A Wedding Affair: A Gemstone Novel

By S.L.A. Lacey

Aria Macys first love comes back two weeks before she is to marry someone else.

He was the love of her life she inspired him.

They both couldnt fight it anymore.

Those melodies that remind us all that music is the soundtrack of our lives.

Who would you like to see Aria with?

The journey of Aria is up to you the reader.

The second book is actually your choice, follow with Rubies, her old friend Ian Bollinger or Sapphires her first love Tristan Bach.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Jun 17, 2013
• ISBN: 9781475994988

Book preview

A Wedding

Affair

A GEMSTONE NOVEL

S.L.A. LACEY

iUniverse, Inc.

Bloomington

Books by S.L.A. Lacey

A Wedding Affair

The Bollinger’s Rubies

The Chateau De Bach Sapphires

A gemstone novel

A Wedding Affair

He was the love of her life.

She inspired him.

They both couldn’t fight it anymore.

Those melodies that remind us all

That music is the soundtrack of our lives.

Put in a CD, turn the pages . . . fall in love.

The first book of the trilogy is

*THE WEDDING AFFAIR

A gemstone novel,

*THE BOLLINGERS

RUBIES

*THE CHATEAU DE BACH

SAPPHIRES

A WEDDING AFFAIR

A Gemstone Novel

Copyright © 2013 by S.L.A. Lacey.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, is entirely coincidental.

iUniverse books may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:

iUniverse

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Bloomington, IN 47403

www.iuniverse.com

1-800-Authors (1-800-288-4677)

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-4759-9497-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4759-9498-8 (ebk)

iUniverse rev. date: 06/14/2013

Contents

All the chapters are songs

Acknowledgements

Prologue

Chapter 1. ‘Better Than Anything’

Chapter 2. ‘Quando, Quando, Quando’

Chapter 3. ‘Kissing a Fool’

Chapter 4. ‘Barely Breathing’

Chapter 5. ‘I Remember You’

Chapter 6. ‘Guess I’ll Hang My Tears Out To Dry’

Chapter 7. ‘Cruising For a Bruising’

Chapter 8. ‘The More I See You’

Chapter 9. ‘The Recipe for Making Love’

Chapter 10. ‘Dindi’

Chapter 11. ‘I Didn’t Know What Time It Was’

You go to my head

Night and day

Time after time

The nearness of you

Chapter 12. ‘You Go To My Head’

Chapter 13. ‘For All We Know’

Chapter 14. ‘I Want A Love That Will Last’

Chapter 15. ‘Promise Me You’ll Remember’

Chapter 16. ‘Manic Monday’

Chapter 17. The Eighties Music Montague

I heard a rumor

Venus

Love in the first degree

Cruel summer

The Hall and Oats montage:

Private eyes

Man Eater

Rich girl

Method of Modern Love

Tears for fears montage:

Shout, Shout

Everybody wants to rule the world

Sowing in the seeds of love

Chapter 18. ‘Good Enough’

Chapter 19. ‘Come Rain Or Come Shine’

Chapter 20. ‘Caught A Touch Of Your Love’

Chapter 21. ‘When I Look In Your Eyes’

Chapter 22. ‘How Insensitive’

Chapter 23. ‘Blow Me One Last Kiss’

Chapter 24. ‘A Town without Pity’

Chapter 25. ‘Let Me Try Again’

Chapter 26. ‘Save The Last Dance For Me’

Chapter 27. ‘Day In, Day Out’

Chapter 28. ‘Tea for Two’

Chapter 29. ‘Saving All My Love For You’

Chapter 30. ‘I Concentrate On You’

Chapter 31. ‘Who Can I Turn To’

Chapter 32. ‘Teach Me Tonight’

Chapter 33. ‘Besame Mucho’

Chapter 34. ‘Mystery’

Chapter 35. ‘Sex On Fire’

Chapter 36. ‘I Believe in you and me’

Chapter 37. ‘It Could Happen To You’

Chapter 38. ‘Let There Be Peace On Earth’

Chapter 39. ‘We’ll Be Together Again’

Chapter 40. ‘My One And Only Love’

For my mom who has always watched over all of us kids,

We love you, we need you, and we would be nothing without you.

And for my Father who is responsible for always bringing the music into our lives.

We miss you Dad.

Acknowledgements

Thank you God! He has always been the light that has shined upon us and has seen us through.

To my family, you are the music of my life, thank you for always watching over me. We all had to grow up fast when dad died, but we made it through with faith, family, and music.

To Dawn M. Martens and Sandi Lynn and everyone in the wonderful world of romance novels you inspire me daily, thank you for your encouragement, your help, and your praise, I am eternally grateful.

To Erika, who has shown me that yes sometimes the good guys finish first, and in so many ways has been my judge and my jury in all things. I value our friendship and I will always cherish you and thank you for believing in me.

Cathe, you are indeed such a rare breed, a horse of a different color and a blessing. Your encouragement as well as your caring nature is why this is a reality for me. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Prologue

‘Aria we are through, over

You are too involved in my life!

