Three Weddings and a Dress (18 page)

“Mark, I didn’t call you in a panic because you didn’t help me with the damn flowers.”

His brow hiked up at her hot tone. “Okay, then what upset you about my mother?”

“She’s at my house right now trying to buy us off.”

His screech warred with the loud scrap of his chair when it flew back as he shot to his feet. “What?”

The few patrons in the café roused themselves enough to stare in their direction. “She came after the shower and asked me how much money it would take for me to leave you. My mother came home from walking my aunt to the station about then and took over the argument.”

Without looking, Mark reached for his chair pulled it under him to sit. Leaning his elbows on the table he buried his head in his hands. After a minute he looked up at her, the despair she saw mirrored her own that simmered in her belly.

“What are we going to do, Mark? She’s not going to let us have our wedding.” Jessie reached across to pull one of his hands into her grasp. “She’s right you know, I don’t have the same background as you, I’m not going to fit in with your family.”

“The hell you aren’t, Princess, you fit with me that’s what counts. I’m not going to let my mother stop anything.” Again the chair scooted away, a little more silent this time. “Come on, let’s take care of this nonsense once and for all.”

Jessie took his hand and let him pull her to feet. “Are we eloping?”

He chuckled. “No. You’re going to have your fairy tale, Princess.”

When they were at her apartment, he turned to her as if something had just come to him. “How did you get out without them seeing you?”

“I went out the window and down the fire escape.” The two women’s voices were still raised in heated argument and carried through the door and into to the hall.

Mark’s eyebrow almost touched his hairline. “The fire escape?” He shook his head. “Man we’re going to have our hands full when the kids come.”

Love filled her chest and she stepped into him. His arms wrapped her in his warmth. It was exactly what she needed to store up her defenses for the skirmish to come.

“Are you ready to face the dragon?” His words feathered over her ear chasing a shiver down her spine.

She stepped away, straightened her shoulders, and grinned. “Let’s go Sir Lancelot.”

Both their mother’s stopped talking at once and stared at them as they walked in. Jessie let Mark take control.

“Hello, Mother. Out a little late aren’t you?” He stepped over to Jessie’s mother leaned down and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. “Are you okay, Carla?”

Tears streaked down her mother’s face. Jessie’s hands fisted. She tucked them in her pockets, safer there than heading toward Mrs. Taylors face.

Her mother nodded, yes, to Mark’s question. He straightened and regarded his mother.

“So how much?”

“We were still trying to figure out their price.” His mother answered in a sulk.

“No, Mother. I meant how much will it take for you to leave us alone?”

“What? You think you can pay me off?”

Mark glanced first at Jessie, then her mother and then answered. “You thought you could pay them off. Isn’t that your theory that everyone has their price? So what’s yours?”

She stood and walked to her son. “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m just saving you hurt. If we pay them off now, then that kind heart of yours won’t be broken when you find out how you’ve been used.”

Mark turned to Jessie. “You using me?”

“No. I love you.”

Mark faced his mother again. “She loves me. I’ll take you home now.”

Dear Diary;

Counting down

Jessie still slept even though the sun slanted through the blinds. I really didn’t blame her, she’d been up very late. I had been shocked when she’d actually climbed out the window.

While she was gone, I’d been afraid the two women were going to cause each other bodily harm. I couldn’t hear everything, but I understood enough.

Then Jessie had come home, and I could hear Mark’s voice. The voice of reason and it wasn’t long after there was quiet. When Jessie came to bed she’d had a dopey grin on her face.

Relief had untangled my Alencon from its knots. There would be a wedding. Now it was down to days. Soon I would drape over Jessie and she would be the most beautiful bride.

I still felt the sting of disappointment we were not soul mates, but I couldn’t have asked for a better bride. I still missed Cecie, but Jessie had stolen my heart.

She had sass.

I certainly couldn’t see Cecelia climbing out the window and down the fire escape. My chapel train wiggled in laughter over the thought.

A muffled sigh came from Jessie and I shifted to see her stirring from her slumber. I wonder what is in store for today.

Just like I imagined a princess would do, Jessie sat up in bed arms stretching above her head. Her soft mouth stretched in a yawn. She closed her eyes as she rolled her shoulders. Then her eyes opened and she twisted her head and grinned at me.

“Good Morning, Bella. Things are going to be better now.”

She scrambled out of the bed, grabbed her robe and hummed—I’m not kidding my bride could carry a tune—her way to the bathroom. I heard the shower running.

Funny, none of her guests took an actual shower at her bridal shower the night before.

What’s up with that?

My question went unanswered. Maybe someday I’d find out. Jessie came out in her work outfit. I was glad to know she would only have one job after she married her Mark.

