Four months later . . . It was early April. The sun was shining. The winter snow had melted. The birds were chirping – Spring was officially here. And it was the day before the wedding. They had the wedding rehearsal that morning followed by a rehearsal luncheon at Lacey’s home. Since her mother had planned her bachelorette party for tonight, they had a rehearsal lunch instead of a rehearsal dinner. After the luncheon, Lacey led Blake into the den blindfolded. She had a surprise for him and she didn’t want him to peak. “We’ve stopped,” Blake stated. “now can I take this pink thing off?” Lacey laughed. She had blindfolded him with the pink scarf she had been wearing. He liked the color on her but not him and he had let her know it. “Yes,” she reached up and untied it from around his eyes. He was in perfect position to see his surprise head on. Blake blinked his eyes open and then stilled as he got a loo
Leo had called to ask Blake if he wanted to play a few sets of racquetball before they had to meet Brad at Blake’s penthouse. It had been a few years since Blake played racquetball. Nevertheless, he accepted the invite and hoped he didn’t lose as badly to Leo as he did to Lacey at tennis. As the saying goes, hope springs eternal. He lost three sets of singles to Leo at the New York Athletic Club. They went to the tap room for drinks before showering and changing. “You’re a happy man these days, brother,” Leo remarked and sipped his imported beer. They were sitting at the bar. “That’s what the love of a good woman can do for a man,” Brad bragged proudly. Leo smiled. “Lacey is lovely. I’m sure you’re excited about tomorrow. Since we have a few minutes alone, I would like to say –” “Ugh, you’re not going to get mushy on me, are you?” Blake jested. “Not too much. I just want to say
The day of the wedding . . . Nothing like a ninety-something chasing your guests out, saying she should call their wives and mothers. And how Grandmother Phillipa chided the girls. They hadn’t dared to say anything back to her. They got dressed and left. Blake didn’t have a hangover, thank god. He had drunk quite a bit of scotch last night. He hadn’t drank like that since his junior year in undergrad. Leo and Brad had come over for breakfast. They sat at the dining room table with Blake at the helm. Leo was to his right and Brad was on his left. “Well, today is the day. Are you nervous?” Brad asked. “No.” Blake answered simply. “Truly?” Leo asked with an inquisitive look. “Truly. Why would I be nervous about something I am beyond sure of?” Blake asked. “You couldn’t have picked a nicer and prettier girl that’s for sure,” Brad commented. “So, when will it be your turn
The wedding party prepared to walk down the aisle. Father Thomas, who was in robes, waited for them at the archway ahead. His blond hair was slicked down and parted on the side. He had also conducted Lacey’s and Blake’s marital counseling which was required by the Catholic church. They had to wait for Roxanne, her mother, and Blake’s grandmother to be escorted down the aisle. Once that was done, it was Blake’s turn. Brad and Blake walked side by side up the aisle as Gladys Knight and a choir sang, I Hope You Dance. Lacey had wanted a professional singer at the wedding. It was Roxanne who had booked Gladys Knight. The three-piece band, although small, sounded beautiful. Blake noticed a few of his family members with their eyebrows up like they couldn’t believe this was it.A helicopter could be heard in the distance. Once they got to the front, Blake turned around. He glanced over to his grandmother. She gave him a
It was almost eight in the evening when Blake carried Lacey over the threshold of his penthouse. Lacey had said he didn’t have to do it, but he wanted to make sure that everything was traditional the way she wanted it right down to a T. Lacey thought Blake was going to set her down in the living room. But instead he continued to carry her through the living room to the back hallway. “Where –” she stopped when she realized he was taking her straight to the bedroom - his bedroom. “Oh.” Blake chuckled. They were alone in the penthouse. Blake had given his housekeeper and butler the night off. Besides, their bags were already packed for their honeymoon in Paris. Of course, Blake had been to Paris before but he had said he waited to take her there for their honeymoon so he could see the city through her beautiful blue eyes. Blake gently placed her down on the end of the bed in the sitting position. He didn’t seem to be
Lawrence Stevens owed millions in markers to Caesars and MGM Grand in Las Vegas. He had nowhere else to turn. He had alienated his ex-wife, family, and friends ages ago. His last hope was the son of his dead fraternity brother. “Sure, I’ll help you out – for a price,” Blake said as he stood from the arm chair. They were in Blake’s living room at his penthouse. He stood tall, five foot eight. His dark hair was slicked back with a part on the side. “What do you want as collateral? My Benz? My house in the Bahamas?” “The last I remembered you had a daughter, correct?” Blake asked as he walked to the bar. “Yes. Lacey, my only child. Why?” “I’ll take her.” Blake said simply. “I beg your pardon?” “I need a wife - and an heir. Your daughter will do.” “What! You want to marry my child just so you can have children?” Lawrence was incredulous. “What else
“If I didn’t think I’d get caught, I’d kill your father for putting you in this position,” Lacey’s mother griped as her two cousins were helping her into her gown. Lacey had returned to New York at her father’s request last week. She had given up her apartment in Paris since she was going to be married to a billionaire who lived in New York. She had called her mother a day after she agreed to marry Blake Dandridge to tell her about it. Her mother, Roxanne Stevens, had asked too many questions about the quick nuptials. Lacey had no choice but to tell her the truth. “Lawrence knows you’d do anything for him,” her mother continued as she paced. She wore a blue Vera Wang dress.Lacey was surprised at how quick the arrangements had been made. She didn’t think she could have a real wedding on such short notice. But from what she had heard during the past week was when Blake Dandridge wanted something done it got done no matter what. No one wanted to be on
Lacey had grabbed her bag and raced outside. She had ignored the people who stared at her on the golf course as she ran to a golf cart for freedom.Lacey got to the back of the property and brought the cart to a screeching halt on the sidewalk.Some New Yorkers starred at her as she grabbed her bag. Others walked by casually like a girl wasn’t on a golf cart in her wedding dress.She desperately ran out into the street to flag down a cab. Two drove by her. The third one stopped. Probably because she had literally threw herself in front of the car.She walked around to get in and then he took off and blared his horn. “Crazy broad!”Lacey looked around with urgency. She would have taken her mother’s limo, but she couldn’t trust the driver to get her out of there. He was loyal to Lacey’s mother – not her.She was about to run back to the sidewalk when a bus slowed next to her.The driver opened the window. “Honey, something tells me you need a ride,” the white male said.“Ye