Kate Gets Bridal

by Ann Marie Fox

  Just then, Kate heard the familiar strains of “Crazy in Love” over the speakers. Beyoncé!

  Kate walked over to Sylvia and held out her hands. “Let’s dance!”

  Sylvia turned towards Graham with a smile, before putting a foot on the low table. “You remember?”

  Graham nodded, and Sylvia stood up on the table and started to dance.

  “Go Sylvia!” Kate started chanting, while she poked Todd and Casey. She looked over at the couple that was making out on the couch.

  Shiloh!

  The groomsman’s hands were on Shiloh’s upper thighs, and Shiloh’s hands were in his hair. Kate thought, for a moment, about going over so that she could get more attention for Sylvia. But Sylvia was finally smiling, Graham was enjoying the view up Sylvia’s skirt, and nobody was throwing up. If this was going to be the highlight of the night, then so be it.

  Kate walked over to the bar to close the tab, but Jacob was already there.

  “Beyoncé. Works every time,” Jacob said. He motioned to the bartender to close his tab.

  “I was wondering if that was you or a happy coincidence,” Kate replied. “I guess I owe you a thank you, for saving me from having to plan this party twice.”

  “Well you could allow me to take you out to dinner.” Jacob quickly signed the bill and pulled out two hundred dollars as a cash tip.

  “I guess that would be acceptable, as long you don’t profess your undying love for Sylvia after a drink or two.”

  “I think I can make that promise,” said Jacob.

  Chapter 4

  “Just so you know, we can never go to The House again,” Shiloh said over the phone the next morning.

  Kate looked at her watch. Sylvia was due to arrive in twenty minutes, which means she’d actually be in the waiting room in five. They still had to pick out the tuxes, order the flowers, and try to find a string quartet that could play on such short notice on a Saturday during the summer.

  I might have to take up the violin to make this thing happen.

  “Just so you know—“

  Rachelle popped her head into Kate’s office and mouthed, “Sylvia’s here.”

  “I have to go, I want details later,” Kate said.

  “I’ll make it quick – boring as hell, okay kisser, not going to see him ever again,” Shiloh replied.

  Rachelle had already seated Sylvia in one of the conference rooms and brought her a selection of cookies from Sugar and Shiloh. Kate could see the back of Graham’s head from the door. Sylvia was smiling, which was a good sign. She entered the room and placed her planning binder on the table.

  “Jacob?” Kate asked.

  “Graham couldn’t come today and he and Jacob are the same size, so I thought he could help with the tux measurements.”

  Jacob shrugged and smiled towards Kate.

  “Well, we can certainly get him fitted today and use him as a model, but we really need to get Graham at the shop for a proper fitting,” Kate said.

  Sylvia brushed Kate off. “I know you’ll make it happen. When should we expect everyone?”

  “Well, we’ve got a florist coming in about an hour, the men’s fashion coordinator is arriving about an hour after that and I managed to find some soloists, but this close to wedding season string quartets are hard to come by. In the meantime, we need to talk about the music at the reception. It’s going to be difficult to book a band on this short notice, as well.”

  Sylvia gasped. “Well, we’re not having a DJ. That would be so tacky.”

  Kate sighed. “I understand that you’d prefer a band, but I think you should just be prepared for the possibility that it won’t be available.”

  “No DJ. Jacob, talk some sense into her.” Sylvia cocked her head at Jacob, waiting for him to be equally appalled.

  “What if you had a world-famous DJ?”

  Kate shook her head. “The likelihood that they’d be available…”

  “Well if you could find a world-class DJ, I suppose that would be okay. Do you think Pharrell would be available?”

  This woman is not suggesting that Pharrell Williams would be able to fly in three weeks from now to play a wedding.

  “Sylvia, you’re going to have to think a bit more, um, locally, I think.”

  Jacob turned to Kate. “You know Kate, you never asked me what I did for a living.”

  “If you’re about to pull out a pair of turn tables…” Kate said uneasily. It wouldn’t be the first time that a friend of the bride was trying to be the bridal designer, the DJ, the graphic designer for the stationary or the ‘assistant coordinator.’

