Married This Christmas

by Tracey Pedersen

  “No, it’s not. I squeezed you in today because I’m pretty booked up. Would you mind if I sent you out with Lori, and she can get all the details from you? She’ll be the one who inputs it into our system, anyway, so it’s not like she won’t see it at some point.” Without waiting for an answer, he turned to her. “Can you switch the phone to the answering service, please, and stick a note on the door? Take Mr. Jackson to the usual place and charge lunch to me. I’ll try to get back, but I can’t guarantee it. Lorraine is freaking out; it sounds like Jessie has a broken bone.” Without another word, he rushed out the door, leaving it to squeak shut.

  Lori and Fish stared at each other before she blinked and shook her head. “Right. You heard him: we have a plan. Just give me a second.” As she spoke, she picked up the phone and pressed a few keys on the keyboard. She then hung up and bent over her computer. A few clicks of the mouse later and a sheet of paper printed out behind her. She grabbed tape from the drawer, stuck the notice to the inside of the glass door, stepped back, grabbed a folder from her drawer, and picked up her handbag from under the desk. “Ready?”

  “This isn’t necessary, really. I can book another time.”

  “No way. He wants us to take care of it today, and he’ll be upset if you leave and he thinks he let you down. That was his daughter who might have broken a bone. If we get this sorted, I can tell him he doesn’t need to come back today.” She opened the door and indicated with her hand as Fish frowned and stepped through. “We can walk. It’s just next door.”

  “Okay. You’re bossy.”

  Lori laughed. “Hardly. I try not to cross him, though. He seems nice, but he can lose his shit when he gets annoyed.”

  “Lawyers.”

  She laughed again as they entered the restaurant and were shown to a table. “It’s a great job and he’s generous. I make sure I’m always on the right side of that generosity.”

  Lori opened her folder and spread out the paperwork as Fish looked through the menu. “Do you want to look?”

  “Nope. I’ll have the ravioli—it’s my favourite.”

  “Do you come here a lot?”

  “Let’s just say I could almost be a lawyer by now, with the number of emergencies that have led to me filling in paperwork at this table.”

  “I wasn’t sure whether to make an appointment with a lawyer or an accountant.”

  “To run your own business, you’ll need both, but this is a good start.” She pushed a pile of papers toward him. “This is all the information we need to go through. Do you want me to ask the questions and write the answers, or do you want to fill them in?”

  “Umm… what’s easiest?”

  “Probably me reading—I’m familiar with them.”

  “Okay, go for it. I’m an open book.”

  “Why are you called Fish?”

  His startled look made her chuckle as he asked, “Is that on the form?”

  “No. Ignore me. I’m totally speaking out of turn.” She glanced down. “You want to set up a business to put all your gigs outside the nightclub through, right?”

  “Yes, as well as my nightclub income; I’m a contractor, not an employee. I probably should have done this sooner, but I’ve been getting a lot more outside work, lately.”

  “What’s your expected turnover for next year?”

  “No idea. How would I know that?”

  “Most people take the year they know and add an amount for growth. How much growth do you expect? Will you expand and employ others?”

  “No, only me. Employing people is way too much responsibility.”

  “You can outsource the paperwork to a payroll company pretty easily.”

  “I guess, but I’d still have to deal with the actual staff, making sure they show up—that kind of stuff. I’m not really a people person, so I’d like to avoid that as much as possible.”

  “You’re not a people person? You’re a DJ.”

  “Yep, with a booth high up where no one can talk to me. I don’t venture out of it too often at night. I can be outgoing on the mic and keep to myself up there.”

  “Interesting.” She stared at him, her hand poised above the paperwork. She then blinked like she had in the office and dropped her eyes to the sheet in front of her. “Sorry, you’re distracting me.”

  “All I’m doing is answering your questions.”

  “I know, but… never mind.” She turned a page. “Okay, where are you likely to earn most of your income? In Australia, or overseas?”

  “For now, in Australia. If I got lucky and somehow managed international gigs, that could change in the future, but it’s pretty unlikely.”