You are no good for me,

and I am not changing my life for you!’

Then grow up, Tristan, with or without me you have to before it’s too late.

I don’t need you telling me how to live my life; I need you to get back to work. We have to be in New York tomorrow and then next week it’s shit or bust.

I’m on it. I am always ready for work; don’t worry about me, big shot.

We leave the conference room both going in different directions. I am mad, infuriated and full of sin and redemption.

The New York trip went well. Tristan and I flew down together and I returned by myself. I was in no mood to party.

I arrive home to a message on my answering machine.

Hey Aria it’s me Ian. I’m in town, let’s get together Saturday night. I smile. Ian is my old friend from school who is in town always around Valentine’s Day. I call him back and we agree to have dinner on Saturday night, just the two of us at this Caribbean place near my house, Johnny Mango’s.

The rest of the work-week is bad. Tristan is ignoring my calls, the higher ups are looking for him and he is nowhere to be found.

I manage to get through the next two days of work without him. I am making excuses for him and I am getting tired of it. I am so done with his bullshit and attitude, this whole mess is more than I can handle.

Saturday, Ian and I have dinner, he informs me that I am a tad bitchy and questions what is going on with me. He is horrified and surprised to find the once calm sweet little Aria Macy who could barely see over the seats on the school bus is involved with a maniac.

He wants us to keep in touch; in fact, he makes me promise to keep in touch. I agree just to be polite. The next few weeks are pure hell. Tristan is gone. I am left to handle two more mergers by myself, and I am a wreck in the process. I gave my two weeks and I was gone before Thanksgiving.

The New Year arrives and it is my year to shine, my long brown hair is now shoulder length with bouncy curls that frame my face. I lost the twenty pounds I had been harboring. I look great, I feel wonderful and it’s a fresh start. I am going in a new direction out on my own.

I wanted to be proud of myself again so I venture into one of my many loves of sewing. While attending a fashion show at The Ritz Carlton Hotel I meet Oliver Barry, a tailor beyond comprehension. This man drafts patterns, makes men’s suits, and we just hit if off right away. He has a huge client base here in Cleveland, and I just bought a store in Tower Centre. It’s near my family home that I recently moved back to. Everything is going great. I have purpose, I am meeting new and exciting people and before I knew what hit me we became Business As Usual.

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A gemstone novel

A Wedding Affair

Chapter 1

‘Better Than Anything’

June 15, 2012

It is late in the afternoon as we are finishing lunch at THE THEATRICAL GRILL, a wonderful restaurant jazz club and all around hang out where the mobsters of yesteryear drank beside the boys in blue. Well, that is what Ian read to me as he discovered this gem through our friendly neighborhood Google. That is me at the corner table and next to me my fiancé Ian, the most wonderful, exquisite, caring man in the world.

The lobster bisque soup here is to die for, it’s the first thing I have sat down to eat all week! I am just too excited and simply overwhelmed about our big day. Our wedding is two weeks from this Saturday, and I will become Mrs. Ian Bollinger. Needless to say I can’t wait; my demeanor these days is exasperatingly excited and ready to take on the world. Not to mention that I am totally knocked for six caught off guard by this man. We got engaged just two weeks ago I had no idea; this was totally out of the blue. Ian and I had not seen one another in two years and we ran into one another about a month ago and now we are engaged. Ian and I have known one another since high school so we go way back. We were two sixteen-year old opinionated and promising headstrong students. Who would have thought two best friends would find one another twenty years later?

Sipping my Pinot Grigio I just can’t take my eyes off of him. Ian Bollinger, History Professor, high school friend and now fiancé. He drives an Aston-martin Vanquish and he makes the world’s best burgers and I look great in his arms.

As I sit back and just take it all in as I recall how we first met in history class, two kids who shared a great passion for history, of course Ian’s borders more on obsession than mine. It was the eighties, hair bands, George Michael, Hall and Oats, Tears for Fears, Madonna; hanging at the mall, the arcade, St. Elmo’s Fire was our favorite movie. It was the best times to be a teenager, Ian, Erika, Christopher, Sabrina and I had been friends since we met in tenth grade.

We were the kids that studied together and just hit it off. As a matter a fact I was never allowed to date in high school, so I would go over to see Erika after school. Ian would ride his bike over to her house and we would watch Friday night videos and make taffy. It was the best time of our lives.

Wow, that was over twenty years ago, and now look at him—he wants to marry me. I never thought he was the one for me, Ian was my first kiss when I was seventeen, he kissed me at a friend’s birthday party in the closet… don’t ask! Childish games that we played at parties. We lost touch as most people do, I was climbing the corporate ladder and Ian became a History Professor. Ian turned his passion into a career and became a very prominent academic. He is the complete over the top history buff, it is a hobby of his, it is his life, it is why he teaches history. Ian can rattle off dates and names and tell you things that are so fascinating that you want more. For example, the painting of the Last Supper adorns the wall of the Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy. I want to go see it so he is taking us to Italy for our honeymoon.

