Wedding Chocolate: Two Grooms and a Wedding

Keri gave Randall a pointed look and then maneuvered around him. “C’mon. Let’s do like your fiancé says and mingle.”

Isabella didn’t have it in her to protest and allowed her friend to direct her away. However, she did catch Randall’s irritation from the corner of her eyes. “Why did you do that?” she hissed at Keri.

“Why do you think?” Keri snapped back. “I can’t stand that man.”

“Keri—”

“Look, he wants you to mingle. We’re going to mingle. Ah, Senator Winfield.” Keri stopped and offered the Ken-doll look-alike a stunning smile. “So nice to see you.”

Winfield perked up and returned the favor. After he imparted his congratulations to Isabella, his attention returned to Keri, despite the narrowed gaze from his wife.

Isabella, still enjoying the slight buzz from the champagne, glanced around the crowded room. It was her party and yet she felt like the loneliest woman in the room. Everyone appeared to be having a great time. She, on the other hand, wondered how much longer before everyone would go home.

“I don’t know how she did it,” a female’s voice floated over to her. “She must be one of those closet freaks. You know how buck wild Randall is in the bedroom.”

Isabella twisted around, trying to see who was talking.

“Girl, don’t I know it,” a short brunette near the fireplace confided. “Randy was the best lover I ever had. I want to scratch his fiancée’s eyes out. I mean really—her?”

“I know,” the voice said. “But if I know our Randy, he bores easy. Soon as he gets tired of her, he’ll come running back and I’ll keep the sheets turned down.”

Isabella dropped her champagne glass, swiveled toward the two mysterious women, but ran smack into a waiter carrying a tray of hors d’oeuvres. A collective gasp rose from the guests as something with teriyaki sauce ruined her aqua blue cocktail dress.

“I’m so sorry, Ms. Kane,” the waiter apologized profusely.

Slowly, Isabella lowered her gaze to the horrendous mess and felt tears brim in her eyes. However, before she had a chance to open her mouth, her mother along with her team of sorority sisters rushed into action. She was directed out of the room and shuffled upstairs to her old bedroom.

“Find something quick,” Katherine commanded, throwing open the walk-in closet doors.

Problem was that Isabella hadn’t lived in her parents’ home since she graduated from high school and there wasn’t anything presentable to wear in her old closet.

Rayne and Waqueisha unzipped the back of Isabella’s dress while Katherine, Keri and Sylvia combed through a wardrobe that should’ve been donated to the Salvation Army at least a decade ago.

“What about this one?” Isabella’s mother produced an oldie but goody Easter ensemble that rendered everyone else speechless.

“I’ll take that as a no,” Katherine surmised.

“Do you have anything in your closet she can wear?” Keri asked Katherine.

It was an innocent question, but the obvious answer stared Keri in the face. Isabella wore an average size eight while her mother would challenge anyone to a duel if they suggested her size eighteen frame was any higher than a twelve.

Waqueisha balled her hands on her hips. “Well, unless we’re going to snatch the curtains down and pull a Scarlett O’Hara, we’re going have to use one of your dresses, Ms. Kane.”

A few minutes later, Isabella stepped into one of her mother’s black sequin numbers and looked as though she was eight years old and playing dress up.

It was the perfect moment to have an emotional breakdown.

Boxes of Kleenex magically appeared and everyone patted Isabella on her back and head like she was a stray puppy.

“There, there. Baby, what’s wrong?” Katherine asked.

Isabella just sobbed louder and mopped at her face. How could she tell them the horrendous things those women had said downstairs? How could she tell them that she was beginning to have second thoughts about marrying Randall while she was at her own engagement party?

“Is it the dress?” Katherine asked. “I can go search for a different one.”

Seizing on the convenient excuse, Isabella bobbed her head and then slumped with relief when her mother raced back out of the room.

“Okay. She’s gone.” Keri turned Isabella from the mirror to face her. “What’s really wrong?”

Isabella wanted to hold it in, but before she knew it the words burst from her explaining about the two women downstairs. Four angry masks covered her sorors’ faces before they all started removing their earrings.

Waqueisha pivoted on her heels. “Oh, we can handle this for you right now. Girls, let’s roll.”

“No. No.” Isabella grabbed Waqueisha by the wrist. “Don’t be ridiculous. You can’t go beating up Randall’s ex-girlfriends—even if we knew who they all were.”

“What the heck are they even doing here?” Rayne asked.

“We should scratch their eyes out,” Keri snapped.

“C’mon,” Sylvia laughed. “One of the hottest bachelors in town? It’s a woman’s natural instinct to come and see who’d finally roped him into marriage.”

“And then laugh when they see me,” Isabella moped, snatching a new Kleenex from the offered pink box.

“Aww, now,” the sorors chimed sympathetically.

Isabella shrugged away from them and turned to face the mirror. “Just look at me.” She was a bigger mess now that her tears had ruined her makeup. “How did I land someone like Randall?”

“It’s not the how that’s important,” Rayne said. “Only that you did.”

“But I want to look like someone that belongs on Randall Jarrett’s arm. And more importantly like someone who knows how to keep him.”

“Just like you wanted to prep for your honeymoon?” Keri asked, crossing her arms.

“Say what?” Waqueisha asked.

Keri quickly brought the other girls up to speed.

“You told her to buy some books?” Rayne and Waqueisha asked, incredulous.

“Figured she needed to start with the basics,” Keri defended.

Waqueisha rolled her eyes. “You need a new sex teacher and hot makeover. Lucky for you I’m available.”

The girls nearly choked on their laughter.

Waqueisha ignored them both. “You’re coming to Atlanta for my party, right?”

Isabella hesitated, but then decided why not and nodded.