“Regrets?”
Juliet smiled brightly and answered from the heart, “No, not a one. I had a fantastic career.”
“Yes you did, and the best is yet to come.”
Juliet nodded, too emotional to speak. She picked up a tissue and blotted the corner of her eyes. This was the fifth time she had to refresh her makeup.
“Juliet, I wanted to talk to you about J.T. Evans.”
“What about him?” She looked up tossing the smudged tissues in the trash can.
“Juliet, I know all about your relationship with him. Having a private liaison with a patron is one thing, but your public displays are quite another. The cocktail parties, the dinners and the gallery openings, I know it all.”
“Apparently,” Juliet said realizing of course that in the large scope of everything that had happened in the past few weeks, Lena knew absolutely nothing.
“What happened to discretion?”
Juliet remained quiet.
“You are literally moments away from a graceful retirement and you initiate a relationship with one of the company’s biggest patrons. What exactly were you thinking?”
“I don’t know, why don’t you tell me?”
“This is serious Juliet. Something like this could ruin your reputation in the dance world. This could be a major scandal, and for what, an infatuation, a few laughs and a good time? Is it worth it? Honestly, if you were at least serious about this relationship, then maybe it would spin differently. But you’ve always played this dangerous kind of game when it comes to relationships.”
“Lena,” she turned around her make-up beginning to smudge again. “There’s really nothing to be concerned about.”
Lena looked into her eyes and realized that there was much more to the situation than a minor fling. “Oh Juliet,” she hurried over to her and took her in her arms. “You fell in love with him.”
“Lena, the relationship with J.T. is very much over.”
“But…”
Juliet shook her head. “It’s over between us.”
Lena nodded her understanding. “I’m so sorry.”
“Me too,” she took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.
“I have to finish getting ready. There’s a curtain call with my name on it in about twenty minutes.”
Lena gave her a hug and smiled gently fluffing her hair back. “I’ll see you out there, enjoy.”
“I will.” Just as the door closed Juliet turned, grabbed another tissue and began retouching her make-up again. As she expected someone knocked. “Come.”
Juliet watched as he walked in and stood in silence.
“Jace Taylor Evans.”
She looked at him oddly expecting him to say more about his parents. But he didn’t.”
“What about them?”
“My name, J.T., is Jace Taylor.”
Juliet’s despondent expression softened. The obvious answer had eluded her. She nodded. “Thanks.”
He nodded. “I’ll see you out there.”
Fifteen minutes later Juliet peeked out from the wings. The house lights were uncharacteristically bright for the occasion. She squinted in the orchestra seats and boxes. No J.T.. The hesitancy she felt had turned into anxious ambivalence. Her entire career had come down to this moment and she had no one to share it with except in her heart.
The orchestra began. Roger cued her and her final performance began. She danced to perfection. Every step, every movement, every gesture was sharp, clear and precise. The finale coda of her dance career was a flawless performance.
When the curtain finally dropped the audience leaped to their feet and applauded for over fifteen minutes. Flower petals floated down from the rafters and were brought onto the stage by many luminaries in the world of ballet.
Phillip came onstage and began an uncharacteristically short tribute to Juliet’s career with the company. He was followed by Peter, Richard and finally Lena. Spoken with heartfelt sincerity she broke down and cried. She looked out into the well-lit seats. J.T. was still nowhere to be seen.
As the applause finally died down, all eyes turned to the wings for the next orator. J.T. walked onto the stage as the spotlight followed his every step. Juliet turned, stunned to see him standing by her side. He took her hand and pressed it to his lips as he slowly dropped to one knee. The audience gasped in surprise. The theater grew quiet at the gesture.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box and opened it up to her. “Juliet, will you please do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
“Yes.”
J.T. stood and wrapped his arms around her, to the sound of roaring applause.
Epilogue
The receiving line had finally dwindled down to the last few well-wishers. J.T. reached up, loosened his tie and relaxed for the first time in a long time. He had done it, and it felt good. He took Juliet’s hand and brought it to his lips. She turned to him and smiled. “I love you Mrs. Evans.”
“I love you Mr. Evans.”
They held the moment as their eyes sparkled. No one could possibly be as happy as they were. “Did I tell you how beautiful you are?”
“You might have mentioned it once or twice.”
“You are so beautiful.” He curled the loose ringlet around his finger then let it go. It immediately bounced back into position as he laid his hands on her bare shoulders, reached down and kissed her lips gently.
“You’re not so bad yourself,” Juliet said pulling at his tie. One end came loose and she smiled seductively as they both remembered their playful adventure with another one of his ties.
“We throw a nice party,” J.T. said, his eyes still on his new bride’s face.
“Yes we do.” Juliet looked around at their family and friends. Two worlds were united as one to witness their blessed union. This was the day of her dreams, the day all of her fantasies came true and the day she became Mrs. Jace Taylor Evans.
“So, you just had to do it,” Trey said as he walked up to J.T.. “You just had to go and get yourself married.”
“Yep,” J.T. said nodding happily as Trey congratulated him.
“You know what this means, don’t you?”
“Another theory I guess,” Tony said as he, Raymond and Dennis walked up and stood beside Trey.
“Sorry gents. No theories, just heartfelt congratulations.”
“Looks like we have to chalk another one up to Mamma Lou. She does have her ways.”
“How could you do this to me?” the woman’s voice was stern and demanding. “How could you leave me like this?”
J.T. turned around see his sister, Kennedy standing behind him. He immediately grabbed her in his arms. “When did you get in? Did you miss the ceremony?”
She hugged him holding on as he literally picked her up off of her feet. “Of course I didn’t miss it. I came in and sat by Madison just before you entered with your best man. You know I’d never miss your wedding, even if I did have to come from half way around the world to get here. Well?”
