Page 144 of The Wedding

“Since I decided I wanted to make sure you were perfect for tonight.” Etta pulled out a black felt box. At first, Jamie thought there would be something new in it, but instead she found her collection of sapphire jewelry that Etta had gifted her over the first few weeks of their relationship. So happened that it was both of their favorite things forJamie to wear.

While Jamie put the earrings in, Etta clipped the barrette into her ponytail. The bracelet went on right after the sapphire ring on Jamie’s right hand. From head to toe, she was a simple black and sapphire beauty that made Etta growl in her ear and say she wanted to devour her right there… but would wait.

Jamie swapped out her white platforms for black Roman sandals that Etta said were to die for. She said that with such a serious air that Jamie had no choice but to believe her as she changed into a work outfit appropriate for a business dinner.

Jamie borrowed one of Etta’s smaller jackets before they left, hopping back in the Lamborghini and driving ten minutes away to the type of fussy restaurant that specialized in banquets and larger business dinners. In fact, Jamie soon recognized the name as the place she and Etta had considered having their rehearsal dinner at before deciding it was much too far away.

They were not the first couple there. Jamie encountered Adele, stag, seeing her for the first time since Italy.Since she was apparently in the arms of a nicotine-addicted fashion designer… named Bonita.Jamie kept her mouth shut as Adele insisted on introducing her to a few people Etta probably forgot about.

There was Sheldon and Priscilla Musgrove, oil tycoons turned investment geniuses. Pamela Graves, the only woman Adele admitted could outdo her in the new-money scheme of being the richest woman in America. Carlton Holmes, some old money patriarch who liked to stick his nose in everything here and there. And Tad Linfield and Johnny Hitchcock II, the second-richest gay couple in the country, and the richest when it came to real estate.

Other people, such as the Blakes, the Anderssens, and Charlotte’s father, were there, mingling with the other guests. Francesca Blake and Lara Anderssen exchanged polite words before one turned away in disgust and the other in more disgust. Charlotte’s father, the son of an automotivegiant, was hell-bent on flattering Pamela Graves until she agreed to see his collection of rare Japanese scroll paintings after dinner. Before they sat down to dinner at a large oval table to enjoy quails stuffed with vegetables Jamie had still never heard of, Sheldon Musgrove made the embarrassing mistake of calling Tad and Johnny cousins instead of engaged to be married.

It’s amazing how many social gaffes these people come up with on their own.Meanwhile, they could get away with it, even if Tad Linfield looked like he smelled a dead horse somewhere in the room and Francesca Blake was pretending Lara Anderssen could keep her hands off her own spouse for five seconds. Jamie felt like the pinnacle of ladylike qualities as she sat down with her back straight and napkin across her lap. She even knew which fork to use, much to Adele’s relief.

The dinner conversation was beyond her, but this time Jamie didn’t have the excuse of a “missing” voice to not speak. So when Francesca turned to her and asked, “What do you think of the new exhibit at the art museum, Jamie?” she had no choice but to answer. Much to Adele’s chagrin, who knew Jamie hadn’t set foot in the art museum for at least a year.

Stay calm and bullshit your way out of this.Jamie smiled kindly, hand perched on her wineglass as she searched for the best answer to come to the forefront of her mind. “I thought it was delightful,” she said.What the fuck is at the art museum right now? Divert! Divert!“Etta took me there a little while ago. We both love going to the museum and seeing the exhibits.”

“Is that so? I never took Etta for an art woman.” Francesca sat back in her seat, pondering this info. “It’s always good to hear about you younger people enjoying the culture around you. Too easy to become complacent these days.”

“Well, if there’s any woman in this world who refuses to be complacent, it’s my fiancée.” Jamie wasn’t lying about that – and what she said caught the attention of the woman sitting directly across from them.

“Not complacent, huh?” Lara asked with a debilitatingsmirk. “I’d like to see that.”

Jamie averted her eyes before she could blush in front of Francesca. Etta took her hand beneath the table and drew it to her leg.

“I am most certainly not complacent,” she muttered in Jamie’s ear, before turning her attention back to a conversation with Tad Linfield. Etta did not let go of Jamie’s hand.

Halfway through dinner, Adele asked to talk to Etta and Jamie in private. “Just a little something has come up. We’ll be right back!” she promised the group.

They excused themselves to an empty room near the rest area. Adele slammed the door shut behind them and immediately pulled out a cigarette to calm herself.So much for the sweet demeanor.

“What’s this?” she demanded, gesturing to business partner and fiancée. Specifically, she motioned toward Jamie’s collar. “Why are you playing your games at these dinners? You think I don’t know what this thing means?”

She puffed on that cigarette as if her lungs craved it more than her brain. Jamie turned her nose away from the smell, but Etta remained facing Adele. “There are no games afoot.”

“My ass!” How had she become so angry so quickly? What had they even done? “Do you know who is out there? Important clients that we can’t afford to lose.” She was mostly shouting this at Etta, but occasionally she glanced at Jamie, eyes going straight for the collar around her throat. “I was willing to overlook the first time it happened, but this is getting out of hand. I can’t have you two making fools of yourselves in front of these types of people.”

“You have to admit that Jamie has done admirable both times.”

Adele took a step back. “What?”

“You heard me. What do you think I’ve been doing this whole time? I’m training my future wife.”

“Training her? What is she? Your bitch?”

Jamie gasped. Etta furrowed her eyes. “Do not call her that. Ever.”

“Come off it.” Nevertheless, Adele was flustered, finishing off her cigarette and squishing it in a glass ashtray. “I was asking if that’s what you thought of her.”

“What is this really about?” Etta asked. “You’re better than this, Adele. Don’t insult my fiancée, let alone in front of her.”

“Look, I don’t care what you two pervs do in private, but keep it separate from business. For the love of… do you think you get to flaunt who you are in front of these people?”

Etta had a lot more patience than Jamie would have given her credit for.She must like her still, because otherwise she would have no taint by now.Etta did not take well to being talked to like this. It was a miracle her blouse collar wasn’t smoking in anger. “Works for Tad and Johnny out there.”

Adele’s jaw dropped. “Don’t you dare go there.”