Valentine Wedding Hound

by Rachelle Ayala

  “I just got married three weeks ago, so I’m not even late,” Melisa mumbled, dropping the dress on the bed. “And you better not say anything to Mom.”

  “Oh, really? So you’re not as innocent as we thought?” Jenna tried hard to suppress a smile. “And here I was giving you the baby-doll dress.”

  “I’m not saying anything more.” Melisa pushed Cait and stormed from the room.

  “Ooops.” Cait covered her mouth. “I made her take the test with me. Seriously, she’s not even late, but the way the tests are these days, well, fine, so maybe she jumped the gun by a few days, but sheesh, it’s not like we’re living in the nineteenth century.”

  “Too much information.” Jenna turned Cait toward the door. “You better find Melisa before Mom does.”

  After Cait exited, Nadine put her hands up. “Okay, so one balloon dress coming up for me. I’d like an apple red, in between Fuji apples and Red Delicious. I have the Pantone number.”

  “Great. Good to know which color compliments you.” Jenna took out her sketch pad and flipped it open. “How about this? I’m thinking a ‘Y’-necked front, completely rucked and pleated, with a long cascading skirt. You’re tall enough to pull this off.”

  “Even at seven months pregnant?” Nadine cocked an eyebrow. “Your picture doesn’t show the baby bump.”

  “This is a front projection.” Jenna took a pencil and sketched out the side profile. “The cascade will flow over your belly and the curvy lines will disguise the bump as it flares out in layers below it.”

  “You’re a genius.” Nadine clapped her hands together. “Now, what about your dress? Do you have any sketches?”

  “Actually, I started something, but now I’m not sure.” She flipped the sketchbook to her sexy, edgy dress full of cutouts that bared a lot of skin from her belly to her sides.

  “Wow, I can totally see that singer, Aleen Dee, wearing it.”

  Aleen Dee was a pop singer known for wearing provocative clothing and had bought a gown from Jenna the year before.

  “That’s what I was shooting for,” Jenna admitted. “But with Larry being all honorable—”

  “You mean acting like a nineteenth century prude,” Nadine said, chuckling.

  “Did Larry tell Connor about his vow?” Jenna dropped the sketchbook onto the bed. “Even Brian and Cait know. I can’t believe Connor would spread it around like that.”

  “Ooops.” Now it was Nadine’s turn to clamp her hand over her mouth. “I think I better help Mom in the kitchen. The dress is awesome, but I’m not sure it’s appropriate for a wedding, unless you’re doing it for the reality show, in that case, I understand. Maybe it’s part of the act. See you.”

  She skedaddled from the room, before Jenna realized that maybe it was Grady who’d spilled the beans and not Larry.

  Whatever.

  This family was nuts!

  “Grady,” she yelled as she, too, stormed from Cait’s bedroom.

  Chapter Nine

  Jenna and her fellow contestants stood in the spotlight facing the judges and their hostess, Amy Suzuki.

  This week hadn’t been a good one for three out of the four contestants who’d failed their dares. The audience had already been given a recap of their disastrous dares, and now, each contestant was put on the spot to give reasons why they should continue to the next round.

  “Jenna Hart,” Miss Suzuki said, walking up to her. “Last week, we saw your hunk of a boyfriend deny you the right to do your dance. Tell us what it’s been like between you two after he made you strike out of that Paris shopping trip and baseball season tickets for his pals.”

  “We’ve talked it over, and I’m in complete agreement with him. I wouldn’t have been able to face his fire squadron, including my brother who’s chief, if I’d gone through with it.”

  “Oh, really?” Amy cocked an eyebrow sky high. “So, if your fiancé told you you had to wear a burqa to go out, you’d do it too?”

  “Um, no, but he’s honoring me by putting his foot down.” Jenna knew this line of reasoning, of sticking by her man’s decision, would put her on shaky ground with getting the lifeline. The audience preferred drama, and if it looked like she was going to break up with Larry over this, they would be more eager to vote for her to continue.

  But then again, if she broke up with Larry, there would be no more wedding to film.

  Amy turned to the studio audience. “Wow, are we in the nineteenth century? Even the eighteenth century? What happened to women’s rights? What do you think? Does Jenna’s fiancé have a right to dictate what she can or cannot do?”