“Well what?” He asked.
“Aren’t you going to introduce me to my new sister?”
Laughter surrounded them as J.T. finally remembered that Juliet and Kennedy had never actually met. He made the introductions and Kennedy welcomed Juliet with a big hug.
Afterwards she leaned over and kissed Tony, Raymond and Dennis. Then she turned to Trey, “I believe you have something for me?” She held her hand out.
Trey reached into his jacket pocket, pulled out an envelope and handed it to her. Madison, Hope and Faith walked up just as Kennedy opened it up and pulled out several hundred dollar bills. Juliet looked at J.T. with a curious expression as Kennedy dropped the envelope in her purse.
“It’s the payoff. We all made a bet after Raymond and Hope got married and when Dennis and Faith got engaged, who Mamma Lou would match up next.”
“And you lost,” Juliet said to J.T.
“No, actually I won.” His meaning was clear as he leaned down and kisse
d her. The assembled family and friends all sighed.
Patricia, the matron of honor, her husband, Pierce along with Randolph walked up just as Tony began explaining their wager in more detail. Juliet made introductions as Raymond continued the story with his initiation into the world of matchmaking and Dennis ended with his tale of Mamma Lou’s matchmaking.
“So did Mamma Lou match all of you up?” Patricia asked. She looked around at the group as heads nodded all around her until she got to Trey.
“Never,” he said emphatically. “It will never happen to me. I’m not the marring kind. There’s not a woman out there who can catch and hold me,” Trey boasted proudly.
“I have to agree with Trey,” Randolph said. “I can’t see it happening for me either. I just don’t have the time. Politics barely gives me enough time as it is. I can’t see having a wife and family to also contend with.”
J.T., Tony, Raymond, Dennis and Pierce all laughed knowing better. They had each proclaimed the same thing just before their lives turned upside down when love took over.
“Well Kennedy?” Trey said hoping for another ally. She shook her head.
“I’m not even going to start that again. From all of this I’ve learned that love and Mamma Lou work in mysterious ways. So leave me out of it this time.”
“Too late, you’re the only one left,” Trey said. “Looks like the only betting will have to be on the time frame. I’ll take four months.”
But before anyone else countered Trey’s wager, Kennedy interrupted. “No way, I’m on my way back to Africa in a few days. Mamma Lou is good, but even she can’t play matchmaker if I’m on another continent.”
“She’s good, very good,” Tony warned. “If I remember correctly, I was also out of the country when she started working on setting me up with Madison.” He reached over and pulled his wife into his arms, embracing her and her large, seven-months-pregnant belly.
“A few days, that ought to be just enough time for Mamma Lou to have you well on your way to walking down the aisle,” Madison said as those around the small group began chuckling and nodding their heads in agreement.
“Less sometimes,” J.T. said and Juliet agreed.
“Mamma Lou’s matchmaking can be a bit complicated. Look at everything she went through just to get Hope and me together.”
“I don’t know about that, Randolph and I did a bit of matchmaking toward the end to get J.T. and Juliet together. It’s not that difficult,” said Trey.
“True, as a matter of fact it was our final push that turned the whole relationship around,” Randolph added.
“So technically, if it weren’t for us, you two might still be in your separate corners pouting and moping.”
“Exactly,” Randolph concurred as they congratulated themselves by shaking hands.
“Excuse me, mind if I borrow these two,” a stunned gasp traveled from Trey to Randolph as all eyes turned to the petite older woman now standing between the two men. She entwined her arms with each man and smiled happily. “So Trey, Randolph, tell me a little about yourselves.” Because they were so completely stunned by her sudden appearance, they stood with their mouths wide open.
Mamma Lou backed up and began walking away taking Trey and Randolph with her, one on each arm. Everyone else standing in the group burst into laughter as both Trey and Randolph turned around with worried expressions on their faces.
“Looks like another double header,” Raymond said.
“I give them, six months,” Dennis said in wholehearted agreement.
“Two,” Tony interrupted. “I think another wedding would be a nice birthday gift for the baby.” He reached down and rubbed Madison’s stomach.
“Here we go again,” Kennedy said and she pulled out her envelope and began taking bets.
The End
Read the full Mamma Lou Matchmaker Series
Priceless Gift
A Christmas Wish
One Sure Thing
Irresistible You
Only You
The Fine Art of Love
Following Love
When Love Calls
Love Me Now
Love’s Paradise
Forever Love
Watch for more Mamma Lou coming soon!
About the Author
Celeste O. Norfleet is an award winning and national best-selling author of over twenty-five critically acclaimed multicultural romance and young adult novels. She was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Moore College of Art & Design. An art director and graphic designer for many years, Celeste now devotes all of her time to writing and creating novels letting her artistic imagination flow through the computer keys.
Celeste currently writes for Harlequin’s Kimani Press Arabesque, Kimani Romance and Kimani Press TRU (young adult) lines. She has been nominated for a number of awards including the Rose Award, the 2009 RT BOOKreviews Career Achievement Award, 2009 YALSA - Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers, 2009 Urban-Reviews Best Romance, 2009 RSJ Emma Award for Best Steamy Romance, 2010 and 2011 RSJ Emma Award for Author of the Year, African American Literary Award for Best YA novel – Getting Played. In addition, Celeste has won several prestigious awards including RSJ 2011 Emma for Best Sequel, 2011 Emma Award for Best Hero and 2011 Emma Award for Best Heroine.
Celeste currently enjoys a quiet life in Virginia with her family. For more information and news on upcoming releases visit her web site at www.celesteonorfleet.wordpress.com
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