What, you mean getting married in June? Who?
Raising her hand level with her face, she said tentatively, Me.
Huh? Oh, my God! Robert proposed?
Yeah. We can wait until later to talk about it, but youre my best friend. It wouldnt be right if you werent one of the first people to know.
Of course we have to talk about it! I dont want you to thinkoh, dear. Youre getting married in June? Sorry about the crack earlier. You understand that you are a classy woman who appreciates tradition, while Tiffany is an airhead who doesnt have an original thought.
Ooh, nice distinction.
Dashing away tearshappier ones this timeLeah glanced around. Where is our waitress? A discussion like this should take place over a celebratory lunch and decadent desserts.
But at the office a couple of hours later, dessert was churning in Neelys stomach.
Was it warm in the conference room, or was she the only one who felt overheated and slightly nauseous? It occurred to her she might be having a hot flashand wouldnt that be sexy with her fiancé sitting directly across from her?but even though her doctor had confirmed she was definitely perimenopausal, she suspected this was a result of lunch.
She tried to concentrate on the current discussion about an upcoming radio merger, but her conversation with Leah kept intruding. For all of her friends determination to be happy for her, Neely had still left lunch feeling overwhelmed. Leahs hyperenthusiastic questions had been the equal but opposite reaction to Beth Masons caustic remarks and forceful suggestions. Leah had cheerfully reeled off inquiry after inquiry, each landing like lead on top of the fudge sundae theyd shared.
Will it be a church wedding?
I dont know. Id always had in the back of my mind that a garden wedding would be nice, but Mom pointed out that Aunt Jo is allergic to practically everything and that you can never guarantee the weather.
Well, youll want to reserve a venue immediately! Places book early for June. Speaking of places, are you moving into his?
I dont know. It shocked Neely that she hadnt even considered that yet. She was a details person, the one who usually worried about logistics. Still, shed been swept up in the novelty of romance, being in love and enjoying that for once in her life. Besides, she had months left on her lease and time to discuss the situation with Robert.
So, will the two of you be getting a prenup? If I had my farce of a marriage to do all over again, I certainly wouldnot that you and Robert will ever need one!
But who ever really thought theyd need a prenup? How could Leah have guessed, the day she optimistically took her vows, that shed now be debating whether or not to attend her husbands second wedding? Certainly Douglas had seemed shell-shocked, despite warnings, when Zoe followed through on her threat to leave if he couldnt grow up and take more responsibility in their relationship.
Neely had never even been engaged, let alone married, but she remembered the mocking disregard with which her first lover had cast her aside, leaving her dumbfounded and gun-shy. She knew now that she hadnt loved him, had merely been infatuated and pleased to have someones full attention after years of living with a perfect sister and the brother who would carry on the family name. If being unceremoniously dumped had crushed her then, how much pain would it cause if Robert ever decided to leave? She imagined the last thing shed want to deal with under those circumstances would be tangled divorce settlements that only prolonged goodbye.
Neely? Cameron Beckers gruff voice penetrated her thoughts, and she jumped guiltily in the padded office chair. Youre scowling. You dont agree with Daves assessment?
From farther down the table, vice president David Samuels frowned at her.
Oops. No, I think he wasdead-on. Im sorry, just got distracted for a moment. Is it hot in here?
Amanda Barnes, a fifty-something consultant working with Becker on this deal, shot her a sympathetic glance. Robert looked concerned and followed her to her office after the meeting.
Feeling okay? he asked once they were alone.
I guess lunch didnt agree with me. She sipped the cup of water shed poured in the hall.
He sat on the corner of her desk, a little close for her comfort to an expenditure report shed typed that morning. You mean just the food, right? Or was telling Leah really that bad?
No, shehang on, why dont we move this out of the way? Shed been known to use binder clips that coordinated with the colors of her fonts and graphs; she was not handing Cameron a crinkled report. She was very happy for us. But the timing stank. Turns out Phillip just informed her he was getting remarried.
Ouch.
Neely crossed the room to refile some of the folders shed needed earlier. She was great, though. Very excited about being the maid of honor. I know I said yesterday that we have time to think about the details, but Leah made a good point. We should reserve a place immediately. If not sooner. So we might want to think about what size crowd were looking at, whether we want a formal dinner or more casual reception.
