Alien in the Family

on.” He handed his phone to Reader. “Describe the ensemble to Dennis, Jimmy.”
    Reader rolled his eyes but took the phone. He wandered off to have this conversation in semiprivate.
    Pierre turned back to me. “Now, darling, Dennis will get us something immediately. I know why Jimmy wasn’t thinking veil, no reason to hide that pretty face. Speaking of which, makeup thoughts?”
    I got the impression this was a test question. “I pretty much never wear makeup. I don’t think I should today, because Jeff wouldn’t know who I was.”
    “Jeff is our eager groom?”
    “Yes.” I was hoping Martini was picking up some of this. Pierre was a hoot and a half, and I was actually starting to enjoy being with him.
    “Wise choice, darling, very wise. You have enough color in those lovely fair cheeks, your lips clearly haven’t been drained of color by too much lipstick, and your eyes are, or, well, will be once you’ve had a latte, bright and sparkling.” He looked over his shoulder. “Janice! I need a double latte.” He looked back to me.
    “Vanilla. Extra vanilla.”
    “A double vanilla latte with a triple shot of the vanilla in it, immediately.”
    I didn’t see Janice, but I assumed she scampered off to fill my drink order. I was really enjoying this, and Chuckie’s warning from the day before surfaced. I knew he was right—Martini would be open to me doing this all the time. As a thrilling indulgence on the big day, it was great. Every week and I’d feel like the Queen of Shallow.
    Reader came back and tossed Pierre his phone. “Dennis says he’ll get the right thing over immediately.”
    “Fabulous. Jimmy, dearest, I understand why you didn’t want to cover up her face. But, truly, netting?”
    “I had a lot of other things to take care of.”
    “James was running around like crazy.”
    “She is adorable. I’d wrap her up and take her home if I could. Fine, darlings, all is forgiven. We’ll see what Dennis sends and go from there.”
    My latte arrived before Dennis. I shared it with Reader, who was starting to pace like a caged leopard. “James, you okay?” He nodded. “We’re really behind schedule again, aren’t we?”
    “No, not so much.” He sounded distracted. Pierre and I exchanged looks in the mirror.
    “Darlings, going to step aside just for a moment, be right back.” Pierre trotted off.
    I got up out of the chair and grabbed Reader’s arm. “James, what’s wrong?”
    “I think I’ve forgotten something.”
    “Like what?”
    “Something important.” His voice was tense.
    I hugged him. “James, whatever it is, I’d have forgotten it, too.”
    He hugged me back, tightly. “No, I don’t think so.” He was quiet. “Run though the things you’d think you needed for your wedding. No pause, just rattle them off.”
    “Um, location, reception, dresses, tuxedos, rings, gifts for the bridal party—which I don’t have. Shoes, gift for you and for Jeff—which I also don’t have. Flowers, deejay, wedding cake—”
    Reader cursed. “I knew it!”
    “What? No cake? We can live without a cake.”
    “Possibly. However, not without flowers.” His heart was pounding. I was used to this with Martini, but not Reader.
    I dragged him to Pierre’s chair and made him sit. “James, it’s okay.” I went behind him and started to massage his shoulders. “Really, it’s okay. Breathe, deep breaths, deep breaths. It’s Vegas, for God’s sake. They have everything here. You seem to know everyone here, too.”
    “I’m from here.” He said it like it was a confession.
    “So? I’m from Pueblo Caliente. We’re Southwesterners, desert dwellers. Makes us great under pressure. James, really, stop stressing.” I hugged him. “James, you almost died, and you’re miraculously here, doing everything for my wedding. It’s more important to me that you’re with me than if I’m carrying some dead plant life. Okay?”
    He closed his eyes. “No, but I’ll take it.”
    “So dramatic.” Pierre was back. “As if, as our darling girl said, we don’t have florists all over. We’re a wedding capital, Jimmy.” He shook his head. “He’s such a doll, isn’t he? I know he adores you, he only gets like this with people he cares about.”
    “The flowers have to be right.” Reader sounded anal again.
    “No, they don’t. They just have to be there. James, I don’t care. I mean, I do, but not this much. You found the most gorgeous dress for me, in a sea of gorgeous dresses.