Nice Girl (28 page)

As I scanned the chairs, I noticed the wave.  Luke and Jamie were already sitting down and motioning for me to come over.  I mouthed the word “Vinnie.”  Jamie smirked and then pointed in the direction behind me.  There standing at the back of the rows of chairs was Vinnie.

We made eye contact.  He had a devious smile no doubt because he saw that I was looking for him.  His gaze never left mine as I walked towards him.  I’m surprised that my body made it there being that my legs were shaking so much.  I was shocked at myself for being so nervous.  I had been flirting endlessly with him for the past week.  Why now am I panicking?

Probably because I was out of my league.

He looked like masculine perfection standing there at the back of the room.  His suit was tailored to fit his body like a glove.  He was wearing a dark gray which I knew as soon as I got closer was going to match his stormy eyes completely.   His maroon tie was slightly undone almost as if his huge chest and neckline couldn’t accommodate it any further.  How is it even through a jacket, I could see the outlines of his biceps?  He was, by far, the largest man in the room. 

As I approached him, I could recognize the now familiar smell of his aftershave which he wore just a little heavier than usual.  I wanted to be covered in the smell.  Honestly, I didn’t know how I was going to control myself tonight.  He looked and smelled divine.  

I could hear the slight shake in my voice as I tried to play it cool.  “I’m mad at you.”

He cocked his head.  “Now Grace, whatever have I done to upset you
now
?”    He leaned in towards me as he emphasized the word ‘now’.  

Could he hear my heart pounding?

“I can’t believe you paid for those spa services.  That was way too expensive.” 

“Well it was worth it.  You look beautiful tonight.  Of course, you would be even without those  spa appointments.”

Remember to breathe.

“My dress is pink.  Just like the rose you bought me.”

Please tell me I didn’t say something so utterly stupid.

“I remember that day.” He smiled.

  If he saw my blush, he didn’t point it out.  Instead he asked, “Did you have fun at the spa today?” 

Somehow I found my voice.  “Yes, it was a real treat.  Why? “  I paused.  I didn’t know how to ask the question. 

“Why did I pay for your day at the spa?” 

I nodded.  Thank goodness one of us was coherent.

“Because you deserved it, Grace.  I heard you telling Jamie that you thought you wouldn’t be able to afford it.  Now I couldn’t let that happen.”

“It was too much.”  I whispered.

“Think of it as a six month bonus.  I am your boss after all.”  He grinned.

“I’m paying you back.”

His smile stopped and that all too familiar scowl took its place.

“Will you let me do something nice for you, Grace?”

The music started and the people who were standing went to find seats.

“We’ll discuss this later.”  I said softly.

“Yes, we will.”  He stated and then he grabbed my hand authoritatively and led me to the two seats that were being saved by Jamie and Luke.

When we were seated, I noticed that Jamal was already standing at the front with his brother who was his best man.  Jamal was dressed so traditional in his groom’s suit.  His brother looked a lot like Jamal except he didn’t have the same linebacker size.  His brother wore his hair closely shaved which was a marked contrast to Jamal’s long braids. 

Jamie told me that Jamal’s brother is some big whig insurance executive in Detroit.   How coincidental that A and V just got three very lucrative insurance contracts around the same time that Jamal started.  My mind began to swirl with thoughts of mob influences and Anthony’s family background.

I glanced over at Vinnie and noticed him snickering at something two rows down.  I looked behind us and noticed Anthony sitting with a woman I didn’t recognize.

“Who’s that?”  I asked Vinnie.

“Carmella’s best friend.”  Vinnie chuckled.

“She looks like her twin.”  I pointed out.

“Anthony can be such a dick.” 

“Why are you laughing?  He seems to pick women that don’t make him very happy.  Except for one area of course.”  I whispered.

“Oh and what area is that?”  Vinnie bent down and whispered in my ear.

  I hate it and love it when he does that.  I hate it because I feel an immediate loss of control.  As soon as I feel his hot breath, I get goose bumps all over.  I love it because I imagine what he could do with that mouth. 

I had to play it cool.

“You know what I’m talking about.  Stop starting trouble.”  I hissed.

Vinnie laughed and put his arm around me.  “Grace baby, don’t you know that it is you I want to keep me out of trouble.”

Huh?  What did that mean?

