[2014] Dog Day Wedding

by Rich Amooi

  There should be a law against a man being that good-looking.

  Of course then she’d have to arrest him. And that would involve handcuffs. And touching.

  Get your mind out of the gutter!

  Giovanni laughed.

  Natalie folded her arms. “What?”

  “You don’t think I can see you checking me out?”

  She huffed. “I was not checking you out.”

  “If you say so. At least I was honest about it when you caught me.”

  “Okay, maybe I was admiring you. But I’m still getting married to Jacks.”

  “Of course you are.”

  “I am. So let’s change subjects.”

  “Fine.”

  “Fine.” She fidgeted with the radio a little more before opening her mouth again. “James is amazing.”

  “I agree.” Giovanni glanced over at her again. “Would you take James in if you had the chance?”

  “In a heartbeat.”

  “Me, too. What would your fiancé say about that?”

  That was a good question. And she was pretty sure she didn’t want to know the answer. They had discussed children two times, and on both occasions Jacks mentioned he wouldn’t be ready for a while—that he needed to move up in his career before committing to such a thing.

  Such a thing.

  When Jacks had said that it really rubbed Natalie the wrong way. What did the job have to do with it? He wasn’t the one who was going to be pregnant. The one who was going to give birth. The one who was going to breastfeed. The one who would most likely change the diapers.

  Giovanni reached across and snapped his fingers in front of Natalie’s face. “You going to answer the question?”

  “I don’t know what Jacks would say. Really.”

  “Then it’s settled. You and I will have children together.”

  Natalie reached for the radio again. “I’m just going to turn up the volume a little more to drown you out.”

  Giovanni laughed. “No need. I’ll stop talking.”

  “That’s a good idea.”

  Not that she didn’t like to hear Giovanni speak. He had a sexy voice. Natalie was sure there was something special about him, too. In fact, the more she got to know him the more he surprised her. She didn’t dare compare him to her fiancé anymore.

  No.

  Comparing the two would bring trouble.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Giovanni set his morning coffee on the kitchen counter and paced back and forth through the living room. He had a lot on his mind, but at least he wasn’t alone—Precious was on his heels. Every time he stopped, Precious would stop. When he resumed, the dog would resume.

  Giovanni laughed. “You’re a silly dog, aren’t you?”

  “Arf!”

  “Of course you are.”

  He reached down and scratched her on the head and continued his pacing. “Very silly. And cute, too.”

  “Arf!”

  They continued their pacing in the family room and he did a loop around the island in the kitchen. Yeah, a lot on his mind.

  Natalie was right. It would be good to call Patricia and find out why she hadn’t wanted to get married to him. Closure was good. He already had closure with her personal items. Hopefully, Patricia’s lover with the Ferrari was keeping her happy and she wasn’t too mad about what Giovanni had done with her belongings. He pulled the phone out of his pocket and called her.

  “What do you want, Giovanni?”

  Still pissed off.

  “Hi, Patricia.”

  “Make this quick—I have a bikini wax and wine tasting this afternoon.”

  “At the same time?”

  “No, not at the same time! Speak or I’m hanging up.”

  “Okay. I’m calling to just find out . . . what happened. Between you and me.”

  “Oh, God. Is this so you can have closure and all that bullshit?”

  How did she know? “Yes.”

  Patricia let out a deep breath. “I should just make you suffer and wonder for the rest of your life after what you did to my things. Okay, let’s get this over with. Number one, I just couldn’t handle your mom.”

  “My mom? What? Pressure of having grandchildren?”

  “Hell, yes. She came to my work—said she wanted to take me out to lunch, which I thought was odd. And while I was eating with her she asked me a million questions. Things about my stress level, my average body temperature, my sleeping patterns, history of boys in the family. She even asked if I could start charting my menstrual cycle. When I said no she insisted on driving me to my next gyno appointment. I said no and walked out on her again.”

  “Wow.”

