Nothing Stays In Vegas (22 page)

"Nicky, come over here so I can see you better."

Nicole moved in front of the computer screen. "What do you think?"

"Turn around, let me see the back," Cathy said. 

Nicole did what she was told. "Well," she said. "What do you think?"

"I don't like it."

I sighed and sat on the couch. 

"I should wear it down, right?" Nicole asked her mom.

"Of course. With your hair, you shouldn't tie it up and hide it. Show it off, for god's sake," Cathy said. "Lexi, I can't believe you would let her tie it back."

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Lennox." There was no point arguing now. "Come here, Nic." 

Nicole returned to her chair and we let the bun down. I brushed until her red waves shone, reflecting the light. I finished it off with a beautiful rhinestone studded barrette. 

"Okay, now your face," I said and with lots of direction, and input from both her and her mother, I managed to cover the redness in her cheeks and eyes and transform her into a stunning bride. 

"One more thing," I said. "Wait here Mrs. L. We'll be right back."

I took Nicole into the bedroom where she slipped out of her robe and into her gown. When I zipped up the dress I had to swallow hard to keep from crying. "Wow," was all I could manage. 

"Oh, don't start." Nicole turned away from me to look at her own reflection. "No tears today, Lex."

"You're right. I think we've had enough already and something tells me there'll be more," I said and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Come on. Let's go show your mom."

As soon as Nicole stepped into the view of the camera her mother let out a gasp. 

"Oh, Nicky," she gushed from the computer. "You're so beautiful."

"Don't make her cry again," I warned only half joking. "I'll give you two a minute. I need to make a call and then we have to start heading downstairs."

Closing the bedroom door behind me I slipped on my bridesmaid dress. The blue fabric shimmered in the light and caught the sparkle in my eyes. I twirled in the mirror admiring my reflection. 

I wonder what Leo will say? 

As soon as the thought popped into my head, I cursed myself. I'd managed not to think about him for the last hour, well at least most of that time. I twirled again, and tried to reframe my thoughts. 

I wonder what Andrew will think? 

He was my husband, I should care about his reaction. But even when I made a serious effort in my appearance, I couldn't remember a time when he'd ever looked at me with as much longing and desire as Leo had this morning.

I didn't have time to think about it. A quick glance at the clock made that clear. We only had fifteen minutes. I grabbed my purse and went to collect the bride.

"Are you ready to become an old married woman?" I asked and started gathering up our purses and necessary things. 

"I don't know about you, but I'm never going to get old," Nicole said and we all laughed.

"Time to go, Nic," I said. "We don't want to be late."

She turned back to her mom. "I guess this is it." Her voice started to shake. "I'm so sorry, Mom. I wish you could be here." 

"Nicky, I'm there with you in spirit, baby," Cathy said and started to cry. 

"Stop it," I said before the tears could start flowing everywhere. Nicole turned and looked at me as if I was the most insensitive person in the world. "You will be there, Mrs. L," I said ignoring her, "we'll connect again as soon as we get downstairs."

"Really?" 

"Of course. I will not allow you to miss Nicole's wedding. "

"Lex, you are the best." Nicole threw her arms around me. 

"I know, I know," I said with a smile.

Chapter Twenty

Stepping onto the terrace was like walking into the pages of a fairy tale. The already lush space had been transformed with even more flowers, if that was possible. It felt as if we were in a secret garden in the middle of a tropical forest. The aisle was carpeted in petals, and given that no guests expected, potted palms and large hibiscus plants flanked the edges. The altar was situated under an arched vine covered in more hibiscus blossoms. In the corner was a three tiered cake which I thought was a bit of overkill, but it looked delectable, decorated simply with sugar-covered flowers. 

The guys weren't there yet, so I left Nicole in a small waiting area and rolled the cart containing her link to her mother down the aisle. I scanned the area amongst the palms and foliage for some sort of outlet in so I could get Cathy back online. 

There had to be something. 

I caught a glimpse of an extension cord snaking through the leaves. There didn't seem to be any help for it. I took a quick look around, pulled up my dress and dropped to my knees. Crawling under the plants, I saw what looked like an outlet and I burrowed deeper, dragging the computer's power cord with me.

