Black & White and a Wedding Invite

By Joanne McClean

Lorelai Simmons' life is finally going to plan.
She's been dating her very own Blue Eyes - Hagen - for three years until one night changes everything.
When Hagen takes her out for dinner and seems distant and withdrawn, Lorelai fears that history is about to repeat itself.
However, after a lot of confusion, a silly fight and a drunken proposal later, Lorelai finds herself planning the wedding of her dreams.
But, she's about to find out, her impending marriage is going to be far from trouble-free.

Hagen Stevenson thought he had it all figured out.
However, popping the question while intoxicated was not part of the plan.
As much as he wants to be excited about his upcoming wedding, he can't help but feel that Fate has other plans.
One meddling ex-girlfriend, a drunken stag party and one lost wedding ring later, Hagen finds himself in very hot water with Lorelai.
Determined to fix his mistakes, Hagen enlists the help of Gold Tooth and the rest of the gang ... but is it already too late?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Joanne McClean
• Release date: Dec 31, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370629510

Joanne McClean

Cynic, hopeless romantic, eccentric, daydreamer, nerd, music lover, movie goer, loner, coffee addict, bookworm & writer. What is life if you don't have a dream to chase?

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Black & White and a Wedding Invite

Joanne McClean

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © Joanne McClean 2016

Published by Joanne McClean at Smashwords.com

Copyright © Joanne McClean 2016

Discover other titles by Joanne McClean at Smashwords.com

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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For that certain someone

who inspired that certain scene …

Chapter One

Lorelai

So, any reason why we’re here tonight? I ask Hagen, tearing my gaze away from my plate of deep fried brie and stare up into his blue eyes.

He throws me a half smile but it doesn’t reach his eyes. In fact, when I inspect him closer, he looks pale and sweaty; a sure sign that he’s nervous.

Oh no.

He quickly looks back at his breaded mushrooms.

Oh no. Oh no. Oh no.

I feel the dread wash over me all again.

I’ve been here before and it didn’t end well.

No. he says. I just wanted us to spend some time together – since I’ve been so busy with work and everything.

Okay, you can relax Lorelai, Hagen is not Caleb.

I repeat, he is not Caleb.

Is everything okay? I ask, finally attacking my brie in a bid to distract myself from my own thoughts.

He nods. Fine.

I watch as he pushes his mushrooms around the plate.

Yum. Mushrooms.

No. Focus Lorelai!

You don’t seem fine Hagen. What is it? You can tell me anything. I say encouragingly.

Lorelai, I – I’m sorry … he begins, his gaze travelling around the room, clearly oblivious to the look of horror on my face.

Oh no. Oh no. Oh no.

It’s happening again.

I know I’ve been acting weird lately and I just want you to know …

In the name of all that is holy, he’s going to dump me.

It’s me. Okay?

Shit. I totally missed something important in there.

I nod and throw him a smile, praying that he doesn’t realise I’ve barely heard a word he’s said – or that I’m in the middle of a mental breakdown.

He looks at me cautiously and then frowns. You didn’t hear a thing I just said, did you?

Maybe. I tell him sheepishly. I’m sorry. What did you say?

He sighs heavily. I just wanted you to know that it’s not you, it’s me.

Oh sweet baby Jesus. I’ve just been dumped and I missed it.

I feel the tears start to well and Hagen throws me a horrified look.

Lorelai, what – he starts to say but I cut him off with a wailing sob.

Why? I cry. I thought you were different! What happened to us Hagen?

Way to hold on to your composure Lorelai! No wonder he’s dumped your ass.

Hagen frowns, looking confused. Lorelai, what are you on about?

I sniff back more tears and throw him a withering look. I can’t believe you! You’ve done exactly what Caleb did.

I watch as he looks bewildered and then starts to laugh. Oh Lorelai, I’m not dumping you. You really didn’t hear a word I just said, did you?

Huh? I’m not doomed to be single again?

I throw him a watery smile and wipe my face with my napkin. Um, maybe you could repeat it one more time? I say, smiling sweetly at him.

He shakes his head and lets out a low chuckle. I said that I’m sorry I’ve been acting weird but I wanted you to know that it’s nothing to worry about and that you’re not to blame, it’s me.

Oh, I so don’t deserve this guy.

Oh, I say, feeling more cheerful. Sorry about my meltdown. Flashbacks, you know.

He nods understandingly. I’m not Caleb.

I know. I say, throwing him a grin. I’m sorry. Now, what’s bugging you – and don’t lie – because I know something’s bugging you. You know you can tell me.

It’s fine. he tells me with a reassuring smile. I promise.

Hagen. Tell me.

Drop it Lorelai. It’s nothing. Hagen says, avoiding my eyes again.

Let it drop.

No. I hear myself say loudly. You’re freaking me out!

Look, you don’t need to know everything, okay? Hagen says sharply.

