Three Weddings and a Dress (30 page)

He seized his case off the table as if it was a weapon and he was ready to do battle. He gave her a kiss on the cheek, a small salute and was out the door before she could form a response.

She stood staring at the door for several moments. What the hell had just happened? Déjà vu swept over her, hadn’t she felt the same yesterday when he’d left? Maybe Conner had more problems than she was equipped to deal with. What was she going to do?

Letting the air blow out over her teeth she resolved to do the only thing she could do, be a good friend.

She had better get to Classic Manhattan or she’d be in the unemployment line next to Conner. She retrieved her workbag by the table, grabbed her helmet, locked up and left.

Traffic in Manhattan never had a lull even on Saturday. She gave a brief thank you to the Gods for letting today be an exception. She pulled into the alley with minutes to spare. She raced to her locker and then to her desk before Gertrude needed her.

Thank goodness, she’d left her file open on her desk. No searching needed. She scanned the list of things to be done before the happy couple arrived. Now was time for work mode.

Classic Manhattan employees had been together long enough to be a well-oiled machine, so event day usually went smooth. Today wasn’t an exception, Ari watched the bride hear her cue and walk down the aisle formed by chairs in their atrium. The girl’s father had tears streaming down his cheeks.

Ari’s tummy clenched, she’d never have her moment with her Dad. Her parents had been gone for five years. Blinking to rid the moisture from her own eyes, she turned to go into the office and complete her file. Her part was over. The remainder of the day was Darlene and the rest of the group’s duty.

How much more would it mean to her when the bride wore her creation? Somehow she had to convince the tight fisted Gertrude of the benefits to the salon to have their own line.

Classic Manhattan dresses by Ari. It had a nice ring to the name. Her designs would have classic stories of love.

“Day-dreaming again?”

Ari shot off the edge of her chair, the wheels carrying it across to the window. Her butt connecting with the floor, a second time in two days, she turned to glare at the intruder.

“Damn it, Darlene do you have to scare the crap out of me every time you come to my office?

“It’s much too fun to quit. There’s something different about you. It started yesterday. What happened?”

Ari could hardly say she’d met a dress. She gripped the edge of the desk to pull herself up, while she thought of an explanation.

Darlene didn’t give her time, she answered her own question. “Hold it. I know you kicked Conner out on his ear finally.”

“Sort of.”

Darlene took the chair across for her desk. Ari retrieved hers, sat and scooted to the desk.

“Explain, is he gone or not?”

“Not. He’s staying with me.”

Darlene’s face was a picture of confusion, “What? So where does the ‘sort of’ come in?”

“I’m not sure exactly how it happened. One minute he was storming out, a completely different Conner than I’d ever known. Guilt washed over me and I found him and talked him into coming back.”

Darlene’s eyes widened, she shifted to lean over the desk, then they narrowed. “That doesn’t even make sense. Yesterday you wanted him gone.”

“Conner has issues that stem from his childhood. Things I don’t really want to know about. I do want to help him if I can, though.” Inhaling a large breath, she closed her eyes and when she opened them, she saw the concern shining from Darlene’s. “Remember how I met Conner? It was right after I got the news about my brother.”

Darlene grasped her hand and gave it a squeeze. “I remember. I thought he used your grief to serve his own agenda. Though I could never figure out what it was.”

“Don’t worry about me. I was the one who
used
Conner to forget my grief and I sent him a mixed message. If I find it’s too much for me, I’ll see if I can get him some professional advice.”

Darlene leaned into her chair, tilted her head. “Promise?”

“Yes. I promise.” Ari set her computer to sleep, then snapped the file closed. “Don’t you have wedding duties?”

Darlene glanced at her wrist and flew to her feet, knocking the front of the desk in the process. Ari threw her hand out in case the monitor fell when it wobbled.

“Sorry.”

Ari stared at the empty doorway after she’d gone. Even though Gertrude was a grump, she loved working with Darlene and the rest of the crew. Truth time; Gertrude was gruff around the edges, but she loved Classic Manhattan and all who helped her baby.

She’d forgotten to ask Darlene about her nephew’s game. If his team had won, her friend would have bragged. Ari could find a fun game to watch even if she didn’t know anyone on the team. Maybe she’d come up with another story for a design. She’d almost finished the dress Bella had inspired.

Her sketchbook was full of beautiful stories and dresses. They were nothing compared to what she’d created with Bella. Now maybe Gertrude would listen to her if she’d brought her the cliff design in on Monday.

She switched off the light. It was time to catch a ball game in the park. She looked to the sky that peaked between the buildings as she fastened her helmet strap under her chin. If she were lucky, the rain would stay away for a while. Darlene’s comment about her rain dance crossed her mind, a giggle slipped out.

Happiness felt good.

The smell of rain tickled her nose as she sped along the busy streets. Finding a place to park with the Love Machine wasn’t difficult. On a spring afternoon there wouldn’t be a problem finding a game.

