Loving Her Read online

  “I thought I said Friday?”

  “I knew you were messing with me.” He grabbed me by the waist and hugged me.

  I took another sip of coffee. “Uhm, this is why I’m marrying you,” holding up the coffee cup.

  “What do you have planned today?”

  “I have to get a dress and make some arrangements.”

  “I thought Bas brought you a dress?”

  “It’s my backup. Oh crap.”

  “What??”

  “I don’t have the card for my emergency account.”

  “You lost me.”

  “I don’t have the card for my emergency account.” I sipped more of my coffee. “My needing to get a wedding gown at the last minute is an emergency.”

  He smiled at me. “I see. I’ll give you my card. Emergency solved.”

  “Thank you Honey, but I can buy my own dress.” I sipped more coffee. “Mama probably brought it. She thought to bring my birth certificate, so she probably has my card.”

  “Do you remember the conversation we had last night?”

  “Which one?”

  “The one about your letting me take care of you.”

  “Was that before or after we made out on the sofa and fell asleep?” I joked.

  He put the newspaper down and turned to face me. “The one where I told you that we are a team. If you need anything I’m here for you.”

  “Of course I remember.” Oh crap. Then it hit me. “Uhm..baby, do you have a credit or debit card or some cash I can borrow to go shopping. I’ll pay you back when I get back.”

  “No.”

  “What, you just said if I need anything, just…” Oh crap. I did it again. I placed my coffee cup on the table, and swallowed a little of my single girl independence. He said we’re a team and I’m still acting like a free agent, looking for a team. “Baby, there are some things I need to get for the wedding, and I don’t have my credit card. Would you be able to help me out?”

  He looked at me and shook his head smiling. “That was better, but…”

  “What?”

  “Is it that difficult for you to ask me for money?”

  “Yes, it is. I don’t want you to think…”

  “You’re my fiancée, not my girlfriend, not some side piece or random woman. My fiancée, and we’re about to be married. So you better get used to asking me for things.”

  “But I…”

  “Shut up.” My eyes got wide. He kissed me. “What do you need?”

  “I need money to get a dress and some other things.”

  “We’ll go to the bank after breakfast.”

  Just like that. All I had to do was swallow my pride and realize my new normal as a wife to a loving and generous man. “What are you doing today?” I asked.

  “I have to go to the theatre, meet with Collier, get the rings, and make some arrangements.”

  “I need to call my uncle.”

  “I’ll tell Collier what we discussed, and he’ll call your uncle.”

  “Thank you.” I took another sip from the large white cup. “Have you figured out how we’re going to tell everyone?”

  “Maybe I’ll send everyone an email or a text,” he teased.

  “I don’t think so. Just say, the wedding’s been postponed...”

  “What!” Mama was so quiet, neither of us heard her come downstairs. The look on her face was terrifying. You’d think Moses and I had eloped and she just found out.

  “Mama…”

  “Alexandra, what is going on? Emma and I leave you two alone for a few hours and this is what happens.”

  The sound of shuffling footsteps came rushing into the kitchen. “What is all the commotion about?” Grams asked.

  “The wedding is off,” Mama announced.

  “What? When we left for dinner, everything was fine. What happened?” Before Moses could answer, Grams shot out another question. “Moses Bernard Adair, you better answer me. What did you do?”

  “Good morning everyone. Can you guys please keep it down. Some of us are still on West Coast time,” Bas announced. “Is there any coffee?”

  “Ditto that. I was praying and all of a sudden I heard loud voices,” Kendell spoke up.

  The voices were all speaking at once and no one could be understood. Moses stood up and whistled and it got quiet. “Okay. Alex and I have decided not to get married today. Instead, we will be getting married on Friday at six o’clock. Any questions?”

  Everyone began talking again at the same time. He whistled again to grab their attention. “We’ll answer questions one at a time.” He pointed to Mama. “Mom Connie.”

  “Why the change in plans?”

  “Time,” I replied.

  “Then why not later if you want more time?” Grams asked.