  “No, I’m an artist’s rep. I don’t rep Pharrell, or any of The Neptunes, but I might be able to pull some strings…” Jacob winked at Kate and looked towards Sylvia. “You could consider it my wedding present.”

  Kate didn’t know whether to be thankful or exasperated. If this didn’t come through, there was no way Sylvia would settle for a regular DJ at the reception.

  “Well now that Jacob is taking care of the music,” Sylvia said. “Let’s talk about flowers.”

  After a torturous few hours, where Kate had to explain multiple times that it was impossible for her vendors to bring everything they have available to the office, Sylvia was finally pleased with the choice of flowers, tuxes and the layout for the reception area. Before Jacob could change back out of the tux (which, Kate had to admit, he looked quite handsome in), she pulled him aside.

  “You know that I will have to kill you if you can’t come through with the music, right?”

  Jacob put her hand in between his and Kate could feel a warmth rush up her toes to her neck.

  “I wouldn’t offer if I didn’t already have someone in mind. Don’t worry, it’ll all work out.”

  “If you pull Beyoncé out of your back pocket—“

  “Oh, I’m not that good. At least, not in the music industry. I’m very good at other things.”

  Before Kate could respond, Sylvia poked her head out the door. “Come on Jacob, you can manhandle my wedding planner later. We need to get going!”

  “Yes ma’am,” Jacob said, before releasing Kate’s hand. “I’ll call you to arrange the music, and perhaps a few other things.”

  Rachelle brought Kate a late lunch and closed the door.

  “So, I have a question to ask you,” Rachelle said. She sat in the chair across from Kate’s desk and started wringing her hands.

  She looks more nervous than she usually does when asking for a raise.

  “Yes?” Kate asked as she opened up the container of Caesar salad.

  “Well I was wondering if there was a, um, discount for services when the bride is an employee of Kate Gets Bridal?”

  Kate dropped her fork and looked towards Rachelle’s left hand. Rachelle had been dating Brian for at least two years, maybe three. Rachelle held up the hand, displaying a bare ring finger.

  “He hasn’t asked, but I think he’s going to. Soon. I caught him snooping through my jewelry box, so I assume he was looking for a ring to size with…”

  Kate exhaled a breath she hadn’t even realized she was holding. She would absolutely be happy for Rachelle if she and Brian were engaged, and she’d be willing to figure out some sort of employee discount. But she couldn’t handle Rachelle thinking about her own wedding when they were in the end zone on Sylvia’s.

  Maybe I’ll even take a vacation after Sylvia’s wedding.

  “Of course we’d figure something out for you,” Kate said.

  Rachelle jumped up and hugged her over the desk, and Kate had to shoo her out of the office in order to finish her lunch in peace.

  Two nights later, Kate was putting up, then brushing out, then pulling up all her hair again, before finally deciding to leave it down for her date with Jacob.

  She couldn’t deny that there was chemistry there. Her body certainly responded when he touched her, but her head was a little more cautious. He seems almost too smooth, and maybe a bit impressed with himself.
Men like that in Middleton, and Manhattan, were a dime a dozen.

  But maybe I’m just projecting all my bad dates on him. Maybe I’m wrong. Or maybe I’m trying to find something wrong with him?

  Kate grabbed her mini-clutch, put on a pair of open toed black pumps and smoothed out her cocktail dress.

  No talking about work on the date, even if he is the best-man, Kate reminded herself. She wasn’t usually this stressed out over client weddings, but it’d become quite apparent that Erin wasn’t moving out any time soon. And though she loved her sister to bits, she still couldn’t help but think of her as mother to daughter, not sister-to-sister. It was too much – a bridezilla, a short time frame and a sister who, any minute, was about to bankrupt herself even further in another failed scheme. She pulled up to the very classy, Italian restaurant Jacob had picked, and handed her keys to the valet.

  Jacob greeted her at the front door. “You look beautiful tonight.”

  “You’re quite the charmer,” Kate said. She smiled as he held the door open.

  “Yes, I hear that a lot.”

