-1AUTHOR'S NOTE: SO I'M REALLY GLAD THAT YA'LL SEEMED TO LIKE THE FIRST CHAPTER. I ALSO HOPE YOU LIKED THE SNEAK PEEKS I SENT OUT. IF YOU WANT A SNEAK PEEK AND YOU DON'T HAVE A FFNET ACCOUNT THEN JUST LEAVE ME AN EMAIL ADDRESS THAT I CAN SEND THE SNEAK PEEK TO. I HOPE YOU LIKE THIS UPDATE.
RATING: PG
DISCLAIMER: STILL NO.
- N - & - M -
Keller groaned as she hauled eight tuxedoes across the street and into the car that Stella had reserved for Grey for wedding errands. "Clothes are heavy," she commented once all eight tuxes were stored safely in the backseat of the car along with the bridesmaid dresses and usher outfits.
"How do you think I got this body?" Grey asked as motioned to his chiseled physique. "It certainly wasn't in a gym because God knows I don't have time for that."
"I thought you met Sal in a gym."
Sal, better known as Salvatore Maurizio, was not only Grey's life partner but was also the preeminent bakery chef on the West Coast. Seriously he's done like everyone's weddings. His name was to wedding cakes like Vera's was to dresses. Networks had been trying to convince him to do his own show for years. He refused constantly because he didn't want to alienate his clientele.
"I did but that was when I lived here." Grey told her. "In New York City the best place to meet attractive gay men is the gym. In LA the best place to meet them is overpriced salons and the occasional exclusive dance club."
"Consider me informed," Keller smiled.
"I'm telling you babe gay mating rituals are so regional even I don't know them all and we all know I'm gayer than a 1970s Elton John outfit," Grey joked.
Keller was laughing so hard that she was still gasping when she answered Nick's phone call. She tried to catch her breath but it only made it worse so she eventually managed to say, "Yes?"
"Are you okay?" Nick asked because it kind of sounded like she was wheezing.
"Yeah I'm fine I was just laughing at something Grey said. Are you okay?" She knew the answer was no because why else would he be calling. It wasn't like he was one of those guys who called just because he was bored and wanted to know if she was up for a chat. And she already knew that the root of his problem was going to be Stella or this wedding or potentially a combination of the two.
"I think Stella's plotting something."
"Like?"
"I don't know…something."
"And your reasoning for this hunch, would be?"
"Because I've known Stella since before she thought matching was a mandatory life rule. I know when she's plotting."
"Does this mean you've actually left your studio again?"
Nick rolled his eyes. "You're acting like I was in there for a solid week or something. And I had actually moved more than a few times between the last time you say me yesterday and when you saw me today. I just happened to be in the same position."
"That's a lot of words, but in no way is it an answer," she pointed out.
"Yes I left the room for coffee and she had this grin on her face that said she was up to no good."
"Up to no good? Are you secretly like a 65 year old grandmother of three or something?" Keller asked incredulously.
"Are you trying this hard to be overly sarcastic?"
"Maybe," she admitted with a smirk that she knew he could already picture even though they were talking on the phone.
"Stop smirking," Nick hated that he knew her well enough to predict a smirk. "And maybe help me with my problem."
"What do you think she's plotting?"
"I don't know but I think Danielle is on it because she was grinning at me in the exact same way."
"They may just be excited about the wedding."
"I doubt it."
And so did Keller really. She was pretty sure that he was right. She was giving him grief because it made her happy and not because she thought he really was being paranoid.
"Shit here she comes," Nick groaned when heard the familiar sound of her heels clicking on his hardwood floors.
"Just appreciate she loves you enough that she's willing to scheme for you," Keller advised before she heard Stella's extra cheery voice say Niiick in that way that only she can without making him want to shoot himself. And then he was gone.
"Is Stella planning something that has to do with Nick?"
Grey grinned and nodded. "She wants to set him up with Macy Misa."
"Macy Misa? Where do I know that name?"
"She's to women's tennis as my Sal is to baking. She's the best."
Grey loved Macy. He loved that when they had to work with her Stella didn't get all uptight like she normally did. He loved that when she wasn't one of those LA Hollywood types who talked about herself like she was a gift to the world. She was different and he appreciated. Not only that but he also thought she was totally perfect for Nick like his boss did.
"Well I'm glad they're setting him up because he needs to get out."
"Look who's talking," Grey scoffed. "You never date."
"I date."