  “But enough about your psychotic mother. Really, if you think about it, we’re two very different people. You and I want different things. I want things that glitter and sparkle and you want things that . . . don’t. Me? Four Seasons. You? Holiday Inn. You’re happy with simple and I’m happy with sophistication. Nothing wrong with that, just not too compatible.”

  “Then why did you accept my proposal?”

  She sighed. “I thought I could change you and make you realize how important it is to have the finest things in life.”

  “Well, if that’s what you want, I’m sure there’s someone out there who will give it to you.”

  “It’s not something I want. I need them. That is who I am and I don’t want you to judge me. And yes, I found someone.”

  “That was fast. Does he drive a Ferrari?”

  “Not anymore. I drive it. But that’s because he understands me. This was meant to be.”

  He couldn’t argue with her on that point. This breakup was a hundred times less painful than the first one. In fact, he wondered if he suffered at all. Sure, his initial reaction when he wanted to burn all of her belongings was strong, but that hadn’t lasted long at all. And since he had met Natalie, he hadn’t even thought of Patricia except when they talked about her.

  He wondered what Natalie was doing right now. He wouldn’t mind being kicked in the shins a few more times, just to be with her. Just to get another glimpse of that beautiful smile and her sexy—.

  “Giovanni?”

  Oops.

  He forgot he was still on the phone with Patricia. “Yeah, sorry. We must have a bad connection.”

  They said their goodbyes and Giovanni wished her well.

  He had closure. And it was good to know that what happened wasn’t his fault.

  They say things happen for a reason and Giovanni had to wonder if the reason he got the shaft from Patricia was so he could meet Natalie. It was only because he hadn’t gotten married that he had met her on the street when she was about to give him a ticket. Sure there was a good chance he would have met Natalie at Federico’s house some other time, but maybe she would have been married by then, too.

  She was still engaged to be married to Jacks though . . .

  It was a new day and Natalie’s thoughts were on James. What a wonderful boy. She was glad she’d had the opportunity to go with Giovanni.

  She let out a deep breath. “Giovanni,” she mumbled.

  Her mind drifted to him in his red underwear again.

  Behave.

  She needed to get her mind off of the guitar-making hunk next door.

  Now!

  A trip to the gym with her best friend Rebecca would hopefully do the trick. Natalie was having doubts and maybe Rebecca could help her sort through things before she headed off to work.

  She stepped onto the elliptical machine and pressed the start button. “You hate Jacks, don’t you?”

  Okay, that wasn’t so smooth. Rebecca practically fell off the machine when she was hit with the question. Maybe Natalie should have eased into the conversation or maybe rephrased that.

  Rebecca tied her blonde hair behind her head, increased the speed of her machine, and looked over to Natalie. “What are you talking about?”

  “Do you think Jacks is the right one for me? Yes or no?”
>
  “Oh, my God. You’re getting cold feet?”

  Maybe. Probably. Yes. “No!”

  She wasn’t sure why she answered so loudly. Or why she lied. A few heads turned in their direction. Sure, she had doubts, but it would be good to see if Rebecca had them, too.

  In a lower voice Natalie continued, “Just tell me your thoughts. You never mention him or talk about us as a couple, and I find that very odd and maybe a sign that you don’t approve.”

  Rebecca shrugged. “How can I even judge him? He’s never around—I barely know the guy. I’ve seen him three times, and you always said he was great so I had to believe you.”

  “Yeah. I think I’ve seen him once in the last week and a half. He’s moving toward his goal of being district attorney and says he’s doing it for us—for our future. But I secretly wish he had some lame job, barely making any money at all, just so I could see him more often. And if he’s not working, he’s cleaning his car. I’m not having fun. Our honeymoon period is over and we haven’t even gotten married yet!”

  “Most men get their identity from their job, but what is it with Jacks and his Camaro? I think if it were possible he would sleep with it.”

  Natalie snorted.

  “Other than that, he seems like a decent guy,” said Rebecca.

