Page 11 of Little Gray Dress

“Not all the details, no. As long as we don’t get married in a graveyard or someplace totally weird, I don’t really care where it is.”

“What I’m hearing is that I could come back here Saturday evening and say I chose Thornbury Castle in England, and you wouldn’t wonder what it cost?” Not that this would ever happen. The only reason I know the name of this particular wedding venue is because I’ve been watching far too many wedding reality shows whilst trying to get into the groove of planning a wedding. The Cinderella wedding may be most girls’ dream, but it isn’t mine.

“You’re not, are you?” He pauses with his fork midway to his mouth realizing that I could really throw a million-dollar wedding with completely free reins.

“No. But I could if you aren’t interested. I just need a bit of help. I’m not good at this stuff.”

“I know. Look… Pick anywhere in the city. I think a city wedding would be fun. Since neither of us are country-dwellers I think that would portray the two of us. I’ll come check it out with you this weekend. And otherwise, let’s just try to keep it under a hundred thousand. Deal?”

A hundred-thousand-dollar wedding almost makes me hyperventilate to even just think about. Who spends that much on a wedding? I was thinking even twenty-five thousand seemed too much for a one-day event.

“I gave your mom's number to the wedding planner.” I take a swig of my wine without looking at his reaction to the news I’ve just tossed over at him. I know his mom planning our wedding is not something he would have expected.

“What?”

“Jack, you know she’d just find a way to her eventually anyway. I was thinking about it on the way home and she’s so much better at this stuff than me, so why not just let her do it?”

“You’re just going to hand over the wedding planning to my mother?” His brows are raised and his voice tight.

“Well, no. I mean… maybe.” I shrug my shoulders. I didn’t really think it through all the way, but I know I’ve been to Amelia’s parties and they are the parties everyone dies to get an invite to. “I just thought she’d have such better ideas than me.”

“You’re a brave girl, Ems. My mother is going to turn this into a reality TV show.” He shakes his head as a disbelieving laugh hesitates just under his breath.

“But it’ll be the kind on the E! channel, and that’s not terrible all the time.” I laugh, knowing how much he hates watching the Kardashians with me for the few moments he allows it before taking control of the remote and changing it to something a little less mind-numbing.

He leans over and kisses my lips quickly before going back to his dinner. “I hope you’re ready.”

How bad could it be? Amelia is one of the most elite women in the city, and if she throws a party, not one invite is turned down. She’ll make this wedding beautiful, elegant, and probably way over the top. And I won’t have to do a thing. In fact, to tell the truth, I doubt she’ll let me have much say at all.

“Oh, great! You brought Jack and Amelia.” Megan immediately looks more nervous now than she did the day of our interview. “It’s so great to meet you both.” She shakes their hands as if she’s just met Portland royalty. Hardly. I don’t think rich qualifies you as important. Or does it?

“Yes…” Amelia and I speak at the same time.

“We are excited to see what kind of ideas you have for us.” Amelia sits in one of the two chairs facing Megan’s office desk.

“I have so many ideas. Let’s get started.”

I glance at the one chair left and back at Jack who looks as uncomfortable as I am.

“Sit,” he says to me before leaning on Megan’s desk beside me.

“OK.” Megan sounds enthusiastic before pointing towards the board with a gazillion fabrics, photos, and ideas. “Here is my idea, and feel free to stop me with any questions as we go.”

For almost thirty minutes Megan continues to talk about venues, colors, food, flowers, souvenirs, photographers, and music. Who knew you needed so many things to have a wedding? I am kind of thinking eloping might be the way to go. All these options may too easily find a way to become disastrous.

“What do you think? Is there anything you hate or love?”

“I’ll start.” Amelia stands from her chair and faces the idea board head-on. Jack and I exchange nervous smiles and prepare ourselves to watch what’s about to unfold before us. This is it, this moment will define the wedding.

“I love the Vintage Gatsby theme, but let’s not do it so costume party-ish. Dress the part, yes, but with a modern take, black tie. The flowers should be white, no other colors will work, all white. Linens, white and black. Main wedding colors, black and white, maybe with a bit of gold thrown in. I want full-out decor, from ceiling to floor it should all match our theme. If we’re going with a vintage theme I want the music to match, hire a big band, Sinatra-style. I have a caterer I’ll give a call to today, we can do a menu of choices for dinner and dessert and cocktail hour will not take place in the same room as the reception. No hard liquor, let’s do a Champagne bar with a signature drink of each the bride and groom’s choices.” She glances over at Jack and me. “What do you think?”

I feel myself nodding yes, unable to process all that she’s just said. She throws these kinds of parties all the time, so I imagine (even though I can’t picture it) it will be without a doubt the wedding of the year.

When I glance over at Jack he shrugs his shoulders at me and nods yes with a small questionable smile. “Sure, it sounds great.”

Amelia glances down at me again. “And for you?”

“Yes, Amelia it’s all wonderful. I say yes.”

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