A Wedding Affair (The Wedding Affair)

by Lacey, S. L. A.

  Ian and I both stand as the room starts to disburse.

  “Ian congratulations to you again we must be going” two of the overly friendly professors bid us a fond farewell, yes they are both quite fond of my soon to be husband, one shakes his hand and mine the other shanks Ian’s hand with two hands, meaning they caressed it with one while they held it with the other, just like their French counterpart.

  “Thank you” I shake hands and they smile sweetly and leave.

  “I am going to the ladies room” Ian kisses my cheek and points to the double doors and it is down the hall.

  “Thank you I’ll be right back” I walk through the double door and down to the ladies room

  It’s clean and reminds me of high school, cold and drab and maybe a hint of lingering cigarette smoke. Oh well, I pee and walk to the sink, I wash my hands and touch up my lipstick. I met a lot of Ian’s colleagues, a lot of them are older than us and have been teaching for years, but I have to say my guy was by far the most impressive, maybe because he is not a bullshit professor, he is an original, well-traveled, and intelligent beyond his years. I smile as I touch up my makeup and I am out the door.

  “Aria” I turn and see Jean, he is walking towards me, I am getting nervous as he catches up to me.

  “Aria it was good seeing you” he looks at me and I start walking and he does too

  “So are you still teaching your workshops?”

  “Yes but not in the summer” I walk back into the main gathering area and he is still beside me.

  “Well take care”

  “Hold on Aria, so how are you” he grabs my arm and I look at him very sternly.

  “Great didn’t you hear I’m getting married!” I walk back over to Ian’s side, gosh what the hell does he want? A thought crosses my mind same thing I want from Tristan.

  I return to Ian and we get through the rest of the evening just fine. It’s a sea of higher learning at its best. Ian and I make it through the evening quite well, I’m a great schmoozer Ian knows most of the staff and for the most part we have a nice evening, a little friendly banter between colleagues is ok, the chatter is light and boring to me but I play along. We are wished well on our up and coming nuptials and Ian finally starts putting his arm around me as I still see Jean eyeing us from across the room. Ian says his good-byes to his fellow professors and he walks me to my car.

  “Honey did you take down your rosary from your rear-view mirror?”

  All the blood leaves my face and I go pale as a ghost, as I look at the Cadillac that is not mine. shit I have Tristan s car! Fuck, fuck, fuck can this day getting anymore nuts!

  “Oh you know it came loose I will put it back up.”

  He opens my door and I get in.

  Ian is parked next to me he pulls out in front of me and takes off like James Bond, that ride has 007 written all over it, I can’t catch him in that car, I hit the button on the steering wheel and call you know who.

  “Why is my car calling me?” Tristan’s voice is music to my ears after a day of chaos and disarray.

  “I believe you have something that belongs to me!”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Don’t play coy!” He is laughing at me in the phone

  “Tristan you have my car!”

  “No Aria you have my car!” Now we both start laughing out loud,

  “Baby the valets must have messed up our tickets”

  “Or we messed up the tickets in our fit of Tuesday morning sex-capades”

  “Really do I make you that disoriented?”

  “I believe you left me more than disoriented Mr. Bach”

  “Where are you baby?”

  “I’m leaving CWU on my way home”

  “Stop by the restaurant we can switch cars, do you really want to take my car home, it has my plates on it?”

  “Oh shit good thinking! Ok I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”

  We hang up, I call Ian and tell him I have to make a stop, I’ll be home later, he doesn’t question me.

  I turn up his music, Lately by Anita Baker. Oh wow what a great song, I turn the bass up and floor it as I head onto Martin Luther King boulevard a two lane street that links the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospital the Music School Settlement and Case Western Reserve to the shore way. I drive pass Tristan and my fountain it is such a romantic park, the fountain is drenched in lights as delicious memories flood my mind. I follow the MLK, as it leads me through winding streets that takes me under the stone bridges, ornate over passes that are centuries old, there is a very central park feeling when I drive it, there are also several parks that are from various organizations as well as ethnic diversity that line this ornate area. I make my way down the long and winding road and jump onto I-90 west and head downtown which is a straight shot ahead of me, about three exits or so on our shore way that follows the lake I think they call it route two then it links to I-90 via dead man’s curve, a hairpin curse where accidents do happen a lot. It actually links all of our interstates I-90, I-77, and I-71 so this is the main hub of the city to get anywhere you can start here.

  I get off downtown at 9th street and drive down St. Clair to the flats district and pull to the valet at The Theatrical Grill.

  I check my lipstick in the visor mirror and there is a picture of Tristan and I from long ago, wow really long ago, like when we first met, he must have been in his twenties I was younger and definitely naïve gosh look at me, so young and clueless. I don’t ever think I’ve ever seen this photo of the two of us, it looks like it was taken at our old office.

  It makes me smile. I kiss it and leave my lipstick impression on the photo. I give his car to the valet and walk through the black and glass doors, into the restaurant, it’s busy for a Tuesday night. I see him on the patio talking to a table of people.