The interesting thing about Ian is he knows the real story not just what is printed in textbooks. Ian has studied and visited places in far off lands where historical events occurred. I think that is why Ian is such a great teacher, he’s been there done that. I just love this one he told me this last week, the original champagne glass, the shallow one not the flute, was originally made by a wax mold that was taken of Marie Antoinette breast? Yes it is a fact, look it up if you don’t believe me. These are the facts in history that Ian rattles off to me when we are walking in the park, or at a museum, he is the ultimate student of life and I love that about him.

I am older than Ian by six months, he is an army brat and his dad retired when we were in high school, which was how he stayed in just one high school and we all graduated together. Surprisingly, we ran into one another about two years ago. I was in a bad relationship at that time; Ian and I just didn’t work out, or should I say I didn’t want it to work out, but that is all water under the bridge now.

Fast-forward two years to present day and here we are. To my surprise about a month ago he was in town visiting his parents and we bumped into one another at The West Side Market here in Cleveland. We went out for coffee and two weeks ago he asked me to marry him. I have been on cloud nine ever since.

Can I let you in on a secret? I am making my own wedding dress! Just the sheer joy in putting it all together is indescribable. I’ve never done it before, I mostly make men’s clothing, custom shirts, handmade ties, you know the usual men’s attire. We are famous for our award winning tuxes. I have a weakness for a man in a tuxedo. It’s the cufflinks, the tuxedo studs, the cummerbund, the bow-tie. It never ceases to amaze me how men just ignite once they step into one. They are simply transformed. Any man would look sharp, brilliant and handsome. Don’t believe me, put your guy in one and watch what happens.

My wedding gown would never have gotten started if it weren’t for Oliver. He is just the best thing since sliced bread, my business partner and my confidant. We met at a bridal show and hit it off immediately. He had a wonderful client-base but no store. I am new to men’s clothing but I knew right away that we could make it work.

Oliver and I have been going back and forth from fabric samples, dress designs from Paris to Vogue. I can’t wait to see Ian’s face when I walk down the aisle.

It’s funny I never knew what I really wanted to do with my life. I studied merchandizing in college, even minored in business, but to put the two together and be my own entity has been quite the undertaking. Yes it’s a dream come true, and how many people get their dreams nowadays?

Our number one goal is to make men look great every day. We have fun and we are good at it. Did I mention my ring? OMG, Ian’s birthday is in July so my engagement ring is adorned with two very nicely appointed rubies that surround the three carat Cartier diamond. Yeah, I know I can’t stop looking at it either!

Erika of course did freak-out at first when I hit her with the news that we are getting married. Immediately she thought I am pregnant, I mean I don’t blame her, I have not dated anyone in two years and now I am engaged. I believe the words were, ‘Did you finally succumb to him after all these years of him chasing you?’ She has been pulling for us to get together.

I do believe that Erika became a judge because Ian and I were forever debating and spouting off over anything from politics to the color of the Statue of Liberty. Her daily routine was reprimanding us both from lunch to study hall. It was her high school ritual. I think we drove her mad with our constant bickering and arguing, though she laughs about it now. She said the sparks were flying even back then, ah the good old eighties.

A few things that are true even after twenty years Ian keeps me sharp, I make him laugh, and we hang onto each other’s words. He is intelligent, kind, loving and a gentleman. Not to mention he can say hello in over twenty different languages! Yeah he is pretty special and he wants to marry me.

My mom thanks God that Ian and I finally found each other, my brothers as well are happy that I am finally settling down after the troubled relationship I had before. They are happy to see that Ian is back in my life and not the holy terror that I was once involved with.

I still ponder some things. Ian does takes exception to my religion, his words echo in my mind ‘Aria, you are the Catholic Fanatic, I believe in God, the Church is a whole different issue. To some degree I can understand what he is saying, but nonetheless I am there every Sunday because I choose to experience my religion. It’s a good thing to do; it gives me peace, solace and in so many ways has made me who I am.

Oh I have to tell you the best part, never underestimate the power of prayer, one day out of the blue Ian challenged me over breakfast about some article from The New York Times which really just rubbed him the wrong way. He immediately demanded in a stern voice, ‘Aria, if you register to vote I will go back to church!’

How could I say no to that, talk about divine intervention? He joined me for Mass, I met him at the Voters Registration office and shortly after that Ian asked me to marry him!

Gosh that is over a month ago and here we are, two old friends who found one another after all these years; it’s been a crazy, tumultuous month. I am still filled with anxiety and rather shocked actually, of all that has transpired. Happiness just never worked out for me, and now with Ian it is all a possibility.

Don’t get me wrong, Ian and I have had our share of problems. I know of his failed relationships and he knows of my disaster, which is your basic nightmare. I am young and foolish and I got hurt and abused. Well we live and learn and it led me to starting my own business… my father always said ‘Inspiration comes from diversity.’ God rest his soul.