Grey shot her a look that said who're you trying to kid.
"Okay so I don't date but it's like not I have time."
"And Nick does?"
"Nick's right it is annoying when someone challenges everything you say."
"Especially when they are right." Grey added as he gave her one of his most dazzling smiles.
- N - & - M -
"Have I told you lately how super sweet it was of you to let us use the penthouse as wedding headquarters?"
Nick tried to keep smiling and reminding himself that he loved Stella and that he shouldn't fear her presence in his studio. "It was my pleasure."
"Well I know you aren't exactly one for sharing your space so this was really sweet Nick," Stella could tell by the look on his face that he was on to her.
"I'd do anything for family," he echoed the words that Keller had said earlier.
"Good because I kind of need a favor."
"Okay," he drawled because it wasn't like he didn't already know that this was coming. He knew she'd want a favor even before he knew that she was planning something. Stella Malone was a creature of habits. "What is it?"
"I somehow managed to forget that I was supposed to be picking up one of my bridesmaids from the airport," Stella said just like se had practiced in the mirror. "And now I'm meeting with the people who are throwing my dress rehearsal tomorrow to go over the final details at the same time as I'm supposed to be picking her up."
"Keller and Grey can't?" He already knew that she was going to make an excuse as to why he was the only person she knew who could do it but he figured he should at least try to put up a fight. And now he knew for certain that she was scheming and that scheme included hooking him up with whoever this bridesmaid was.
"They're doing errands," Stella reminded him. "And a car service is so impersonal." She added because she knew that was going to be his next suggestion to solve her problem. "You know I wouldn't have asked if there was someone else. I mean you've already opened your home to me and everything. And I know you're working on your new album."
Nick sighed. "What time is her flight arriving?"
"In an hour."
"I guess I should probably change into something a bit more acceptable," he said as he motioned to the dark gray sweats and baby blue V-neck he was wearing.
"Maybe you should try the dark wash jeans I brought you and that royal blue button down you wore to Joe's last premiere," Stella suggested sweetly.
"Your ability to remember what we wore and when is a little unnerving," he replied as he pulled off his headphones and set them down on the chair he'd been sitting in.
"What kind of a stylist would I be if I didn't?" Stella asked as she innocently glanced down at the floor and saw that half of the sheets of paper seemed to be filled halfway filled with song lyrics and scribbles. "Blocked?" she asked as she motioned to the floor.
"Just a little," he gave her a sheepish grin as he looked around the room and noticed just how messy it was. He was surprised that Keller managed to not comment on it. It looked like he'd just gotten frustrated and pushed everything off of his piano even though it was more like he would just toss each sheet of paper in the air when he realized that it wasn't going to work.
"Maybe the wedding will inspire you," Stella said hopefully. What she really wanted to say was hopefully you'll meet Macy and she'll make that little creative mind of yours go into overtime and then I won't have to feel nearly as bad about taking over your home because at least I introduced you to a girl that helped you write another Grammy award winning album. She thought what she actually said was probably a little safer and not nearly as wordy.
"Hopefully," Nick didn't necessarily think that was true but it wasn't like he could say I'm pretty sure it's just going to distract me from my livelihood. Keller would kick his ass. "Are you excited about the wedding?"
"Want to know the truth?"
"Of course."
"I'm just ready for it to be over," Stella admitted, "It's tiring and I'm ready for it to just be official that we're married because occasionally I think I'm just dreaming. It's like I'm waiting to wake up and realize that's he still dating Vanessa."
Nick shuddered at the thought of Vanessa Page. She'd been insane. Like seriously insane. Whereas Stella was quirky and high-strung Vanessa had mostly been nonsensical like a poor imitation of an e.e. cummings poem. He hated having to put up with her because his brother couldn't see through her new age mumbo jumbo. When Joe had called saying that they'd finally decided to go their separate ways he'd literally had to resist the urge to do a happy dance. And Nick wasn't much of a dancer so that tells you just how much he couldn't stand Vanessa.
"Don't even joke about that." Nick insisted. "Keller does a pretty good imitation of Vanessa. You should have her show it to you when she gets back from errands with Grey."
"I definitely will," she assured him. "You know I really do appreciate you letting us use your place." Stella echoed her earlier sentiments but this time she said it in a more genuine tone.
She hadn't actually expected him to agree. It had been Joe's idea even though she'd been the one to actually ask. She'd figured he'd come up with a reason as to why his place wouldn't work and that would be that. Instead he'd kind of blinked at her a few times before saying well okay yeah I guess that would be okay.