She removed her helmet and shook her braid out, her scrunchy long gone. Children’s high-pitched squeals led her to the nearest competition. T-ball. She wasn’t disappointed. It could’ve been a soccer or football game. It didn’t matter. The kids couldn’t be older than five. Her favorite, the little ones were so joyous and unconcerned about their mistakes. Unlike their parents, who must have thought they were watching the major leagues.

Throwing her jacket on the ground, she settled Indian style on top. The game seemed to be well under way, though there was no scoreboard, the blue team clearly was ahead by the cheering. She’d root for the red, the underdog, always.
 

“This seat taken?”

Ari tilted her head and had to squint. With the light behind him, she could barely make out the man’s features. Then she recognized Gerard from apartment C. She didn’t need to see, she’d know his deep husky voice anywhere.

“I’ve been saving it for you.”

He followed her example and threw his leather coat down first. “Who’s winning?”

“Blue.” She winked and turned toward the field and yelled. “Go Red.”

“My kind of woman.”

His deep chuckled caused her belly to clench. Why did he have to be so sexy? She didn’t have time for sexy.

“Expecting rain?”

Bewildered she looked to the sky again, then returned her attention to him and shrugged. “It might hold off until after the game.”

“You’re just partial to red then?” Gerard’s eyes twinkled when he smiled, did he know that?

“What?”

“Yesterday red leather, today red rubber.”

“What?” She didn’t like being dense, but she didn’t have a clue.

“Your boots.” He pointed to her feet. “Yesterday cowboy, today galoshes.”

“Rain boots, no one calls them galoshes any more. I was up late working and so I was late this morning.” She tilted her head as she lifted one shoulder. “The boots were what I grabbed. Though, I do like red.”

She turned her attention to the game as a little tyke in red hit the ball. “Duck.”

The warning came too late, Gerard pushed her when the little girl running to first base threw the bat and hit him in the shoulder.

“Ouch.” His voice growled his breath tickled her neck.

The contact sent two thousand volts through her body. She barely noticed when he straightened to rub his arm. Shock of another kind seeped through. What had just happened?

She’d never had that type of reaction to any man, even when being kissed by her first crush. She turned to stare at him. He was busy examining his shoulder. Apparently, he was oblivious to any electricity.
 

Gerard climbed to his feet to grab the bat. For a split second, she thought he would take revenge on the poor quaking girl who had run back to them when she realized what had happened.

“Here you go sweetie. You need to drop the bat before you run to first. Okay?” Hunkered down on one knee, he regarded the little carrot top as he waited for his answer.

The sweetheart gave a vigorous nod of agreement. Then she swiped the bat out of his hand, hurried to put it down by the coach and ran to first base.

He straightened and reached a hand for Ari, swiping a fat splat of rain off his forehead with his other. “Come on, we better get to the train before we’re drenched.”

“No train for me. Want a ride?”

“You got wheels? Since we’re going to the same place you bet I’ll take you up on the offer.”

Ari, let him pull her to her feet grabbing up her coat in the process. “Come on then.”

Her back burned from his gaze. Her heart hammered in response. Maybe it was her imagination.

When they reached the Love Machine, she pulled the helmet off the back turned to hand it to Gerard and found him staring.

“It’s pink.”

“Yes it is. Here, wear this since I only have the one.”

“It has hearts and peace signs all over it.” His bemused tone almost pulled a giggle from her.

“Yes it does.” She grasped the handles and tilted it so she could kick up the stand. She slid on and settled onto the seat.

Still he stared.

“Are you coming?”

“You want me to ride that…” He shook his head as if he couldn’t bear the thought.

“It’s pink. It’s not going to bite.” Damn, it felt good to have a genuine laugh bubble out. She didn’t stop it this time. “Come on Gerard. Be crazy. Get in touch with your feminine side.”

Dear Diary;

Gerard

With my other brides, the quiet of the apartment pressed in on my bodice when I was alone. But here, at Ari’s, it was home. I enjoyed staying in her room, seeing her things getting to know her.

She liked bright and mostly red. She’d left her closet open when she’d gone to work. My new bride was a bit of a slob.

Her shoes were not organized like Jessie’s had been, or in special built compartments as Cecie’s were. No, Ari’s were thrown and toppled all over each other. I couldn’t tell what she preferred, she had little tiny things I’d heard one of the assistants call flip-flops and fancy heels like Cecie wore. Slip-on’s as Jessie had, but mostly she had boots.

Her clothes hung in an array of bright colors. Red was predominant but I don’t think any color in the rainbow was left out of her wardrobe.

Papers with her designs and stories were scattered over the draft table, and easy to see. My bride had talent. Now if I could figure out what she had against falling in love, I’d devise a plan.

At least Conner wouldn’t be a problem.