Shark Out of Water (5 page)

Ana looked offended at the question. “Everything is already taken care of, Guy.”

“I meant last minute requests.” He turned back to Eli and Leila. “Do you have all of the traditional tokens, Leila? Eli, did you ever find the right cufflinks? I can bring my extra sets if you are not sure about the ones you have.”

For a moment, everyone at the table just stared at him. The corner of Leila’s mouth turned up slowly. “You know about something borrowed, something blue?”

“Of course,” Guy said. “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a silver sixpence in her shoe.”

“Sixpence?” Eli asked. “Is that part of the rhyme?”

“Traditionally. Do you need one, Leila?”

“Do you have one?” she asked. When Guy nodded, she smiled, seeming rather touched by his offer. “I would love to have one, Guy. Thank you.”

“And yes,” Ana interjected, “Eli would like to see your cufflinks. The ones he bought are dreadful.”

“They are not,” he argued. Eli looked to Leila for support, but she quickly averted her eyes. Throwing up his hands, Eli said, “I don’t wear cufflinks. Ever. What do I know about choosing the right ones? I prefer buttons, the kind that already come attached to the shirt.”

“Why did you not just ask me?” Guy laughed.

“I really didn’t think it would be that hard to pick some out.” He cringed at the disapproving look Guy gave him. Choosing a pair of cufflinks was not brain surgery, but there were certain types that should and should not be worn on different occasions. Guy had attempted to educate his friends on several occasions, usually when they poked fun at him for wearing cufflinks, but none of them had ever taken to the accessory.

“Fine, I’ll borrow yours.” Eli shook his head, which made everyone else laugh.

“I’ll bring the sixpence and the cufflinks in the morning,” Guy replied, pleased he could help.

Soon, the dinner began to wind down and everyone’s focus shifted to getting enough sleep before the big day. Guy felt much better getting into his car than he had getting out of it earlier that night. Thoughts of how Patricia was doing still lingered, but excitement for his friends’ wedding had taken over. He was buckling his seatbelt when his phone began ringing.

“
Bonsoir
, Carmody,” Guy answered.

“
Bonsoir
. How did the rehearsal go? I wanted to make sure you hadn’t broken out in hives being that close to commitment,” she teased.

“It went very well. Tomorrow will go smoothly.” Guy paused when his phone buzzed again. Another Facebook message. He hesitated a moment before saying, “Would you and Michael come tomorrow? Lilly, too?” Guy knew Ana would strangle him for inviting guests last minute, but he was struggling too much on his own not to ask.

Carmody did not answer right away. When she did, there was concern in her voice. “Guy, are you doing okay? I know I tease you a lot, but you haven’t been your usual self all week.”

“I am fine.”

“Then what’s wrong? Why don’t you want to go to the wedding alone? You’re usually fine going to things solo. Anything to do with Leila’s Facebook post?” she asked.

Guy groaned. “You saw that already?”

“I happened to be online. She’s a clever girl.”

“
Oiu,
she is. That is not it, though. I do not mind their jokes.” Guy sighed. “Work has been difficult lately. I am not in the mood to deal with women or my friends jokes this weekend. I want to focus on Leila and Eli only.”

“I don’t count as
women
?” Carmody asked.

“You are not single. You know what I meant. You are my friend.”

Carmody chuckled, showing she did know exactly what Guy had meant by the comment. “Sure, Guy, I’ll come. Lily has a birthday party to go to tomorrow, and Michael will need to take her, but I can fend off any wanton eyes or wandering hands.”

“Michael will not mind?”

Scoffing, Carmody said, “Michael knows how much I love weddings. He’ll reap the benefits of me being around sappy couples anxious to get to their honeymoon all day.” She was quiet for a moment before saying, “Besides, he’ll understand if you just need the support of a friend this weekend. It’s not just me who thinks of you as a brother, Guy. We’re here if you need us.”

Guy was touched by her words. “
Merci
, Carmody.”