  “That’s a big endorsement. Saying a guy is ‘decent’ is like saying a meal was just okay. That’s not a very good answer.” She needed to know more. She pressed the stop button on her machine and turned to Rebecca. “Decent. That’s all?”

  “He’s successful. He’s loyal. And he’s certainly in a hurry to make you his trophy wife. Many people see that as a positive.”

  “What the heck are you talking about?”

  “Nothing at all.” Rebecca played with the buttons on her elliptical machine. “You want to do an hour today and then do some stretching?”

  “I am not going to be his trophy wife.” She reached over and pressed the stop button on Rebecca’s machine. “Trophy wife? Come on!”

  “You’re smart and you’re beautiful. He’s going to show you off wherever you go. That’s why he bought you that boulder on your finger. Nothing wrong with that, if that’s what bakes your cake.”

  “You know I’m not like that.”

  “Just some macho dog marking his territory, that’s all. Mine, mine, mine!” She waved her arms in the air like a lunatic.

  “I can’t believe I’m hearing this!”

  Rebecca laughed. “I’m kidding! Boy, you really do have cold feet, don’t you?”

  Natalie nodded.

  “All right then, let me ask you this: does he care about what makes you happy?”

  Natalie let out a breath so powerful her lips vibrated. She sounded like a horse. “You sound like Giovanni! Oh God, that must be a sign.”

  “What exactly did Giovanni say?”

  “That Jacks should be doing everything in his power to make me happy. Every single day.”

  Rebecca nodded. “I like Giovanni—he’s smart, fun, and he’s hot. Maybe you should marry him.”

  It’s not like Natalie hadn’t thought about that, but still . . .

  Fudge.

  Now she was thinking of Giovanni in his underwear again. She massaged her temples and tried to regain her focus. “You’re saying this now?”

  “I was kidding! Again!”

  “I don’t think you are. You’re withholding evidence.”

  “Okay, now you’re starting to sound like Jacks. I’ve changed my mind—maybe you should marry him.”

  Natalie jumped off of the machine. “I’ve lost my motivation for working out. Let’s go. Change of plans.” She grabbed her water bottle and towel and stepped off of the machine. She was having some serious doubts and needed the comfort of a giant cinnamon roll from the donut place next door.

  Rebecca grabbed her stuff. “Donuts?”

  Rebecca knew her so well.

  Natalie nodded and pointed to the door. “Now.”

  Kind of cruel—opening a donut shop next to the gym. But she wasn’t going to complain at the moment—it’s just what she needed. A minute later they were seated with their coffees and a bag of buttery, sugary, deep-fried goodness.

  Rebecca pointed to Natalie’s hand. “Dry skin?”

  Natalie shook her head. “Poison oak. Thankfully it’s just a mild case.”

  “Still. Don’t touch me.”

  “You’re so sweet.”

  Rebecca stared at Natalie for a moment. “You don’t seem like your normal, happy self lately. Tell me what’s really going on.”

  “I’m having serious doubts.”

  “That’s obvious.”

  Jacks was a decent man and he loved her. Still, another question was floating around in the back of Natalie’s mind. How much did she really love him? Enough to spend the rest of her life with him? Or did she just love the idea of being married? Just the thought of the latter made her shiver. Not a reason to get married at all.

  Rebecca dunked a piece of her donut in the coffee. Before she put it in her mouth she said, “What specifically has been on your mind?”

  “The man next door.”

  “No.”

  She nodded.

  “Did you sleep with him?”

  “No! What kind of question is that?”

  “Sorry! Have you thought about sleeping with him?”

  Natalie didn’t answer. She took a bite of her cinnamon roll and avoided eye contact with Rebecca. She knew the ploy wouldn’t work, but at least it would buy her some time and a few more bites before she had to tell the truth.

  Rebecca slapped the table. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

  “No, don’t take it as a yes. I’ve only technically been thinking about his kisses. While he’s in his underwear.”