Oh here I go again, I am so sorry, please forgive me, and allow me to introduce myself. I am Aria Macy, the owner of Business As Usual, a men’s clothing store in downtown Cleveland at Tower Centre. I started my business just about two years ago. It’s in a high power sales office for a powerful fortune five hundred-company. I’m making more money than I would ever go through. Then one day it all came to a crashing halt. I couldn’t do it anymore. I got involved with one of the other venture capitalists and I was shattered. I couldn’t face work I couldn’t deal with the anguish, the heartbreak. It consumed my whole life, tore me apart, I lost my edge and my focus. I needed to get out of that line of work and fast.

So thanks to my mom who is the light of my life I went back to what I know which is sewing and tailoring a job requiring hard work and determination. Now here I am with my own store, catering to some of the most elite men in town.

Tuxedos to weekend wear, I can do it all. I just love it. My store looks like a club actually complete with oversized leather chairs, a fireplace, a huge flat panel television, conference table, and a bar. A lot of my clients actually are workaholics. I cater to their needs,

I just love what I do. Once anyone gets me started about what I do for a living look out, it’s hard to get me to shut-up, and then my fiancé brings me back to the now.

So, Aria what are you going to do this weekend without me?

I sip my wine and I look into those heavenly dark brown eyes. Ian, do you really have to go to Chicago this weekend? How about next weekend?

I think I have put it off long enough, I was to do this six weeks ago but I was distracted and detained by my lovely fiancée. You know you can still come with me!

What can I say? He dials-up the romance quite well, actually at every chance he gets; he is always going out of his way to let me know how he feels about me. He reaches for my hand and toys with my engagement ring.

Oh you stuck in meetings all day and I’m stuck shopping Michigan Avenue? I paused. Hey wait a minute that might not be half bad.

Ian kisses my temple as he whispers at my ear, Come with me it will be our pre-honeymoon. My jaw dropped again. I did not expect that to come out of Professor Bollinger’s mouth. His salacious smile is ear to ear. This beautiful man before me is changing his whole life to start one with me, he is better than cream cheese on bagels.

He even made us stop here for a meal to make sure that I eat something because he knows food never makes my to-do list. Isn’t he sweet?

Ian, it would be heaven, but Oliver and I have been so swamped with weddings and not to mention our entire Internet client list which now is growing by leaps and bounds.

You are forever working, Aria. His tone is almost complaining, but hey it’s who I am.

Also I have that fashion show next week to prepare for. He squeezes my hands and kisses the inside of my palm.

You sure you will find the time to marry me?

Mr. Bollinger, I already penciled you in, so no need to worry.

I am not too sure if I made the cut. I had no idea how busy your schedule is until I started living it with you.

He is cute when he’s sulking and pouting, but what man isn’t ya know? I find comfort in it. It lets me know he needs me. He pulls at my heart strings and knows I will never walk away from my career, it’s who I am.

The waiter is back, overly attentive little thing that he is, just as Ian reaches over and kisses me. The man cleared his throat and looks away. Is there anything else I can bring you two? I grin and pull away from Ian’s lips.

Just the check please. I checked my lipstick in my compact as I look over at Ian and he has recovered. His smile is in place and I am sure he will get used to my schedule. We just need to compromise, meaning he needs to understand this is what is important to me and he must accept it.

What time does your flight leave? He checks his watch.

Six o’clock, sweetheart. He takes one last sip of his wine.

Well it’s after four we had better get going.

The overly attentive waiter brings the check and Ian reaches for it as I quite dubiously retrieve it from the waiter’s grasp while Ian just misses it.

You got the last one, this is on me. So how have your course studies been going Professor Bollinger?

He looks at me strangely… because I am now all very business and formal with him.

Just fine thank you, Miss Macy. He looks at me questionable; I smile at him and snap my Chanel compact closed.

See you just had your first business lunch, now I get to claim it off my taxes! I put my company credit card in the black book for the waiter.

Ian grabs my face. I am going to miss you. If I get done sooner than expected I will try and catch an earlier flight back.

I love when he grabs my face and kisses me, he is so perfect. I have to say all these displays of affection are welcome. I have not had a relationship in over two years, so this is all so new to me. A thought comes to mind as I look at Ian and I just want this wedding to be here and over with already.

Ian what if we eloped?

What no big wedding? You have been working on your dress since I proposed to you!

Oh Ian I am still wearing that dress, I just don’t think we need all the hoop-la that goes with it. You know what I mean?

He has had this smile on his face for the past two weeks. It’s infectious and I think I had a little something to do with it as he looks so young and carefree.

Aria, I heard of cold feet, but you are just one eager bride.

What can I say? I hate waiting for anything. I am like Veruca Salt ‘Don’t care how I want it now’ from Willy Wonka.

Ian, I can’t wait, I want it to be now! Ian smiles as he kisses me.

Let’s get out of here before I miss my flight. Hmm his implied remark makes me smile.

