Page 43 of Suddenly Single

“Hi!” Mary Jane called out when she and Lila Brooke strolled into the room. She placed a silver platter in the center of the coffee table filled with chocolates. “I just whipped these up last night.” She peeled off a layer of plastic wrap and stuffed it in the pocket of her calf-length kelly green skirt. “There’s salted peanut, strawberry peppercorn, and, for purists like myself, dark chocolate truffles.”

“I’m thirsty.” Lila Brooke sauntered over to the bar and fixed herself a martini, and grabbed a bottle of water for Mary Jane. Mom eyed me, confused. She thought all the ladies were drunks. I’d tell her after the meeting about Mary Jane being a stoner. “Lord, it’s been forever since I’ve been to a good wedding. Most of them are deadly dull.” Lila Brooke settled next to Mary Jane, then ate the olive from her martini. “We’re making sure this is the wedding of the year.”

The doorbell rang, startling me. Nobody ever used the front door unless they weren't related. It must be the wedding planner.

“Asher, go sit with the ladies. I’ll get the door.” I heard Florida from the kitchen. Asher strolled in, kissed the top of my head, then sat on the other side of Mom.

“Why are you here, Asher? We know you aren’t interested in planning a wedding.” Lila Brooke asked.

“Hi, Sissy,” Asher tilted his head and smiled. Mom pecked him on the cheek, then wiped off the lipstick print. Florida walked past us toward the front door. “I’ll leave most of the planning up to Carter, but I want to keep informed about the upcoming ceremony.”

“Is your mother coming, Asher?” Mom asked, even though she knew she wouldn’t be here. I guessed she was trying to make conversation. Then I noticed her smoothing down her skirt, repeatedly, like a nervous tic.

“No, mother is attending the opera this evening. But she might show up later, depending on how well her date goes.” Asher stood. “Excuse me, Sissy, I’m going to make myself a drink. Do you need anything?” His gaze moved back and forth between me and Mom. Both of us shook our heads no. A moment later, he returned with a glass of wine.

“Miss Lori Stallings.” Florida announced, and we all stood up. In walked a tall blonde amazon wearing head-to-toe Prada. Her hair was pulled back in a tight bun, and following behind her was a mousy girl lugging sample books, fabric swatches, and a briefcase.

“How is everyone?” The woman flashed a toothy smile, then gestured for everyone to be seated. Well, except for her assistant. She pointed at the stuff the girl was carrying and said, “Put those next to me, then you can wait outside until I need you. Thanks, Mindy.” She sat in the mint-green-velvet wingback chair and smiled. “Well now, this is going to be the most talked about wedding in the Country Club of Virginia’s history.” The girl dropped everything next to the chair and hurried out of the room.

“Miss Stallings, would you like something to drink?” Granny asked.

“Usually I stick to water, but since this is my last appointment of the day, a glass of red wine would be delightful.” Her eyes landed on the chocolates, and her face lit up. “Ooh, I would love some chocolate.”

Mary Jane beamed at her. “They’re homemade.”

“Even better. After the day I’ve had, I’m sure they’ll hit the spot.” She rose from her chair, filled a napkin with a few of the treats, and sat again. Granny passed a glass of merlot to her, then we all waited for her to settle in. She bit into a truffle, and moaned. “This has to be the best chocolate I’ve ever had!”

“I was going to eat these a little later, but why wait?.” Mary Jane filled a napkin, then to my surprise, Mom did too. She probably didn’t want to stand out for not eating them. I tried one, and so did Asher, and soon everyone was oohing and ahhing about how yummy they were. After they had a chance to nibble on the treats, Lori got down to business.

“Congratulations Asher and Carter. From what I understand, you already were married, but there was a mixup. With me in charge, have no fear. My weddings always go off without a hitch.” She sipped her wine, then continued. “Before we go any further, I want you to know that the board of the country club is fully behind your wedding. We’ve strived to become more inclusive and diverse, and everyone wants this to be a showstopper wedding.”

“Thanks.” I nodded my head.

“When you say showstopper, what exactly do you mean?” Asher crossed his arms over his chest. Hopefully, he wouldn’t get too cranky about the wedding plans.

“It means the sky's the limit." Lori threw her hands in the air. "We’ll do anything to ensure your wedding is unforgettable. Have you picked out your wedding attire yet?” She asked, then shoved a truffle in her mouth.

“Carter, didn’t you mention something about Dior?” Asher asked, surprising me. I couldn't believe he remembered. “At Saks Fifth Avenue?”

“Yes, but I want to hear all of our options before deciding.” I grinned at Lori.

“Dior makes incredible clothes, but before you order the suits, I want you to entertain the idea of having your suits custom made by a local designer. Her name is, um, it’s on the tip of my tongue.” Lori patted the side of her nose with a pen. “Oh yes, Mitzi Evans. She graduated from VCU three years ago, and has made quite a name for herself designing bridal gowns.”

“Well, neither of us is wearing a gown, but we’ll keep an open mind about her.” The urge to laugh hit me, but I stifled it. “Do you have examples of her work with menswear?”

“Of course.” Lori opened her briefcase, pulled out a tablet, and promptly dropped it. “I feel strange.” She mumbled, then picked it up and started tapping. A moment later, she tried to hand it to me, but Mom grabbed it instead.

“Ooh, this is handsome.” Mom said, and Asher and I both leaned in to see. “Though maybe you should go with a gown, Carter.”

“Pardon me?”

Mom flushed. “Honey, I didn’t mean to say that. It’s just I can’t stop thinking about you in a white wedding gown. It would be so funny.”

Asher looked around Mom at me, shaking his head with wide-open eyes. Then he tilted his head toward the half-eaten tray of chocolates.

Oh shit. They were laced.

Mary Jane bit her lower lip, and Granny’s eyes took on a pink sheen.

---