  “We were going to wait three months, but there was no real reason to wait,” Moses replied.

  “So, what do you want me to do?” Grams asked.

  “Mrs. Bartholomew…I mean, Grams, you’ve already done so much for us.”

  “We’re family.” Her words brought tears to my eyes. “Kendell, you and Bas get breakfast while Connie and I talk to Moses and Alexandra.” She looked at us. “You two, come with us.” We followed her and Mama down the hall to the parlor. “Everyone sit down. So, what is going on?”

  I looked at Moses. “We were feeling a little pressured.” He looked at me and then back at Mama and Grams. “We don’t need to wait three months, but we need more than a few hours.”

  “So what do you want us to do?” Mama asked.

  Moses looked at me. “Go ahead, tell them.”

  “I need to get a dress...”

  “What about the dress Bas brought?” Mama asked.

  “It’s my backup.”

  “Go on,” Grams continued.

  “We need flowers and a cake, and the wedding dinner needs to be planned. I need shoes, a hairstylist, makeup artist, a Mani-Pedi and a salt scrub. I also need to pick up a few delicate accessories.” I refused to look at Moses.

  “I can get that last thing on the list if you want,” Moses volunteered.

  “Moses, behave yourself.” Grams quickly chastised him. We looked at each other smirking. “Moses, what do you need?” Grams asked.

  “I need to get the rings and have my tux pressed.”

  “Call Henry about the rings.”

  “I already spoke with him this morning,” Moses replied.

  “Regarding your tux. You need a new one.”

  “Grams, I have several. Besides, no one will be looking at me. They’ll all be looking at Alex.”

  “No offense Alexandra.” She looked at me and smiled, then back at Moses. “My grandson is going to get married in a new tuxedo. Do I make myself clear?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” he replied.

  I looked at him smirking. “I guess she told you.”

  “And, what about you?” She turned her attention back to me. “Where are you going to get this dream dress?”

  “I thought I’d go over to Bergdorf’s or Kleinfeld’s to see what’s on the sale rack.”

  “Uh-huh.” She got quiet. “One of my dearest friends’ niece has a bridal salon.”

  “Grams, that isn’t necessary,” I cut her off. She cut me a sharp look.

  “I’ll call and tell her to expect you and Connie at eleven o’clock. You’ll love her.”

  “But, I’m not a bridal sample size.”

  “I can see that,” Grams replied. “Trust me. If you don’t see anything you like, then go back to your original plans.”

  “I guess she told you,” Moses teased.

  “I’ve got one for you,” Mama piped in. “Where are you honeymooning?”

  Moses jumped in. “It’s a surprise. We won’t be going on our honeymoon for a few weeks.”

  “Uh-huh,” Mama and Grams said in unison.

  “So where will you be staying Friday night?” Mama asked.

  I thought about the wedding but forgot about the other celebration.
It’s for sure we can’t stay at the townhouse. Before I could answer, my fiancé, I love how that sounds, even when I’m saying it to myself. He jumped in with an answer. “It’s a surprise.”

  This was new. We discussed taking a honeymoon later, but nothing was said about Friday night. Grant it, we just decided to get married last night. But how did he have time to come up with a surprise wedding night location so quickly? I looked at him. “Really?”

  “Yes, Beautiful. I already took care of our mini-moon.”

  “Our mini-moon?” I smiled. The name alone sounded decadent.

  “Yes, instead of a night, we’re taking a couple of days and, that’s all you need to know.” He kissed me and I pushed him away.

  “Not in front of Mama and Grams.”

  “What?” He protested.

  “Honey, stop it.”

  He stood up, walked around and kissed Mama and Grams. “Ladies, thank you for everything. I’ve got some calls to make before Alex and I run a quick errand. Mom Connie, I’ll make sure she meets you at eleven.”

  “Good bye son. We’ll see you later,” Grams said. On his way out he kissed me again.

  “Moses...”

  “I’ll be ready in an hour or so, babe.”

  “Once I finish with Mama and Grams, I’ll get dressed.” Ignoring my protest, he pulled my face up to his and kissed me again.