  Lori dropped her pen. “Oh, I don’t know. You seem well-liked at the club. It could happen for you.” She picked up her pen and shuffled the papers. “You might need a manager, though, and maybe you’d have to employ people to carry your stuff through airports. It’s best to avoid it.” Her eyes danced as she made fun of him.

  Fish grinned. “My cousin married a rock star and she lives in Vegas. They each have a manager and personal assistant. Plus, she tells me there’s a housekeeper, a driver, and all kinds of people they have to worry about. It sounds awful.”

  Lori laughed at his look of distaste. “Yet here you are, getting your affairs in order and telling me there’s a chance this could be your future.”

  “I guess I’ll decide when it happens. My cousin offered to help me get a gig over there, but I’m still thinking about it.” He let his gaze wander across the restaurant. “I have… obligations here.”

  When the waiter arrived, Lori made room for the plates. She shoved the folder into her bag and pulled her ravioli toward her. “Oh, yum! You’ll love this.”

  “It smells amazing. I thought I’d be missing out on lunch today.”

  “I can’t believe you’re going to eat a whole pizza and a serve of risotto.”

  Fish shrugged. “I’m a growing boy. I’m also the one at this table who might end up missing dinner.”

  “What do you normally do during the day? Sleep off the night before?”

  “Usually I have lunch with Mum, since I live with her, but today I left early for the appointment. I usually get up around nine or ten, so not too much sleeping.”

  “You live with your mum?” Lori’s eyebrow arched.

  “I do, but I know it’s lame to be twenty-eight and still living at home.”

  “It’s not lame. Maybe you’re amassing a great fortune by not having your own place. Not everyone who lives at home is lame.”

  He grinned as he pushed a slice of pizza into his mouth. “That’s not what people usually say when I tell them.”

  “Well, stuff them. You can live wherever you like.”

  “Remind me why I said no to brunch with you?”

  “You’d had a near-dad experience that night, hadn’t you?” Fish laughed as she continued, “You looked like you wanted to say yes but were kind of scolding yourself for considering it.”

  “That’s exactly it. I almost caved, since you seemed nice. I’d only decided an hour before that I was off the dating wheel, though. Bad timing.”

  “It’s a few weeks later.” She selected a piece from her bowl of ravioli and popped it into her mouth. “You can change your mind.”

  “Hmm…”

  “I have your number on file now, so I know where to find you.” She waggled her eyebrows at him with a smile, but he didn’t laugh. Instead, he looked uncertain. “Oh, stop it. You’re so easy to tease!”

  “I never know when you’re being serious!”

  “Even more reason for us to spend more time together: you could get to know me.”

  “I could.”

  She waited for him to ask her, but when he was silent for a few minutes, she tried a new strategy. “Do you keep a diary of dates you’re available to work?”

  “Of course. It’s in my phone.” He chewed and watched her, waiting for her next move.

  “Are you available to DJ a wedding the s
econd Tuesday in December?”

  He pulled out his phone and scrolled through the calendar. “I am. I don’t work that night at the club.”

  “Perfect. Now, you tell me why your nickname is Fish and I’ll give you a tentative booking for my friend’s wedding.”

  “It’s not that interesting—a kid thing.”

  “You might not think so, but it’s interesting to me. So, come on,” she took another bite and spoke with her mouth full, “out with it.”

  Fish picked up his cutlery and moved the food around his plate before loading up his fork. He held it near his mouth as he spoke. “Fine. When I was a kid, I had a lot of trouble remembering things in class. I could never recite the times table properly and often forgot what I was meant to have learned. I got it in the end—it just took me longer than everyone else.” He put the risotto in his mouth and chewed before swallowing. “The teacher kept telling me I had the memory of a goldfish. Over time, the kids got in on it, and suddenly I had a nickname: Fish.”

  “That seems mean of the teacher.”

  “Teachers used to do things like that.”

