The Convenient Wedding: a contemporary romance (The Rosa Legacy Book 3) (11 page)

Lucia set the table with Anderson’s basic white china and added a translucent blue salad plate and rose-colored glassware. The middle of the table depicted battle scenes from the Revolutionary War that had been ordered from a specialty shop via the web. At each setting was a small paper flag that acted as a place card. When the table was complete, the twenty-five foot span intricately showcased the entire battle for independence.

Francine walked into the room and said “The table is incredible. The guests will be intrigued.”

“I can put it away and re-use it each year.” Lucia explained then realized she was assuming that she would be here next year. She changed the subject and said, “Is the cake ready?”

They both walked back into the kitchen and Lucia glanced at the clock. She removed the large sheet cake from the oven and satisfied with the golden color said, “It will need to cool for at least an hour.”

The rest of the day was spent preparing the salads and appetizers, cleaning up and getting the beverage table ready.

At three o’clock, Francine said “You did hire help to serve and clean up, didn’t you?”

“No. I want tonight to be casual and the guests to feel that they are being welcomed into our home.”

“Serving a sit down dinner for thirty people, takes a tremendous amount of coordination. You can’t physically serve that many people graciously without help.” Francine said.

“Unless you want to switch to a buffet then it could work. How do you intend to grill the chicken?” Francine asked her.

“The recipe calls for either grilling it on the barbeque or roasting it in the oven at 500 degrees.” Lucia said.

“Have you tried this recipe?” Francine asked her.

“Don’t worry. It’ll be great. It has been soaking in brine for at least six hours. And the marinade includes cilantro, fresh mint and garlic, how can it fail?” Lucia asked.

Francine said quietly, “Please call Arthur and ask him if his staff would come over and help.”

Lucia said, “It’s a holiday and he probably gave them the day off.”

“Offer triple pay.” 

A few minutes later, Lucia came back into the room and said, “They will be here in an hour.”

“Thank goodness. Why don’t you shower and change before they arrive?” Francine said.

“I’m just wearing jeans.” Lucia said.

“I think you are taking this casual thing a little far. Thirty well-connected supporters are arriving in your home in less than two hours and you are going to throw on an old pair of jeans.”

“I could wear a sundress.” Lucia said as she hurried upstairs.

After taking a shower and glancing through her wardrobe, Lucia decided to wear her favorite pair of jeans with a whimsical pink tank top. She applied some glimmer moisturizer to her arms and shoulders then slipped on the pink tank top over a lace bra. She pulled on matching panties and then hipster jeans. Reminding herself that the invitations promised a relaxing evening, she told herself not to worry. She straightened her hair and applied a minimal amount of make-up. Before leaving the dressing area, she slipped her feet into sandals and put on the marble orb necklace her cousin lent to her.

Coming downstairs, Francine smiled her approval and headed off to shower in the guest bedroom, saying “You look amazing in a simple tank top and jeans. I will leave the cake to you.”

Lucia pulled out the picture that she had ripped out of a magazine. Covering the golden cake with a rich white butter cream icing, she began placing blueberries for stars and strawberries for stripes. 

When Arthur’s staff, Adeline and Barbara, arrived they began to get things ready and seemed at ease in the loft. Francine re-appeared wearing a red silk top with a pair of black cropped pants and seemed to visibly relax now that there was help.

Lucia put together a beverage table and offered to make everyone a drink. Adeline and Barbara politely declined but Francine accepted a rosemary gin and tonic.

It was almost five-thirty when Anderson walked in and was surprised to see his father’s staff in the kitchen.

He greeted Francine warmly and gave Lucia a brief kiss on the cheek, “Didn’t you hire a caterer?”

“No. I wanted something different.”

“The table is incredible.” Anderson told her.

Lucia handed him a drink. He smiled and took a sip.

“It’s been a while since I’ve had a gathering here. I should change. What time are people expected?”

Lucia said, “Six o’clock. Everyone is dressing down. Could you wear something casual?”

“Maybe you could help me select something?” 

Lucia hesitated for a moment trying to think of a polite refusal but Francine said, “Go ahead, everything is under control.”

Lucia climbed the stairs with Anderson, she hoped the evening would go off as planned without a disaster.

Anderson asked her, “Are you sure that there is enough food?”

“Yes. Francine and I have been cooking all day.”

“I thought you were going to use a caterer?” Anderson questioned her softly.

“I thought the guests would appreciate a more relaxed atmosphere on July 4th. Instead of a formal party, I was trying to create a welcoming and warm event.” Lucia defended her reasoning as she crossed her arms and met his gaze.

“It is not easy to create a feeling.” Anderson slowly said as he looked at her. Lucia nodded her agreement but said nothing.

“Can you select something for me to wear while I take a shower?” Anderson said as he began to loosen his tie.

Lucia walked into the master dressing room and began looking through his wardrobe. As she pulled out each drawer and glanced through his suits, she heard the shower running.

Lucia glanced through his wardrobe and realized that he had mostly formal clothing. He had many fine Italian business suits, cashmere sweaters, tuxedos, silk shirts and ties but no jeans or relaxed khakis. The closest thing she found was a black golf shirt and a pair of fine taupe shorts. Lucia wondered if Anderson shopped for his clothing or if a personal shopper handled his wardrobe. The thought surprised her but looking around at the perfection of his wardrobe, with everything color-coded and in place, did he have time to do this?

He interrupted her thoughts and said “Did you find something?”

“Do you shop by yourself?” Lucia asked him as she turned and noticed that he was wearing a robe.

“No, Robert, my personal shopper in New York, manages my wardrobe.”

“How often do you meet with him?” Lucia asked.