  I just stand and watch him work his magic, he is joking with them, he glances my way and I smile, he stops me dead in my tracks as butterflies bloom in my stomach. I walk slowly towards him as the wait staffer hurrying past me, he excuses himself from the table he was standing at, and he meets me half way.

  His smile makes me melt for him as I know it is all mine. I am so happy to see him.

  He took off his jacket but he still has his tie on that I tied for him earlier today. He takes my hand and kisses it and doesn’t let it go.

  “Hello Aria, you look lovely” he is soft spoken and very shy.

  “Hell Tristan, thank you” I don’t know why, but I feel as if the whole room is watching us.

  “Come let’s get some air shall we?” Tristan holds my hand and leads us out onto the deck that overlooks the river, the cool summer breeze feels good against my blushing face.

  “It’s nice to see you again Aria, two dresses in one day I’m a lucky man”

  “This one doesn’t come off as easily” I smile as I arch an eyebrow at him.

  “I’m willing to give it a try” as he runs his knuckles down my arm, oh wow how can this be, we made love, he fucked me for three hours this morning and I still want more too, maybe I am addicted to sex? Well look at him, tousled dark hair, hair hazel eyes, five o clock shadow, it’s just him, he looks like sex. I pull myself from my erotic thoughts.

  “Interesting song in your car on repeat?” I gotta change my train of thinking or I will derailed onto my back for this man.

  “Gotta love Anita Baker.” He is as bad as me, that song talks of ‘have I told you lately I love you.’

  “Here is the ticket for your car, I gave it to your valet” he takes my hand and holds it to his lips.

  “Seems mistakes are always bringing us together”

  “Maybe we are the big mistake?”

  “I think you’ve mistaken your old friend from high school as the one for you!” Oh shit shit shit, change the subject or this dress will come off in record time.

  “Didn’t you notice the rosary hanging from the rear-view?”

  “No not really, it did smell of you, that was nice” as his finger tr
aces my lips.

  “Interesting photo in your visor.”

  “Checking your lipstick for me?” he makes me blush, and kisses me gently

  “Nice shade on you by the way”

  He pulls me in front of him with his arms around my waist, his face against my cheek.

  “This is a nice way to end a work day you back in my arms” Is it ok to love him with I’m with him?

  Then the music starts.

  I turn around and we watch the ships and boats sail up and down the river, in the cool night air. His deep voice warms my heart.

  “Come dance with me” I go willingly

  ‘COME RAIN OR COME SHINE Bobby Caldwell’ 107.3 the wave is our jazz station here in town and they are broadcasting live on the river. There is a crowd on the dance floor, as we blend in amongst the other couples, we are in our own world as we gaze into one another’s eyes as the music carries us to our own special place where we can be together.

  “I’ve missed you today” as he kisses my neck. He holds me tight and looks down at me.

  “I could say the same, How was your day?” I look up at him.

  “Good, busy, very busy, you?” He caresses my curls through his fingers

  “The same” I love when he plays in my hair.

  “Can you stay for a drink?” I know I should go home.

  “I really should go?”

  “I’ll make you calamari!”

  “You just made me stay!” He kisses my hand.

  “I hope that’s not the only thing I made you?” as he raises his eyebrows and kisses my cheek, yes he just made me wet and if he keeps it up I will come while we are dancing, or is he talking about making me sore? I don’t know, he makes me a lot of things these days. The one thing I don’t know is if I can make him mine.

  The song ends and Tristan and I sit at a secluded table on the deck, sip white wine from his private stock that is his vineyard and we feast on his famous calamari with a cashews sauce that is like no other. I look over at him and this is how it always has been with us, we have always shared a meal at midnight ever since we met, I guess some things never change.

  The bar dies down, the kitchen staffers all come over to meet me and we all sit and talk. They all joke with me about Tristan, they all know who I am, how embarrassing.

  I meet Aimee, she is the one who messed up the purchasing orders, so she is the cause of all my dismay, I really don’t know how I feel about the fare Aimee…hmm

  They are a great group of people, all from different walks of life, and they all think the world of Tristan, it was nice to see that, considering his reputation with my friends is not as favorable.

  They all break away and leave us.

  “Alone at last” It’s late.

  “I should go Tristan”

  “Are you ok to drive?”

  “Yes I am fine, I don’t drink like that anymore?”

  “Really I beg to differ! You were the old Aria Friday night drunk and quite verbal”

  “That was different!” I balk at him

  “Different how?”

  “You drove me to drink!”

  He grabs me and holds me close as my lips are at his neck his lips are at my ear

  “Stay with me tonight” why does he say what I always want to hear?

  “I can’t, I can’t, I can’t” I whisper into his neck and he lets out a moan like he is fighting my words.

  My head tells me it’s time to go, but my heart, oh my heart would have him in the backseat of my Cadillac.

  “I know, I know, I know” He looks down at me pressing his forehead to mine and I don’t want to go, ask me again, tell me what to do, make me stay, and he says the right thing.

