Tristan looks like a giant, his height and build only accentuated by his navy jacket and relaxed jeans. A sexy giant. He crosses his arms, and turns to his mother with a frown on that damnably gorgeous face. Be still my beating heart. "Mum, what are you doing?"Janet shrugs her shoulders, feigning innocence. "What? I was just having a chat with Lacey, what's wrong with two gals catching up?""About what?""Secret girls' business," she blinks femininely and I grin nervously. "Uh-uh, I'm sure it's secret," he mutters under his breath. I smirk to myself. Even though he is a grown man, it's rather cute that he still gets embarrassed by his mother.Janet gets up abruptly, almost as if she was waiting for him to arrive. "Anyway, I'm going to leave you two alone, you should have lots of privacy where you are. It's pitch black at the back!"Tristan scowls at her. "Mum, please stop talking now."She giggles in a blasé fashion before looking at me. "Gosh he's stubborn, isn't he?""You
Putting the final touches on my cherry red painted lips, I'm happy with my hair and makeup. As I put the lipstick into my brown leather clutch, I start straightening my camel coat when my door knocks. That must be him. Tucking my hair behind my ear, I open the door to see Edmund on the other side with a bouquet of pink and white daisies, a big shopping bag beside his feet. He's sharply dressed in a long black coat and thick grey scarf. I'm dating a sexy older man. I never thought I would say this to myself but here I am. And I don't mind it at all."For you, my lamb chop," he smiles and hands the flowers to me. I'm dating a sexy older man who refers me to a piece of meat, the cliché does exist."They're beautiful!" I gush as I take them, opening the door wider. "I'm going to put these in a vase, come right in."He grabs my arm before I move and leans in to kiss me a polite, restrained and warm kiss. It's pleasant, nice really. He's a good kisser, his lips are soft, his breath is al
"Thank you. Call me as soon as anything changes alright? I want the gift bags ready Thursday morning, by the latest, so I can inspect them.uh-uhyepno problem okay, bye." I hang up, checking another email that has just popped up regarding the catering from the Estelle Salon."Sis, come on we're about to get on the plane. Turn the phone off!" Hansley reprimands as we drag our suitcases towards the departure gate. I continue reading the email, looking up and down as we dart through the crowds. Typing a few quick words, I'm halted as I realise we are at the waiting gate. Packed with impatient looking travellers, I'm glad we are here thirty minutes before the scheduled boarding time. The last few weeks have flown by and it's coming into September, which means it will nice and hot in Vegas. I've packed a good variety of tops, t-shirts, dresses, and one thick jacket. I wish Jackie was here, but no I'm travelling with Hansley and his entourage. They are going early for the bachelor party,
Vegas truly is Glitter Gulch, because that's all I see: glitter, lights, and bright neon signs. As we sit in the cab all I can do is pop my mouth open at everything that rolls before my eyes.The strip is an endless parade of dazzling lights, one glitter ball after the next and on a hot evening like tonight there is nothing like it. The Bellagio, The Aria, Bally's, and The Cosmopolitan all compete to be the brightest and glitziest. Even the dresses the women wear are shiny, all of them wearing super high platform heels, big hair. I certainly feel underdressed in my skinny jeans and t-shirt, that's for sure. At least, I packed enough suitable clothing, because it is hot for an evening. I'll definitely have to take advantage of the weather and use the hotel pool. Opting for a quick ride around town, we begin south at?Mandalay Bay and make our way north towards?Stratosphere?where our hotel is nearby. Because of the convenience with the wedding, we are all checking into the Estelle Salo
Clicking save on my file, I look over the run sheet once more. Everything seems to check out. Final menu confirmed? Check. Floral and candle arrangements in place? Check. Photography locations confirmed? Check. The only contentious issue is the cake, why is it always the cake? The happy couple have settled on a French Vanilla cream-filled sponge, served with balsamic glazed strawberries. Jackie was perfectly happy to let me choose the baker to do the job, but the hotel insisted on hiring their former head chef, Linda, who is now working as a freelancer. And she has been almost impossible to contact. When I finally managed to get in touch with her, she said she was busy around the clock with orders but that I didn't need to worry about it as she would be able to get it done on time. How can I be okay with someone who finally picked up after thirty attempts??Nevertheless, I scouted a local bakery that can make the cake with twenty-four hours' notice and I made Linda promise t
"I can't wait to see you Lacey! So soon now!" Jackie's lovely voice chirps through the phone. "Likewise. Just get here in one piece, and I'll sort everything else out for you, alright? Okay, bye."I hang up and drop my mobile on the bed, getting up to go to the bathroom. All of a sudden, my hotel phone rings. Geez, my phone is just ringing off the hook! Walking back to the bed I place the receiver to my mouth."Hello?""Hey, you coming down for dinner?" Hansley's voice comes through. "What do you mean, it's your bachelor party tonight." Not to mention I had planned to do some serious work on that 'Pro's' and 'Con's' checklist about London. My laptop is popped open, and that spreadsheet is waiting to be filled up. I've put it off for too long, I need to put in some serious time on it soon."I know, but come join us for dinner. I feel bad leaving you alone while I'll be out getting shit-faced."I sit down on the bed, checking the time. It's 5:30PM, his shenanigans aren't suppo
With his arm raised up over the door, his size dominating mine, I step back a few paces. I can smell a tinge of alcohol permeating from his body, and his singlet is hanging loosely giving me a glimpse of the beefy chest that used to get me hot and bothered. Correction, the beefy chest that still gets me hot and bothered. "What are you doing here?" I ask with a shaky breath, my heart pounding at the way he is looking at me. Something tells me he's not here for a friendly and well-mannered chat."May I come in?" Is all he says, but the antagonism in his tone is clear."Aren't you supposed to be making sure my brother is getting a lap dance or something? Actually, don't tell me," I tease, smiling nervously.He remains deadpan. "Are you going to let me in or not?" Shrugging my shoulders, I turn around and keep the door open and I hear him walk in, closing it behind him. He probably wants to ask something about Hansley, some advice I can give perhaps."Why aren't you with my brother
"No I said afternoon garden chic, not wild jungle chic!" I bark down the phone, pacing around the room in my black sling-backs.Jackie calls from the other side of the room. "Oh god, I hope they don't screw it up."Placing my hand over the phone receiver, I call out to her. "Do you think this is the first wedding I've planned? Trust me on this, I'm not going to let you down."I take my hand off the receiver. "And flowers. The room needs to scream flowers, flowers, flowers. I want nothing but pink peonies. Not ones picked from the bloody garden, but delicately arranged centrepieces on every table. And candles, they need to be long, white and tapered. Not melted tea lights, you got that? I'll be there shortly to check it all, so you need to have some extra supplied in case it's not enough."Out from the corner of my ear, I hear heels clacking on the floor. "Okay, call me right back to confirm when it's all set. Bye." I hang up and turn around, gasping at the sight of Jackie in her