The waiter returns with my credit card and receipt. I reach for my Chanel lamb skin black handbag and gaze over to the wall of windows at the bar area. The tall ships catch my eye through the enormous windows behind the bar. I do a double take. There is a man in a black suit, behind the bar. Piercing hazel eyes that meet mine. I’m frozen in time at the sight of him. Five o’clock shadow, jet black tousled hair. He is on the phone, quite frustrated as he runs his hand through his hair. I quickly look away. It couldn’t be. A chill runs through me, and I become apprehensive; my thoughts go to the quote that is on my calendar this morning…

"The power of a glance…

It is in this way that love begins and in this way only…

Nothing is more real than these great shocks

Which two souls give each other in exchanging this spark."

Victor Hugo

Ian brings me back from my distraction as I try to calm myself.

Aria, are you ok? He regards me with concern and seems to notice my apprehension.

I must have looked whiter than my white silk and lace blouse. Ian reaches for my hand and brings it to his lips and I feel his words against my fingers as I am day dreaming.

What is it? Ian brings me out of my hazy state. I give him a smile as I sigh. I don’t even want to know what I saw. Anyway it is foolish, I am imagining it as I am quickly distracted by my fiancé as he drapes his arms around me.

We better get going you know how traffic is at this time of day. I reach for my black Chanel sunglasses off the table put them on. I don’t know what I just saw. Ian holds open my black jacket and I put it on and pull it close as Ian reaches for my hand and gives it a squeeze.

Come let’s get going. I smile back at him, no need to alarm him. Ian puts his arm around me and tucks me close to him.

Oh, Aria you smell so good, you are the smell of home to me.

Romance by Ralph Lauren is what Ian bought for me and said it reminded him of me. Beautiful alluring and innocent. Ian is my Polo guy all the way, simple, classic and uncomplicated.

He could be the model in the ad, he is that adorable. Tall, dark hair, dark eyes, in high school he looked like the Karate Kid, he is teased a lot, as we all called him ‘Daniel son’.

I kiss his neck and inhale. Ian is always calm, composed and sincere I guess it’s the professor in him. Ian keeps me close, he cares for me and he adores me. Any woman would be lucky to have a man adore her as he adores me. I am without a doubt top priority on his list. He holds me close, I always feel protected and secure, sometimes I feel or sense his apprehension; it does plague me that he is afraid I will leave him. I think that is because he knows about my past relationship, he is witness to my spiral demise as well as my lack of judgment to even have been involved in something so horrific.

At times I feel that what I went through has ruined me for other men, so for me to be engaged and moving on with a man in my life this is a total shocker. I was never the girl with dreams and aspirations of marriage. I was always the go getter girl with dreams and ambition of becoming a designer or a corporate raider. Ian knows all of this but for some reason he picked me to settle down with.

Looking up at him, I don’t want him to go away. This is the first time we will be apart since we got engaged. He points at the tall sailing ship on the river going by as we wait for my car. I look out at the crowd as they gather to watch the tall ships parade by as the river traffic picks up. It’s a great time in the flats with all the vendors along the river. Cleveland turns it into a huge festival with food in the streets, great local bands like Beaucoup, have been rocking Cleveland forever. It’s a good time to be in Cleveland.

The way this city has always thrown a party brings out the crowds. Ian has not been here for a while so all of this is new to him. He is like a kid when he sees Cleveland’s growth and its new direction. We now have top notch restaurants, a booming night life and boating on the lake.

I can’t hide my anxiety over Ian leaving, as we have spent every single day of the last month together. It’s like he is my right arm, and I know I don’t use my right arm a lot because I am a lefty. But for the past month he holds my right hand, he sleeps to my right, I caress his face with my right hand and it just feels so right to have him right beside me. I don’t want him to go.

Aria, I will be back Sunday night at nine forty five p.m. He holds up my chin and kisses me sweetly.

I smile and nod ok; he holds me against his chest and I take him all in. I never had a boyfriend who cares for me, respects me and watches over me. It is still going to take some getting used to. The feel of his arms wrapped around me, puts us in our own little world, two people frozen in time. Even though it’s just for a moment, it’s moments like this that last a lifetime, he is better than anyone I have ever known.

Chapter 2

‘Quando, Quando, Quando’

Are you going to miss me when I’m gone? Wow where is all this coming from?

I miss you already! I guess that is what he wanted to hear because he kisses me sweetly. He always seems to be cautious, never full blown passion or anything like that.

Good answer. My car pulls around the corner; it’s a black Cadillac, she is an impressive piece of machinery, her sheer presence and profile reminds me of Batman’s bat mobile. I love Batman. The ringer on my phone is the BATMAN THEME for all calls.

Ian fists the valet some cash as he opens the passenger door and deposits me into the soft supple leather passenger seat. Ian walks behind the car and gets behind the wheel.

What a beautiful day, not a cloud in the sky, seventy-five degrees and breezy. I opened the sun roof and Ian pulls out of the driveway and we are in traffic in route to the airport.

Ian hates the way I drive he thinks I have a death wish or something. I have told him it’s not me it’s the car! She wants to go fast. He didn’t buy my reason and he scolds me when I speed and insists that he drive. To save the time and aggravation I just give in and let him drive. He is a much better driver than me anyway.

