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.“Do you think she has something up her sleeve?” he asked.“She won’t derail anything—she’d never do that.She knows the importance of this wedding—or marriage, or whatever you want to call it.But she’ll do something, if only because it’s going to be just the five of us in that room.Because of that, she’ll know that she can get away with pretty much anything.I think she’ll say or do something that’s unexpected.”“I guess we’ll see.And by the way, have I told you how beautiful you look today?”I looked at myself in one of the elevator’s mirrors.I was wearing a fitted, black vintage couture Atelier Versace jacket and skirt, with nothing beneath the buttoned jacket, because really all it needed—if anything at all—was a tasteful glimpse of skin.With the exception of the diamond studs at my ears and my engagement ring, I wore no jewelry.My favorite black Dior pumps, stolen long ago from Jennifer, were happily on my feet, and I held a black clutch that contained tissues, a compact, and lipstick.“Leave it to Bernie,” I said.“He was good to see me so early this morning before he tended to Jennifer and Blackwell.He knows makeup—and he knows how to make my hair curl up from my shoulders in ways that I only wish I could do.Look at that perfect flip.Why can’t I do that?”“If I kissed you right now, would you be upset? I don’t want to ruin your lipstick.”“You won’t if you’re gentle,” I said with a smile.“When he did my face, Bernie knew I was five hours out from the event.He blotted my lips into oblivion.So, you know, have at them.”CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVEWhen we stepped onto the forty-seventh floor, I was struck again by how different this floor was from the other floors I’d seen at Wenn—from Blackwell’s floor, which thrummed with hives of busy people working in a controlled environment to the few floors dedicated to Wenn Publishing, which always seemed unnaturally quiet to me given the sheer number of people who worked there.Alex’s floor was designed to be serene.From the walls to the furniture to the hardwood floors, it was beautifully decorated in masculine browns.There were no cubicles here.No areas where people could type away or collaborate.In fact, as we moved through the quiet space toward Alex’s office, where I could hear Blackwell’s voice, that seemed to be the point—this was his floor that he only shared with Jennifer and their executive assistant, Ann.At the windows were tall shades that blocked out the daylight so the artificial lighting—strategically placed around the space—could create a more intimate, welcoming mood.“Are you excited?” Tank asked.“To see my best friend get married to a wonderful man? Absolutely.”When we stepped into Alex’s office, all were there, but Jennifer was the first to see me, and I was immediately struck by how stunning she looked.I recognized her dress at once from a recent edition of Vogue—it was a sleeveless, white Valentino dentelle lace sheath dress with scalloped edges, and it was tailored perfectly to fit her curves.Instead of putting her hair up, Bernie had styled it so it flowed over her shoulders and tumbled down her back, probably because that’s how Alex liked it best—and Jennifer knew it.“Oh, wow,” I said when I saw her.She came over and gave me a hug.“I’m so glad you’re here,” she said in my ear.“You’re getting married.I can’t believe it.”“Marriage Phase One.Then we move on to Wedding Phase Two.”“I’m so proud of you.Are you nervous?”“Not at all.I’m psyched.”We parted, and she gave Tank a hug and a kiss on each cheek.When she pulled away from him, Alex stepped forward to stand behind Jennifer in a classic black suit and black tie.He looked more handsome than ever to me—which was kind of a feat for him to achieve since Alex never looked anything less than disarmingly attractive—but he’d nevertheless achieved it.His dark hair was parted on the side and raked away from his face with gel, and his chiseled jaw was lined with a day’s worth of stubble.Like Jennifer, he seemed preternaturally calm to me.I gave him a hug and a kiss, he and Tank shook hands—and Blackwell, who was standing in front of Alex’s massive mahogany desk, cleared her throat.“Hello?” she said.“I’m wearing Chanel.It’s brand new.Somebody please fawn over it.”“I already have,” Jennifer said of Blackwell’s light yellow suit.“It’s gorgeous.”“Lisa?”“It’s Chanel.You look amazing, but then you always do.What more can be said?”“You’re the writer, for God’s sake.Sum it up with one word—let’s see how good you are.”“How about, ‘divoon’?”She looked pleased with that.She fingered her bob away from her face and parts of it behind one ear.“Well, that was certainly the goal,” she said.“And with a little help from Bernie—OK, fine, a lot of help—I think the suit, the makeup, and the hair rather fit the occasion.”“I know this will strike you dumb, Barbara, but today is supposed to be about Alex and me, not you,” Jennifer teased.“Don’t kid yourself, girl.I’m about to put on a performance you won’t soon forget.Tonight can be about you and Alex.Right now, it’s showtime—and I’m running the show.”“Oh, dear,” I said.“Does anyone need a shot of vodka before we begin?” Blackwell asked.We all looked at one another, but apparently none of us spoke fast enough.“Fine—you had your chance, and you should have taken it.Now, if everyone is ready, let’s get down to the business of marriage.Lisa, why don’t you stand next to Jennifer, but just a foot or two behind her? Not that far—she is your best friend isn’t she? Have you lost all affection for her? Close the gap.Good.Tank, how about if you do the same with Alex? That’s right.Perfect.Tank always gets it just right.It’s his military background.”“You’re so bossy,” Jennifer said.“And that’s one of the reasons you asked me to officiate.”They winked at each other, and then Blackwell turned behind her, took a few note cards off Alex’s desk, and then reached for a bouquet of flowers that were directly behind her.They were lovely—a simple, yet elegant clutch of cascading lilies.She handed them to Jennifer, and then said to Alex and her, “Shall we?”“Absolutely,” Alex said.“Yes, please,” Jennifer said.“Then we’re off.” She looked at each of them, and began.“Presumably, love is the reason we’re here today, but I think it runs deeper than that.And where it runs is one of the reasons why I believe this marriage will last—you two are friends.Best friends.It’s not only the love you have for each other that will carry you through the tough times, which will come and will hit hard.It’s also the friendship you’ve built over these past many months that will keep you two together when those moments strike.So, Alex and Jennifer, in the days ahead of you, know this—there will be dark times and good times, times of conflict and times of joy.Because of that, I ask you to remember the following advice I’ve learned by reflecting on my own life this week.”She glanced down at her cards, and then lifted her head.“Since both of you are nothing less than aggressive, rampant overachievers, certainly continue to work as hard as you do, but don’t forget that there also is work to be done in your marriage.That’s something I forgot in my own marriage to Charles, so pay attention to what I’m saying here—I know what I’m talking about.Tend to your relationship every day.Don’t take it for granted—even the smallest of gestures matter.At the very least, treat each other as you’d treat your best friend.Confide in each other
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Tematy
IndexChristine Amsden [Cassie Scot Cassie Scot ParaNormal Detecti
Christie Craig [Divorced, Des Divorced, Desperate
Moore Christopher Ssij, mała, ssij (II)
Stasheff, Christopher Wizard in Rhyme 6 Haunted Wizard
Christine Feehan Mroczna Seri Mroczny Demon
Cidney Swanson [Saving Mars Saving Mars (epub)
Stasheff, Christopher Rogue Wizard 04 A Wizard in Peace
Feehan Christine Mroczna Seria 01 Mroczny Ksišże
Stasheff, Christopher Warlock 01 The Warlock in Spite of Himself
Christine Feehan Mroczna Seria 13 Mroczne Przeznaczenie