Play for Me (35 page)

“She's the one who told me at the fitting. She doesn't think
she can get it done in time. Sam, what am I supposed to do?”

“Breathe, Deb. It's six o'clock. Let me run over and you and
I will talk to this tailor. If anything, Bunny knows how to sew maybe she can
help. I'll be right over.” Sam ended the call, grabbed her keys and went to see
Deb.

“Hi, Mrs. C. Where's Deb?” asked Sam as she let herself in.

“Can you help us, Sam?” cried Mrs. C. “What are we going to
do?”

“How bad is it?” asked Sam and she went into Deb's bedroom.

“See?” wailed Deb as she turned around to reveal the zipper
wouldn't go all the way up.

“I know you're not going to like this, but it's girdle time,”
said Sam, all business.

“Girdle?” shrieked Deb “Are you nuts?”

“Nope, I'm not. Look, it's a Thursday night and the stores
are still open. I'm driving. Get out of the dress.” Sam helped Deb unzip it and
found some sweats. “Let's go. The limo will be here in about three hours, so
move it.”

“What would I do without you, Sam?” Deb started crying all
over again and Sam just rolled her eyes.

They made it just in time to the mall and with the help of a
terrific sales lady, the solution was in hand. The two of them ran back to the
house and tried the dress on, both holding their breaths as Sam zipped it up. A
big sigh of relief came from all the women as the zipper effortlessly made it
to the top.

“That does it,” declared Deb. “Nothing to eat until
Saturday.”

“I don't think so,” warned Sam. “If we're going partying
tonight, you'll be so drunk so fast, you won't know what hit you. Moderation,
Deb. Moderation.”

“I promise,” swore Deb solemnly.

“Where is Jordan?” asked Sam. “I've been trying to get in
touch with him and Ian all day, and there's no answer.”

“He's having his bachelor party in Los Angeles,” answered
Deb, getting ready for the night.

“He's what?” screeched Sam. “You let him party in Los
Angeles and your rehearsal dinner is Friday? Suppose he's too hung over to fly
back? Suppose the guys play a trick on him and fly him somewhere else? Oh, I do
not like this at all,” said Sam. She could just see something like this
happening.

“I hear negative thoughts,” said Mrs. Cicone as she watched
the girls leave. “Let's be positive about this.”

Sam quietly shook her head and helped Deb get ready for the
evening. Deb's sisters showed up, giggling and whispering like teenagers. Sam
could see that this would be a long night.

The limo driver lightened the mood and took them all over
the downtown area. Deb, who decided only to have a salad for dinner, got
drunker and drunker as the night progressed. Deb began telling men at the bar
of her wedding and kissed them all. It got to the point, where Sam had to
literally drag her back into the limo and they headed back to Deb's house.
Deb's sisters weren't any better and Mrs. Cicone waited for them and glared at
Sam blaming her for the situation.

“She's going to be hurting when she gets up tomorrow,” said
Mrs. Cicone, shaking her head at Sam.

“Don't blame me. She only had a salad for dinner,” explained
Sam. “I brought her home early. Tomorrow, if's she hurting, she needs to go to
the gym.” Sam left the house and wearily got into her car. She was sound asleep
the minute she hit the bed.

“Sam, aren't you going to stop by the house?” asked Bunny,
impatiently awakening Sam from her sleep.

“Mom, what time is it?” asked Sam sleepily as she tried to
peer at the alarm clock.

“I hear poor Deb is sick,” commented Bunny.

“Mom, don't even go there. I don't have time, but I'll see
you at the rehearsal dinner.” Sam hung up the phone, rolled over and groaned. She
checked her phone and found a text from Ian.

“
Hope u r bhaving,”
read Ian's text.

“What about u?”
Sam wrote back with a smile. The
phone rang immediately.

“So, how many guys did you pick up?” asked Ian. “Because if
you did, I'm going to kill them all.”

“Same here. Am I still your only one?” retorted Sam.

“Touché. How did you know I even went to Jordan's party?”

“I didn't. All I know is that he better be on that plane
today or there's hell to pay. Besides, Deb and her sisters got so drunk, I had
my hands full. Now, both my mom and Deb's mom are mad at me. Remind me never to
get married.”

“Jordan did hold his own and, yes, he's on a plane to
Chicago,” laughed Ian. “We made sure of it.”

“That is music to my ears. So, are you coming to the
wedding? Neither Jordan or Deb said anything.” Sam could hope so.