Hurt, I stand up. I want to go home.

Well, Hagen always says that I have a flair for the dramatic!

Hagen stares at me. What? But we have to stay for dessert.

Damn. I did see some chocolate torte thing that sounded nice.

I know how you love dessert. Hagen continues, throwing me that charming smile.

No damn it. He’s hiding something!

No. I say, shaking my head. I want to go home. Now.

Hagen looks uneasy for a minute and then regains his composure. No. I want us to have a nice time tonight. Please stay.

I eye him stonily and flop down angrily.

Fine. But this is where our conversation ends. I tell him childishly.

Great. Our first fight and I decide to act like a two year old.

He raises an eyebrow but merely asks, More wine?

I nod and take a rather large gulp.

Well, it would be rude not to. Besides, alcohol is a good way to drown my sorrows.

Don’t be like this Lorelai. Hagen says softly.

No, not if you don’t tell me what’s going on with you. I tell him abruptly.

I have to know!

He shakes his head. I … can’t. Not yet.

Well then, I don’t want to talk to you. I tell him, dragging the wine bottle over and filling my glass.

Screw it! If my boyfriend doesn’t want to be my companion tonight, I’ll have to settle for Mr Red Wine … even if he does make me a sloppy drunk.

Hagen looks hurt and is about to say something when our main course is set down.

We both pick through our food and when Hagen excuses himself to go to the bathroom, I finish off the bottle of wine.

When he returns, he sits down and motions for the bill. Let’s go home.

I want dessert. I tell him, slurring my words slightly.

Hagen shakes his head. Come on. Let’s get you home.

No. Not until you tell me what’s going on with you. I demand.

Look, I’m not doing this – not when you’re drunk. He stands up and tries to help me with my coat but I bat off his attempts.

I can do it myself. I tell him angrily.

He looks hurt but doesn’t say anything as we leave the restaurant.

Well, nice going Lorelai! You screw up dinner, get drunk and pick a fight with your boyfriend – who seemed pretty damn adamant that he didn’t want to dump you – but you know what … the night’s not over yet.

***

Hagen

Jesus ... I didn’t think it would be this damn hard.

I can’t do it.

I glance over at Lorelai. She hasn’t spoken two words to me since we’ve left the restaurant and I feel like such a jackass.

I have to do it.

I can do it.

I will do it.

The taxi drops off outside of the apartment and we make our way up the stairs.

I try to think of something to say but come up empty-handed.

This night really didn’t turn out like I had hoped.

It’s one for the books – first fight, majorly screwed up dinner plans and Lorelai getting drunk – although, I don’t blame her.

I’m such an ass for freaking her out.

I’m sorry. Lorelai says suddenly as soon as I open the door.

I pull her onto the couch beside me. Don’t. I say.

She shakes her head. I was a bitch tonight.

I laugh. No, you weren’t. I don’t blame you for acting the way you did.

Don’t defend me. I just want to know – before you dump me – what is bothering you? Please tell me. I can’t take it. she says, her eyes pleading with me.

One – I’m not dumping you! And two – I can’t tell you yet. Just trust me on that.

She heaves a sigh. Why are you being so weird?

Because I’m too damn chicken to tell you something.

I’m sorry. I’m fine, I promise. I say, hoping to placate her.

She throws me a suspicious look. Whatever. I’m going to bed.

I watch her go and once I hear the bedroom door close, I fumble in my jacket pocket.

Taking out the small box, I flip up the lid and stare at the ring.

Huh, who thought asking her to marry me would be so damn hard …

Chapter Two

Lorelai

I wake up to a pounding headache and the sound of the kettle boiling. Glancing at the clock, I notice it’s 9.34am. With a groan, I sit up and instantly regret drinking so much wine.

However, my misery quickly evaporates when Hagen appears in the door, armed with coffee and toast … and without a shirt.

Oh sweet Lord he is lickable …

Morning. he says sheepishly.

I flash him a grin, deliberately ignoring the fact that I probably look as sexy as a toilet brush, and grab the mug he’s offering me.

He frowns. Damn, there’s me thinking that sexy smile was for me but I’m kicked to the kerb by caffeine. he says with a half smirk.

Maybe I’m happy about both. I tell him with a wicked grin.

Hagen lets out a laugh and leans down to give me a kiss. I’m really sorry about last night.

I wave off his apology. Don’t. I was drunk and bitchy, so I’m the one who should be apologising.

Okay, let’s just forget last night. Hagen says, lying up beside me in the bed.

So, what’s the plan today? I ask before taking a bite of toast.

Hagen shrugs. Well Kyle invited us to dinner at his place, if you want to go?

I nod. Yeah, we haven’t seen Kyle and Hayley in a while.

Great, I’ll let him know. Hagen says before heading to the shower.

I watch him go, admiring the movement of his back muscles.

Damn … three years