Please be seated, I say and then add, You dont need my permission.
He pulls the chair out and sits as I look at Ashley. She gives me a quick wink and then excuses herself from the table. I want to ask her to stay but its too late.
Can I steal you from your busy schedule for a few more moments?
You may, I reply.
I have to say that youve truly outdone yourself with the immaculate planning and execution of this wedding. Its fabulous. Rick says lightly. His voice is confident. It has an authoritative but kind tone. One that says, Im in charge and I know what I want. I get what I want too.
I catch the scent of his cologne again. It carries a hint of wood and its strong. Not in the sense that he has used too much, the scent is simply strong, powerful, masculine.
Thank you for the compliment, I say blushing again. Im blushing between my thighs and Im pretty sure he knows it. I squeeze my thighs together and feel how soaked I am. My blush deepens.
A little birdie told me that youre one of the top wedding planners in Los Angeles, he says as he studies me.
Well, I dont concern myself with classifications. I simply do the best I can for my clients. They are important and its a very special day so they deserve the best.
Thats a very noble way of thinking. Very humble too.
Thank you, I blush again. Do you normally compliment women this much? You do know it works wonders, dont you? I will add though that you had me under the tree. You dont need to flatter me more.
He smiles. Im not flattering you. I simply believe in giving credit where credit is due, he smiles.
Thank you again, I incline my head towards him.
He leans closer and lowers his voice. Can we put our earlier moment aside? Theres something else I want to talk to you about, he says.
What about? I ask surprised.
Well, you are one of the best at what you do whether you want to admit it or not. I believe Im also one of the best at what I do and I was thinking that perhaps we could agree to collaborate.
What? I ask myself. Did he just start to talk business? I start to feel deflated, disappointed. Cloud number nine is suddenly descending fast.
Im sure we can talk about collaborating. I have a big network of people already though, I reply.
I understand that but I provide a niche service, he replies. I doubt you have someone like me on your team. Very few wedding planners do.
Okay, I respond. What exactly is it that you do?
Rick smiles and reaches into his jacket. He removes his wallet and takes out a business card. He returns his wallet to his jacket pocket and hands the card to me.
I take it but dont look at it immediately. I am mesmerized by his moves. They seem so fluid, lithe is the word that comes to mind.
Im a lawyer, Rick says.
His words hit me hard. A lawyer? What on earth?
My brow furrows in confusion. Why would I want to collaborate with a lawyer? I dont like lawyers for personal reasons and I cant help the hint of irritation that creeps into my voice when I answer.
Why? he smiles and looks at me before continuing, Well, many couples prefer to have prenups drawn up before they get married. Some even want a last will and testament. I do it all.
I nod slowly. Okay, that makes sense.
Of course, he smiles. He sits forward and continues, Thats just the beginning though.
What do you mean by just the beginning?
Well, theres the divorce later.
I am sipping my drink when he says it and it goes down the wrong hole. I cough and splutter as I put down the glass. When my coughing fit is done, I take another few sips so my voice can return to normal. Divorce? I say a little too loudly and the guests at the next table glance our way. I am disgusted and shocked.
Yes, divorce, he repeats.
In an instant, everything that happened between us earlier is wiped out. I feel like I have crossed into an alternate world.
You do realize that this is one of the most beautiful days a couple will ever have in their lives?
Rick nods. Yes. One of the most beautiful days. It doesnt last forever though. Life happens.
So, you assume every marriage is going to end in divorce sooner or later? I ask incredulously. This time I keep my voice low enough so that the other guests dont hear.
Not all of them, Rick replies. But let me give you an idea of what Im talking about. In California alone, divorce rates are estimated to be ten percent higher than the national average.
There is a national average for something as bad as divorce? I ask in disgust.
Yes. Would you like to guess what the national average is? Itll make you wonder why till death do us part is still being included in couples vows.
I dont care to guess, I reply.
Well let me enlighten you then. The national average is fifty percent. That means in California its
sixty percent, I finish in disgust. I feel my anger rising. You are aware that this is a wedding reception?
Of course, Rick replies. What is your point?
I ignore his question. Are you for real? What have you done with the man who was in the garden a short while ago?
Rick chuckles. Cute. Hes right here.
What happened to the man who said, when our eyes met, I was drawn to you like a moth to a flame? How can you whisper such romantic things to me while you have such a skewed perception of marriage?Its not skewed, he replies. Arent we all entitled to our opinions?
Sure, but why dont you tell me where you see anything between us going if thats your view of marriage?
Arent you taking things a bit fast? We havent even had our first date and youre asking about things between us.
Im sorry I gave you the wrong impression then, I say as I struggle to suppress my anger. You had an effect on me like no man I have ever known. Despite that my heart was telling me to cautious and I was telling it to shut up. I was throwing caution to the wind because I thought I felt something special with you. I guess I was wrong.
I beg to differ. You did feel something special. I felt it too.
No. I wasnt thinking with my heart. I was thinking with the puddle between my legs. Dammit, you drove me wild with desire but thats where it would end. Lust, desire, passion, sex. Thats all. Isnt it? A one-night stand.
Rick shook his head looking disappointed.
Im on a roll now and I push on. Do they even know that youre peddling your services here?
He studies me for a moment. Look, perhaps were starting off on the wrong foot. All I am saying is that clients need lawyers when they get married and divorced. Just take my perspective of divorce out of it if you dont like it and think about offering your clients a service they need. I do offer a commission for business introductions.
We have started on the wrong foot. Why would I work with someone who has such as skewed attitude towards one of the greatest days in a couples life?