His Love Match

“You’ve done a wonderful job,” Jennifer’s mother whispered when the reception line broke up and the group headed for the dais and the sit-down meal. “Jennifer looks so happy.”

“She does,” Diana agreed honestly, passing a tissue to Mrs. Embry.

“The flowers, the dresses, the hall.” Mrs. Embry dabbed her teary eyes and shook her head as if it was difficult to take it all in. “The church was just lovely.”

Diana handed the woman a second tissue.

“Thank you,” she said. “I never would have believed Jennifer could look so beautiful.”

“She’s a beautiful woman,” Diana said.

“I know.” Her mother patted her hand. “But today...today...”

“She glows,” Diana finished for her. Taking Mrs. Embry’s arm, she led her to the head table. Scott, who was already seated, got up and met them. “Would you help her to her seat?” Diana asked.

Mrs. Embry was not an old woman. She was overcome with emotion. Jennifer was her only daughter and today she gave her away. Their lives would never be the same.

“Mrs. Embry,” Diana called. “It’s not goodbye. Your lives will be different and better. In a year or so there may be grandchildren.”

Mrs. Embry looked at her for a long time. Then she hugged Diana. “You’re a treasure,” she said. “You’ll be just as beautiful a bride someday as Jennifer is today.”

The compliment should have made her feel good, but the fact that Scott heard it made Diana cringe inwardly. She thanked Mrs. Embry and took a step back. Scott accompanied her to her seat. Diana turned and headed for the bride and groom, who were standing at the end of the dais and waiting for everyone to be seated so they could have the full attention of the room.

“Jennifer, Bill,” she said with a smile. “It was beautiful. I hope you liked it.”

“Everything about it,” Jennifer said, her smile wide and happy. “Thank you so much.”

“I just wanted to say congratulations again, and since my duties are over, I’m heading home for a relaxing day. Tomorrow, I start again.”

“You’re not leaving?” Diana didn’t have to turn around to know Scott’s voice. Ignoring him, she addressed the bride and groom. “Enjoy your honeymoon and have a wonderful life.”

Jennifer leaned forward and hugged her. Bill kissed her on the cheek, and the couple moved away to visit their other guests.

“I wore this tuxedo just for you. Look how well it fits.”

Diana was reminded of the episode in the dressing room. Her face flamed. She could feel the heat rising and her ears burned as hot as the sun.

“Good night, Scott.” Pivoting, she headed for the exit and her SUV.

“You know if you leave, I’ll just come by your house tonight,” he said.

“I don’t have to answer the door.”

“I’ll make a racket and wake up your neighbors.”

Diana stopped walking and turned to face him. “You live in Princeton, right?”

He nodded.

“Then you know how responsive the police force is. I’ll call them and tell them you’re being a public nuisance.”

“I’ll tell them you’re only acting like this because I kissed you.”

Diana felt a lightning bolt jolt her. “What is it you want?” she asked. “We already know we’re not compatible. The computer made a mistake. Why can’t we just go our separate ways. Unless...unless this constant meeting has another purpose.”

“You wound me,” Scott said, placing a hand over his heart. “Seriously, the office has nothing to do with this.”

“Then what does?”

“I’m intrigued,” he said.

“You said that before—and believe me, I don’t take it as a compliment.”

“It is. I think we should talk. We could start with a dance.”

Diana glanced at the empty bandstand. “The band won’t begin until after the meal. The combo will play soft music to accompany the food, but the dancing begins in another ballroom.”

“So you’ll have to stay. You must be hungry. I’m sure Jennifer and Bill included you in the seating arrangement.”

In fact, it was traditional to allow the wedding planner a seat at a back table. As Diana had coordinated the placing of seating cards on the tables, she knew exactly where her seat was.

“You must be hungry,” Scott said. “Last night you had little to eat, and I’m sure you were at Jennifer’s before breakfast. Have you had more than a cup of coffee today?”

She stared at him a moment, then shook her head.

“Stay. Give me one dance, and I won’t bother you again today.”

“Is that a promise?”

He raised his right hand in the Boy Scout salute. “I promise.”

At that moment a procession of waiters came from several doors and made a ceremony of placing food in front of the guests. The smell of an old-fashioned kitchen reminded her that she was hungry. Scott was right about her food intake. Leaving without eating was running away from him, and she didn’t want him to know how much he controlled her actions.

“I will have something to eat.”

“And a dance,” he prompted.

“One dance,” she said. “One only.”

His smile broadened, satisfied that he’d won the argument. Taking her arms impulsively, he pulled her forward and dropped a kiss on her cheek. Heat poured through her. Scott started back to his seat. Diana checked to see if anyone had seen the unexpected gesture. It was not protocol for the wedding planner to act as a guest or to be kissed on the floor of the dining room. But then Scott either didn’t know the rules or didn’t care to follow them. Jennifer and Bill were totally engrossed in each other. No one at the head of the room noticed. However, several people at the table close to where they stood smiled at her.

She nodded to them and quickly walked to her assigned seat. What was she going to do now? She couldn’t possibly eat anything and keep it down. Thoughts of Scott pressing his body against hers in a dance was too much to think about. She was sure if he took her in his arms in the broad light of a beautiful sunny afternoon, she could not say she had no feelings for this man without the world around her knowing she was lying.

Chapter 4

Relax, Diana told herself as Scott whirled her about the room. She stepped on his foot once. He didn’t say a word about it, didn’t tell her to relax, didn’t tell her he wouldn’t bite, only adjusted his arms and pulled her close to him. Diana smelled his cologne. It was mildly sweet with an undercurrent of something that seemed to come from him. She liked it.

His head touched hers, and she closed her eyes. Her body relaxed and found the perfect combination of movement. She felt everything about him, the fabric of his starched shirt, the heat of his body beneath it, his long legs, and the sureness of his hands as they held her.

Being there was like a dream, and for a moment Diana allowed herself to fantasize that she was the bride dancing her first dance with her newly minted husband. Her feet seemed to glide across the floor.

The music stopped and she opened her eyes.

“That was beautiful,” Jennifer said. “I’ve never seen anyone dance the way you two did. You make a beautiful couple.”

Diana’s skin burned. She hadn’t realized she was being watched. Apparently, the entire room was staring at them. What had she done? She knew. She’d fallen into the dream and let everything she felt pour through the dance. Hadn’t she thought about that? She knew it was what many professional dancers wanted, strove to show on the stage. They wanted to show their feelings through the steps. Diana hadn’t.

“Thank you,” Scott said, saving her from having to answer anything. “I think we need a drink now.”

He led her away from the prying eyes and toward the bar. The conversations resumed behind her, and she was certain that people had stopped staring at her.

“I apologize,” Diana told Scott. “I never meant to embarrass you.”

“You’ve danced before,” he stated, apparently out of context. “And I’m not embarrassed.”

Diana had taken lessons and learned many dances that couples used for their first dance. Often she needed to school the groom on a few steps before he took his bride onto the dance floor. At the time she viewed it as part of her full service to the wedding program. Today she regretted ever knowing a single step. Or the feel of Scott’s arms holding her, almost cradling her as they traversed the floor.

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