Page 12 of Bride Games
12
A fter their meal, Paige and Emma drove to Bride & Joy while Emma peppered Paige with questions about wedding planning nonstop. Paige stared at her friend over the top of her sunglasses. “Em, you’ve got to relax. We’re going to an expert. Nigel’s an actual wedding expert. He’s a Brit, right? The accent alone should soothe you.” Grinning, Paige added, “I know I’ll love it.”
“Yes, brilliant, as he would say.” Emma smiled. “Nigel does relax me.”
Paige put a hand over her chest. “And I don’t?”
“Um, in a different way, but I love you.”
Paige parked in the Bride & Joy lot. “What a cute logo.” She pointed to the name that had a wedding dress for an ‘I’ and a heart for the ‘o.’ “I already love this place.”
“It’s the best.” After they entered the jangling front door, freshly painted pink, Emma led the way past several brides-to-be, a few mothers, and grandmothers. She spotted Nigel halfway toward the back wearing one of his signature tuxedoes and waved with both hands to get his attention.
Nigel crossed the room in seemingly three steps. “This must be my lucky day. Greetings, charming, sweet Emma.” Nigel kissed each of her cheeks before turning toward Paige and reaching for her hand. “I can’t believe Paige Daniels is standing in my wee shop.”
Paige brightened. “I guess you watch sports.”
“Not a big sports enthusiast, but I adored you on the evening news. I wish you’d return to that position, but who am I?”
Emma noticed a couple of customers recognized Paige since they were whispering and pointing. Once again, she felt like she rode on Paige’s wave but was secretly glad she wasn’t in the spotlight constantly.
Paige didn’t even notice the attention from bystanders. She gave Nigel her biggest, most perfect, television smile. “Thank you, sir. I’m flattered you watch ATV 10. I love meeting loyal viewers.”
“I’ll continue to be loyal as long as you never call me sir again. Please call me Nigel.”
Paige gave a little curtsy. “Nigel then.”
“Just Nigel.”
She giggled. “Okay, just Nigel.”
Are they flirting? Emma cleared her throat to get Nigel’s attention.
He took the hint but continued staring at Paige. “Don’t tell me you’re back to planning a wedding for the one and only Paige Daniels.”
Emma pretended to brush fake lint off her shoulder using her left hand. “Nope, it’s not for Paige this time.”
Nigel gasped as he reached for her hand. “I need sunglasses. You nearly blinded me with that rock. It’s a beaut. Who’s the lucky mate?” Putting a finger to his cheek, Nigel said, “Let me guess. The kindergarten teacher, right? You two couldn’t take your eyes off one another the last time I saw you.”
“You’re right. It’s Eli. Eli Hansen, known as Mr. Hansen to Lucy.”
Nigel snorted. “But of course. He was her teacher. And now he’s going to be”—his eyes widened—“her dad. What a turn of events. It’s spectacular, really.” He splayed his hand across his chest. “Of course, I would have fought for you, dear Emma, if we weren’t clearly in the friend zone.”
She winked. “You are a dear, dear friend.”
“Ditto.” Nigel scanned the store. “We have a lot of bloody work to do.”
Emma held out trembling hands. “I don’t know where to begin. You know what a mess I was trying to plan Paige’s wedding last year.”
Tugging on his chin, Nigel brightened. “But you have that beautiful dress, right? Didn’t Paige gift it to you?” Paige confirmed that she did, as Nigel added, “That’s very generous and a big item off your list, Emma. Let’s focus on that.” He made a big check mark in the air.
Emma reached for half a list she had written on the back of a bank receipt. “Uh, I guess I mostly need recommendations for”—she rubbed her forehead—"everything. I’m honestly not sure where to start. Maybe stationery so we can work on invitations?”
“We’ll get that sorted straight away,” Nigel said. “I have hundreds of examples and several good vendors.”
Shoulders slumped, Emma said, “Is there somewhere we can sit?”
“Bollocks. Of course, dear Emma. Where are my manners?” Nigel ushered the women toward the employee break room. “Would either of you fancy a cup of hot tea? I have a proper kettle somewhere”—he lifted a couple of veils an employee must have draped over the tea kettle. “Bugger, what a mess. I’m going to have a little chat with my employees straight away.”
Once Nigel unearthed the tea kettle, he held a basket of various teas for Emma and Paige to sample including chamomile, chai, lemon, and of course, Earl Grey black tea. As Emma rummaged through the basket containing a multitude of colorful packets, Paige cleared her throat as she stared longingly at a pink Keurig coffee maker in the corner. “Would it be any trouble to pop in a pod? I much prefer coffee.”
“I’d pop in a pod for Paige Daniels any day.” Nigel cocked his head. “Sounds rather naughty, doesn’t it? Just a minute.” He searched through a table covered in boxes of sheer white gloves and garters. “Here they are!” Nigel checked to make sure there was water in the coffee pot and placed a pink Bride & Joy coffee mug on the surface.
“Actually, I’d prefer coffee too, Nigel. Sorry,” Emma said.
“No worries. I know you folks aren’t into tea like the Brits are. Pity, but no problem.” Nigel found another clean mug and in under a minute handed them both a cup of coffee. While his tea brewed, he reached for a bulging notebook. “These are the most popular invitations. I have more obscure ones in the back. There’s everything you can imagine, embossed gilded gold to personalized photos of the couple.”
“You can do photos?” Emma clapped her hands together. “I love that idea.”
“Sure. We can do whatever you’d like. I send the vendors a lot of business, so they can put a rush on the invitations if needed. Have you chosen a date?”
“We’re doing that now. We don’t want to wait long—if we can find a suitable venue that doesn’t require months in advance.”
“You might want to get right on that. But about the invitations, no worries. Just email me some high-resolution photos of you and”—Nigel snapped his fingers—“Eli, right?”
Nodding, Emma said, “Yes. If we can have more than one photo, I’d love to include Lucy, unless that’s unusual for a couple who is getting married. That’s probably not cool.” She furrowed her brows. “This is all new to me. I’m a first-time bride.”
“Nothing is unusual. I’ve seen it all. There’s no right or wrong.” Nigel sipped his hot tea. “Actually, I think adding a photo of the wee lass is brilliant.”
“So do I,” Paige added. She turned to Emma. “Didn’t you say Eli proposed in the backyard?”
Emma felt her eyes rim with happy tears as she thought about the magical moment. “Yes.” Her smile practically reached her ears. “Lucy handmade a sign that read, ‘Will you marry Mr. Hansen’?”
Nigel placed a hand over his heart while Paige’s eyes glistened. They both said, “How sweet,” in unison.
Nigel handed Emma a couple of bulky notebooks overflowing with bridal invitations. “Take these home. Study them with your fiancé.” He glanced around the messy room. “I have plenty more. Somewhere.”
Everyone laughed as Emma stacked the notebooks. “What next? Should we discuss dresses? Flowers? Music? A Cake? What else?”
Nigel spread his arms wide. “We need to sort all of that.” He apparently noticed Emma’s face whiten and added, “But we don’t have to do it all today.”
Exhaling, Emma said, “Thank goodness.” She patted the invitations. “Maybe this is enough for one day. If I’m overwhelmed, Eli might lose his dinner.”
Paige tapped Emma’s arm. “Remember, less is more. Also, you don’t have to do everything yourself. We’re”—she pointed to herself and Nigel—"we’re here for you.”