Truth is I get so excited when I have Ian in the car that I can’t concentrate on the road. I am glad he takes the wheel. I guess being in love with him is going to take some getting used to. This is all so sudden; I mean these feelings and emotions. I can’t eat, I can barely sleep, never really could sleep. I am a workaholic by nature. I live to work. I don’t know any other way. So being in a relationship is quite the undertaking. I am so used to not answering to anyone. Now that I have to, I almost forget to include him in my daily plans. Like if I am staying late at the store or just too busy to think about dinner.

The music that fills the air is our song, Quando, Quando, Quando and I am pleasantly reminded of the night Ian proposed to me, we went to see Michael Buble at The Palace Theatre here in the theatre district of Cleveland.

We were seated in the balcony. It is very romantic, the lights are down low and I do recall him being anxious and fidgety about something. I had no idea what I was in for. The fact that Ian even got the tickets shocked me because the show had been sold out for months in advance. I was just happy to be there with him.

The concert is great of course, as we cuddled close together in the balcony as Michael is singing this song Quando, Quando, Quando like only he can. Ian sat beside me holding my hand. When the song is over he squeezed my hand and I looked over and Ian sang the line ‘Tell me when will you be mine?’ at that moment Ian is holding this Cartier ring. He got down on one knee and I said, Yes! I didn’t overthink it, I didn’t weigh it. I never realized, until this moment, how much this beautiful man wanted me.

After the concert Ian moved in with me. Career wise there is an opening for a History professor at Case Western University. Everything just fell into place.

The past month had many wonderful days. I still can’t believe that I am getting married, me the girl who for two years had no man in my life. I wanted nothing to do with a relationship, all I wanted to do was work and create my own happiness, and here I am planning my own wedding to this amazing man. Ian loves me, cares for me and makes me smile. The sound of my fiancé’s voice brings me back to the now.

Are you ever going to change this song from your iPod? he says as he looks over at me and brings me back to now.

I only play it when you are in the car.

That is comforting to know. Ian takes the first right and heads towards the freeway. Traffic is a backed up, we make our way to I-71 south to I-480 west and he follows the flow of traffic heading to the airport.

Be careful driving back to the city, remember that speeding only saves you seven minutes. He is authoritative as he warns me of my ever present lead foot. This is classic Ian always scolding me like a father figure.

Yes, Ian I remember your rather tactful way of scolding me for my 100mph jaunt on the freeway last week. And this coming from a man who has 007’s car which is a 12 cylinder mind you. My Cadillac is the V-series so this car has power, endurance stamina and did I mention it’s a Cadillac? My dream car has always been a Cadillac, it’s all I drive.

Aria, slow down! It’s not a request! This car is a powerful piece of machinery. He is stern and smiling but I know he cares and wants me safe.

Now he zips in and out of traffic and makes his way through the construction zones that are always present in summer here in Cleveland. The speed traps that are usually set out to keeps us all in line, the traffic to the airport for a Friday is not bad, the line of cars are mostly heading to the western suburbs. Ian does not speed the way I do but he pushes the pedal when it is called for, when shifting lanes and maneuvering around trucks and what not.

Ian pulls up to the curbside check in. I take off my sunglasses and put them on the dash. He pops the trunk, we got out of the car and the skycap takes his bag. I walk over to the desk with him, he is holding my hand and I am suddenly shy and almost standing behind him and the sky cab who is an older black man with an enigmatic smile. They exchange pleasantries as Ian passes the sky cab his identification, and flight information. The gentleman runs everything through the computer. Ian turns towards me and pulls me close to him as I bury myself in his chest. I don’t want to let him go I know I must not cry. It’s only a couple of days. How I have made such a habit of having him around. It’s going to be hard to not see this face for two whole days.

I’ll call you when I land, no texting and driving, he says shaking his finger at me. That is one thing I don’t do, but he scolds me about it anyway. I would much rather blare my radio then talk and drive. I mean with I-phones nowadays, it is an impossible task to drive and text carefully. I do scold people when I see them at lights doing it. It is very disrespectful to other driver’s safety.

I give him my brave smile and I try to hold back my tears, but my eyes well up and my emotions get the best of me.

Sweetheart, it’s only for a few days. The tear falls down my cheek as his thumb wipes it away.

I know, I know.

He pulls me close kissing me and whispers in my ear, I love you… come with me.

I smile against his neck as I kiss him and he moans so deeply that I feel it in his throat as he holds me close. We both got it bad.

Ian you’re worse than I am. I hold him tight around his neck and the skycap is trying to hide his smile.

Just married? He chimes in with a smile and is still pecking away at his computer.

In two weeks, Ian says as he looks at me one last time, our brown eyes take one last glance at each other and we have to say good bye for now.

The gentleman takes Ian’s bag from in front of him and sends it on its way.

Mr. Bollinger your flight is leaving on time and if she doesn’t move her car she will be ticketed!

Just then we both turn around and the police pull up.

Yikes, I blurt out as I see officer friendly flashing his lights behind my Cadillac.