He nodded affably, looking utterly relaxed in the face of her rising panic. This was why he was so good for her. Why dont you come over, Ill grab takeout on the way home, and we can start planning?
Or we could go to my place, she threw out impulsively. Maybe it was territorial of her, but she couldnt relax as well at Roberts place. And not just because of the constant drop-ins of neighbors who were fond of her extroverted fiancé, including Sheila, the thirty-eight-year-old downstairs he had once dated. Theyd never become very serious, but she continued to depend on Roberts help with her car and occasional handyman jobs if it was the weekend and the super was out of touch. It was amazing how many maintenance issues Sheila had over the weekend.
Neighbors aside, Neely always had the urge to tidy Roberts apartment. Her birthday had been a notable exception since hed gone to great pains to clean up and set a romantic atmosphere in the main rooms. For his cluttered guest room, hed shut the door and left it at that.
His eyebrows lifted, but after a moment, he said, Sure. Either way.
Sorry. I thinkmaybe because Im not feeling well, Im sort of longing for the comforts of home.
Understood. He slid off the desk and came toward her, as if about to offer a hug, but stopped shy. Although it was common knowledge they were a couple, theyd agreed early on to keep displays of affection away from the workplace. Ill meet you there at about seven?
Sounds great, thank you. The man was a gem.
Pausing at the door, he asked, You dont feel uncomfortable at my place, do you? I hope you know you can make yourself at home there. I can clear some closet space for you, give you some drawers in the bathroom. Anything that helps.
Thats sweet, but not necessary. Your place is already very homey. It definitely had that lived-in feel.
After hed gone, she sat behind her desk, pondering the questions Leah had posed. Did Robert think theyd move into his place? Hers was closer to the office, but not as big. Then again, he didnt exactly make the most of the space he had. She wouldnt call his apartment grungy, but it was the home of a mellow bachelor who got around to sorting his laundry when he felt like it. He just fished clean socks out of the laundry basket on the sofa as needed.
Neely tackled household chores with a practical the-sooner-the-better approach. Theyd had more than one dinner at her place where Robert had invited her to sit on the couch and watch television with him and worry about the dishes later; except she was best able to enjoy what she was doing when she knew there wasnt housework waiting afterward. Hed probably understand that about her more once they were living together.
Her temperature spiked again, and her heart thundered in her ears. Were going to be living together. Shed known it rationally, she just hadnt stopped to think about it yet. To really think about all that it entailed. Shed been on her own for a long time. Even when she did spend a night at Roberts, she knew she could return to her apartment. After June, there would be no her place or his place.
Only the home of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Walsh.
They obviously had a lot more to talk about than how many invitations they should buy and the size of the wedding party. Her stomach tightened at the thought of how many important and personal conversations they needed to have. Her lack of romantic experience left her feeling unprepared, and the uncertainty reminded her why she liked numbers so much. Calculating equations was a lot simpler than being in love. Good thing shed somehow managed to find a man so worth the troublenow she just had to prove that she was.
Savannah didnt know why she felt so nervousshe was neither the one getting married, nor the stranger coming to meet the family for the first time. Nonetheless, when she handed her mama the sweet potato casserole shed brought, her fingers were trembling.
Hoping her mother and husband hadnt noticed, she turned to Jason. Want me to hang up your coat, honey? Even though it had been warm a few days earlier, the March wind had blown in a storm front that was causing lower temperatures and sinus headaches all over the metroplex.
Thanks. Her husband held out his jacket and turned to face Douglas, who stood to the side in the parlor with Vi and their father. So, when do we get to meet the new guy?
Neely called to say they got hung up in traffic but should be here in about ten minutes. Can I fix you a drink? He indicated the side bar, where the Professor was refilling his own glass.
Jason shook his head. No, thank you. Im not technically scheduled to work tonight, but Im on call as backup.
A tug of premature disappointment pulled at Savannah. Jason had missed the last two monthly dinners and been called away from her fathers birthday celebration because of work. She hoped that wouldnt be the case tonightshe felt bad enough that Trent couldnt come because of a senior prom fund-raiser. Then again, interruptions were bound to occur when you were married to the man hundreds of women wanted to deliver their babies.
