Three Weddings and a Dress (38 page)

 
A few minutes later, she came in naked. My beads warmed at the sight and I directed my attention elsewhere until she had dressed. My bride is not modest.

“Classic Designs by Ari is about to open, Bella. You
are
magical just like Heidi claims.” She pulled her shirt over her head, then pinned me with an intense look. “But I have proven her dresses don’t all need to have a soul mate with a future groom.”

I let my chapel train crinkle and shimmer in the morning sun. How could she be so smart about some things and so wrong about others?

“I saw that little display. You can’t tell me I have a groom, it’s certainly not Conner. And there’s no other man in my life.”

What a stubborn woman Ari was. She refused to see who was under her very nose. Gerard. Sure he’d not been around, even as a wedding dress I knew it was because she scared him. She had power over him. I’ve learned enough from my other two brides that when a man loves a woman, she held the power.

Gerard would get used to it. I had the feeling that Conner would continue to be my ally.

Ari was now ready for her work. The scent that was my bride tickled my lace and she looked fresh with her flowing skirt and breezy top. Her hair hung in a golden braid down her back, with a straw colored hat on her head. On her feet were flip-flops. I guess who ever designed the things called them that because of the slapping sound they made.

“Wish me luck, Bella, tonight if everything works out I’ll have a new proposal to give Gertrude for Classic Manhattan.”

She grabbed her bag and bustled from the room. I knew what she meant though. She hoped Gerard would be coming to dinner so she could talk him into her program idea.

My beads warmed, and my gathers tightened. Tonight, with Conner’s help, the spark would ignite between my bride and her groom.

Chapter Twenty-five

Ari dropped her case on her desk, booted up her computer and settled into work. She sipped her latte as she read over the plan for the wedding the next day. If only she could have had her workshop up and running. The bride had picked fantastic colors. When Darlene had brought the couple in to discuss the event a story had grown.

She’d use their tale for her first dress. However, once the program officially started, advertising would advise brides they could begin their bridal adventure with a design to fit their event. She’d consult with each bride for their story and create designs accordingly. Tingles raced over her at the thought. She laid her hand over her tummy to calm the butterflies.

Her dream was about to come true.

“Ready?” Ari glanced up in surprise at Darlene. “Sorry I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“It’s okay, what’s up?”

“Wanted to know if you’re ready to give me a tour of the work room? I’d like to have a meeting with Gertrude so we can decide how to approach our new program. We want to utilize all of our resources to maximum advantage.”

“I have to finish with tomorrow’s event, then I can take you through. The contractor is doing the final inspection with the building inspector and fire marshal. Once that’s done, we have the okay to open up shop.”
 

“I have the cake to decorate, flowers to finish up. I’ll be back in your office around two.”

“Sounds good.” As Darlene turned, Ari called after her. “Wait. Don’t ask Gertrude for the meeting yet though.”

Darlene paused a frown gathering, “Why not?”

“I hope to have my neighbor talked into the virtual program by tomorrow. I’d love to bring that into the equation when we talk to Gertrude.”

Her friend turned to lean her shoulder on the doorframe. “Why do I get the feeling there’s more to dinner than computer programming?”

“I have no idea, because that’s all it’s going to be. No ulterior motives. Just business.”

Darlene snorted, “Yeah right. I’ll see you at two.”

After she’d left, Ari couldn’t concentrate. Unwilling to let irritation disrupt her agenda, she pushed from the desk to cross to the window. What did she have to accomplish? With a list in mind, she went back to her desk determined to push Gerard to the bottom of her agenda and finish the paperwork for the next day’s wedding.

“Ready?”

Ari jumped, her chair rolled a few inches from the desk. Reaching out she pulled herself to the desk. “Why do you have to startle me all the time? Can you not make a noise, knock on the door frame, something?”

“I honestly didn’t think of it. Besides it is two and I told you’d I’d be here. I thought you’d be waiting.”

Ari shot a glance toward the wall clock. She’d been engrossed in her work for over four hours, amazing. Pulling herself to her feet, she worked the kinks out of her shoulders and back. That’s what she got for not moving a muscle in such a long time.

“I haven’t heard from Gertrude or the contractor.” Her shoulders lifted in a shrug. “I can only assume there hasn’t been a problem and the inspection is finished. Let’s go.”

By the time they reached the landing, the heat had risen at least ten degrees. She’d have to check the air conditioner to make sure it was only off and not broken. There’s no way she could work with it this hot.

“Man, I’m sweating like a monkey.” Darlene swiped a hand across her forehead.

“Do monkey’s sweat?” With a little giggle she continued. “I know what you mean though. Let me check the air.” Ari stepped into the room, looked around. “Hello?”

When no one answered, she made her way over to the wall control. It indicated sixty-five. Great, just what they needed, to have a problem right before kick-off. She reached for her cell in her pocket, but as she brought it to her ear she noticed a tiny switch on the side of the thermostat.