  “I’m sure you do,” Kate teased.

  The hostess brought them to a table in the back, and Jacob ordered a bottle of wine.

  He waited until Kate had drank a glass over small talk, before putting his hand on the table. “I have some good news, and some bad news. Which would you like first?”

  Kate’s stomach dropped. Here we go – he and his exgirlfriend are getting back together, he doesn’t want a relationship, he just too busy at work for anything more than casual sex.

  “I’ll take the bad news, I guess.” Depending on the bad news, the good news may just be irrelevant.

  “I can’t get Beyoncé for Sylvia and Graham’s wedding.”

  “Is that all?” Kate asked.

  “Is that all?! You have no idea the number of strings I tried to pull, favors I tried to call in. If it was possible, then I wanted to make it happen.”

  “I don’t think even Sylvia was expecting that.” Kate took a sip of wine.

  And we’ve already blown the original budget twice over because of add-ons and rush charges…

  “The good news?”

  “I have found a new up-and-coming college band that has just been signed by the agency, and they’re open to play.”

  “College band?” asked Kate. “Is the music going to be reception appropriate?”

  “They have an 80’s am radio sound, and they’re willing to learn covers. Don’t worry, I wouldn’t steer you wrong.” Jacob reached over and put his hand over Kate’s. She smiled as he gave it a reassuring squeeze.

  Chapter 5

  After dinner, Kate and Jacob took a stroll around the block. The weather was still warm, the stars were out, and both were a bit flushed from the wine. Kate leaned her head on Jacob’s shoulder. She couldn’t tell if she was overly grateful for his work on the wedding, or if she really was interested.

  He was certainly good looking enough. When working with him over the phone for the Jack and Jill party, she pictured him as shorter, squatter and a bit more uptight. But perhaps it was just because he was equally busy, and didn’t have much time to devote to the bachelorette party. Jacob wrapped his arm around her waist, and she leaned into him. He was pointing out constellations, but Kate couldn’t see any of the images he was seeing in the stars. She was pretty sure that “The Major Spatula” wasn’t even a real constellation. But she smiled and nodded, and listened to the soothing sound of his voice.

  “I’ve had a great time,” Jacob said, as the restaurant was again in view.

  “Me too,” Kate replied. She smiled as she realized that she really meant it.

  Jacob turned to face Kate and held both of her hands in his. “Are you doing anything next Saturday?”

  “Unfortunately, I’m already booked. I’m working a wedding.”

  “What a coincidence! I’m also going to a wedding, and I’m looking for a date. Perhaps you could be my date when you’re off work?” Jacob smiled and pulled her in closer. She relaxed her body and laid against his chest. He was warm, and his body felt strong and solid against hers.

  “I guess I could see what I can do,” she said. She looked up into his eyes, a shade of hunter green with just the smallest flecks of gold. She glanced down at his mouth, and felt his arms tense around her. She closed her eyes, and felt the warmth of his lips on hers. She felt him run his hand along her back and up into her hair, as she stood on her toes to get a bit closer.

  She broke away for a second to look at his face. He was just slightly flushed, with a boyish smile and those beautiful green eyes. She felt her cheek tingle as he brushed some stray hairs aside.

  “So you’ll be my date on Saturday?” he asked. He leaned back down and enveloped her mouth in his. She let out a small moan, before pulling back.

  “I guess I’ll have to squeeze you in.” She looked over Jacob’s shoulder and noticed the valet had been watching. “I should probably get going, I have a lot of work to do before the wedding.”

  Jacob relaxed his arms and Kate ran her hand through her hair, trying to look a little less tussled than she felt.

  “That you do,” Jacob said, as they walked hand in hand towards the valet podium. Kate dug her ticket out of her purse and handed it to the valet.

  Jacob waited with her while the valet brought her car around front, and pulled her in close for one last goodnight kiss.