  “That’s not a fair question,” Jenna interrupted. “Sometimes in a marriage, both sides have to compromise. It’s not a matter of him dictating, but having better common sense at the moment.”

  “Boo, hiss,” the audience catcalled, some putting their thumbs down.

  Amy patted Jenna on the back. “Standing by your man’s going to cost you. Tell us why you should go on with the She Wouldn’t Dare: Wedding Edition.”

  “That’s easy,” Jenna said. “I have a fantastic lineup of bridesmaid dresses and a surprisingly daring wedding gown. My wedding reception will also feature a runway show as well as a pet adoption event. All proceeds of my show will go toward the Mountain Dog Rescue in the Sierra Nevadas, where dogs are oftentimes lost in the campgrounds, or abandoned by vacationers who think if they drop off their dog in a strange environment, their dog would be less likely to find their way back home.”

  “Great,” Amy turned to the crowd. “You’ve heard from Jenna Hart and her fashion show wedding. Now, let’s ask her brother, Grady Hart, what he thinks about all of this.”

  “What?” Jenna’s jaw dropped. She’d been asked to provide character witnesses, and had lined up Cait, Melisa, and Nadine to sit in the audience in case Amy would call on them.

  They were prepared to give testimonials about the bridesmaid dresses she designed for them. Since when had Grady horned in on them?

  Jenna was already seething mad at her brother for letting the family know of her non-sleeping arrangement with Larry. Her parents had been proud and happy, and for the most part, her sisters accepted it as one of Larry’s quirks. But Grady and baby brother Dale acted like Larry was less of a man because he wouldn’t bed their sister.

  Not that they’d said anything at the family dinner table. Oh, no. They’d praised Larry until his face was bright red, but Jenna didn’t miss the implication of Larry being somehow deficient in their eyes.

  And now this.

  Jenna stiffened her upper lip and tried to keep her expression neutral, because the camera was sure to be trained on her.

  Grady sauntered up to the stage, waving to the cheering audience. Of course, all the women loved him with his dark, hunky looks, and slicked back hair. He had that swagger only the cool dudes had, and the black leather motorcycle jacket, jeans, and boots drew swoony sounds from the women pressed in the front row.

  “Welcome, Grady Hart,” Amy said, extending her hand to touch him as he ascended the steps. “I believe you have some important information about your sister to give to the judges and the voting audience.”

  “Thanks for having me.” Grady appeared gracious, but Jenna wasn’t fooled. His grin was pure mischief, and the sparkle in his eye showed just how much he was enjoying the worshipful women in the audience.

  He held a hand out toward Jenna and said, “My sister is one of a kind. She’s my twin, and we have that twin thing going, but she looks nothing like me. Imagine that.”

  He paused to allow laughter to pass through the audience.

  “I believe all of you should extend a lifeline to my sister because she is not only a fabulous fashion designer, but she also has a heart for the lonely and rejected.”

  How dare he? Jenna glared at her brother. She knew where this was going. He believed Larry was a pity play, and that she was noble for even looking at him twice.

  Jenna had half a mind to march over to her brothe
r and swipe the mic from him. Arrogant men pissed her off, and twin thing or not, she was nothing like him.

  “How does she show her heart for the lonely and rejected?” Amy asked. A sly smile tickled her pert lips as she anticipated a blowout of emotions.

  “You all can see how beautiful she is, no?” Grady waved a hand at Jenna. “She’s always been the prettiest one growing up, but she never let it get to her head. Everyone wanted to be her friend, but she always found the one kid who was picked on or ignored by the popular kids, and she became their friend.”

  “You act like my friendship is charity, which is not true.” Jenna marched up to Grady. “I am the beneficiary of my friendships, and unlike you, I don’t rank people based on physical attractiveness, wealth, status, or anything else. I only look into their heart.”

  “Which is why you’re marrying that dog.” Grady ducked Jenna’s swat. “That beastly looking, saggy skinned, gluttonous and gassy hound.”

  Jenna’s jaw slammed to the ground. “It’s the best looking people who have the darkest hearts.”