  “I guess. I always wanted a nickname in school. I tried to get everyone to adopt one, but none would ever stick. Maybe I had a lucky escape.” She laughed as she broke off a piece of garlic bread. “Imagine what I might have been called if I’d kept trying!”

  Fish laughed. “I don’t hate it, but I often wish it had a better story behind it. So, do I get my booking or what?”

  “Of course! A promise is a promise, and I promised to help Rachel organise a couple of things for her wedding, including the music. Can you send me your rates by email so I can forward them to her?”

  “Sure.” He tapped on his phone, adding the booking and a reminder to email her. “Thanks for that.”

  “You’re welcome. If I see you at the wedding, you owe me a dance.”

  “Deal—although I don’t normally dance when I’m working.” A look of victory flashed across his face as he put his phone away.

  “I’ll insist Rachel and Henry release you for four minutes so you can.”

  “You’re persistent.”

  She grinned. “Thank you.”

  Lori waved goodbye to Fish and headed back to her office. As she walked, she pulled out her phone and dialled.

  “Hey, Rach, did you book a DJ, yet?”

  “No. I got some information off the internet, but I haven’t started calling.”

  “Perfect—don’t bother. I have someone who will be great: the DJ from the club the other week! He’s going to send me his rates and I’ll forward them to you.”

  “Okay, but you know you were meant to help with flowers, hair, and the hen’s night, right?”

  “I know—don’t worry. I didn’t mess up my list, but I did stumble across the perfect man.”

  “The perfect man, or the perfect DJ? Do I detect an air of breathless anticipation, Lori?”

  “Maybe.”

  “I can’t believe you’re using my wedding to pick up men!”

  Chapter 5

  “Right, Mum, we don’t have an official plan. We’re going to try every single shop on both sides of this street and grab lunch when we get hungry.”

  “It’s lucky I wore my walking shoes.”

  “Very lucky. We’ll grab lunch when we get hungry.”

  “Perfect,” Lori said. “Do you think we’ll be lucky enough to find your dress today?”

  “I have no idea. I’ve never even been into one of these formal shops, let alone tried on wedding dresses. I’m hoping we can choose your dress, too, Lori.”

  “I heard you can buy online, these days. Did you try looking? Have you chosen a style you think you want?” Janice fell into step beside them as they walked to the first store.

  “No to the internet. A girl at work bought a dress online that wasn’t the best quality. At her wedding, the zipper broke and she had to be sewn into the dress! I’m trying to avoid that option, but I will look if we get desperate. Also, we’re short on time, and knowing my luck, it would take weeks and weeks to arrive—or worse, it would arrive and Henry would open it and see it. He ruined his birthday present last year, remember?”

  “Yes, dear, we all remember the Rachel meltdown on his birthday.”

  Rachel sniffed. “So, we’re buying in person. It’s for the best.”

  A tone sounded as they stepped through the first doorway, and before they knew it, they were swept up in a mix of tulle, pearls, multiple assistants, and white fabric as far as the eye could see. By the time they finished in the third store, Rachel had tried on nine dresses and was exhausted.

  “Can we get lunch now?” she asked.

  “We can do anything you want. We’re shopping for you, remember?”

  “Well, I need to sit down and I might even need a stiff drink. How about we get lunch in that hotel?” She pointed across the road and the others nodded.

  Over lunch, they discussed what they’d seen so far.

  “I still love that first one,” her mother said. “I know it was a little old-fashioned, but it was beautiful.”

  “I like the one with the glitter,” Lori said with a sparkle in her eye. “Sorry, Janice,” she laughed as she motioned for the waiter to bring them another round of drinks. “Maybe with a few more drinks, we can make a decision.”

  “I liked them all, you guys.” Rachel dropped her chin into her hands. “What am I going to do? There are still a dozen more stores!”

  “We don’t have to visit all of them. When you find the dress you’re meant to wear, you’ll know.” Her mother put her knife and fork aside and took her hand. “Listen, Rachel, you don’t have to decide today. You have time to think about it, and that’s much better than choosing one and then changing your mind after it’s ordered.”