Then the wedding music started and I couldn’t make a sarcastic follow up.  Vinnie had to take his arm away as we stood for the procession.  I immediately felt the loss of his body heat.  I saw Jamie raise his eyebrows at me.   All he and Luke talked about at our spa lunch was how this was going to be
the
night with Vinnie.  Between the two gay men and my orgasm obsessed girlfriends, I was feeling the pressure.  

The procession was short as Ivy decided not to have a large wedding party.  She and Jamal just wanted a best man and a maid of honor.   India was obviously Ivy’s maid of honor.  She wore a sapphire blue pants suit which matched the best man’s tie and boutonniere.  

The bride’s procession began as Ivy walked down the aisle with her father.  What is it about that music that immediately makes a person tear up?  I glanced over at Luke and his eyes were watery too so I didn’t feel so self conscious. 

Ivy looked gorgeous in a stunning wedding gown.    For such a cool hipster gal, she also chose the traditional look.  The dress was pure white and went to the floor with an incredibly long train.  It was form fitting thru the bodice but flared out at the skirt.  It was the perfect Cinderella look. 

“Just beautiful.”  Jamie said softly.  I nodded my head in agreement.

I saw him turn his head towards Luke then lean back again towards me.   He whispered “Luke says he wants to be the one to help you pick out your wedding dress.”

I whispered back in as biting of a tone as I could do in a soft voice. “I may look small but don’t underestimate me.  I will hurt you.”

I heard Vinnie snicker.

As Ivy and Jamal exchanged their vows, I kept blinking back the tears.  It is embarrassing to cry when you’re surrounded by men.  Jamie patted my knee as Luke leaned over to hand me a tissue.  Yes, I was creating quite the spectacle of myself.  I couldn’t help it.  Jamal and Ivy were so happy.  You could feel the love radiating off of them as they recited their promises to one another.   Vinnie had put his arm back around my chair which only enhanced my emotions.  Twice I glanced over at him wondering what he was thinking at such a romantic moment.    I thought he didn’t notice but each time I looked over at him, his thumb caressed my shoulder. 

I kept telling myself not to read too much into it.  Yet with each touch, I felt I was melting in the moment.

I liked the fact that the minister was a woman.  She was called Reverend Anne and she was from the Westchester area of New York.   She was very popular in the gay community.  Ivy let it slip last week that Jamie and Luke had met with Reverend Anne.  After Jamie’s crack about Luke helping me look for a wedding dress, I decided that I would be using this juicy bit of information.

For a woman, Reverend Anne still had a deep booming voice.  She really used it when she announced “You may now kiss the bride.”

Jamal romantically cupped Ivy’s face.  He whispered something to her and her eyes teared up which only made me cry harder.  He bent down and gave her such a long kiss that people started to whistle.  It doesn’t get more romantic than that.

Vinnie smiled down at me.

“I hope you’re not going to tease me for crying.”  I said.

“Grace, I’d never tease you for being yourself.”

At that moment, I have never felt more conflicted.  In such a short time, my mindset completely changed.  I left for New York determined to never let a man rule my emotions. 

Now sitting thru this beautiful wedding ceremony, all I could think of was falling in love. 

Chapter 32

The party began as soon as Ivy and Jamal walked down the aisle. 

I saw a massive exodus over to the bar area the minute the reception started.  Most people were probably staying at the hotel so driving was obviously not going to be an issue.  Everyone had a drink in their hand as the staff moved the chairs to make way for the dancing.  No one seemed to be in a hurry to find their table and sit down except for a few elderly people.  I had a feeling it was going to be a wild night of drinking and dancing.  I was excited.  I was definitely in the mood to let loose. 

It would get my mind off of what I wanted to happen at the end of the night. 

I was standing with Luke, Jamie, Mindy and Vinnie when Anthony and his date made their way over to us. 

Anthony introduced his date.  “Marie, I’m sure you remember Vinnie.  This is Jamie and Grace.  They both work at A and V.  Luke is Jamie’s partner and Mindy is India’s partner. “ 

Marie looked bored already.  Yes, definitely Carmella’s twin.

I felt sorry for Anthony.  He always seems to choose a woman who makes him uncomfortable in social settings.

“That was a beautiful ceremony, wasn’t it Anthony?”  I tried to break the ice.

