites. She took another sip.

  “You’re going to finish the bowl before you guess what it is.” Conner laughed, but didn’t divulge the answer.

  “It has a bit of a bite, so I’d say some ground cayenne.”

  “Good so far.”

  She took another sip. Had to be some kind of squash, oh yeah. “Butternut squash soup.”

  “Bingo. I figured something easy and filling for a mid-week supper.”

  “Back to Gerard. What do you mean if there was something wrong with me he’d be here eating with us?” Ari took another sip of soup. “That doesn’t make sense.”

  “For such a smart girl, you can be dense sometimes.” He raised a brow as if he waited for her to guess.

  “Are you going to tell me?” The garlic bread was going to add another ten pounds if she didn’t do some exercise soon.

  “That’s homemade also, how is it?”

  “You made this bread too? Man I can’t believe how long it took you to come clean about the cooking. Tell me why would Gerard be eating with us?”

  His chuckle warmed her. It was nice to be friends with no hidden agendas. Why was she worried about Gerard? Things were much better without him complicating her life.

  “Honey, if he had no attraction for you there wouldn’t be a reason for him to stay away from this home-cooked delight. He’s a bachelor, believe me he’d be here if it weren’t for you.”

  Over the rest of the meal, she thought about what Conner said, and her heart did a little jig hoping he was right. Then her mind told her to forget about it and focus on her new venture.

  “Go watch the tube,” she told Conner. “I’ll clean up dinner. Then I have to finish up the proposal.”

  *****

  Friday dawned bright and nerves settled in Ari’s tummy as she attached her bag to the Love Machine. D-day. Design day. Very appropriate because it was the day she found out if her designs would come to fruition.

  She’d set her alarm early to be at Classic Manhattan in time to set up her proposal and rehearse one last time. She chuckled as she gunned the gas on the little scooter. Bella had shimmered in delight when she’d gone over it the evening before—or so she’d like to think.

  Ari felt confident. For once, she wasn’t worried. Gertrude would agree with everything and take it to the bank. The wind carried her second chuckle away as she sped to work.

  Darlene glanced up for her worktable. “You’re early. What’s up?”

  “It’s Friday.”

  “Oh right. What time do you meet with Gertrude?”

  Ari glanced at the wall clock time was ticking away. “In about thirty minutes. Then she has a meeting with her banker at noon.”

  “I know she’ll love your proposal. She loved your idea.” Darlene took her gloves off and straightened. “You’re not nervous are you?”

  “No. I thought I’d be a babbling idiot this morning. But I know what I have is right on. I’ll let you get back to your flowers. The wedding tomorrow is going to be awesome.” Ari looked at the arrangement of black and white roses. “I thought the bride was out of her mind when she told you what she wanted. But man, you are a wizard with whatever they throw at you.”

  “Ari, when you’re doing your designs, Classic Manhattan will rival the big salons in the city. I hope I can keep up.”

  Ari grinned. “A force to be reckoned with, that’s what we’ll be. Our Classic team will put everyone out of business.”

  She could hear Darlene’s laughter as it followed to her office. Spreading the proposal over her desk, she read it one more time.

  “Right on time.” Gertrude glanced up at her knock on the frame since the door was opened. “I’ll be with you in a moment, have a seat.”

  Ari waited for the nerves t
o start. Her tummy didn’t flip, nor did her hands shake. Her pitch was solid. She’d dressed in the suit she’d planned to wear last Monday. She looked her best.

  “Ready?”

  “Yes,” Ari said. Proud of her confident tone, she was a successful business woman. The next 30 minutes would prove that to her boss.

  “I realize this is a large undertaking on Classic Manhattan’s part. It will take a leap of faith. But I know I can deliver. I think the first step is a bridal fair, let people of the city, see what we have to offer.”

  Gertrude didn’t say anything, she held out her hand. Ari gulped in air, she’d assumed she’d be telling her boss everything. For the first time a rattle of nervousness ran over her. Had she dotted all the I’s and crossed all her T’s?

  Ari swore the tick of the clock echoed like a sonic blast with each second. The older woman’s brow knitted in concentration and not a flicker of expression, good or bad, crossed her face.

  Ari wiped her sweaty palms down her skirt, swallowed and waited. It had only been five minutes, yet seemed an eternity. Gertrude was still reading though, that must be good. Right?

  “This is excellent.” Ari startled to attention when Gertrude’s voice intruded the silence. “You’ve covered everything from the cost of equipment to a part-time helper, to full time down the road. Good job. I won’t need to prepare anything for my appointment with the bank.”

  “I’m glad you like it. Once you go to the bank, how long will it be before you know if they approve of the loan?”

  “Since this isn’t a personal loan, and it does involve renovations to our business, I’m requesting a substantial amount. It will take a few days to a week for review. My advisor will look it over, make sure he doesn’t need any other information. They have a board meeting every Friday afternoon. If all is in order he’ll present it today.”

  Excitement tickled Ari’s scalp. “Sounds good. Would you keep me posted on the progress?”

  She stood, reached a hand out to shake her boss’s hand, very professional. Gertrude raised a surprised brow, but her grip was firm when they shook on the deal.