  “I love those lips.” He walked out and left me to fend for myself. I looked at Mama and Grams, who were smiling at me. “What?”

  “Nothing,” Mama said. “Let’s get to work. I assume you want pink peonies?”

  “Yes, and pink roses, and pink orchids.”

  * * *

  Alex

  * * *

  I WALKED INTO THE BEAUTIFUL bridal salon expecting to be disappointed. Instead, I was shocked. I looked around and it reminded me of one of my stores. The walls were covered in ivory silk with gold and black leopard print velvet armless love seats. Beside each love seat was a petite antique glass and brass side table, just large enough for a glass of champagne and a small box of tissues. The aromas throughout the salon were calming. I closed my eyes, and immediately felt like I was sitting in a lush, French garden. The smell of tuberose, gardenia, rose, jasmine, and a hint of citrus calmed me. Even if there wasn’t anything here to fit me, I needed this experience to relax.

  The meeting at the bank with Moses ran longer than I expected. I thought he was going to give me his card and some cash. Instead, we opened a joint account and he dumped enough money in there for a small coronation, and kept asking if I needed more. Now, not only am I getting married in seventy-two hours, I’m financially tied to Moses.

  I checked in with the concierge who led Mama and me to a private dressing room. We sat down and waited for the owner. The sooner she comes and I explain how she can’t help me, the sooner I can get on with the task of finding a dress. We sat enjoying the mimosas and fruit and cheese placed before us. If nothing else, we got a good snack before leaving.

  “This reminds me of your place,” Mama commented.

  I looked at my watch. As tense as I was, a glass of champagne would have been better.

  “Baby, trust Emma.” She covered my hand with hers. Every time she does that, it calms me.

  “Mama, I know Grams is trying to be helpful, but...”

  The door flung open and an average height, curvy, brown skinned woman in a black Armani dress and killer red leopard Valentino Rock Stud sling-backs walked in. “I’m sorry about making you wait,” she apologized.

  “That’s okay.”

  She walked over and shook my hand. “You must be Alexandra.” She smiled. “You look exactly as Miss Emma described. Plus she emailed me your picture. She thought it would help me pull some things for you in advance. And you must be Mrs. Miller. You’re as beautiful as she described.”

  “I’m sorry, Miss...” Something about her demeanor seemed familiar.

  “Avery Logan.” She sat down in the cream slipper chair across from us and crossed her legs. “So, how do you see yourself on your wedding day?”

  “Avery, as I told Grams, I’m not a bridal sample size, and I need to get a dress today with minimal alterations.” I wanted to leave, but I felt she’d probably call Grams before we could get to the door.

  She smiled. “Uh-huh. So how do you see yourself on your wedding day?”

  It was like she hadn’t heard a thing I said. Let me just get this over with, and prove to her and Grams this wasn’t going to work. “I know I don’t want to look like a walking fluff ball. I’m a little too short and too mature for a princess ball gown, which makes this search a little more challenging.”

  She nodded. “I agree. Would you like another mimosa or a glass of champagne?” she asked.

  I know this ploy. Ply the customer with refreshments and then they’ll be putty in your hand. “Champagne would be nice, thank you,” Mama quickly accepted.

  Avery pressed a button on her phone and began to speak. “Regina, please bring a bottle of champagne and the racks, thank you.” She looked up and smiled. “So, let me explain what I do. Unlike most bridal salons, my samples are a little larger. I understand last minute weddings and curvy women. Having gotten married rather quickly and being a size ten, twelve, with a full bosom and a butt, it was a challenge.” She smiled.

  “Oh.” I was dumbfounded.

  “When Miss Emma called this morning, she told me you needed my help. Along with your picture, she forwarded this description, ‘My future grand-daughter needs a spectacular wedding gown for her wedding on Friday. Unlike his first wife and that tall skinny woman Moses was engaged to, she’s a petite, beautiful woman with curves. Make sure she doesn’t hide her figure. I have it on good authority, Moses loves her figure.’ So I have my orders.”