As she put his coat in the entryway closet, Savannah remembered how proud shed been when shed told acquaintances she was marrying a doctor! Not that hed been a doctor at the time, but hed already been accepted into med school and his path was clear. Theyd married after graduating college, and shed taught at a private day care, helping to shoulder the bills while he studied and interned.
When shed discovered she was pregnant with Adam, shed been first ecstatic, then worried about her husbands reaction. Theyd planned to wait another year or two before having a baby, but Jason had been thrilled. Shed teased him at prenatal checkups when hed shown as much interest in the medical equipment as her progress, and shed wept watching him cradle their son for the first time. If Jason hadnt cried, his eyes had certainly been damp with emotion.
Recalling that moment in the hospital as if it were yesterday, she suddenly felt more generously disposed to the expecting women who so frequently needed Jasons time. After all, when he couldnt make family plans, it was because he was away, bringing the miracle of new life into the world, not because he was waving one-dollar bills in the air at some smoke-filled strip club on the seedier side of Atlanta. Shed known the specifics of being a doctors wifeodd hours, being a good hostess when he invited members of the medical community for dinner, attending different social functions. Jason had praised her on many occasions for making him look good, saying hed be lost without her.
Her mood bolstered, Savannah went to help her mother in the kitchen. It was a sure bet Vi wouldnt think to offer her assistance.
Beth had just started to carve the ham when the doorbell pealed through the old house.
Looks as if our guests of honor are here. Savannah had a sudden moment of reverse déjà vu that caused her smile to falterwould Adam be bringing home a woman to meet his parents in the next few years?
Late, Beth grunted, looking at the digital over the oven.
Savannah could tell this was another strike against the mysterious suitor who hadnt bothered to meet Neelys parents, much less ask their permission, before proposing. Im sure the delay was unavoidable, Mama, and not a reflection on Mr. Walsh.
Her mother slanted her a knowing glance. Youre not about to remind me to be hospitable in my own house, are you?
When youre the one who taught me everything I know about Southern generosity? Of course not, Savannah said sweetly. Youd be the perfect gracious hostess to anyone who came to your door, even if they werent entirely punctual.
Beth grinned. With some coaching from you, Vidalia could be a lot more subtle about her back talk.
Savannah thought of her sister, of her bright bleached hair and constant opinions. I dont think Vi has any interest in subtle.
Well, lets go join them before she says something to scare off this Robert Walsh and Cornelia ends up as alone and crazy as my great-aunt Willa.
Either Robert and Neely hadnt bothered with jackets, or someone had already put them away. The two of them sat on the striped antique settee Gerald had reupholstered when Savannah was in high schoolNeely in a scoop-necked sweater and black skirt, Robert in a button-down shirt and navy tie. He was handsome, Savannah thought judiciously, taking in the wave of silver in his rich brown hair and the sparkle of his gray eyes. The sparkle increased when he looked at Neely, which he did often. She didnt seem to mind, snuggling close to him with her hand resting atop his knee. A simple touch, but meaningful for Neely.
Robert Walsh wasnt quite debonair, but something more comfortable and sincere. Though he was tall, with a firm, square jaw, there was a kind of indefinable softness about him, too. Perhaps Savannah recognized it because it reminded her vaguely of her father, an invisible vibe of kindness that promised hed never mistreat children or small animals.
When Neely glanced up at her, Savannahs first instinct was to turn away and not be caught staring. Silly, really, since it was understandable for the family to be curious about Robert. She stepped forward, offering her hand.
Savannah Mason Carter, she introduced herself. Have you already met my husband, Dr. Jason Carter?
We were just starting the name exchange, Douglas said. Wed only gotten as far as Dad and Vidalia Jean.
Who goes by Vi, right? Robert smiled, looking as if he might say more, perhaps about how Neely didnt like her full name, either, but stopped, catching sight of Beth behind Savannah. Apparently he had the good sense not to joke about names when the people whod picked them out were standing in the room. Mrs. Mason. Its a pleasure to finally meet you.