The sun simmered lower in the sky when they finally finished. Elly looked at her watch: The ceremony started in two hours. They were still officially one hour behind. Frantically, she began throwing all the trash into the van that Keith had backed up into the alley. She was covered in tree bits when Keith gently took her arm.
“I know we’re in a hurry. But come see what you have done,” he insisted. “You have reason be proud.” They walked together to the front of the ceremony – the same place where Aaron and Lucia would stand – and looked back at the empty chairs. Elly felt an unexpected rush of pride. It should have been horrible to look at it, to marvel at the beauty that was the place of their wedding, but Elly for some reason couldn’t shake the astonishment of the sight.
It was a heavenly delight, a wildwood of pearl and peonies that swayed and blushed in the breeze. The hanging orchids quivered in the wind, and the overhead braches invited everyone to join in their fantasy. The hydrangea urns were elegant and romantic on a grand scale. The chocolate brown ribbon matched perfectly with the soft tan brick ground beneath it.
“It’s perfect,” breathed Elly.
Keith stared into her eyes. “Perfect,” he murmured.
Elly was suddenly aware of their surroundings and stepped back, insecure. She faked a yawn. “I feel like I could sleep for a year.” She let out a sly smile. “I have an idea. Let’s just go home and you can make me sandwich. We’ll kick up our feet and watch some trashy daytime television.”
Keith laughed, a deep throaty sound. “I think that we may have to finish this.”
Elly groaned. “I can’t believe it’s only half done. We still have the reception!”
Keith shook his head. “I can’t help you with that. My family will disown me if I don’t at least make the party. And my niece will never talk to me again. She’s three years old and very attached.” He paused. “I’m probably going to have to wear a princess crown.”
Elly grinned as she started picking tiny petal pieces off the ground. “I bet that looks nice.” She stood, stretching out her back. “Keith, this is more than I ever had a right to expect. I would never have finished this in time. I hate to say it, but this looks incredible.” She eyed the ceremony site. “Maybe he’ll leave her at the altar.”
Keith tilted his head. “Or maybe she’ll leave him.”
Elly scoffed.
Keith recanted. “Maybe the hotel will fall on them both.”
Elly mimicked a scream and then was aware of how silly she looked as her designated butler came back around the corner. “Ma’am, they are ready for you in the reception room. I was told to ask you…” He looked at his note and cringed. Elly recognized Snarky Teenager’s messy scrawl. “Where the hell are you?” He cleared his throat. “Should I respond?”
Elly grabbed the note from his white gloved fingers. “Tell them I will be up in five minutes.”
She turned to Keith, who was double checking on the stability of the manzanita branches. “Thank you again, but I have to run. Can I pay you?”
Keith’s eyes darkened and his mood seemed to immediately change. “No. I don’t want your money, Elly.” He raised an eyebrow. “Where is your hippie today? Wasn’t he supposed to help?”
Elly stepped back as if she had been slapped. He was trying to provoke her. Again. “No, he had some important band stuff. They got hired for a job – very big deal.”
Keith gestured to the elaborate gardens in front of them. “What could be more important than this?”
“I don’t want to talk about it,” Elly grumbled. “I have to go Keith.” She started walking towards the hotel.
“Elly, wait.” He grabbed her arm softly. Fire shot through Elly’s skin as Keith looked down into her blue eyes. “Good luck today. Don’t let anything or ANYONE take this day away from you.”
Elly was confused and yanked her arm away. “Why would I want this day? This is the worst day of my life, Keith.” She pondered that for a second. “No. This is the second worst day of my life. The first one was the day I found Lucia in my bed, and today is almost as bad, because I have to live through it all over again. Only this time, I can’t run off and start a new life somewhere. Although, the idea is becoming more and more appealing.” She turned her back to him. “I will have Kim pay you for your time. I insist. Now go, don’t miss any more of your niece’s party.”
“I’ll stay if you want me to.” Keith looked pained to be walking away.
“I’ll be fine now. A horny teenager, a crazy French woman and a handful of Russian immigrants are inside waiting to help me.”
Keith laughed. “Elly, they’re from Boston.”
“WHATEVER.” snapped Elly. “Go away, you are making me LATE. And nervous.”
“Nervous? Really?” Keith’s eyes lit up.
“Goodbye, Keith. Go home.” Elly walked into the hotel. She forced herself not to look back at him.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-EIGHT