Chapter 7
Seven
Angela was supposed to book a church for the wedding.
This was of utter most importance but yet, she still hadn’t done it.
She dreaded approaching her local church, having not made an appearance since the previous Christmas.
She felt like a hypocrite; why should she get married in a church when she never went to church?
Why should she be married under the eyes of God when all her recent thought had been anything but holy?
She was a bad, bad girl and didn’t deserve to be getting married in a church.
She knew that church ceremonies had to be booked months in advance and if she didn’t book a church soon, their fall wedding might need to be delayed until the next spring. Then be it, she thought.
Instead, she decided to go shopping for a new dress for the art opening she was attending with Krysta.
After trying on a few dresses, she finally settled on a simple, yet gorgeous sky blue satin cocktail dress.
This would be perfect with a little blue shadow, which suited her brown eyes and olive complexion quite well.
Sky blue, she thought, looking at her reflection, Michael’s favorite color.
For the life of her, she just couldn’t get him out of her mind.
The following Monday, Angela had decided to go see Dot after all. She realized Dot had only been meddling; possibly trying to make a connection; play Cupid. Angela thought that maybe since Dot had finally found love, she wanted others to be as in love as she was. She was running a bit late again.
When she finally made it to Dot’s, Ellie escorted her to the study. Dot wasn’t at her usual spot.
“Dot is still getting ready. She’ll be in in a minute. Would you like a tea?”
“Yes. Thank you Ellie.”
She waited fifteen minutes, drinking her tea.
“You’re late,” Dot scolded her as she came in.
“You’re late,” she replied.
“Well, if I can wait, you can wait too,” she told her, taking a seat.
“You’re lucky I’m here at all, after last week.”
“My son’s the one who should be mad.”
“Well, is he?”
“Hell, yes, a wee bit, I would say.”
They started to read. Angela didn’t see Michael and she was both somewhat relieved and somewhat disappointed.
She presumed Michael had finally had enough of flirting with forbidden fruit.
She figured there were dozens of women who would love to be with him.
In fact, she was sure of it. How could they not.
She felt nauseous at the thought. The woman who would snag him would be a very lucky woman; very lucky indeed.
Angela had the strange feeling Dot was suspicious about her birthday party.
Nothing much got past Dot therefore it would only make sense.
The plan was for Paul to take her out for the day, on Saturday, while Michael and the rest of the crew worked feverishly on the festivities.
It was a very good plan except for one wrinkle; Dot.
“So you and Paul are going to a matinee on Saturday; that should be fun.” Angela was itching to confirm that Dot would indeed be away.
“Oh...I don’t know, we’re supposed to go for lunch downtown in that quaint little café I love so dearly, and then a matinée. But I’m not sure,” she said looking, shooting a sideways glance at Angela.
Angela was suddenly on alert. “Well, what do you mean ‘you’re not sure’?”
“I just don’t know if I have the energy.” Good old Dot, always making trouble.
“C’mon Dot, you have plenty of energy.” You have the energy to drive me insane.
“Besides… you can’t cancel on Paul; that would be rude.”
“Well, we have been an item for a few weeks now, he understands my moods.”
“He’s certainly an understanding man, that Paul,” Angela muttered under her breath. “Well, I think you should get out. It would do you some good. You’re always in this big old house.” Michael had told her he needed all day to prepare for the party, and Angela was doing her best to help.
After she left Dot, Angela made her way to Michael’s office.
She usually led herself to the door as it was a bit of a struggle for Dot, unless of course, she made a little detour to chat with Michael.
Luckily she was able to catch him in his office.
She stood outside the door while he was on the phone.
He waved her inside and she took a seat in the chair facing his desk.
“You will be here at noon,” he asked. “Is there an alternate number I can reach you at? A cell number?” he scribbled down on his notepad, still holding the receiver to his ear. “Well, thank you, we’ll see you then.” He hung up.
“I was speaking to the party planner,” he whispered. “She’s in charge of everything, catering, seating, decorations. That stuff is not really my thing,” he told her, smiling.
“Me either. If I planned the party, you’d have some bowls of Bits ’n Bites and some soda,” she joked.
He laughed. “Well, Bits ’n Bites are pretty good.”
She loved the way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he laughed. Who knew crow’s feet could be so sexy.
Get a grip.
“I came to let you know Dot’s talking about cancelling the lunch and matinee and staying here on Saturday,” she whispered.
