Chapter Four

“Awes…that’s really cute.” Deanne said holding up a little bride and groom cake topper.

“She’s totally slipping…Dan told me she made him put a decorative teapot on the gift registry! This coming from a little girl who wanted to grow up and live in a gothic mansion.” Alexis said to Jennifer.

“I’m not deaf.” Deanne said.

“My bad.” Alexis joked.

“Here Ms. Hardy.” Erika, the woman who owned the Orlando Bakery, said handing her a book of cakes to look through. “I marked the pages I thought you interest you.”

“Thank you.” Deanne replied.

“I’ll be right back with the samples.” Erika said.

“Samples…now that’s what I’m talking about.” Jennifer said rubbing her hands together.

***

“Umm…Ms. Hardy. I’m afraid there’s a problem.” Jane, an employee at the bridal store, said.

“I don’t like the way this sounds.” Deanne said.

“The dress you picked out isn’t here.”

“I don’t understand.”

“It’s not in the holding room anymore.”

“How is that possible? I mean the alterations made to that dress were specifically for me…it won’t fit anyone else.”

“I’m sorry Ms. Hardy. Perhaps you might find something else…”

“I don’t want something else! I want what I picked out and it’s your responsibility to find it!” Deanne said angrily just as her cell rang.

“WHAT?!”

“I’m fine and you?” Dan asked.

“Peachy.”

“What’s wrong?”

“They lost my dress.”

“Your dress? Is that possible?”

“Apparently. So what’s up?”

“Now don’t shoot the messenger but the florist called and said the flowers you picked out won’t work because of heavy rains in Connecticut.”

“I thought it was because of a drought in Mississippi.”

“I don’t know. So they want you to come in tomorrow at 4:00.”

“Alright. Man, this day just keeps getting better and better.”

“Why don’t you just forget about the dress for now and come home?”

“Okay, I love you.”

“I love you too. See you in a bit.”

***

“Danny!” Deanne called as she walked inside.

“I’m in the living room.” He called back.

Deanne walked down the hallway and found Dan sitting on the couch.

“Hey beautiful.” He said.

Deanne smiled and sat down next to him on the couch.

“Hey stud.” She replied giving him a kiss.

He brushed a piece of hair out of her face.

“Feeling better?” he asked.

“Now.” She replied snuggling up against him.

“You know how to stroke a guy’s ego.”

“I did work with Justin Timberlake back in the day you know and that boy’s ego is as big as they come.”

“I see. Well then I guess if you’re feeling better we don’t have to partake in any of the activities I planned.”

“Like what?”

“Out of the goodness of my heart I was willing to watch ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ with you.” He said naming one of Deanne’s favorite movies.

“We could still do that.”

“And then eat your favorite dinner.”

“Oh Dan…you dialed the phone and ordered pizza for me? You are the perfect man.”

Dan laughed and kissed her nose.

“No, you’re just really easy to please.”

Chapter 5