"Lexi?"

Are you kidding me? 

I swatted a leaf out away from my face and took a deep breath before abandoning my search. Taking my time, I backed out, turned, and from my position on the floor, looked straight up at Leo's smiling face.

"Hi, Leo."

He extended his hand in aid which I took. "Can I help you find something?" he asked as he hauled me to my feet. 

I adjusted my dress and smoothed the fabric back into place, trying unsuccessfully to look poised.

His eyes took their time traveling up my body, assessing me. "You look amazing."

My stomach flipped. "I need to plug this in," I said and held out the cord. 

"Of course," he said. "Let me take care of that for you." Leo took the cord from me but his fingers lingered on my hand.

"I don't want to keep you," I said. "You probably have a million things to do."

"Actually, this is exactly where I need to be right now," he said. His eyes held mine. "You have a little..." he reached out and plucked a leaf from my hair, "got it," he said.

Leo let the leaf drop to the ground but his hand still hovered near my face. For a crazy minute I thought he might kiss me. I couldn't tear my eyes away from his. He moved his hand and with a gentle touch, tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. His fingers trailed across my cheek. My eyes fluttered shut. I couldn't bear to look at him. 

"Lexi?"

My eyes snapped open at the sound of Andrew's voice and I took two steps back from Leo. I felt like a kid who'd been caught doing something wrong. Which I suppose, I had. 

"Andrew," I said. "Are you guys ready?" 

Andrew's face was hard as he looked slowly between us. His gaze locked on Leo, his fists clenched at his sides and I was afraid he might try to hit him. Instead, he spoke to me his eyes not leaving Leo, "We're ready. Ryan's at the alter."

"Okay," I said grateful for an excuse to leave. "We just need to power up the computer, then I'll get Nicole and we can get started."

"Excellent," Leo said. "I'll take care of the computer and cue the music when you're ready. Just give me the signal."

"Pardon me?"

"What?"

Andrew and I spoke at the same time. 

"I'm filling in today. I'll be taking care of everything for Nicole and Ryan's nuptials," Leo said. "I meant to tell you earlier."

"Earlier?" Andrew asked. The lines in his face grew deeper and his skin turned a deep shade of red. 

I ignored him and turned back to Leo. "What do you mean, you'll be filling in today?" 

"I'm sorry. I meant to tell you," Leo said. 

"When? You meant to tell her, when?" Andrew demanded. 

"But you didn't." My eyes were locked on Leo. "Fair warning would have been nice."

"There didn't seem to be a good time. Whenever I saw you, I just-"

"What the hell is going on here?" Andrew grabbed my arm and spun me around. "Someone better tell me what's going on."

I blinked hard, stunned as I looked at my husband remembering he was standing there. Had he seen the way Leo looked at me? The way I looked at him?

"Lexi, are you okay?" Leo asked. He stood behind me, so close I could smell his cologne. If I turned around, I would be in his arms. If I-

"She's fine." 

"I'd like to hear that from her if you don't mind." 

They squared shoulders with me between them and still I couldn't move. 

"You better back off," Andrew said and pulled me to him. I hit his chest with a soft thud and looked up at him. My husband. His face was red and a bead of sweat lined his forehead. 

He was jealous. Of course he was. I was his wife and all this was wrong. 

I glanced behind me to Leo and my heart lurched. 

No.

"Stop," I said. "Please. I'm fine." Turning back to Andrew, I forced a smile and squeezed his hand. "We should get started. Nicole will be freaking out."

The color in Andrew's face returned to normal, but he didn't return my smile as he watched me. His eyes were searching mine for something. I kept my expression as benign as I could manage. 

"I'll plug this in," Leo said behind me but I didn't dare turn around. Andrew shifted his gaze up but I kept my eyes on him and I knew when Leo had left because he finally looked down at me again and said, "I'll get Ryan." His voice was hard. "We can get started." 

He moved to leave, but I reached out to stop him. "Andrew."

When he turned around, the expression on his face almost broke me. He knew. 