“No problem.
Vous êtes un bon homme
, Guy. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Guy ended the call, thankful for Carmody’s words after such a long day. It was likely neither his past girlfriends nor Patricia would agree that he was a good man right now. Maybe they were right. Guy knew a cat was a trivial reason to end a relationship, but he felt no regret. Patricia’s opinion of him was different. He had agonized over his decision to recommend to the courts that she be admitted involuntarily, and he believed it was the right choice. He hoped she would agree someday.

Chapter 5

Le Mauvais Choix

Guy knocked on the dressing room door, the promised sixpence in his hand. The door opened only a few inches. Ana peered out at him. Once she realized he was not Eli trying to peek at his bride, she opened the door and ushered him in. Guy had been behind the scenes at many weddings for family and friends, and never before had he walked into such calm.

Leila was not running around looking frazzled and panicking. Surprisingly, even Ana was only mildly twitchy. Everyone else seemed just as relaxed as Leila, who was standing in a gorgeous gown peacefully chatting with an older gentleman. Guy simply stood and took in the scene for a moment. The dress she wore was affectionately known as the “Waterfall Dress” amongst friends who knew the story behind it.

The dress had been designed by Leila, in secret, and Eli had stolen it and given it to Ana, who owned the fashion boutique where Leila worked. He had stolen it for one purpose, to see Leila wear it on their wedding day. Leila had frequently claimed to have no artistic talent, but as Guy saw her in the dress, he knew why Ana had all but forced her into becoming a designer. The sheer layers of the dress cascaded down her body in varying lengths from a fitted bodice, the gems decorating the hem of each layer, sparkling with every slight movement. The effect was breathtaking. Leila truly looked as though she were standing in the midst of a waterfall.

Sabine had very much wanted to attend the wedding, not just to see the infamous dress, but because Leila and Eli were dear friends of hers as well. Guy’s sister was missing her chance to see Leila in the gown because of a work commitment she could not back out of. Leila noticed Guy observing them a few seconds later and turned to greet him with a wide smile.

“Guy!” She hugged him tightly then turned him around to face the gentleman she had been talking to. “Guy, this is my father, Christopher Sparro. Dad, this is my good friend, Guy.”

Her father reached out and took Guy’s offered hand. He had a firm handshake, which Guy appreciated. “Guy, that’s an unusual name,” her father said. “French?”

“
Oui.
Parlez-vous français
?”

“Very little,” he responded. “I learned enough to get me through furlough days in Paris during my stint in the military.”

“And here I thought Leila was just a quick study.”

“She’s always had an ear for languages,” he said proudly.

Guy laughed. “I suppose I should be more careful of what I say around her, yes?”

Leila rolled her eyes at him, a smile still on her face. “Did you bring Eli’s cufflinks? His really are terrible.”

“
Oui
, I will take them to him. I wanted to make sure you had your sixpence, first, for luck. Not that you need it
ma chère amie
. You look beautiful. A vision. Eli is a lucky man.”

“
Merci
,” Leila said. She took the offered sixpence and slipped it into her shoe. After placing a kiss on his cheek, she said, “Now please go get my future husband presentable. I don’t want those cufflinks in our wedding photos.” She shook her head, making Guy wonder just how bad they were.

After telling Leila’s father goodbye, Guy was escorted by Ana to a new hallway where Eli was secluded in his own dressing room. He entered to considerably more noise, though no more anxiety. Eli, Vance, and Leo sat around on sofas, laughing at whatever story Leo had been telling.

“Guy, you made it! We were beginning to worry,” Eli said as he stood to clap his friend on the back.

“I had to stop off and see your lovely bride first.”

“Ah yes, the sixpence.” Eli grimaced. “I suppose that means you have the cufflinks.”

“
Oui
, and I am on strict orders to make sure you wear them and not the horrors you bought.” Eli handed over the much talked about cufflinks. Guy’s lip curled up at the sight of them. “You chose gold cufflinks when your belt buckle is silver? And these have enamel! At a wedding, Eli? Honestly, just dreadful.”