  Two nights before the wedding, Kate, Rachelle and Shiloh were all sitting cross-legged on the floor of Kate’s office, finishing up the last box of wedding favors. Two hundred and fifty boxes were specially produced with Graham and Sylvia’s name and wedding date embossed in gold. In each box, the women placed a small piece of silk-covered foam, and on top of that, a sterling silver charm that was designed by one of Sylvia’s friends in the design department of Tiffany’s. Kate was truly amazed that Sylvia’s friend was able to pull it off in time.

  In fact, she was amazed that she was able to pull it off in time.

  “Flowers from the grateful bride?” Shiloh asked, as she stood up and stretched her legs. Kate looked towards the bouquet on her desk.

  “No, no. The grateful bride isn’t that grateful at the moment. There’s no string quartet. It just couldn’t be done.”

  “They’re from Jacob,” Rachelle volunteered. “Aren’t they nice? He must really like you.”

  “Or he’s trying too hard,” Shiloh said.

  “It’s just flowers,” Kate replied as she packed the last box of favors and taped the box shut. “It means he had a nice time, and is looking forward to Saturday.”

  “Or Saturday night,” Shiloh said, twirling one of the roses around in her hands. “Whatever, at least you get roses. I can’t tell you the last time a man bought me flowers—whether he was trying to sleep with me or not.”

  Kate felt herself flush. “He’s not trying to get in my pants. I don’t think he’s like that.”

  Shiloh dropped the rose back into the vase. “You like him! You haven’t liked anybody since—“

  Rachelle jumped up and put her hand over Shiloh’s mouth. “Don’t say his name! It’s bad luck.” Rachelle tugged on her ponytail to tighten it and started to put on her coat. “Speaking of bad luck, guess who still hasn’t proposed to me?”

  “Count your blessings,” Shiloh said. “You’re still young, who needs to start fighting over whether the toilet lid is up or down so early in life?”

  Kate followed the two women out of her office, shutting down the lights and locking doors as she went.

  “We don’t fight about that stuff now, why would getting married change that?” she heard Rachelle ask.

  It’s not ever about the toilet seat, Kate thought. She tried to keep thoughts of Matthew out of her head, but it was futile. There they were at their favorite Italian restaurant on Main Street. There was the way he’d rub her back while she fell asleep. There was the hot night in Rome, where they made love on the balcony of the hotel.

&nbs
p; Enough. Enough!

  She forced herself to think about Jacob. The way he gave a half-smile before he kissed her the other night. The way his body felt pressed against hers. The way she had to restrain herself from squeezing his perfect ass while he was getting fitted for his tux.

  Saturday, she thought. Saturday will be a good night.

  Chapter 6

  Kate spent the first hour of Kate and Graham’s wedding day dry heaving into the toilet. Erin had left the milk on the counter overnight, and ever so thoughtfully put it back in the fridge that morning. Kate had already swallowed two gulps before realizing her drink was chunky and reeked of sourness.

  This better not be a harbinger of the day to come.

  She threw on a pair of jeans and a blouse, grabbed her dress for later that evening and was at the reception hall by eight AM. She dropped off the wedding favors, eliminated a particularly pungent flower from the centerpieces and outlined the time table for the manager. Rachelle greeted her on the way out the door, looking stunning in a black cocktail dress.

  “Why are you dressed? You’re going to snag on something while you’re setting up.”

  “I spilled my breakfast all over myself this morning. Some guy cut me off and--“

  Now it was Kate’s turn to cut Rachelle off. “No time. There’s another fifteen tables that need to be rolled in, chaired, table clothed and set with tableware. The band is confirmed, they’ll be here about an hour before the cocktail hour starts to set up. Be careful with your dress, call me if there’s any questions. I’m heading over for a quick stop at the church and then I have to get to the bride.”

  On the way from the church to Sylvia, Kate noticed a missed call from Jacob. She smiled.

  Sweet that he’s checking in. She turned the phone back off silent, but didn’t call back. She knew that Sylvia was going to demand her whole attention.

  Kate walked into the bridal suite at Sylvia’s hotel with a box of emergency goodies – extra hair spray, bobby pins, safety pins, pads for bras, pads for feminine emergencies, spare earrings and bracelets, packs of tissues, hair ties, shoe inserts and extra pantyhose.