“Yes.”  Anthony smiled.  “Ivy and Jamal did a great job.”

“I wonder whose wedding will be next?” as I obnoxiously looked at Luke and Jamie. 

“Who do you think you’re looking at, Grace?”  Jamie grinned.

“That’s okay, Grace.  I have been quite clear on how I want to be proposed to.  It has to be extremely romantic.”  Luke gushed.

“Yes, he is insisting on a trip to Paris in the spring.  I wonder what that means.”  Jamie rolled his eyes.

“I think it means another wedding next year.”  Mindy smirked.

“Is it even legal for you guys to get married?”  Marie asked in quite the uppity tone. 

Six sets of eyes just stared at her.  I saw Vinnie scowl at Anthony. 

Anthony took the hint.  “Marie, let’s go get a drink.”

Vinnie murmured almost under his breath.  “One of these days, he is going to realize that a brainless piece of ass just ain’t worth it.”

“Oh God, please tell me we don’t have to sit at the same table as her.”  Luke whined.

“I was going to miss you guys but now I’m happy I’m sitting at the bride and groom’s table with India.”  Mindy piped in. 

“It will be okay.  We’ll just bait her the entire time.  I plan on spending the entire dinner discussing gay rights.  It’ll be fun to watch her face.”  I said.

“Your plan involves Marie being able to follow the discussion.”  Jamie added dryly.

“Exactly.”  Now I was smiling. “I won the debates in all my sociology courses.  I love arguing with ignorant people.”

“My my my, Grace.  Another hidden talent comes out.  Let’s go to dinner.”  Vinnie laughed.

We walked over to our assigned table.  There were eight chairs at every table.  Between myself, Vinnie, Luke, Jamie, Anthony, and Marie, I wondered who was going to be placed at the extra two chairs. 

It turned out to be two male graduate students that were in Ivy’s film classes.  Both of them worked closely with her on her documentary on gay teens being raised in strict religious households.  Tyron was gay and had met Luke and Jamie before at a few gatherings.  Jeff was not gay but was obviously quite liberal on gay rights.  They would a fine addition to the discussion that was slated to make Marie uncomfortable.

Jeff sat on the other side of me.  He told me he just got out of a serious relationship.  I think he felt the need to explain why he didn’t have a date.  He wasn’t a bad looking guy.  He had average features but gorgeous hair.  It was dark and reached his shoulders.   He was tall but not built at all like Vinnie. 

I swear Vinnie has ruined all men for me.  There is no way any normal guy could ever have the sheer muscular build of Vinnie.  If nothing ever happens between Vinnie and me, I’m going to have to hang out at body building gyms when I want to have sex.   I can’t imagine feeling arms around me that don’t compare to Vinnie’s.  I got tingly just thinking about it.

Damn, something better happen tonight.

Our table immediately began talking about Ivy’s documentary since that was how Tyron and Jeff became friends with Ivy.  This then provided a perfect segue to a discussion on gay marriage since it was just made legal recently in New York.  As Jamie predicted, Marie looked totally uninterested.  She stared off in space or looked around the room like none of us were worth her time.  I felt like knocking Anthony upside his head for choosing a winner of a date. 

Besides Marie’s surly mood, dinner was a blast.  The conversation flowed effortlessly.  The food was excellent.  I guess that A and V must pay their investigators well.  The meal itself had to have been expensive.  A lobster tail alongside a steak was the main entrée.  I gave Vinnie my steak and he gave me his lobster tail. 

Vinnie and I flirted obnoxiously with each other while we ate.  I forced him to take a bite of my lobster even though he swore he would never eat anything that wasn’t red meat.  As I was trying to shove the lobster in his mouth, some of the melted butter dripped on my hand.  After I finally got him to taste the lobster, I pouted about my messy fingers.  Then he shocked me by grabbing my hand and licking the butter off of my fingers.  I almost spontaneously combusted right there. 

Jamie yelled at us to get a room.  Luke winked at me.  I know my face was beet red.

The excitement was in the air as Ivy and Jamal began their first dance as husband and wife.  Within minutes of their special moment, the dance floor was covered with a crowd.  Luke had quickly grabbed me for one of the first songs. 

“Won’t Jamie be mad that you‘ve neglected him?”  I yelled in his ear over the music.