The Art of Stealing Kisses - Stella London Page 0,45
present and accounted for.”
He looks amused, but he’s only been working for me six months now. “Trust me,” I smile. “When you’ve been working this gig a little longer, you’ll get used to the crazy.”
Dogs don’t even come close to the strangest thing people want included in their special day – and it’s my job to make sure they get their heart’s desire. No dream too big, no detail too small. I can organize a hundred doves fluttering up in the air right as the newly-minted mister and missus exit the chapel doors. I can have fireworks spell out their initials in the night sky. I can make sure that hydroponically-grown orchids match the bride’s eyes. I do whatever it takes to make it perfect, and today, it is. The Central Park Boathouse looks like something out of a fairy tale. Pink rose and yellow hydrangea garlands hang from the dock, a rose petal strewn walkway leads up the aisle, and Liszt’s romantic Liebesträume, played by four members of the New York City Philharmonic, greets guests as they arrive.
“It looks like a million bucks,” I overhear a guest say.
“It should be, with the way his year is going, the lucky devil!” quips her date, in a suit that costs more than my rent. “Let’s just hope that today’s loss on the field won’t hurt the honeymoon!” I watch as the couple oohhhs and aahhhs at the canopy made from ivy and lace. I smile and glance at my watch for the thousandth time in the last hour. Precision is the name of this game.
Today’s clients are James, a successful sports manager, and Sarah, a sports therapist. A match made on the side lines – and these two are as specific as they are sporty. The bride wouldn't budge on the scented candles (maybe she’s been traumatized by locker room funk), and the groom insisted that seventy-percent of the hors d’oeuvres be bacon-wrapped. Both of them agreed, however, that their rescue dog, Bartholomew, a fourteen-year-old toy poodle, would be charged with leading them down the aisle. I actually love incorporating pets in weddings, but from what I’ve heard of Bartholomew, he has the potential to be the biggest diva at the event. I made precautions and assigned my second assistant to be in charge of him all day, so I shouldn’t be surprised when I get a MAYDAY text from Jody: “Doggone!”
Theo looks over my shoulder. “Seems like the pooch has flown the coop.”
Jody appears – a look of stark horror on her face. “Talk to me, Jody,” I beg.
“I went to get Bartholomew’s raw vegan lunch from the kitchen. When I came back, he was nowhere to be found,” she says, tearful. “I’m so, so sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry.” I try not to panic. “Get everyone you can spare, and find him. He’s old. He can’t be far.” I turn to Theo. “You go run interference with the bride. If she asks, precious Barty is off getting a special wedding pamper, OK?”
“No worries, Ginny. I’ve got this,” Theo says, and for once, I can relax. He’s my magic weapon, the ultimate bride-whisperer. I found him on a job last year, working for a photographer, right out of college. Somehow, around him, everything seemed to run smoother: the warring mother-in-laws were charmed by such a polite young man, the drunken uncles were steered safely away from the bridesmaids, and even the bride managed to calm down with a reassuring smile. I hired him away that same day, and he’s been my right-hand man ever since.
Now he heads for the bridal suite while Jody starts scouting in the bushes. Crisis averted – until I see the best man walking toward me his bowtie undone and an undone look on his face. “Hey, Ginny, I…um…we…um…have a problem.”
“What kind of problem?”
“The rings. They’re gone. I put them down on a tray next to my coffee…and then…” he trails off.
I check my watch and think about sending Theo to the nearest cheap jeweler for a couple of placeholder bands. But there’s no time. The ceremony is due to start in ten minutes.
“Don’t worry,” I tell him, my mind racing. “I’ve got this.”
I reach for the chain hanging around my neck with two rings dangling from it. My parents’ rings. They died in a car accident when I was nine, and I like to keep their rings with me for luck, especially for a big wedding. I guess today they really are a lucky charm.
“Here, use these.”