His Love Match. Shirley Hailstock

chaos. Maybe she should have given up the offices and been done with any dealing with Scott. But fate wasn’t on her side. Fate had brought him to this wedding. Even if she had agreed to relocate, he would still be an honored guest at the head table. But they wouldn’t have stood before the altar. He wouldn’t have come to her apartment. And she wouldn’t continue to feel the tingle of his mouth on hers.

      “We’re ready,” Diana told the bridesmaids as she shook thoughts of Scott out of her mind. A hush settled over the women as if everyone was afraid of opening night. “Just do what we rehearsed. It’ll all be fine.”

      She looked at one particular bridesmaid, younger than the rest. Her color was paste-white. “Breathe,” Diana said. “And smile.” She gave the girl a smile, and after a second the girl returned it. Diana leaned close to her and whispered, “Even if you fall on your face, it won’t be a catastrophe. One of those hunky groomsmen will rush to your rescue.” The girl tried to hide her laugh behind her hand. Diana pulled it away and watched as she relaxed.

      One by one the bridesmaids floated down the aisle. Diana stood up from her crouching position as the ring bearer and flower girls took tentative steps down the long aisle. As Jennifer embraced her father’s arm and headed toward wedded bliss, Diana breathed a sigh of relief. It was almost over for her. So far she’d avoided making eye contact with Scott, although she’d felt his eyes on her several times. She knew he was looking at her by the heat that surged through her body and inched up her neck. Everyone else would think it was exertion and stress from making sure every detail was going as planned. Scott would know differently.

      “You may kiss the bride,” Diana heard the priest say. She couldn’t help remembering Scott’s kiss on her mouth. The church organ started to play, and the bride and groom rushed down the aisle as man and wife. Scott looked directly at her as he went by. Diana kept her eyes on Bill and Jennifer.

      As the bridal motorcade—that was the only name she could think to call it—arrived at the reception hall, Diana wanted to run and hide, but she couldn’t. She was in charge. From the second car, Scott was the first person to step out. He turned to help his female companion, and Diana ushered them toward the reception line. The assembly moved like a coordinated dance. Jennifer and Bill led the procession and took their assigned places in the reception line. Obligated to go in, Scott moved away from Diana, a bridesmaid on his arm. As he passed he whispered, “You can’t avoid me forever.”

      Diana didn’t say anything. Not that she had time. He was already three couples ahead of her. She followed the last of the party. Her duties didn’t take her into the reception hall, but she looked in to make sure every detail was as Jennifer had requested. Scott was shaking hands with the guests, but when she looked at him, his eyes found hers as surely as if they were destined to connect. Diana wanted to look away, knew she should, but she didn’t. She withstood his stare, trying to prove that she wasn’t avoiding him. The war of their eyes only lasted a few seconds before Scott had to give his attention to the next guest in line. To Diana it felt like it lasted an eon.

      “You’ve done a wonderful job,” Jennifer’s mother whispered when the reception line broke up and the group headed for the dais and the sit-down meal. “Jennifer looks so happy.”

      “She does,” Diana agreed honestly, passing a tissue to Mrs. Embry.

      “The flowers, the dresses, the hall.” Mrs. Embry dabbed her teary eyes and shook her head as if it was difficult to take it all in. “The church was just lovely.”

      Diana handed the woman a second tissue.

      “Thank you,” she said. “I never would have believed Jennifer could look so beautiful.”

      “She’s a beautiful woman,” Diana said.

      “I know.” Her mother patted her hand. “But today...today...”

      “She glows,” Diana finished for her. Taking Mrs. Embry’s arm, she led her to the head table. Scott, who was already seated, got up and met them. “Would you help her to her seat?” Diana asked.

      Mrs. Embry was not an old woman. She was overcome with emotion. Jennifer was her only daughter and today she gave her away. Their lives would never be the same.

      “Mrs. Embry,” Diana called. “It’s not goodbye. Your lives will be different and better. In a year or so there may be grandchildren.”

      Mrs. Embry looked at her for a long time. Then she hugged Diana. “You’re a treasure,” she said. “You’ll be just as beautiful a bride someday as Jennifer is today.”

      The compliment should have made her feel good, but the fact that Scott heard it made Diana cringe inwardly. She thanked Mrs. Embry and took a step back. Scott accompanied her to her seat. Diana turned and headed for the bride and groom, who were standing at the end of the dais and waiting for everyone to be seated so they could have the full attention of the room.

      “Jennifer, Bill,” she said with a smile. “It was beautiful. I hope you liked it.”

      “Everything about it,” Jennifer said, her smile wide and happy. “Thank you so much.”

      “I just wanted to say congratulations again, and since my duties are over, I’m heading home for a relaxing day. Tomorrow, I start again.”

      “You’re not leaving?” Diana didn’t have to turn around to know Scott’s voice. Ignoring him, she addressed the bride and groom. “Enjoy your honeymoon and have a wonderful life.”

      Jennifer leaned forward and hugged her. Bill kissed her on the cheek, and the couple moved away to visit their other guests.

      “I wore this tuxedo just for you. Look how well it fits.”

      Diana was reminded of the episode in the dressing room. Her face flamed. She could feel the heat rising and her ears burned as hot as the sun.

      “Good night, Scott.” Pivoting, she headed for the exit and her SUV.

      “You know if you leave, I’ll just come by your house tonight,” he said.

      “I don’t have to answer the door.”

      “I’ll make a racket and wake up your neighbors.”

      Diana stopped walking and turned to face him. “You live in Princeton, right?”

      He nodded.

      “Then you know how responsive the police force is. I’ll call them and tell them you’re being a public nuisance.”

      “I’ll tell them you’re only acting like this because I kissed you.”

      Diana felt a lightning bolt jolt her. “What is it you want?” she asked. “We already know we’re not compatible. The computer made a mistake. Why can’t we just go our separate ways. Unless...unless this constant meeting has another purpose.”

      “You wound me,” Scott said, placing a hand over his heart. “Seriously, the office has nothing to do with this.”

      “Then what does?”

      “I’m intrigued,” he said.

      “You said that before—and believe me, I don’t take it as a compliment.”

      “It is. I think we should talk. We could start with a dance.”

      Diana glanced at the empty bandstand. “The band won’t begin until after the meal. The combo will play soft music to accompany the food, but the dancing begins in another ballroom.”

      “So you’ll have to stay. You must be hungry. I’m sure Jennifer and Bill included you in the seating arrangement.”

      In fact, it was traditional to allow the wedding planner a seat at a back table. As Diana had coordinated the placing of seating cards on the tables, she knew exactly where her seat was.

      “You must be hungry,” Scott said. “Last night you had little to eat, and I’m sure you were at Jennifer’s before breakfast. Have you had more than a cup of coffee