I’m moving her right now! I yell at the officers and they wave me on, my car is left running so it is technically not a parked car so they let me move her.

I kissed Ian one last time. I get into the car and the police cruiser turns off his lights and takes off in front of me.

Ian yells as I am putting on my seatbelt. Hey, we waited twenty years; a few more weeks won’t make a difference! I take one last look at him in his navy suit and no tie, he is the most handsome professor I have ever seen and he is mine. He carries his briefcase in one hand and waves to me with the other. My handsome man is going away for the weekend. I blow him one last kiss and wave to him out the sun roof.

I’ll call you, Aria, be careful. Slow down! He looks at me and waves me off.

I beeped three times… for I—love-you. It’s just something we do whenever we drive off.

The drive back to the store is long, as traffic picks up; it is crazy. The airport traffic has increased recently with our new casino so it’s something we have to live with.

Not only is it backed up because of the construction zones, but gosh it is always backed up when there is an Indians game, like tonight. I think it’s dollar dog night or something. Then there is a concert at the arena, and not to mention the tall ship parade, so it will bring them out in droves.

It is wonderful how downtown Cleveland, has made such a comeback. It has always been a great city on the lake but now it has night life, and great restaurants and I am in the middle of all of it.

I have always loved working downtown, the energy, the hustle the bustle, you get a different customer and you cater to different needs. But what I love the most is the power and vigor of Cleveland from busy business traffic, to after dark; it’s like New Year’s Eve but its June.

Chapter 3

‘Kissing a Fool’

I make it back to the store in record time and I don’t believe I pressed the accelerator too much. I always try to park outside The Ritz Carlton Hotel it’s a one way short street. I always park here after the downtown workers vacate the prime spaces. I usually stay at the store after closing hours to catch up on paperwork, but as of recent I have been staying late to work on my wedding dress.

My dear sweet Oliver has been here all afternoon. It’s Friday and he has to be out of here by six. Some big shin-dig he is going to tonight. I promised that I would get back as soon as possible.

—<>—

Hey Oliver thanks for staying you are brazil-ant!

Aria, you are, I’m just along for the ride.

Yeah well I’m the one riding your coat tails.

Aria, you are Business as Usual. As he kissed my cheek, I take a gander. What a mess! There are clothes and ties and shipments of fabrics that need to be put away. There are men’s shirts everywhere. To the average person it looks like a typhoon hit this place but to me it’s Business as Usual.

So, Aria I took care of the shipments that were on the wrong flight.

Thank you, Oliver you’re the best.

I made sure the Martin’s tuxes were fit, steamed and picked up for their daughter’s wedding tomorrow and you have two more request for the new born ties that you do.

Ok no problem, I can get those done tonight and have them messengered over.

The addresses for the two are on the counter here and I think that is it.

Oliver go, have a great time.

Are you going to be alright here with all of this?

As you know Ian is gone for the weekend, so I plan on going through all of this, it should keep me busy. Oliver agrees as he looks at his watch. He gets his things together and he gives me the address of the two new born ties that I need to get made and messenger off.

The ties I make for the newborns are baby blue with a silver pinstripe in them and for the girls they are white satin with a pink and silver pinstripe in them. They are such a novelty, a nice touch on the back is the baby’s information, name and date of birth and weight; it is all stitched in with our computer.

They are so cool, everyone just loves them. I make ties for any occasion actually. I have been making neckties and bowties for so long, even before I started my business.

I’m usually the one who is always going through the day’s receipts. I usually handle the business dealings and I run everything by Oliver. He is the cut above the rest, simply an amazing tailor, he can get a whole suit done from fitting to out the door in a few days. He even makes fedora hats to order. He lives and breathes fashion; he is priceless, I would never be anywhere without him. We are partners in all of this. We both make the decisions in the business and we feed off one another and drive one another to be better than yesterday.

All of our shirts are made of four elements, cut, fabric, color and collar. With just a few key pieces that mix and match well our customers look good and feel great in our clothes. They keep coming back because we have that nouveau riche style. It feels like expensive designer shirts and suits but doesn’t have that crazy over the top price tag.

My motto is our guy may look like a million bucks, but it sure as hell didn’t cost him a million bucks.

We design the look, create the product and ship worldwide. We make a killer suit, custom ties and I had better get my butt in gear.

I studied design and merchandizing in college so I just love to organize the shirts and ties. I do all the displays and dress the mannequins. I even put cologne on them yeah I know I’m funny that way, you’ll get used to it.

What can I say I found my true calling? I love to dress men. There is just something that gets me about a well-dressed man. I do think that clothes make the man. If you dress for success you will emulate it

As I check the grandfather clock to the right of the entry door it is getting late.

Oliver sweetie go ahead get out of here have a great time I will see you later.

Are you sure you are going to be ok without the big guy around?

Don’t remind me, I will keep busy go, I’m fine, have fun, don’t forget your bag I made you a special tie for tonight.

Oliver unzips his garment bag and looks at the tie and laughs I put the comedy and tragedy mask on it. He is the host of a gala tonight and that is the theme. We usually donate suits and shirts and ties for this benefit that is near and dear to Oliver’s heart. I believe it’s to benefit one of the playhouses here to raise money for renovations.