  “I was shocked that we have to order. I thought I would like one and we’d take it home and spend weeks hiding it from Henry.”

  Her mother laughed as Lori agreed, “I didn’t know that, either. How did we get to this age without knowing how wedding shopping works?” She took a sip of her wine. “Thanks for finally making me a bridesmaid, by the way. No one has ever asked me.”

  “You’re welcome.” Rachel grabbed her hand and squeezed. “I wouldn’t want anyone else. If anyone can keep me sane on the day, it’s you.”

  “I’ll do my best. You’re going to be fine, though—getting married in the restaurant with a small group of guests will give you a bit of confidence. It won’t be as overwhelming as a huge wedding in a fancy venue with everyone staring at you.”

  “I hope so.”

  “What are we eating on the day?”

  “Henry said we’ll have a sit down alternate drop menu. Beef and chicken with a vegetarian option, I think. I wasn’t really paying attention—everything I’ve eaten there has been amazing, so I’m leaving it to him. One of his chefs is making the cake we chose in our colours of red and white. My only job is to get a wedding topper I like and then we can cross that off the list.”

  “And Simone?”

  “Oh, she’s been amazing! It’s only been four days and she’s already gotten three photographers for us to choose from. She also sent me some wedding stationery samples she picked up. As usual, they’re all nice and we’re having trouble choosing.”

  “If you like them all, it probably doesn’t matter which one you choose.”

  “That’s what Henry said. We promised each other we’ll make a decision by tomorrow night.”

  “Well, the DJ is sorted if you can confirm that his rates are okay,” Lori blushed and stumbled over her words. “I also called our hairdresser and made our appointments for practice hair and for the actual day. I emailed you the dates right before I came here.”

  “Really?” Rachel smiled and sat back in her chair. “This is all coming together too easily.”

  “Don’t say that! You’ll curse your own wedding.”

  They were silent as the waiter appeared and cleared their plates. As he wal
ked away, Rachel leaned forward and whispered, “Now we just need to get you hooked up with this mystery DJ!”

  Chapter 6

  “Hi, Luke,” Rachel closed the door behind her as the bell rattled above the door.

  “Hey, Rachel, how are you?”

  “I’m great.”

  She watched as Luke sifted through the pile of papers on his desk with a frown. “Do you have a booking today? I don’t see your name on any of the sheets.”

  “Nope. I’m here on a personal mission.” She put her bag on the counter and dropped her keys inside. “I was worried I wouldn’t catch you. I’ve had my car fixed here a few times since we last met, but I haven’t spotted you.”

  “I’m only here a few days each week when Jordan is working, so I don’t distract her.”

  “I’m so glad to hear you guys are still together.”

  He held up his hand and the light glinted off his wedding ring. “Definitely together.”

  “Oh my God, you got married?” She laughed and clapped her hands. “That’s the greatest thing I’ve ever heard!”

  “Last year. We had a double wedding with some friends.” Luke’s smile lit up his face.

  “How cool! Congratulations.” She smiled at him and rested her chin on her hands. “I’m actually here to ask you something related to a wedding.”

  “Please tell me you’re marrying Henry Baxter, newest television star in the Turner household.”

  “How did you know?”

  “You have that,” he waved his hand, “shiny, in-love glow about you.”

  She laughed before she answered, “We are getting married. I wanted to know if you and Jordan would come to the wedding.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I know we don’t really know each other, but you were there the day he proposed, and Lori and Jack are coming, since they’re our best friends. We thought it might round out the luck if all of us were at the wedding.”

  It was Luke’s turn to laugh. “That sounds weird and kind of perfect for a wedding. I was worried you didn’t have any friends to invite.”

  Rachel giggled. “Oh, plenty of people are coming. It won’t be massive, since we don’t have too many relatives, though. We’re having it at Henry’s restaurant in the city on a Tuesday in early December. I’m trying not to worry too much that it’s only weeks away. Can you write down your address and I’ll send you an invitation?”