He muttered to himself that at least Eli had not chosen silk knots. That would have been inexcusable. Guy quickly tossed the offending pieces onto a nearby desk littered with combs and other odds and ends, then retrieved the ones he had brought from his pocket. Silver, to match the belt, rectangular for a modern flair, and a shaped face to avoid being too ostentatious.

“These are proper cufflinks, no?” Guy asked.

Eli nodded. “I assume so, since you are French and these are French cuffs and cufflinks.”

Guy shook his head. Had he not learned anything from him over the years?

Once Eli was properly attired, the group went back to laughing and talking until a knock at the door alerted them that it was time to move to a private room near the chapel where they would wait until the procession began. Eli was stopped multiple times by friends filtering into the hall where the ushers were guiding guests to their seats.

The hall itself was captivating. It had an odd mix of industrial and old world. The beautiful hardwood floors and molded walls brought elegance to the floor to ceiling windows, white, steel roof, and exposed pipes. The soft lighting and exquisite wedding décor completed the enchanting atmosphere.

Pulling his attention away from the hall, he turned his thoughts back to the approaching wedding. There was still about half an hour until the ceremony was scheduled to start. He knew the photographer wanted them together for pictures of the groomsmen with Eli before the ceremony, but Eli was still talking with a couple who had stopped him, so Guy took a moment to search the guests for Carmody. He spotted her after a few moments and snuck away.

She saw him coming before he arrived at her side and stood. “Guy, you look even more yummy than usual.”

Guy laughed. “I am not sure I believe you that Michael does not mind such comments.”

“Eh, he’s fine. He told me to take a picture of us. Personally, I think he has a bit of a man-crush on you.”

Shaking his head, Guy put his arm around Carmody’s shoulders. “Thank you for coming.”

“No problem. This place is gorgeous! I’m in heaven right now.”

Guy had to agree. He was nearly distracted again by the beauty of the hall, but something else captured his attention. The garden was truly splendid. Even though it was too late in the year for an outside wedding, Guy thought the brick patio and decorative evergreen bushes lining the courtyard to be both beautiful and relaxing. He suspected the flora was changed according to the season and he appreciated such attention to detail.

Even though Guy was more accustomed to weddings held in centuries old churches or enormous ballrooms, he quite liked this setting for a wedding. As he turned back to Carmody, he thought he saw someone else, someone who looked very much liked the woman he had run into earlier in the week, Charlotte. He paused, waiting for her to turn and look at him. When she finally did, he released the breath he had been unconsciously holding. It was not her.

“Guy, you all right? Kinda spaced out there for a second.”

“I am sorry,” Guy said. “I thought I saw someone I knew.”

“Who? You really seemed intent.”

Guy shrugged. “Just a woman I met this week. No one special.”

Even though Carmody frowned at his response, she did not comment. She did, however, point back to where Eli was gesturing at him. “I think they’re ready for you. The photographer looks a little ticked off.”

“
Oui, merci
. I will see you after the ceremony.”

Carmody nodded and Guy hurried back to where he was supposed to be. After standing for pictures with Eli and the other groomsmen, he was pushed into line by Ana and directed to take the arm of Leila’s sister-in-law, Denise. He did so dutifully. The little flower girl, Leila’s niece, was tugging on her mother’s dress, asking if it was time to throw the flowers. Guy looked back at Leila to see her gently wiping away tears.

“I wish Mom could have been here,” Leila said to her father. “She would have loved Eli. She would have loved all of this.”

Her father pulled her into his arms and said something Guy could not hear. Whatever it was seemed to help, as Leila looked back up smiling and less tearful. A certain amount of guilt seized Guy as he thought of his own mother. There was no glimmer of hope for her that either of her two children would ever marry or bless her with grandchildren. He had a flight booked to visit them in a few weeks, but he knew she would be disappointed he was coming alone and not to stay.