Did I mention that my dear, dear, Oliver Barry looks like Georgio Armani, but with salt and pepper hair. I just adore him, he is smart, fun, loving and talented, oh the list goes on and on.

Love the tie, but I love you more, talk to ya later, Aria. He grabs his garment bag over his arm and he is on his way. He blows me a kiss and leaves out the cherry wood and glass double doors.

Well first things first, I grab the fabric and make up the new born ties for two of our best customers, their wives have ordered the ties for the new fathers. I get busy with cutting the fabric one is for a boy and the other for a girl. I type the information into the computer and the lettering is done in minutes. I box them up in pretty tie boxes and leave them for Monday to be shipped out.

I look around the store and I am alone with my thoughts and so much to do.

I start going through the store, organizing gathering and sorting. There are shirts that need steaming, so I tackle that and put them away, there are trousers that need surging, that is a fine pressing. All of our pieces here are on beautiful cedar hangers and all the cabinets and book cases as well as the shadow boxes are all cedar as well.

I finished up the pressing after a while I look at my watch. It is a little after six. Ian must be in the air by now. I thought he would have called me from the terminal. Ian is not the one to text and call. I would love to hear from him more often during the day but I just never take the initiative to contact him because he is in class, or he is driving, or in a meeting. I can usually be reached without a problem, but a college professor does not take calls the way a shop girl does. I guess that is why I am so happy to see him at the end of the day, we hardly talk at all during the day. I wonder if Ian has thought about that. I never asked him. Should I do something about it? Should I bring it to his attention? I don’t know? We have both been loners for so long and now to answer to someone it is going to take some getting used to. Oh well can’t do anything about it now. I will speak with Ian when he returns home on Sunday.

I began cleaning out the shipment boxes, they need to be broken down and taken down to the recycling room we have here which is next to my store. After I return from that task I take off my shoes and turned up the tunes. I have x-m radio piped throughout the store. I listen to the 80’s on eight, the Sinatra station as well as the real jazz station, tonight the station I settle on is watercolor my all-time fave. I turn it up and get to work.

I have so much to put away and organize this should keep me busy. For some reason men buy more shirts in the summer then fall. I have been making up so many different styles and keeping them all on hand because the demand has been so high. It is funny, I mentioned it to my mom and she said that my dad went through dress shirts for his tux because he played in the orchestra and then he went through his business shirts for meetings and rehearsals so I don’t question it. I just keep up with the demand. I have no choice. If they don’t buy them from me they are going to buy them someplace else. I feel our product is worth it because they are custom made, fit to order, and we keep all of our client’s measurements on file. Most call in color and how many they need and I can have them done in a day’s notice.

I have never lived with a man before, so I am assuming it’s got something to do with hot sticky weather and the need for a fresh shirt in the morning and one for night if they are going out.

As I finish up my tour of duty here I get through the mound of things that need to be done. I have less mess to deal with and that makes me happy.

Well that isn’t too bad I finished all that needed to be hung and now for the restocking. I grab the socks and studs and fill the cases, oh and how can I forget the cufflinks, we sell cufflinks like crazy here. Silver square blanks that we have your initials engraved on, by my good friend Mark at Tiffany’s. He does a great job on them and he just bills my store for it. They go like crazy out the door, so I am forever restocking them.

I cleaned out the fitting rooms. I have worked in women’s clothing before and I have to say, fellas, men are worse than women, when they try on clothes. It’s like a hurricane hit the fitting room until they find what they want. Then it’s the calm after the storm. I have noticed when it comes to clothes women are all about cut, color and clarity. "How do I look? Is this color good on me? Does this make my butt look big?" Once we get clarity on an outfit we are committed to it. Men always think there is a better jacket, a better cut, better fit, a better style. They need more clarity than we will ever understand, but I love them all the same. When a man puts on that perfect suit and the must have shirt with that fabulous tie. The look on their face says it all. They light up just like we do when we find that perfect little black dress.

After what seems like hours of cleaning and organizing I decide I need to relax. I love having a bar in my store. I don’t charge for drinks, they are complimentary. It’s a whole atmosphere that we conjure up here. For instance when you go and get your wedding dress they offer you champagne, when you pick out a suit or a shirt here at Business as Usual. You can have a drink of your choice from Gentleman Jack to anything from our well stocked bar, coffee and tea to cold beverages. For me tonight I pour myself a glass of vodka. I run the vacuum and get the floors cleaned for Monday’s business.

It seems the floors are always a mess with strings and dust on them I am forever dusting and mopping and cleaning and going through all the corners with the swifters. I use to have a cleaning company do this for me but I was here anyway so now I just handle it all myself.

Once I finish the cleaning I want to pull out my wedding dress and work on it.

I finished all the chores on my to-do list, now I can tend to my wedding dress.

I stand back and gaze at her, she is a piece of work, which is the meaning of Aria, by the way. My father, who is a bass player