“Oh great,” he said, exasperated.
“She seems like she knows something,” she added.
“She probably does and she’s purposely being a pain in the rear.” He put away his notes. “It’s fine. I’ve had forty-two years to get used to it.”
Forty-two; interesting.
“Well, I’m sure you’ll find a way to get her out of here.”
“Yep. Even if I have to physically kick her out, I will.”
He was quiet for a moment and walked around his desk, towards her.
“Angela, are you and my mother going to start another book?” he asked, leaning against the desk.
“Yes, that’s the plan.”
“Oh...” he said. She was confused by his reaction.
“Is it all right if I keep reading to her?” she asked, not sure if she was welcomed anymore. There had been a lot of tension between them. Maybe it was all too much for him.
“Yes, of course,” he said. “I like having you here.” he told her.
“I like coming here too,” she said, truthfully. She could feel his breath and her heart thumped just a little faster. An awkward silence divided them.
“I guess I should get going,” she said as she made her way out of her chair. She had just had a ‘moment’. She could not be having a ‘moment’. She was an engaged woman.
“I have a present to go buy,” she added, practically running out of the office.
“Me too,” he told her.
She made her way to the coat room, feeling nauseous, her heart was beating fast. What was that? Butterflies? She had forgotten how those felt.
The opening was taking place at a little art gallery downtown Toronto called La Roche. They lucked in on a parking spot not too far away.
“It must be our lucky night,” Krysta said, in a fantastic mood.
When they got there, there were already quite a few people, holding glasses of wine and munching on cheese and crackers. Angela and Krysta didn’t wait too long to help themselves. Free food was always good. Adam was standing by his largest piece, in deep conversation with a well dressed older man.
“I’d better leave him alone. Maybe he’s making a sale,” Krysta told Angela as she stuffed her face with baby spinach crostinis.
“You’re having a much better time raiding the appetizer table anyways,” Angela joked.
“You know me – I like checking the crowd.” She gave a closed smile to her friend. Angela knew exactly what she was talking about. She had no shame.
“But aren’t you in a serious relationship with Adam?” she teased.
“Not quite yet. Not quite yet.” They walked slowly, perusing the different works.
Large block canvases were everywhere on the walls and flowing from the ceiling, hanging off wires; city landscapes in muted colors. Collages of black and white photographs printed on paper, mixed with digital media and watercolor renderings. They were striking; poignant and soft.
“He is quite talented though,” Krysta added.
“Definitely,” Angela agreed. Adam may not have been the nicest guy on the planet but he was definitely talented.
“Wow.” Krysta whispered.
“What?” Angela asked, curious.
“Check out that guy. I would definitely not kick him out of my bed for eating crackers. Hot.”
“You wouldn’t kick anyone out of your bed,” Angela joked. She was intrigued and turned around to see exactly how hot this man was.
He was dressed in a black suit, more formally then most people there, in conversation with a slender woman, holding a glass of red. Angela would have recognized that smile anywhere. Her pulse quickened. She felt flushed.
“Oh God... that’s him,” she told Krysta.
“That’s who? Who is he?”
Angela took her friend by the arm and led her behind a large canvas, out of Michael’s sight.
“That’s Michael,” she whispered. “I can’t believe it.”
“Michael?” Krysta stretched her neck to get a better look.
“Oh... you didn’t do him justice with your description. That is more than ‘all right’, girl.”
Angela peaked over the canvas. He did look gorgeous. He and her had been much too intimate lately; not on a physical level but on an emotional level.
“Why are we hiding?” Krysta laughed.
“What are you, six years old? You’re a piece of work, Angela.” She set out to meet this Mister Charming. If Angela wasn’t going to introduce her, she would introduce herself.
Angela ran after her, incredibly concerned, her heart beating even faster, her high heels not quite keeping up with her.
They walked up to Michael and his mystery date.
“I wonder who the woman is…” Krysta whispered.
“Probably his date,” Angela suggested.
They stood behind them about five seconds. Krysta, not being the most patient person, finally spoke. “That’s my personal favorite.”
As Michael turned around, he immediately saw Angela who offered him a shy smile.
She looked fantastic. And that dress. There was no one else in the room.
“Angela.” He looked at her in awe.
“Hi, Michael.” She was so nervous. She wasn’t sure why. Her heart was beating so fast. What in the heavens was wrong with her?