"Not now, Lexi," he said and disappeared down the aisle.

###

"Where have you been?" Nicole flung herself on me the moment I walked back into the alcove she was hiding in. "Is everything okay? Did Ryan show up? You got my mom hooked up, right? She'll be there?"

"Nic, chill." I tried to smile and shake off what had just happened. "Everything is going to be perfect."

"What's wrong?" 

"Nothing. Everything is right on schedule. It will be beautiful."

"You're lying," she said. "Tell me what's going on."

I didn't have to answer, because in that second, Leo turned the corner holding an incredible bouquet of lilies and orchids. "Here are the gorgeous flowers for the most gorgeous bride," he said, handing them to Nicole who took them, her mouth dropping open. 

"And for the stunning maid of honor," Leo said as he handed me an equally beautiful if only slightly smaller bouquet. Our hands touched as I took the flowers and I fought the urge to lace my fingers in his and hold on. Instead, I pulled away and held the flowers to my chest. The pungent smell of the lilies filled my senses.

"Oh, I see exactly what the problem is," Nicole said and smiled a smug smile. "How come you didn't tell me?"

"What? Is there something wrong?" Leo's brow furrowed. He consulted his clipboard and began checking items off a list. "I think we have everything. Did I miss something?"

"Oh, I think you missed something alright," Nicole said. "But it doesn't have anything to do with the wedding."

Leo looked up at her and gave her a strange look before looking to me. 

I looked away and asked, "Are you ready, Nic?"

Nicole's smile lit up her face. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and leaving no room for question, said, "Absolutely."

###

I was supposed to be detached, impersonal, with just the right amount of objectivity to make the wedding sparkle, without getting personal. That's what I taught my employees. It's what every event coordinator needed to know. You needed to be involved enough to make the event special and memorable without showing emotion. I knew this. It's what made me good at what I did. 

But when the music started and I saw Lexi walking down the aisle, the orchids and lilies, her shimmery blue dress showcasing the body I still dreamt about, I lost all the objectivity I was supposed to have. I forgot about staying detached, keeping a healthy distance and focusing on the event and the details I was supposed to be orchestrating. Instead, all I could think about was the extreme good fortune that had brought this amazing woman back into my life and how I would be a complete fool to let her walk away again. With every slow step she took, I listed the arguments in my head, the reasons I would give her for staying with me forever. 

And then she reached the altar, and took her place across from the man who did have a claim to her. Her husband. My list disintegrated in my head and I watched him look at her with a possessiveness I knew I didn't have a right to. 

I looked away and pushed the button that cued the wedding march. Nicole stepped out from the alcove and began her procession down the aisle. Turning, I saw the look on her groom's face. His bride was radiant, and by the look in his eyes, he knew how lucky he was. Love, mixed with a healthy dose of lust, oozed from him as he watched; mesmerized by every step she took toward him. My eyes shifted to his groomsman, Lexi's husband. He wasn't watching the bride, he was staring directly at me, and he didn't look happy. Our eyes locked. 

He challenged me and I smiled in return. Purposefully, so he wouldn't miss it, I let my gaze slide to the left and land on Lexi. There were tears in her eyes as she watched her best friend reach the on the aisle and take Ryan's hand. I didn't care if her husband was glaring at me. I couldn't take my eyes off her. 

The raw emotion in her eyes struck me. Was she thinking of her own wedding day? Remembering the love between her and her husband? The thought made my stomach burn with jealousy. But there was something about weddings. It didn't matter how many I witnessed, there was always a part of me that flashed back to the day when I too exchanged vows. 

Looking back, I know it should never have happened. I never loved Tamara, not enough to marry her. And unfortunately for her, it didn't take her long to figure that out herself and become just as miserable as I already was. 

Watching Lexi as Nicole and Ryan exchanged their vows, I was painfully aware that I didn't have a right to her despite the fact that she would always have a part of me. The Justice of the Peace declared the couple husband and wife and I watched as they locked in a passionate embrace before sneaking another glance at Lexi. She was staring directly at me, tears streaking down her cheeks.