It was on off. Relief flooded over her as she flipped it to on. Immediately fans blossomed to life around the room. Warm air swirled away as it gradually cooled.

“Thank God,” Darlene said as she stepped into the room.

“Come on. Here’s the grand tour, and you don’t even have to move.” Ari laughed.

They stood in the center of the work area. She pointed first to the new wall of windows above the worktables. “They knocked most of the outer wall out for windows and…” She pointed to the ceiling. “…and sky lights have been placed above also. This will allow the optimum light for the drafting tables. In the winter…”

Ari walked to the bank of light switches, “…they have installed bright natural lighting.”

The area brightened with artificial light, fixtures were placed along the side of the windows.

“I don’t understand why they have the lights around the windows.” Darlene studied the fixtures not looking at Ari.

“Whether the room is lightened by the sun or by the artificial lights, it won’t create different shadow patterns.”

“What do you mean by shadow pattern?”

Ari walked to one of the tables, “If I’m working on a pattern or some very expensive satin and clouds block the sun, then all of a sudden there’s a shadow. It’s costly to waste expensive cloth because I’ve cut it wrong due to poor lighting. So, the light fixtures are on sensors and the contractor programmed them to regulate the lighting so it stays the same. Not that I understand how it’s done—but isn’t it great?”

“You mean it’s the same whether it’s sun or artificial?”

“Exactly the same. Any time of day, night or season—the lighting won’t change.”

“That’s freakin’ genius. Did you think that up?”

Ari laughed at the thought. “I’d love to take credit. Truth is, the contractor interviewed me and he came up with it. He asked where the best place in the room would be to work. He actually questioned me about how light affects my work. He asked things I wouldn’t have thought to tell him.
He’s
the freakin’ genius.”

“He was worth every penny Classic Manhattan spent on him. I’m so happy for you.” Darlene smiled and then threw her arms around her, the warmth of her happiness seeped through to Ari’s bones. “For us! We’re going to make a fantastic team.”

Ari slipped her arms around her friend and gave her a squeeze. “We already make an awesome group. Just wait, we’re going to take the town by storm, I know it’s a cliché but we are.”

*****

Excitement swelled over her along with the wind as she raced home on the Love Machine. Everything was coming together in a way she’d never dreamed possible. What would make it perfect is if Gerard would agree to the virtual program.

He had too.

Once she parked and locked the scooter, she took the stairs as fast as she could. Her shoes flapped an echo up the stairwell. The scent of something remarkable reached her before she reached her front door.

“Conner,” She called as she entered. “What’s for dinner?”

Her pink apron, she recognized the flamingo design, graced his slim hips. He cocked his head to look over at her. “Not telling. It won’t be done for about an hour. Go get all gussied up and then see if you can seduce Gerard over for dinner.”

A belly laugh bubbled up from the pit of her stomach. When she was able to catch her breath again, she walked to him and slung her arm around his shoulders.

“Exactly what year were you born? Gussied? I haven’t heard that word since I watched
Gun Smoke
reruns with my Dad.” Then she remembered. “Oh, and Darlene used it the day I presented my idea.”

He raised a brow and didn’t answer. Then he shook her arm off and nodded toward her room. Chuckling, she took the hint and left him to his masterpiece.

She refused to get
gussied
up and
seduce
Gerard to dinner though. He’d either be interested or he wouldn’t. Which, since he stopped by to talk about it, she assumed he was, yes, he’d come to dinner and listen to her idea.

“Bella, I can’t wait to tell you about the new design room. I wish I could take you there for inspiration but I don’t want to have other’s think you’re for sale. You’re mine.”

The dress shimmered in the late evening sun, Ari smiled. People would think she was nuts if she admitted she thought the dress answered. But Bella was special. And she truly believed, to the depth of her soul, the gown knew what she was saying and answered in the only way Bella knew how by shifting her fabric to catch the light.

“Again, I’m going to need your good luck wishes.” She skipped—she couldn’t believe she was happy enough to actually skip at her age—into the bathroom to freshen up.

When she returned she picked up the conversation with Bella as if there’d been no interruption. “I’m going to ask Gerard to dinner.”

Ari placed her hand on the shoulders of Bella’s bolero. “Do you think he’ll say yes?”

A tremor ran through the mannequin vibrating the silk and lace under her hands. “I think he will too.”

The minute she stepped from her room into the living area, garlic wrapped around her senses. “Oh I love whatever you’re making.”

“Wait until you actually taste it.”

“I’ll be back with Gerard.”

“Dinner will be ready soon. You’ll have enough time to have a nice glass of Riesling with the appetizer.”

Ari stopped at the door, “Oh it’s going to be spicy.”

“You’re learning. There’s hope for you.”

Ari pulled the door open, smiling as she made her way up the stairs to Gerard’s floor. She paused to catch her breath, but mostly to calm her hammering heart.

It was only excitement about the project.

After a few knocks she heard his muffled voice. When the door swung wide, the air in her lungs emptied in one whoosh.