  “Yes, and my sister is marrying the guy who snores like a motorcycle and drags his ears on the ground, and did I say gassy? He burps on both ends.” The drums rolled as Grady continued his roast of Larry, who’d never done a mean thing in his life against her horrid brother.

  “The incomparable hero with the slobbering drool, Harley Davison.” Grady clapped both hands together and laughed. “Please welcome Jenna’s one of a kind groom and the reason she should get a lifeline. Harley was once a lost puppy found behind a dumpster, and all he ever wanted was a home. That’s all any abandoned dog or cat wants—a forever home with people companions. My sister’s wedding will benefit the Mountain Dog Rescue of Colson’s Corner, California, and if she’s in the She Wouldn’t Dare season finale, many homeless animal companions will have a chance to belong to a new family. So, cast your vote for my kind and caring sister, and help a stray find his forever home.”

  The audience thundered with applause as Larry led Harley onto the stage. Jenna hid her face and groaned, ashamed she had thought Grady was speaking about Larry. How was she going to explain this one away? Her reactions were forever captured on video, all thanks to her brat of a twin brother.

  Larry reached her side, grinning. “Jenna Hart, do you take Harley Davison as your lawfully wedded hound?”

  “I do.” Jenna nodded, relieved that Larry had been in on Grady’s speech.

  “On behalf of my hound, I’ll kiss the bride,” Larry said.

  He pulled her close, slamming her into his hard body and delivered a hot, searing kiss that had the crowd hollering and hooting.

  “Aaarroowaaahhh!” Harley said the last word before they cut to commercial.

  Chapter Ten

  “You did it!” Grady high-fived Jenna once they walked off the stage. She’d gotten the coveted lifeline after the judges tallied up the votes.

  The contestant who refused to kiss her maid of honor had gotten the boot. They had had an emotional scene where the maid of honor declared her unrequited love for the bride before quitting.

  Since the maid of honor was the groom’s sister, the entire family took sides, and the poor contestant’s wedding was called off.

  “How do you feel?” Larry hugged her at his side. “Bet you thought Grady was talking about me being that poor, pitiful, lonely, and rejected individual.”

  “Okay, I can’t lie. But it’s not a reflection of you, but my opinion of my arrogant brother.” Jenna punched Grady’s arm. “He’s the guy who ranks and rates people like they’re restaurants or Ivy League colleges.”

  “I’m only doing what women do.” Grady defended himself. “Assigning a point value for everything from muscles to car to wealth.”

  “Everything except love.” Jenna shook her head as they walked behind the set to the contestant breakroom.

  All reality shows had that moment where the contestants who were safe got to see both the winners and the losers. It gave them their last chance at saying “goodbye” and hugging each other.

  “So, what’s next?” Grady slung an arm around Jenna, competing with Larry who also had his arm around her. “What do you think they’ll pull on you this week?”

  “No idea at all,” Jenna answered. She was well aware of the camera and sound crew who followed her around every step of the way, with high-powered lenses pointed her way and boom mics hovering overhead, and she wasn’t going to express her fears only to have them capitalize on them.

  As with any regular wedding, she had a million and one things to do. Luckily, busybody Cait took it upon herself to do all of the event planning: coordinating with the caterer, the venues, the baker, and florist. Jenna had so many balls in the air, especially the bridesmaid dresses and designing her own one-of-a-kind gown, that she couldn’t handle another major derailment of her plans.

  “I’m sure they’ll come up with a doozy.” Grady seemed to relish Jenna’s consternation. “Hey, Larry, maybe they’ll mess with you since you agreed to be part of the show.”

  “I was already dragged in when she jumped out of a cake at my bachelor party, thanks to Connor giving permission.” Larry gave Jenna a wink.

  They got to the contestant breakroom, and Jenna was soon surrounded by the other “safe” contestants. They all consoled the one who was going home.

  “The most important thing is to get things patched up with your fiancé,” Jenna told the woman named Gwen.

  “Except he’s defending his sister. Instead of being jealous, he’s saying I shouldn’t have embarrassed her.” Gwen sniffed and wiped her eyes.

  “It’ll be okay.” Another contestant hugged Gwen. “Things will blow over. Just don’t cancel everything, yet.”