  “Aria I’ll see you tomorrow?”

  “I think that can be arranged” he kisses my forehead and he walks me out.

  Harry brings my car around, I glance at the rear-view mirror and my rosary is hanging proudly where it should.

  He kisses me, good night? Good-bye? We both don’t know if we will see one another again, both breathless just looking at each other. I caress his cheek as his stubble makes him sexy as hell, I push his hair off his forehead, how I adore him so, he smiles under my gentle touch.

  “WHY DIDN’T YOU FIND ME SOONER?” I am wining like a petulant child and he senses my insecurity as that statement lingers between us and haunts us both; the key to our happiness is that simple statement, ouch.

  “I guess I didn’t try hard enough…” he takes full blame in a consoling way, his humble answer warms my heart as he kisses my forehead, he blames himself, my poor baby, and Tristan blames himself for all of this I pout.

  “We’ve wasted so much time, we live and learn and moved on I guess”

  “No more wasted time Aria, I promise you baby” I kiss him and run my fingers through his hair, he deepens the kiss with his tongue in my mouth. People and passers-by heckle us

  “GET A ROOM!” whistles and shouts fill the night air. We laugh as Tristan yells back

  “I’m trying”

  My jaw drops, I hit him playfully on his chest.

  “On that note I am leaving Mr. Bach.”

  He puts me in my car, I look at him one last time, suddenly nothing is funny anymore.

  “Aria I will see you tomorrow!” He says very reaffirming, I nod and drive off.

  -------<>-------

  I’m home in seven minutes, as I pull up to my home it is well lit outside, Ian always leaves the lights on for me so I don’t come into a dark house. He is kind and considerate as he remembers that I am afraid of the dark, what a sweetie he is, and I am out all night with my ex doing things that I should not be doing. I sigh and try and clear my head. I leave my things on the table in the dining room, but grab my cell phone. I shut off the lights and head upstairs.

  I open the door and I am touched, I walk over to the bed and the lamp on my side of the bed is still on, Ian is sound asleep, he has an early class tomorrow I think, I lean over and kiss his forehead he stirs as his hair flops over his forehead he is so cute any women would kill to have this man in her bed. I go to kiss him and suddenly

  BLEEP, BLING

  My cellphone goes off shit! Who is texting me this late? It could only be the dark night himself, I run into the bathroom and fill the tub. I need to soak and relax. I get undressed and notice wow this dress does come off pretty easy, good thing I came home like a good girl, yeah good girl with bad intentions. I’m even more sarcastic to myself as I roll my eyes at my behavior.

  I sit in a mound of bubbles that is Ralph Lauren Romance. A grab my phone and it is from Tristan. I smile as I sink into luxury, the hot water is soothing, the aroma is tantalizing and I just want to relax and unwind.

  Tristan

  Are you home safe and sound?

  Aria

  I’m home the rest is questionable!

  Tristan

  Are you ok!

  Aria

  No

  Tristan

  What’s wrong?

  Aria

  You have to ask?

  Tristan

  You say when and I will pull you out of the mess you are in.

  Aria

  You are the mess I am in!

  Tristan

  Glad to hear I’m still in the running!

  He makes me smile, he is wonderful.

  Aria

  Tonight was fun

  Tristan

  This morning was tops for me!

  Aria

  You are an acquired taste.

  Tristan

  Am I now?

  Aria

  You were very handsome tonight.

  Tristan

  You took my breath away when you walked in

  Aria

  You look happy

  Tristan

  You make me happy

  Aria

  It’s almost 1:30am I gotta get to bed.

  Tristan

  Mine is empty without you

  Aria

 
Goodnight

  Tristan

  Are you wet

  Aria

  Yes actually I am soaking wet

  Tristan

  I’m hard!

  Aria

  I’m soaking in the tub goodnight

  Tristan

  Ok so naked and wet, you’re gonna

  Make me come

  Aria

  you know I would have had you in my car

  Tristan

  You just made me come all over myself, next time

  I’m coming inside you

  Aria

  You said ladies first

  Tristan

  Touch yourself baby and come for me now

  Aria

  I need you I can’t come without you

  Tristan

  Aria I love you

  Aria

  Goodnight

  Tristan

  Goodnight

  He is not going to let me go, I’m not sure I want him too, Going over today’s events I spent more time with Tristan then Ian. Something to ponder tonight, while I can’t sleep. I finish my bath and go back in my bedroom.

  Ian is sleeping, he is out to the world, sleeps like a log. Gosh even in high-school he was napping after school then we would stay up all night talking on the phone watching Friday Night Videos. He and I have great memories. He has never hurt me, abused me or betrayed me, I on the other…well let’s not go there.

  I lay next to him, a thought crosses my mind, Tristan was concern that I made it home safe, shouldn’t my fiancé have worried about that too? Tristan’s world is so similar to mine, it’s almost like we have lived the same life but apart. We keep the same hours, we are both workaholic’s, driven, motivated and successful.