It fell on his shoulders because he was the only person in the wedding party that lived in the city. Danielle and Kevin lived too far away in New Jersey and were going to be staying in a hotel so that they didn't have to drive back and forth for the festivities. Her and Joe as well as most of the people they knew they lived in Los Angeles. That literally left Nick as the only person who had enough space for a wedding this scale. And so even though she knew that he regretted his decision the second she started having her planning boards show up here she still appreciated the gesture because it wasn't like it was something he had to do.
"You already told me," he jokingly reminded her.
"Yeah well this time I'm saying it without having the goal that you'll do me a favor."
"I see."
"And so now I'm going to let you go change into the outfit I suggested earlier." Stella said as she stood to leave.
Nick was about halfway to his bedroom when he stopped and turned around. "Stella?"
"Yeah?" she answered from the living room where she was getting her things together for her meeting. She couldn't help but think it was easier to get ready to go places when she had Grey constantly there reminding her to grab this, or asking if she needed that. He was much better at remembering everything that she needed.
"You never told me what the bridesmaids name was ," he pointed out as he grabbed the jeans and shirt that she had been talking about. She'd been right that they looked good together.
"Oh it's Macy," Stella smiled brightly.
"How will I know it's her?"
"Just park in the VIP section that you guys used to use when you toured together. I'll tell her what your car looks like. That way you won't get mobbed."
"Okay sounds good," Nick replied as he pulled on a belt.
"Who is a better stylist than me?" Stella was leaning in the doorway and admiring her suggestion. She knew that Macy wouldn't be able to not notice just how good looking Nick was in navy.
Nick didn't respond. Instead he said, "I think you've been spending too much time around Joe."
"And to think that for one moment you were my favorite Lucas brother." Stella joked.
- N - & - M -
"I'm so glad to be off of that plane," Macy said as she tried to stretch a little. She hated how tense she got when she was flying. It always made her feel so restless once it was over.
"At least you didn't get hounded as badly as you did on the flight back from Sydney," Zack reminded her.
That flight had been truly miserable. Macy had been tired after celebrating harder than she'd ever celebrated in her life. By the time they got on the plane all she'd wanted to do was crash for the extremely long flight. Instead she'd had to deal with fans coming up and asking her to take pictures and sign autographs the entire time. Because Macy was one of those unusually genuinely nice people, that are so rare he often jokes you'll find five four leaf clovers before you'll meet someone nicer than Macy, she didn't deny a single person.
"We got a text from Stella," he said as he opened it. Managed to double book myself. Can't be there to pick you up. L Sent someone I trust to do the job. Same plan. Different car. Silver BMW. Hope flight went OK. See you tonight.
"What'd she say?" Macy asked as she tried to keep her head down so that no one would recognize her. She wasn't in the mood to take pictures or sign autographs.
"Apparently she managed to double book appointments and had to send a car to pick us up."
"That's surprising," Macy remarked. "Usually Grey is all over stuff like that."
"It's probably the wedding that caused the mix-up though. You know everyone is probably stretched crazy thin. This is supposed to be the wedding of the year after all."
Macy nodded as she turned down the side hall that Stella said would lead them to the side entrance where the car would be waiting. "Is that supposed to be us?" She asked in regards to the silver BMW that was waiting.
"Looks like it."
She was surprised when the driver got out of the car and it turned out that he wasn't a driver at all. Instead standing there waiting for them to get close was none other than Stella's soon-to-be brother-in-law Nick Lucas.
Macy suddenly was pretty sure that there hadn't been a mix-up at all.
"Is that Nick Lucas?" Zack asked quietly.
"Yep," Macy confirmed.
And from the looks of it he was just as surprised to see her as she was to see him.
- N - & - M -
AUTHOR'S NOTE: WOW! HAHA. I'M REALLY HAPPY I FINISHED THIS. I KNOW THAT YOU'RE PROBABLY LIKE PLEASE GO AHEAD AND INTRODUCE THEM. ALL I CAN SAY IS HAVE PATIENCE. THEY ARE DEFINITELY GOING TO MEET IN THE NEXT CHAPTER. I HOPE YOU LIKED THIS UPDATE. IF YOU REVIEW AGAIN I'LL SEND YOU ANOTHER SNEAK PEEK. AS LONG AS YOU WANT ONE. - KRISTINE.
