Page 136 of The Wedding

Jamie looked askance at her. Was that supposed to be said out loud?

“You want the simple answer?” Adele asked. “Or do you want the long one?”

“I have no idea.”

“The simple answer is that she and I weren’t compatible.” Adele pulled a tissue from her purse and ripped it apart between fidgety fingers. “I had known it for a long time, but kept putting off a breakup because I knew it was messy. Yet when the woman proposes to you…”

“You didn’t expect that?”

“You know her. She’s not exactly the type to run around proposing to women.”

“She told me it felt wrong to choose an engagement ring for you. So she bought several for you to choose from.” Jamie wouldn’t say that Etta had replicated the same situation for her. “I think she was implying that you’re so independent.”

“It’s true. That’s how it happened.” Adele sighed. “Don’t get me wrong, Jamie. I did love her. Just not like that.”

“Apparently, she lovedyouthat way.”

“Is that my fault?”

Jamie moved down the bench. Hurricane Adele was about to land. “No, of course not. I only meant…”

“The long and complicated answer is that I could’ve never been happy with her in the long run. Not romantically.”

“I see.”

“We had some good times, don’t get me wrong. I don’t regret my relationship with her. I regret how it had to end, since I should’ve ended it the moment I knew it wasn’t going to work. I am sorry for how she took it and what it did to her personal relationships until she met you, but it would’ve been worse had we actually married. We would’ve been divorced by now. Definitely not business partners. This was the best way it could have gone, forboth of us.”

Jamie almost didn’t want to ask, but felt compelled. “Why weren’t you two compatible?”

Adele shifted in her seat, probably wondering what was taking Bonita so damn long. “When I met Etta, she was only starting to get into the whole… you know. Thing.”

“Ah.”

“I’m not that into it. That would’ve put a strain on things right there. It already had.”

“I see.”

Jamie had uncorked something in Adele, for she continued, “Plus, I know that even she couldn’t satisfy my own inclinations long enough. I don’t stick with one person for very long. Etta was one of my longest relationships ever, and that’s only because we got along great as friends. When I realized that I cared more about our conversations and parties than spending time alone… like that… I knew it was only a matter of time before the shit hit the fan, and she was getting mad because I kept putting off sex. You know how she gets.”

“Sure.”

“It’s not her fault, Jamie. I’m not saying there’s something awful about her. She just wasn’t what I needed in a partner, let alone a wife. I spent most of my twenties trying to figure out who I am while building my business. Now I’m spending my thirties doing fuckall I know.”

“Is that why it didn’t work with your assistant?”

“Ha! He was a plaything from the beginning. Not even a very good assistant. I grew bored with him to the point of tears. Too meek and submissive. Lesson learned. Told him to go to that sex club and try his luck with a Domme. You might see him around there.”

“I’m sure you’ll figure it out eventually.”

“Enough about me. This is your weekend, Jamie. We may have gotten you a dress, but that doesn’t mean the party’s over!”

Bonita chose that moment to come back, peppering so much Italian into her sentences that only Adele could understand her. Something about taking three weeks to do the alterations. Would personally escort the dress to America to fit Jamie. More details to come later.

Bonita completely switched to Italian at the end of her explanation, placing a hand on Adele’s shoulder. “Sei molto sensibile quando ti tocco. Andiamo a casa tua o a casa mia?”

Adele blushed. The assistant standing behind Bonita blushed harder before turning away. Jamie had no idea what was going on, and didn’t care. She saw her wedding gown on a mannequin a few feet away, and it was calling to her, saying,“You aresogetting married in me.”

Chapter 44