Three Thousand Miles - Forever, (book #3 of Three Thousand Miles, Series) (3 page)

 

“It is just wedding stuff and it is nothing for you to worry about.”
I try to
reassure him. The phone is silent as he takes in my response.

“Okay we will talk at dinner. Now I must dash I have the London office on the
other line. See you tonight, beautiful.”
He hangs up and I slump again into the
bed. I lie there for a few minutes until my phone rings again. I roll my eyes as I
see that it is Amelia who is calling.

“Hello
,” I say in an anxious voice. The only time she calls is when she has lists of
things that she needs me to approve, even though she and my mom pay no
attention to my actual decisions.

“Alanna darling, how are you?”
She says brightly. I hold back my giggle at her
over enthusiastic tone.

“I am good and you?”
“Good, good, I am fine. Now I have a few things that I need to go over with
you.”
I roll my as of course she does.

“I am all ears!”
“Have you chosen the song for your first dance yet?”
I smile as that is the one
thing that I am sure about.

 

“Yes, Michael Bublé – Home.”
“Good choice. Now the cars for the wedding party do you still want to go for
the white cars for the bridal party and the black for the groom?”
“Yes that’s fine.”

“Okay bear with me a second as I write this done.”
This time I cannot hold back
my giggles at her squeaky voice.
“The honeymoon, have you decided where you
want to go?”

“Not yet, I am sure that Adrian has a few ideas but he has been so busy lately
that I haven’t had a chance to talk to him about it.”
“Okay and the cake, do you like the vanilla sponge with the lemon- buttercream frosting?”
“Yes that’s fine.”
“Alanna are you just agreeing with everything that I am saying because you
cannot be bothered to disagree?”
“No, no, I just trust your judgments.”
“Okay if you say so!”
I laugh again and this time Amelia joins in.

 

“Is that all that you need to go over?”
I ask – hopefully.

 

“That’s all for now. I am meeting with Belle to discuss the seating chart. Is there
any other guests that you would to add?”

“No I think that I have invited everyone.”
“Okay then if you’re sure?”
“Yes I am sure, talk to you later Amelia.”

I begin to feel nervous as the car pulls up in front of the restaurant. I step out
of the car and I make my way into the building - with a bodyguard either side. I
glance around the area as I seek out Adrian. I soon realise that he is not here
yet, so I wait for the server to seat me at our table.

“Welcome, how may I help you Miss?” A member of staff greets me. I smile at
the girl.

 

“I have a reservation under the name of Black,”

“Yes please come this way,” I follow the girl to the back of the room and then
that is when I see Michael sitting at the table. Myheart begins to race as he
looks up from his phone and his eyes lock on mine. I notice that Emma is not
here yet or maybe she is in restroom. Either way, I am alone for the first time
in forever with Michael. The girl pulls out a chair for me and I sit opposite him.

“May I offer you a drink?” The girl says as she fiddles with her note book. I
smile up at her.

“Yes I will have a still water… thanks.” I clear my throat as I look at Michael. He
looks stunning tonight in his white shirt and dark blue jeans. His hair is longer
than usual and his eyes are perfectly blue in the dim light of the restaurant. I
wait penitently for him to talk, as I don’t feel like breaking the silence. He
wrinkles his forehead at whatever is on the screen of his phone and then he
quickly places it down onto the table in frustration. He begins to tap his fingers
rapidly onto the surface of the glass table and I begin to get even more anxious
as I await his words.

“So long time no see!” He finally says. I smile at him as I quickly respond.

“Actually I saw you the other day, don’t you remember?” I say in a light,
sarcastic voice. Michael presses a smile from his lips and I begin to relax a little
more around him.

“Of course I remember, but it feels like ages ago. Anyway how have you
been?”

“I have been good and you?”
“The same old working myself to the bone. You have lost so much weight
Alanna are you sure that you are okay?” I roll my eyes as I am getting annoyed
with everyone telling me that I have lost weight. It is not as if I have tried to
lose weight it simply came off because of the stress I am under with planning
the wedding. Doesn’t every bride lose weight before their wedding?

“Yes I am fine. Where is Emma?” I ask trying to switch the topic of
conversation away from my weight.

 

“She should be here any minute now, and Adrian?”