Guy was forced to put such thoughts out of his mind when the music resounded through the hall. The wedding party began walking after hearing their cue. Guy never minded being in the processional. All the members ever got was a cursory glance as the eyes of the congregation slipped past them to wait for the entrance of the bride. He found that this time was different. He had done this before, but never for two people whom he truly cared for. A smile formed on his lips as he released Leila’s sister-in-law and took his place next to Eli.

He noticed his friend’s fingers were twitching as the wedding march began to play and the congregation stood in anticipation of Leila’s entrance. All eyes were on her as she stepped forward. Next to him, Eli let out a long, shaky breath. When he looked over at him, his eyes were glassy with tears, a grin stretching his lips.

“She’s so beautiful,” Eli whispered.

Guy nodded his agreement. Leila was gorgeous, as always, even more so when she was so obviously happy, wearing the dress meant only for this day. No doubt Eli was thinking of how the dress almost never came to be. When Eli thought Leila had chosen Luke, the man she had been dating while she and Eli became friends, over him, he decided to bow out gracefully, and quite firmly, despite everyone else’s advice. Luckily, Leila was just as determined to keep him as he had been to step aside and do what he thought was right. Guy had later learned from Sabine how Leila marched into the restaurant and slapped her future husband for being so foolish as to abandon her without a fight, before admitting she was desperately in love with him. Guy smiled, wishing he had been there.

Leila walked down the aisle in her now legendary dress, beaming up at her groom while tears spilled down her cheeks. By the time her father kissed her cheek and handed her off to Eli, her eyes were somewhat dry, but she had to reach up and wipe away Eli’s tears. The majority of the congregation was not fairing any better. Sniffles and joyful tears filled the hall.

Unlike many of the other weddings Guy had attended, he paid attention to every word. The pastor spoke of unconditional love and sacrifice, of being faithful and true to the end. Usually, Guy was pessimistic about such talk, but he believed Leila and Eli could live up to the promises they were making.

When the ceremony finally reached the pronouncement of marriage, Leila grabbed Eli and pulled him into a kiss that left everyone cheering. Guy laughed at her enthusiasm, clapping Eli on the back with approval when they finally separated. After that, it seemed as if chaos broke loose.

The guests headed for the reception hall, but the wedding party was left waiting for the photographer to decide if the light snow that had begun to fall outside had changed Eli’s and Leila’s minds about doing a few outdoor photographs. Eventually everyone agreed the snow was light enough to brave it, and they were bustled outside to the garden for as many pictures as the cold would allow. When everyone’s noses began to turn red, the picture taking continued indoors, much to everyone’s relief. It seemed an age before they were finally released.

On their way to the reception hall, Leila slipped her hand onto Guy’s forearm. “You know,” she said, “I was just teasing about you needing to bring a date.”

“I did not…not really. She is just a friend.”

“She’s very pretty,” Leila said, hinting that she did not believe him.

Guy waved off her comment. “She is also very happily married with a three-year-old little girl. She is like my sister.”

Looking up at him curiously, Leila asked, “Why did you invite her? No one would have said anything if you came alone. We all know you aren’t really as cavalier as you pretend.”

“I did not want a date this weekend. Only a friend,” Guy said. “It has been a long week.”

“I hear ya,” Leila laughed. “Well, I’m glad you invited her. I’d love to meet the woman who can befriend Guy Saint Laurent and not end up between the sheets with him.”

Guy ignored the last bit of her comment, not in the mood for joking. “Carmody would be pleased to meet you as well. She has become irritated with me many times for not having introduced her and Michael to everyone already.

“How long have you and Carmody been friends?” Leila asked.

Suddenly, Guy felt uncomfortable, though he could not explain why. “I began tutoring her in French my sophomore year at university.”

Leila tried to hide her surprise, but failed quite miserably. “And no one has met her yet? Why not?”

The question only added to his discomfort. “She was…
different
. We did not interact socially at university, but we became friends. I missed my family and Carmody filled that space somehow. It did not fit with the others. I could relax when we talked, I suppose. I enjoyed our dynamic without other distractions.”