“Maybe once a season. It depends on upcoming events.” Anderson said dismissively.

“Well maybe I should have asked for his number because you don’t have anything suitable for a barbecue.” Lucia said in frustration.

“This is my business attire. My casual clothing is in the bedroom.” Anderson explained.

Anderson reached out and grasped her arm and said softly, “Maybe we need to learn a little more about each other.”

His eyes narrowed and he stepped closer to her.

She pulled away and said, “the guests will start arriving soon.”

“I’ll join you in a few minutes.”

Lucia gratefully escaped from the bedroom and ran down the steps to check on the final preparations. She noticed that Adeline and Barbara had arranged the serving dishes and uncluttered the kitchen. Walking into the main living area, she noticed Francine was lighting candles and adjusting the lights.

Lucia selected the music for the evening, mainly classical pieces with some jazz mixed in. The loft had a built in sound system so she connected her smart phone and adjusted the volume for continuous background music.

Francine came over and congratulated her on putting everything together.

“I couldn’t have done it without you.” 

Just as the doorbell chimed, Anderson came down the stairs wearing a pair of modern jeans and black t-shirt. His black leather belt and Italian shoes added a casual elegance.

He took her hand and said, “acceptable?”

She smiled at him. Her heart began to beat erratically.

Anderson opened the door and greeted their first guest. Anderson introduced Lucia and she guided the young couple into the main room.

Anderson left the main door open and waited in the entrance foyer as the next guests arrived. Lucia was surprised by Anderson’s warm embrace and attentiveness until she realized that they were on show. As each person arrived, he said “Have you meet my lovely wife or please meet my beautiful wife…”

Lucia smiled as she realized that the guests obeyed her request and came dressed casually. Some of the guests, she hardly recognized without suits and ties or elegant gowns. Glancing around the loft, she was pleased with the outcome. The loft provided a suitable space for entertaining with the large open areas that were broken up into conversation nooks. People were talking, laughing and enjoying the simple appetizers. She made a mental note to thank Francine again for insisting that she call Arthur for help. It would have been difficult to keep the flow of the party going without Adeline and Barbara.

When the next couple arrived, Anderson pulled her closer and said, “Bella, let me introduce...” Lucia smiled politely and tried to ignore Anderson’s hand around her waist.

When there was a gap in arrivals, Lucia said, “If you don’t get elected, you could have a career as an actor.”  

He pulled her closer into his embrace and whispered, “Be careful, Lucia. Someone may hear you. Provoke me all you want in private but to the world, you are my adoring wife.” As if to emphasize his point, he turned her towards him and pressed a warm kiss onto her mouth.

For a moment, she was surprised by his very public kiss and froze. But then her body took over as the warmth of his embrace and the seductiveness of his gentle kiss began to pierce her defensive stance. Lucia reached for him in a blind daze and he expertly tugged her closer and deepened the kiss. She could feel the warmth emanating from his chest which was covered by a thin t-shirt that allowed her to feel each muscle and rib.

Lucia could feel Anderson slightly pull away and withdrew as she remembered where they were. A slight flush stained her cheeks.

Instead of looking remorseful in any way, he smiled darkly at her and said “I give you high marks for adoration.”

Before she had a chance to respond, the next guests got off the elevator. Lucia didn’t recognize the older gentleman but she was dismayed to see him escorting Marissa.

Anderson placed his hand on her waist and said, “Lucia, allow me to introduce you to an old friend, Albert Morton, and you know Marissa.”

The man smiled and said, “It is a pleasure to finally meet the woman who captured young Anderson. I’m sorry I was away and had to miss your wedding.”

Lucia smiled and said, “It’s a pleasure meeting you as well.”

Marissa kissed Anderson’s cheek and breathed “darling.”

She breezed by Lucia without a word and entered the party on her father’s arm.

Lucia watched them walk away and she thought unkindly that neither father nor daughter had the decency to come casually attired as directed on the invitation. Albert wore a formal dark suit and Marissa a red cocktail dress.

Anderson moved away from her and said, “I’ll call down to security to see if everyone has arrived.”

Why hadn’t she realized that Albert Morton was Marissa’s father and that he might bring her? All the joy of organizing the party had gone out of the evening for her. She listened to the laughter and conversations in the main room, she realized she had an entire evening ahead of her.

Anderson joined her in the foyer and said, “All the guests are here. The party looks to be a success.”

Anderson was drawn into a political debate and Lucia moved away to check on the other guests. She circulated throughout the party, and realized everyone was enjoying themselves immensely. Anderson and Arthur had a tight circle of friends that knew each other well. Absent was the small talk and getting to know you dialog. It seemed that everyone was deep in conversation, even Francine.

Lucia approached two women at the far end of the room, they warmly greeted her and wanted to know all about her courtship. She smiled and said that they met through the campaign and it was love at first sight.

It almost felt like she was intruding in someone else’s life. They complimented her on the party and said it was nice to see Anderson so happy. Lucia kept a pleasant smile on her face and gracefully removed herself from the conversation. Again the thought struck her that she miscalculated the evening. She thought that she would be welcoming friends into their home but failed to realize how well most of the people knew Anderson. There were countless stories about trips together, post-holiday celebrations and even Anderson’s mother was remembered fondly.

Lucia felt like she was deceiving everyone in the room. She wasn’t the perfect wife and she barely knew the real Anderson.

Lucia gathered the guests into the dining area and helped everyone find their seat. She took her place at the head of the table and was glad that she placed Francine on her right and Arthur on her left, she needed some allies to get through the rest of the evening. Looking down the immense dining table at all of the expectant faces, she realized that she should of prepared a toast but then she noticed Anderson raising his glass of wine and all of the conversations stopped.