  “Oh. That’s much different.”

  “Am I crazy?”

  “No, you’re not crazy. Remember? I had cold feet before I got married. And everything worked out fine, didn’t it?”

  Natalie smiled. “Yes. Scott is amazing.”

  “And everything will work out fine for you.”

  It sounded nice. But Natalie still had her doubts.

  Natalie arrived home, showered, and changed into her uniform. She had about an hour before she had to start her shift today. She’d heard the phone ring while she was in the shower so she checked her messages.

  “Hi Natalie, it’s me, Miguel.”

  Miguel was the musician she hired to play the piano for the ceremony.

  Oh, God. Please don’t say there is a problem. Please don’t say it.

  “There’s a problem.”

  Shit!

  “I broke my wrist playing basketball yesterday. My right hand is in a cast, so obviously it’s not possible for me to play at your wedding. I’m so sorry.”

  What a way to start the day! He better have a replacement! Somebody. Anybody! Don’t leave me hanging, Miguel!

  “I wish I knew someone who could play in my place, but as you know the summer is a popular time for weddings and all of my friends are booked on your date.”

  Unbelievable.

  She sat on the bed and waited for him to finish speaking before she would probably start to cry.

  “Of course I’ll issue a credit back to your credit card for the full amount. Again, I’m very sorry.”

  There was a knock at her door.

  She deleted the message and sat there dejected. What was she going to do now?

  Hopefully the person behind the door had the answer.

  “Come in.”

  “Would you like some pancakes?” asked Federico.

  “I have a problem.”

  “Oh.” He moved to the bed and sat next to her. “Tell me how your nonno can help.”

  “That’s just it, I’m not sure if anyone can. The musician for the ceremony just canceled on me. He broke his wrist. But this is one of the most popular weekends of the year for weddings. Nobody else will be available.”

  Federico smi
led. “Come with me.”

  “Nonno. I know you are going to say that pancakes are the answer, but honestly, I lost my appetite.”

  He smiled and grabbed her by the hand and led her to the family room where the sliding glass door was open. The backyard looked so peaceful and she watched as a hummingbird drank from the feeder.

  “Beautiful,” she said. “I love the hummingbirds.”

  “Me, too. But if you focus, I mean really focus, you’ll be able to enjoy something even more beautiful than the hummingbirds.”

  “Really?” She scanned the backyard looking for something else. What could it be? There was a squirrel on the telephone wire. Nah. Couldn’t be that. She looked around a little more and shrugged. “I give up. What is it?”

  “Not so fast. Close your eyes.”

  “What? Nonno, have you been drinking this morning?”

  He laughed. “Just do it.”

  She let out a deep breath and closed her eyes. It only took a few seconds before it hit her. She wasn’t sure why she didn’t notice it before. Beautiful music.

  Coming from the house next door.

  She smiled and then opened her eyes. “Yes, I’ve heard his music before. He’s amazing. Just yesterday morning he was playing that same—”

  Her mouth dropped open and she turned to Federico, who was smiling. “Oh. That’s why you dragged me here.”

  “If anyone can help you, he can. He knows a lot of people in the music business.”

  She kissed him on the cheek. “Thanks, Nonno. I owe you. Big time!”

  She ran to the end of the backyard, through the gate, and slid open Giovanni's studio door. There he was in his usual spot playing.

  He finished. “Hi.”

  She waved even though he was standing three feet from her. “Hi.”

  Giovanni eyed her from head to toe. “You going to arrest me, Officer? Or maybe just kick me a few times?”

  She couldn’t hold back the laugh. “Okay, don’t make me laugh—I need to stay focused. I have a serious problem.”

  Giovanni lost his smile. “How can I help?”

  “The pianist I hired for the wedding broke his wrist.”

  “Ouch.”

  “I feel bad for him. But I feel worse for me because he doesn’t have a replacement and the wedding is this Saturday. So I was hoping you knew someone.”