Three and a Half Weeks(185)
The music picks up volume and tempo as the bride appears. She’s holding onto her father’s arm, almost leaning into him and her nervousness is palpable. Olivia is so young, but Ian didn’t lie: she is simply stunning. Against the white dress, her complexion is golden and her light blue eyes emerge prominently in contrast. My eyes are drawn immediately to her gown. Is it nicer than mine? I think it’s a Vera Wang and the design suits her age, figure, and coloring perfectly—sexy yet demure.
As they pass by us, I get a closer look. Damn, her father is hot. What must it be like to have a father who is as young and good-looking as your boyfriend or husband? Must be beyond bizarre.
Now I realize what’s different: the reverend has his back to us and Daniel is facing the guests. Brilliant. We can watch the bride and groom instead of the officiating reverend. Why don’t all weddings do that?
Derek Girardi escorts his daughter up the aisle and then around the reverend, placing her at Daniel’s side. He takes Olivia’s hand in one of his and reaches for Daniel’s hand with the other. About to place her hand in her new husband’s, her father first kisses Olivia’s fingers, and then kisses them again. At the fourth or fifth kiss, he says in a voice loud enough for many to hear, “I don’t want to give you away,” and a titter of laughter snakes through the front rows. Then he finally does, putting the couple’s hands together and saying something inaudible to Daniel. Daniel merely nods solemnly in response.
Ten minutes later, the ceremony is over. It was a beautiful wedding, short and sweet, and I adored it. Now, finally, I can see emotion in Daniel’s visage: he is beaming the most radiant smile I’ve ever seen—it could electrify the city of Manhattan. I suppose he truly loves his new wife.
We have a total blast, helped along by copious amounts of top-shelf alcohol. Jackson and his date prove to be more than entertaining and Ian chats with another man he knows through business dealings. Daniel and Olivia come over to greet us when we separate from the others. Seeing them up close and personal doesn’t at all diminish their beauty.
“Ian,” Daniel says, then signals a waiter holding a tray with glasses of champagne and the man rushes to accommodate him.
“Daniel, congratulations. Beautiful wedding, by the way.”
“Thank you. Hello, Ella. I’d like you to meet my wife, Olivia. Olivia, this is Ella, Ian’s fiancée.”
“Oh, hello. It’s so nice to meet you finally, Ella. I’m sorry I kept missing you when you were in New York. Thank you for coming so far to share the day with us. We very much appreciate it.”
I give her my biggest and best smile. “”Hopefully, you’ll be able to attend ours, too. And I’m so glad we were able to make it here because this wedding is magnificent and I wouldn’t want to have missed it.
One by one, Daniel takes the crystal flutes of champagne from the tray, handing a glass to each of us and thanking the waiter.
“Ian, I believe we agreed to toast a glass of champagne to yet another coupling?”
There’s the Ian smirk as he lifts his glass. “Yes, I recall. To happy endings.”
The four of us tilt our glasses to the center and sip the champagne. It is an excellent vintage.
“What kind of champagne are we drinking?” I ask, after swallowing that first silken sip.
Daniel and Ian look at each other, smile, and say in perfect unison, “Dom Perignon.”
I’m confused as to how Ian knew it was DP with one sip, but it seems to be an inside joke between the men.
Daniel cranes his neck to catch a glance at someone passing by. “Oh, lest I forget. Ian, I promised to introduce you to Derek. Hang on.” He signals his father-in-law as he’s passing by. “Derek? May I introduce you to a friend?”
The man smiles and joins us. Damn, I’m surrounded by startlingly handsome men. I must have done something to please the gods recently. The past year or so I’ve been lucky beyond measure in that regard.
“Derek, this is Ian Blackmon. Ian, Derek Girardi. The lovely young lady next to him is Ella Strong, his fiancée.”
Derek bestows upon us a smile that would make most women drop their panties at his first request, and everyone exchanges handshakes and pleasantries.
“Derek, Ian has been diligently trying to acquire one of your smaller pieces to no avail.”
“Oh? Thank you for supporting my work, Ian.”
Ian nods, smiling while Daniel continues, “I was hoping you might help him procure one of the pieces that you hold back, Derek.”
The older man nods his head. “I happen to have some earlier, more diminutive works in my studio. If you and Ella have time during your stay in New York, you’re more than welcome to drop by and see if there’s anything to your liking.”