“Depends,” answered Ian vaguely.

“Seal stuff?” asked Sam hoping to get a more concrete answer
from him.

“You know I can't talk about that, Sam.”

“I know,” said Sam. “Sometimes it's frustrating.”

“I know,” said Ian. “Hey, I miss you. Make sure you take
lots of pictures, okay? I've got to run.”

“Okay,” responded Sam, and as soon as she hung up she burst
into tears. She knew Ian might not be able to make it and, it broke her heart.

Sam got a hold of herself and decided to push Ian out of her
mind. She had a wedding to go through and she decided she was going to have the
time of her life. Squaring her shoulders, she got dressed for the rehearsal
dinner and went over to see if she could help with the preparation of the
evening.

“Don't you look nice,” whistled Sam as she saw Deb in a
beautiful two piece Chanel suit. “Goodness.”

“You don't look too shabby yourself,” laughed Deb. “I think
we've got everything under control, even though I thought I might die this
morning. I had to tell my mom it wasn't your fault. I'm old enough to know
better.”

“Thanks. I got grief from my mom as well. I kind of hung up
on her. I swear, Deb. Between that and her harping on Ian, I'm ready to kill
her.”

“I know. Heard the whole story.” Deb shook her head in
sympathy. “Let's get to the church.” They packed up the favors for the next
morning and got on their way. Deb immediately went to Jordan who looked none
the less for wear.

“Hey, bro,” said Sam as she hugged Jordan. “Glad to see you
made it here in one piece.”

“Sounds like I did a lot better than Deb,” laughed Jordan. “You
know Mom is on a roll so you better watch out. I tried to talk to her, so maybe
something I said sunk in.”

“Thanks for the warning, because here she comes.” Sam shrugged
and prepared for the worst.

“Samantha, it's about time I got to see you,” said Bunny
crisply. “Why are you too busy for your mother and father?”

“Hello, Mother,” said Sam calmly. “It is Jordan and Deb's
wedding, and I'm trying to give them all the help I can. Of all people, I
thought you would understand this. This is your only son being married.”

“You could have at least stayed with us,” commented Bunny.

“Bunny, stop it,” growled Artie. “Sam, I understand, and
don't you look lovely.” Artie whirled Sam around in a dance.

“Thanks, Dad. I really appreciate it.” Sam smiled and hugged
her father. “I have to take my place since they are getting started.”

Sam left to get into the procession and looked around to
Deb. “Who's the best man? I don't know any of these people.”

“Um, let me check with Jordan.” Deb turned and got Jordan's
attention. “Where is the Best Man?” hissed Deb.

“He's coming, but not tonight. My friend Bill is helping out
for now. It's all under control. Don't worry about it,” assured Jordan.

“Don't worry about it?” Deb glared at Jordan and walked
away.

“Places, everyone.” The priest clapped his hands together
and started to give instructions.

“You must be Sam. I'm Bill. Friend of Jordan.” Bill
introduced himself to Sam.

“Pleased to meet you,” said Sam politely. He is ugly,
thought Sam. Jordan didn't surprise her. She straightened up and followed the
priest's instructions.

The rehearsal dinner went smoothly, but Sam couldn't wait to
get out of there. Deb gave her a pearl necklace and matching earrings as a
present, which Sam just loved. Jordan gave his sister a kiss and a hug and sent
her home.

“I'll talk to Mom tonight, since I'm staying there. I'm
sorry she's giving you such a hard time.”

“Thanks, I really need all the help I can get.” Sam gave
Jordan another hug and went out the door to her car. She had never felt more
alone in her whole life.

The next morning turned hectic. They were to meet at Deb's
and go get their hair and makeup done at the salon. The girls were served
champagne, but Sam only had a little since she felt sick to her stomach. The
dress, with the girdle, fit Deb to a tee and Sam smiled in relief. When she
looked into the mirror, she saw she didn't look so bad herself and smiled. The
photographer took endless pictures of the women and finally bustled them into
the waiting limo. Jordan and the men would meet them at the church.

When Sam walked into the vestibule, she almost fainted. Ian stood
in the church dressed in a black tuxedo looking more handsome than ever. He had
made it after all.

“You did make it,” said Sam breathlessly. “You are one of
the wedding party!”

“Yup! Best Man.” He grinned and put his hands on her waist. “You
look absolutely stunning, Samantha. Good enough to eat.” He smiled at her wickedly.

“I can't believe you came to Chicago. This is something,”
said Sam, shaking her head still in disbelief.

