Page 61 of The Wedding

“Oh! It was… tiring. Apparently, the biggest decision that could affect our social lives is what color we choose to feature. We’ll be dead meat if we encroach on the Binghams.”

“Can’t have that, now can we?”

“You two will be happy to know that almost all the arrangements have been made for next weekend’s engagement party.” If Adele had any loose hair to toss, she would have cast it over her shoulder by now. As usual, however, she kept it in a tight bun on the back of her head. Everything about her was always clean lines, stark colors, and minimal makeup. Not like Jamie, who almost always wore her hair loose and preferred patterns, loud colors, and designs that followed her wherever she went.I guess she looks good for business, though.“You better be at the country club.” That was directed at Etta. “I know how much you love it.”

“The country club is fine if I’m not expected to drink brandy, smoke cigars, play golf, or ride horses around like some old money wine stain.” Etta let her hand linger on Jamie’s hip as she wandered to the kitchen and poured herself a cup of coffee. “If I’m drinking good alcohol, though, andeveryone is showering me with compliments and making my fiancée feel like the most beautiful, luckiest girl in the world…” She leaned against the counter, one hand bringing the coffee cup up to her face. “I can handle that.”

We never go to the country club. Jamie had been excited to hear Etta had a membership – naturally – and that it extended to her as well since it fit her image of high-living society. Especially that old money charm… but that was exactly why Etta never went unless she absolutely had to. She hated it more than she hated going without sex for a week, and the woman had a serious appetite. She also greatly disliked the old money folks who treated her like a child because her mother used to only make $30k a year before retiring to a condo her daughter bought her after making the first million.

Adele shot Jamie an unconvincing look. “They better,” she said, glancing away. “Because we all know that any woman you convinced to marry you is pretty lucky. Or is it you who is the luckiest woman in the world?”

Etta lowered her coffee cup, gaze leveled at Adele. “Nice choice of words there.” Before she could turn her genuine smile into the fakest one in the universe – how charming – Etta continued, “Iamlucky. Have you seen this woman?”

“Indeed, I have.”Nowwhat was that look? Jamie couldn’t move even if she wanted to. That gaze being leveled at her would freeze a twenty-ton truck careening down a hill with cut breaks. “You are both very lucky people. I can only hope to be so happy one day.”

The air turned frigid as Adele pushed away from the table and picked up her purse. She said her farewells and showed herself out. Etta’s coffee cup hovered precariously in the air.

The moment the door closed, Jamie let out a breath of relief.

“Is she always like that?” she asked her fiancée.

Etta finished her coffee and placed the cup in the sink. “Always.”

“Yikes. Well,” Jamie shirked her coat and hung it up onthe coat rack behind her, “I’m not going to say you dodged a bullet there in the romance department, but…”

“I meant always as in since she last came into my life. She’s an odd one.”

“I get the feeling most of you rich people are.”

“You have to be a little weird to get this rich on your own like she and I did.” Etta shrugged. “I don’t want to talk about her outside of business. Now come over here and tell me about the meeting.”

Jamie went to her, of course, but it was with a cock of her head. “You’re actually interested in that stuff?”

“Yes and no.” Etta encircled her arms around Jamie, fingers tearing right through her wavy hair as if it were nothing. “I’ll probably like whatever you pick out, but I am paying for most of it, so I would like to know about what I’m getting.”

“We need to hurry up and pick a location so it can be booked. Last Sunday of June is a big ordeal, and most places we like might already be booked.”

“We are not getting married at the country club.”

“Wasn’t even gonna bring it up.”

Etta relaxed against the counter again.She is killing me. Dressed down in nothing but her loose shirt and those trousers.Ugh. Jamie sidled up to her and rubbed her forehead against Etta’s shoulder. With any luck, Etta would take the hint that she wanted some affection.

“Why don’t we get married at home?”

Jamie opened her eyes. “Huh?”

“You heard me. Let’s get married in the garden. Or on the balcony overlooking the garden.”

I know you love your garden, girl, but are you serious?That’s what Jamie wanted to say. Instead, she pulled her head back and looked up into Etta’s expectant face. Both arms were still around her, one hand squeezing her hip while the other rubbed her back. “With the amount of people we haveto invite?”

“We can make it work. Well, Jenny the wedding planner can make it work.”

“I don’t know… it sounds terribly romantic and beautiful, especially since everything is blooming in June, but… super impractical.”

“It’s an idea. I’m not beholden to it. Then again, there aren’t many other places I would want to get married. Neither of us is religious, but if you wanted a church wedding…”

“I’m not big on it. If it was important to you, I would go for it, but since neither of us really cares about that…”