Page 74 of Nothing to the Wedding
“Just us.We talked about the—”
“Ah, our first costume change?”
“Costume and… a little extra.”Jane squealed and raised her shoulders before passing her by.“Knox, honey…”
In response to his bride, her friend’s new husband left his buddies just like that.Good, Knox was doing okay.
“Blossom…?”
“Can they leave it?”Jane asked.
“Leave what?You can have anything you want.”
“The blossom.I want it to stay on the floor.”
God, it would be everywhere, and probably a slip hazard.That didn’t matter more than the romance.Dutiful Knox was good to cover litigation costs.
Speaking of dutiful… Where was her husband?
There he was, with Ballard a few feet away, smiling at her.Creep.She didn’t have to call or go to him.Nope.She spun on the spot to sashay slowly toward the aisle.He’d catch up.Man never could resist her caboose.
TWENTY-TWO
DRINKS AND DINNER came after the big reveal.An apparel change alone wasn’t good enough for Jane.No, they were out there more than a little while with makeup artists, stylists, colorists, the whole roster.On their return, she was a brunette again, just like the old days.When she and Zairn got together.And the look on his face when she returned to him… Yeah, no medals for noticing his obvious gratitude.Nostalgia?Maybe.But pleasing him was some kick.
During the wedding planning stages, she’d suggested, requested, her gown be red.Yeah, Jane didn’t go for that.This was the compromise.In the change for dinner, she got to wear the red dress, a miniaturized version of her wedding gown, that went perfect with her slippers.Score one for diplomacy.
Jane maintained the theme.Her miniaturized dress was iceberg blue.Embroidered with fewer diamonds, though no less striking, the color created an optical illusion.Blue?White?Who knew?
Feeding so many people was a colossal task and the Grand staff were impeccable in every way.Because Bastian, the hotel’s owner, was in the room?Maybe.Either way, she’d make sure they were tipped ridiculously well.
Who was she kidding?Zairn would’ve taken care of that already.He’d have done it before the big day and would no doubt do the same again after.Knowing their group, as she did, Knox had probably tipped too… and his dad… maybe his brother.
Hell, this was a lucrative event for staff.Wonder if there were any openings.
Cam gave a speech.Ballard gave a speech.Everyone laughed.Joy filled the room.
More than for just herself, she almost wished the day would never end.Each time she glimpsed Jane, the reward was right there.
People came to the top table, frequently.During the meal, guests were told several times to take their seats.The mood had a lot to answer for; everyone’s smiles rode high.
Dessert had been cleared and another round of drinks served.She didn’t partake.The glass was there, but with the speeches over, they’d be dancing soon.Getting up in front of the room with a full gut would be a mistake.
At that particular moment, Zairn was talking to a trio of guys who’d appeared on their platform a while ago.Too long ago.Her guy’s forearm rested across her lap, though he was twisted the other way.Like being in the club, only this time there was light and conversation and far less leg in the room.
Be polite.Be patient.
Though were these guys being polite or patient?If she heard the word “projections” one more time… This was not a business day.It was their wedding day, as much Zairn’s as hers.Her husband.Her public husband.Her no-longer-a-secret husband.
They didn’t have two chairs.Another Jane addition that won her extra points.On the couch in the club, they sat thigh to thigh, and there, at their wedding feast, they did the same.No light, no air, passed between them.
One feature of her layered skirt hadn’t been exploited.This one did have quick emergency access.The layers weren’t fully stitched as they had been in the wedding gown.She’d been waiting for the most opportune moment to educate her husband.There it was, upon them.Easing one layer this way and another that, the table concealed her actions.Some things were kept only for her spouse.
He was still talking when she picked up his hand to guide his palm to her flesh.Nice and high on her thigh, skimming it up and down on the—
Zairn’s attention flew around to her.One glance down and then to her face, ah, check that surprise!
“That’s a suspender belt.”Shock.Horror.“You’re wearing a suspender belt?”