“I wouldn't have missed this for the world,” said Ian with a
mysterious smile on his face.

The wedding march began and as Sam and Ian walked down the
aisle, Sam knew she glowed. Ian firmly held her elbow and the chemistry between
them sparked stronger than ever. Sam barely listened to the priest as he droned
on. She made sure she did all the duties of a Maid of Honor down straight. The
other half couldn't keep her eyes off of Ian.

The bride and groom were introduced to the congregation and
Sam finally took notice of who had shown up. There was Jett, Bryce, and the
entire
Asylum Monkees
band. Sam also noted tightened security because of
the celebrities. She bravely took Ian's offered hand as they walked back down
the aisle.

“Glad that's over,” remarked Ian as he sat next to Sam in
the limo, their bodies touching from shoulder to leg. “Do you know how long
it's been since I've been in a church?”

“And a Catholic Mass on top of it, too,” laughed Sam. Ian
kissed her deeply, surprising her.

“Did I ever tell you how ravishing you look, Samantha?”
Ian's eyes were full of lust.

“Oh, Ian.” He only called her Samantha while in the throes
of passion. “Did I ever tell you how handsome you look?” She smiled at him
making sure he got her message.

“Hey, you two,” said one of Deb's brothers. “Get a room.”
They laughed and poked each other while Sam and Ian ignored them

On the way to the reception it snowed and Ian fell silent,
fascinated by the event. He had never seen snow in his entire life. “Look
outside!” he shouted excitedly.

“Oh no,” moaned Sam. “I'm going to get my shoes all wet. I
hope they have shoveled the walkway.”

“You're not excited about this? Sam, it's snowing,” repeated
Ian. When the limo stopped, Ian got out of the car first and made a snowball.
Sam just shook her head and laughed at Ian's antics.

They stood in the reception line as the guests greeted them.
Both Jett and Bryce hugged Sam, but glared at each other. “No love lost,” said
Sam underneath her breath to Ian. “I hope they seat them as far apart as
possible.”

“You've got that right,” said Ian with a fake smile
plastered on his face. “How many people did they invite? I think my face is
frozen.”

“Oh, Ian,” laughed Sam. “It's only a couple of hours and
then we can drink and relax. My poor baby.”

Finally, they were seated and Jordan and Deb stood up to
face their guests.

“We'd like to thank everyone for coming and joining us on
this special day. First off, I want to thank Deb's Mom and Dad for everything
they've done. But most important, I want to thank my baby sister, Samantha, for
playing a big role in getting Deb and I together. When Deb had been younger, I
always thought of her as my baby sister's girlfriend. Little did I know that
Deb had always had a big crush on me. Sam did know and when Deb went to visit
Sam in Hawaii, well let's just say everything came together.” Everyone clapped
enthusiastically before Jordan continued, “We are going to do something out of
the ordinary and I hope you appreciate it. Deb and I have discussed this, and
we know this is our wedding day. That's all I'm going to say.” Jordan sat down
and Ian stood up.

“As Best Man, I raise my drink to celebrate the love between
Deb and Jordan. I can't think of a happier couple who were made for each other.”
They all raised their glasses and banged their spoons on the cups for the bride
and groom's kiss.

“But I regress. Sam did have every intention of getting them
together and I plead guilty in aiding and abetting in this endeavor. So, let's
talk about Sam, Jordan's twin sister.” Sam shifted nervously in her seat
wondering what Ian had planned on saying.

“I met Sam not knowing she and Jordan were twins. She had
flown in to interview with Jett Robison as an assistant. I didn't trust Jett,
knowing his way with women.” Ian looked into the crowd and smiled at Jett. “Sorry,
Jett.” Jett raised his hand in understanding. “I fell in love with Sam, pure
and simple. What this woman has gone through because of me has been incredible.
She's been stalked…”

“Because of me,” shouted Jett. The audience laughed politely,
but were still riveted by Ian's speech.

“Assaulted by said stalker.” The audience gasped, but Ian
continued. “Threatened by an ex- girlfriend.”

“Psycho girlfriend,” interjected Jordan.

“And kidnapped,” finished Ian. “Look at her. She's a trooper
and the best friend I've ever known.” Ian cast a glance at Sam who appeared as
white as a ghost. He walked over to her and knelt on his knee. Ian pulled out a
box and took Sam's hand. “Samantha Stevens, I love you and know I can't live
without you. You are my everything, Please, will you marry me?” he asked
softly.