“The same,” I confess. The girl comes back with my water and I take a massive
gulp as I feel extra thirsty. My feet begin to tap against the chair as I sit in an
awkward silence with Michael.

“So not long until the wedding.” He says after a several minutes of utter
silence. This feels so awkward and I hate this feeling I wish that things would
return to the way that it was before.

“I know it’s unbelievable to think that this time next week, Adrian and I will be
married.” Michael slightly rolls his eyes and I still feel that some part of him
wishes that this wedding wasn’t going to happen. I tear my eyes from away
from Michael as I see Emma striding towards our table. She is gorgeous today
in her, black mini dress and heels. Her long slim legs are perfectly tanned and
her dark hair is flowing. I smile at her and she quickly sits down at the table.
Michael briefly kisses her and I try not to stare at his affection towards her.
When they pull back Emma instantly turns to me.

“How did your dress fitting go today?”

 

“Good I hope it’s the last one. How does your dressfit?” She smiles at me as
her green eyes glow.

 

“The dress fits perfectly; I want to thank you again for having me as your
bridesmaid. It means the world to me.” I reach over and take her hand.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Emma and Adrian have become very close
in last few months. Emma has spent most of her timein London with Michael
so it’s only natural that she has gotten to know Adrian more. Over the summer
months she and Adrian took a short break in the south of France. The time that
they shared really brought them closer together and I am thrilled that she and
Adrian have such a good relationship. I felt that it was necessary to have her as
one of my bridesmaids, as she means the world to Adrian. I wanted to include
Adrian’s family as much as I can in the wedding and that is why I have invited
Mr and Mrs Jenkins to stay with my family at our house. They originally wanted
to stay in the city, but Adrian convinced them that it would be better if they
stayed in the Hamptons. My dad and Mr Jenkins have already met – in London
and I my mom has spoken with Tabatha a few times over the phone. I am
looking forward to our families coming together and celebrating with Adrian
and I.

“Baby,” Adrian says as he strides towards me. I cannot hold back my smile as I
take in his looks. He is dressed in a dark, grey suit with a white shirt
underneath. His hair is messy and his eyes are sinful. He reaches me and he
instantly pulls me in for a kiss. His lips are tender as they collide with mine and
I sigh as I feel complete in his presence. When he pulls back he briefly kisses his
sister on the cheek and then firmly shakes hands with Michael. He sits and
then we order.

“I will have the house salad please,” I say as I hand the server my menu. Adrian
shakes his head at me and he quickly steps in.

“Ignore her; she will have the same as me.” I scowl at him, but I know that I
cannot challenge him on this matter. The girl looks at him in confusion and
then she turns to me.

“Miss, is that okay?” Adrian maintains his serious stare as I try to respond to
the server.

 

“Yes that’s fine; I will have the same as him.” Michael shakes his head and then
he and Emma order their food. We sit in silence until Adrian breaks it.

 

“So how was everyone’s day?” Michael is the first to respond.

 

“Busy, I have a tone of paperwork to get through tonight; I don’t know how I
am going to manage it.” Adrian nods in agreement.

“I am not doing anything tonight, if you need me to go over a few of the
contracts?”
“I should manage but if I need your help I will email you the details.” Unaware
of my actions I roll my eyes and Adrian quickly notices.

“I think that we are boring the girls and baby how many times must I tell you
not to roll your eyes?” I laugh at him as he gently squeezes my hand under the
table. Emma laughs and she begins to tell us abouther day.

“So I take it that you’re loving life at Yale?” I say when Emma is finished
gushing about her love for college.

 

“It is a dream come true to attend Yale, I really can’t thank you enough.” Emma
says as she flashes Adrian a huge a smile.

 

“And how was your day?” Adrian asks as he turns to me. I exhale as I reply.
“Hectic!”

“Oh poor baby, what was it that you needed to talk to me about?” I pause as I
begin to talk. I decided to just ask him about his tux and the wedding gifts, I
will wait until we are alone before I mention Alice.

“I have been ordered to talk to you about registering for our wedding gifts and
I have to make sure that you have sorted out your tux for the wedding.” Adrian
runs his fingers through his hair and he smiles at me.

“My suit is ready, I have to collect it from Tom Ford tomorrow. Do I really need
to be there to pick out the wedding gifts?” I frown at him.

 

“Of course you need to be there.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Because, you just need to be there, I can’t do it alone.”