  “I won’t.” She blew her nose into a tissue. “I hope they don’t mess up your weddings. I’m sure they’re cooking up something serious to bomb all of you with.”

  “They always up the ante as the numbers dwindle,” the third contestant said. “But don’t worry. We’re prepared.”

  “Best of all luck.” Jenna gave Gwen a hug. “You’re still invited to my wedding.”

  “And you’re all invited to mine, too, if it happens.” Gwen waved at them as she took her consolation bouquet from the attendant. “Bye now, and I’ll be watching the show.”

  A feeling of dread settled low in Jenna’s gut as she waved goodbye to Gwen. With only four contestants left, the show would be even more intrusive and obnoxious.

  “Don’t worry,” Larry whispered in her ear. “Whatever they throw at us, I won’t be doing like Gwen’s fiancé. For one, I don’t have a family to worry about pissing off.”

  True, but somehow, his words didn’t ease Jenna’s nerves, especially when Amy had asked her if she knew where Larry’s birth mother lived.

  Jenna had pleaded ignorance, but it wouldn’t be hard to look up Larry’s birth records or hire a private investigator to locate her—especially if Larry’s ex-girlfriend was the daughter of his mother’s best friend.

  The only saving grace was that Larry’s mother did not want to be outed, and if Amy had to resort to asking Jenna, it meant the producers had hit a dead end.

  Two days later, Jenna and Larry went with Cait and the florist, Terri Slade of Love Me Flowers, to the Gilded Ballroom in a swanky luxury hotel owned by Melisa’s father-in-law.

  It exuded luxury reminiscent of the Age of the Robber Barons. Gold trim vied with shiny ivory-colored moldings while gold-laced swags festooned the high, floor-to-ceiling windows. An antique hand-carved fireplace was covered with a surplus of gilded fronds, crowns, and cherubs. Large, ornate crystal chandeliers presided over the ballroom, exuding an atmosphere of extravagant romance.

  This wasn’t Jenna’s first pick, but in a grand gesture of familial devotion, Melisa’s father-in-law had offered them the venue for free. Of course, Jenna was grateful and when the reality show picked up on it, they went whole hog with the decorating plan.

  Amy Suzuki, along with her e
ver-present camera and sound crew, met them at the entrance of the ballroom.

  Jenna introduced her to Terri, the florist, and after a short greeting, Amy asked, “How do you like the Gilded Ballroom?”

  “It’s perfect for a once-in-a-lifetime reception,” Jenna gushed. “Truly decadent and posh. It’s a place where romantic dreams come true.”

  She was laying it on a bit thick, but she wanted to give the hotel and ballroom a boost.

  “I’m glad you like it,” Amy said. “Show me your theme colors and how you plan to decorate.”

  Cait stepped forward. “Since Jenna’s wedding is on Valentine’s Day, we thought it appropriate to have hearts, flowers, and Cupid dolls shooting arrows all over the ballroom.”

  “Don’t you think that’s a little tacky for such an upscale place?” Amy sniffed and wandered around the ballroom, touching the golden trim and examining the Louis the XIVth era mirror complete with carved acanthus, scrolls, shells, crest and crown.

  “I trust Cait,” Jenna said in defense of her sister. “She’s not only my sister, but also the owner of Cait’s Wonderful Weddings. She and I agree that the Valentine theme is perfect.”

  “If unoriginal.” Amy lifted her nose in the air and sniffed. “Imagine the inhabitants of the Gilded Age, the women of the Robber Barons who had more money than kings and princes.”

  “Yes, I appreciate the luxurious décor, but we’re in the twenty-first century,” Jenna argued. “Besides, we already have all the flower arrangements ordered. I’ve already ordered the matching hearts and roses cake with the red punch bowls, and heart-shaped balloons. The place settings will have Valentine cards and candy hearts, with sweetheart bears on the napkins. Once the sit down dinner is over, we’ll have dancing under a glittering disco ball and a karaoke competition where couples can sing love songs to each other or dedicate songs to anyone in the room.”

  Amy turned to the camera. “It looks like our bride-to-be needs some help with her theme and decorations. Shall I dare her to change up everything with a mere three weeks before the big day?”