  Not only was I ashamed I didn’t trust Grams, I was embarrassed Moses described me like that to her. “I’m sorry. It’s just...”

  “I know exactly who you are and I’ve been to your Atlanta store.”

  Now, I’m really embarrassed. “You know Moses?” I asked.

  “We go way back. I did the same thing he and Keith did.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “To quote my mother, I married a man outside of my social circle.” She smiled. “Jeremiah, is from Alabama. We met when he was in town on business. I was meeting friends for dinner and they were late. We shared an appetizer, wine, and some great conversation. I loved listening to him talk. His southern accent was very refreshing. I hated leaving him when my friends arrived. Later that evening when the bill came, I discovered he’d paid it and left a note, asking me to join him the following evening for dinner. He was here over four months and we spent all his free time together.”

  “Sort of like Moses and me.”

  “I thought when he went home that would be the end of us, but he proposed and gave me thirty days to plan our wedding.”

  “Wow. How long have you been married?” I sipped my mimosa.

  “We’ve been happily married five and a half years. There weren’t too many options for my figure, and I knew I wasn’t the only woman with this challenge. Contrary to what you’ve heard, not every society princess is a size zero. I like to eat,” she laughed. “I opened the salon as a result of trying to find a dress.”

  I smiled. She was nice and funny, and reminded me a little of Chloe and Taylor. I think Grams was trying to find me a friend as well as a wedding gown.

  “I told you to trust Emma,” Mama patted my arm. “Tell me Avery, what do you have for my baby girl?”

  Just then, there was a knock on the door. “Come in,” Avery called. The door opened and a young Asian woman walked in with a bottle of champagne, followed by a tall, dark young man pulling a rolling rack filled with wedding gowns. “Thank you, Jade. Solomon, we’ll start here. Thank you.” Both assistants exited and closed the door. “We are very discreet and respect our clients’ privacy. Miss Emma told me you are trying to keep your wedding very private and intimate. We’ll ma
ke sure your dress is delivered as discreetly as possible.”

  I jumped up and started plowing through the rack. These weren’t normal fantasy wedding gowns. These were fantasy gowns. I started rattling off some familiar names. “Lanvin, Marchesa, Gucci, Temperley, Oscar, Carolina, Lela, Elie, Zuhair, Naeem...is that a Zac?” I turned and looked at her with my mouth open. “I knew some of these designers did bridal, but...”

  “Let me explain. I only stock designer and couture bridal, as well as whatever I see every season that I think would be a beautiful wedding gown.”

  “Now I get it.” Another knock on the door and Solomon entered with another rack of gowns.

  “I also design a small collection once a year. Those I stock in two sample sizes. I know what Miss Emma and Moses want, but what do you want?” She looked at me, waiting on an answer.

  I tossed my head back, looking for a suitable answer. After a few seconds, I lowered my head and answered. “I know I want to be comfortable and I want to be the most beautiful bride I can be. Does that make any sense?”

  Mama stepped in. “Please forgive my daughter. She’s not used to being on this side of the dressing room. My son-in-law says she’s the most beautiful, sexiest, confident woman he knows. I’ve heard him say it’s all in her walk. Does that help?” She smiled.

  “Mama!” I’d reached a new level of embarrassment. “I’m sorry, Avery.”

  She smiled. “I understand. My husband said it was my hips that got his attention.” They laughed. “Thank God, he’s a butt man.”

  “So you know what I’m dealing with?”

  “Exactly.” She stood up. “Tell you what, I’m going to give you and your mom some time. Put the yeses on the empty rack in the corner. I’ll be back in about twenty minutes.”

  “Thank you.” She left and closed the door behind her.

  My head was spinning. Everything was happening so fast, but talking to Avery helped. Mama stood next to me, silent. “Isn’t she funny?”

  “Yes.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  I took a deep breath and made my confession, “Everything is moving so fast.”

  “Isn’t this what you wanted?” she asked.

  “Yes, but—”

  “Baby girl, I know how you feel about Moses, and I know how he feels about you.”