 

“Alanna, I would rather we didn’t register.” I frown at him again as he is
making no sense.

 

“I don’t understand,”

“Alanna I would rather our guests make a donation to a local charity than
spend their money on gifts that we don’t need.” I shake my head at him but as
I take in his words, I feel that I agree with him. I have never thought of asking
for donations for a charity as wedding gifts, but the more I think about it the
more I want it.

“You know what you are right, we don’t need expensive gifts. I will talk to my
Mom and arrange for a donation basket to be set up in the reception. You are
so thoughtful Adrian.”

“Alanna I only want this if you are happy with it?”

 

“Yes it is a great idea and I am so glad that you thought of it.” I gush as I lean in
a kiss him on the cheek.

We have a lovely meal with Michael and Emma and as Adrian pays the cheque
and Emma makes a pit-stop at the restroom, Michael pulls me to one side. He
grips my hands firmly in his and we are standing inches apart. I feel nervous as
this is the closest that we have been in months. I anxiously glance around to
see if Adrian is anywhere in sight, but I don’t see him so I turn my attention
back to Michael as he grips onto me.

“Alanna I need to talk to you.” I feel even more anxious now that he has
spoken. I try to maintain my composure, but it is very difficult. I love Adrian
and I am excited about our future together, but Michael still makes my heart
race. He pulls me in and I am stunned by his beauty.

“Okay then talk.” I say quietly. Michael loosens his grip on me as he notices
Emma striding towards us. He leans in and he whispers.

“Meet me tomorrow at noon, in central park.” I stare at him in amazement and
I quickly nod in agreement. Emma reaches us and Michael takes her hand in
his. He nods to me and I quickly greet Emma with a kiss on each cheek. They
disappear into the crowd of the restaurant and I am left alone as I wait for
Adrian to return.

When we arrive back at the condo, Adrian is very quiet. I quickly change into
my pyjamas and then I make my way back into the lounge. Adrian is resting on
the sofa. His white – Armani shirt is open at the collar and his chocolate hair is
messy. I stride over to him and I carefully sit down next to him. He turns to me
and I can tell that something is bothering him. I flash him a smile and he breaks
the silence.
“Alanna, I love you.” He sighs as his words pass from his full lips. I slide over to
him and he gently pushes my hair away from my face. His eyes are glowing as
he strokes my face. I close my eyes slightly at his touch and then he leans
towards me. His lips are tender as they collide with mine. I pull back from him
as I feel the air draining from my body. I smile as he runs his long fingers
through his hair.

“Adrian I have to talk to you about something.” My eyes lift from the floor and
they meet Adrian’s. He lunges closer to me as he folds his arms. I take a deep
breath as I bring up the subject of his mother.

“Talk Alanna,”

 

“I need you to not get mad at me, okay?” Adrian rolls his eyes at me.

 

“Baby just talk,”

 

“Have you thought any more about inviting your Mom to the wedding?”
Adrian shakes his head and I lean over and take his hand.

“Alanna, I have thought more about it. In fact, that’s what I was talking to my
therapist about today. The anger I have inside is slowly fading. I feel that I
could possibly see her again. I know that I could control myself around her
now. But I don’t know if I should see her for first time at our wedding.” I smile
as I cannot believe his confession.

“Adrian we still have a few days until the wedding, you could see her before
then. I could go with you and if things go well then you can invite her to the
wedding.”

“I don’t know, some days I hate her and other times I miss her. I don’t know
how I feel anymore.” I am surprised by Adrian’s honesty and I like that he is
sharing how he feels with me. I want to help him through this and I really want
him to have a decent relationship with his mother.

“Adrian, we can work this out. Would you like me to arrange a meeting with
Alice?” Adrian exhales as he considers his response. My heart gently pounds as
I await his next words. He leans closer towards meand he gently strokes my
chin with his index finger. I tingle from his touch and then he whispers.
“I need you to help me, so please arrange a meeting with my mother.” I smile
and then he leans in even further. He places one hand on the back of my head
and the other is sliding down my back. He pulls me firmly towards him and
now his lips are on mine. His kiss is gentle at first but then it becomes more
rapid. I melt into him as I run my hand through his hair. He pushes me down
and I know what he wants. I lightly giggle as he kisses me again.