“Bella, I’ll be late tonight.”

It’s just so frustrating when I can’t ask why. But luck was with me because Jessie told me.

“After work I’m meeting Katie and Joey at the dress shop to pick out their bridesmaid dresses.”

This was good news. Not only was my bride in a good mood, even after last night she was moving ahead with the wedding.

I’m not sure I would if I was the bride and the mother-in-law tried to pay me off with sequins and beads.

Chapter Twelve

Jessie glanced at her watch for the millionth time. The day seemed to drag on forever. Why was she so excited to pick the bridesmaid dresses out? Well she knew she wanted to tell her friends all about the flowers.

She stopped mid-stride. No, she was not going to tell anyone about the flowers. She’d told Mark but that was it. Everyone else would be surprised.

She almost ripped her apron in her haste to leave work. Joey and Katie were waiting impatiently at Gormon’s, the dress shop where Katie promised had the best deals. In fact, some of the dresses were ‘gently’ used designer gowns for a very low price.

“Now remember Jess, you promised we didn’t have to wear anything that looks like a table cloth.” Katie reminded her the minute she arrived.

 
“Why would I want you guys to wear something like that?” The shudder followed down to her tailbone. “Believe me I’m thinking solid color.”

“Good. And you said we didn’t need to be exactly the same.” It was Joey’s turn to remind.

“I remember, honest. Let’s see what they have.”

The sales person led them to a private salon, then took Katie off to find a dress. Jessie had decided it would be more fun to do them separately so she had one of them to give opinions instead of having both in the dressing rooms at the same time.

Joey laid a hand on Jessie’s knee. “How’s Mark’s mother?”

“Oh we need Cosmos for this conversation.” Jessie laughed, then sobered when Katie walked out of the dressing room. “Oh no, you can’t wear that.”

Dismay spread over Katie’s delicate features. She looked down at herself then back to Jessie. “What’s wrong?”

“Yeah, she looks hot,” Joey said.

“I know. No one will be looking at the bride. Bella would be insulted.”

Katie gave a relieved laugh. “Oh you’re joking.”

“No, you look too good. You’ll out shine me.” Jessie stood to do a walk around her friend. “I love it. What do you two think?”
“I love it too.” Katie smiled and walked to the mirror twisting in all directions to check out her gown.

“What’s the damage?” Jessie sucked in her breath and waited for the total. Katie named the price. “That’s all? Do you want to wear the dress?”

“Yes. Joey, there is an awesome dress in almost the same color.” Katie returned to the dressing room.

Joey went with the sales person and a few minutes later Katie joined Jessie on the couch.

“How’s Mark’s mom treating you?”

Jessie burst out with a snort. “Joey asked the same thing. I’ll tell you the same. We need Cosmos for the discussion.”

“That bad?”

“Worse.”

“Oh, look.”

Jessie switched her focus to Joey who’d come out of the dressing room. The gown was the same as Katie’s but it wasn’t. The differences were so subtle it wasn’t noticeable at first.

“Man, you two are going to take over the show.” She glanced at Katie. “What do you think?”

“She’s hot. Joey how do you like it?”

“I’m hot.”

The three chuckled at Joey’s reply. Luckily, the price was the same. Under budget. Another cause for Cosmos though Jessie really didn’t want to talk about Mrs. Taylor.

Maybe it would be therapeutic to vent to her friends. Not too far from the dress shop, on Bleecker street, was a club that had awesome cocktails. That’s where they’d go.

After the waitress deposited three waters and took their drink order, the grilling started.

“Spill, girl. What has Mark’s hag of a mother done this time.” Katie sipped on her water while she waited for Jessie’s answer.

“She thought I’d take money and call off the wedding.”

Joey spit out the gulp she’d just taken. “What?”

“You heard. Last night she showed up after everyone had left the shower and asked how much it would take."

“Get out!” Katie slammed her glass onto the table. “That bitch.”

“What happened?” Joey asked.

“I called Mark.” Jessie didn’t feel the need to mention she’d snuck out like they’d all done when they were in grade school. “He came over and told his mother she didn’t have a say in anything.”

Katie gave a dreamy sigh. “You are so lucky. Where are the rest of the Mark’s in the world?”

“I want to know that too.” Joey laughed. “All the good ones are taken.”

“You guys will find someone. If you remember, I didn’t think I was
ever
going to get married. Then Mark stumbled into my coffee shop out of the rain.”

Katie looked to the ceiling. “Hurry God, I need a man to stumble into my life.”

“Dork.” Joey hit her on the shoulder.

The waitress arrived to place their pink cocktails on the table. A few sips later, the subject of Mark’s mother continued, much to Jessie’s displeasure.