Queen of Hearts
Sequel to Lucky 13
Chap. 13
Our rehearsal was wrapped up by about 4pm and Criss and I headed back to the hotel to check and make sure that the reception planning was going along as has we had intended. Once we were done with that I decided to skip out on dinner with his family since my dress was just barely zipping as it was already. Criss told me that he wouldn't be back late so I decided that an appropriate option "B" was to take a long walk instead of shoveling back carbohydrates.
As I was on my way out of the hotel I heard the sound of high heels clicking closely behind me in the hallway. I turned around next to the elevator area and spotted Holly trying to balance two shopping bags from Macy's, a giant shoe box from Nine West and her oversized Coach bag into her hotel room door.
My eyes rolled back at the mere sight of her. She was wearing a low cut baby blue dress with strap high heels and had a matching hair pin in her bleach blonde extensions. I knew they had to be extensions because the last time I saw her hair it was only just past her shoulders but now it was hanging just above her waistline.
She did NOT look pregnant. She looked anything BUT pregnant.
She turned and glanced over at me with a half smile.
"Hey." I muttered with a small wave.
"Hey… how are you?" She called back from across hallway.
The elevator opened in front of me and I was half tempted to just get in and ignore her.
My feet hesitated a bit and I spun around to face her direction. "Um, I'm doing good. Yeah, you?"
"I'm good…" She balanced the shoe box on her knee.
"Do you need some help?" I questioned as I watched a shopping bag teeter off of her shoulder.
"Nah, it's alright. You know me. I LOVE shopping." She paused to laugh. "I'll see you tomorrow at 3pm though! Congrats!" She grinned widely her white teeth nearly blinding me.
"Yeah, thanks… you too." My eyes slit into an unsure emotion.
Holly bit her lip. "Oh, yeah. Um… thank you. Sorry if that has been difficult or anything. I didn't want to cause any drama…."
Bitch go shove those expensive bags up your ass!
"Right, sure. It's okay. I suppose that shit happens you know. We'll see about all this in the future. We just have to take it one day at a time." I sighed as I pressed rapidly on the elevator panel again.
"I agree. Have a good night and get some rest. You have a BIG day tomorrow!" Holly replied as she closed her door.
Finally I made my way outside and was able to take a breathe of fresh air. I really just needed to think and clear my head. I needed to escape. I wanted to run away from that whole entire mess. My stomach felt like it was going eat itself. I hadn't eaten all day, I was starving and my head was still jack hamming away. I seriously needed a massage or a long island ice tea. Holy shit, I STILL needed to get my nails done! What the hell, where was my brain… I needed to get all the girls nails done… I needed to make sure that Lesley was going to be early to the wedding to do my up-do. I needed to call my dad. I needed to…
I headed straight back to the hotel dragging my feet and wanting nothing more than to finish that walk with a clear head.
Thank God I had professional beauty connections. It was insanely last minute but I called Elaine, Carmel and Lesley. Lesley did me a HUGE favor and opened up my old salon Shear Envy that she had taken over when I went to Vegas. Lesley called in our nail tech. named Kathy who had worked there for ages. She was a middle aged redheaded women with a spunky personality that I loved. I was blessed that she came in on such a short notice. We all got both pedicures and manicures with colors to match our dresses. I got a nice light pink and the girls all got a pretty fuchsia to accent their dress.
On our way out Lesley decided that it would a good idea to grab a drink but I told her that I had to get back since I knew that Criss would be home soon. She agreed to coming in the morning and doing my hair and her and the girls headed out their separate ways.
When I arrived at the hotel I was surprised that Criss wasn't back yet. It was already nearing 9pm. Where in the hell was he? I paced around agitated in the bedroom as I mentally went over all of the things I had to do the next morning before the wedding.
God, I was nervous.
Maybe I was JUST hungry?
No, definitely nervous…
My cell phone rang clearing my thoughts of how bad it would be if my dress STILL didn't fit that next day.
"Hello?" I answered as I took a seat on the bed.
"Sarah? This is Kevin… I'm sorry to be calling so late. I know it's been a few years. But, ugh… I was just out and about in town and I SWEAR I just you?"
My heart flip flopped about 180 degrees.
Now I was REALLY nervous.
"Kevin? As in Kevin Ingalman? Shut up!" I gasped. I really didn't need to ask for him confirm who is was. I knew the voice by memory.
"Yeah! No, it's me. Like I said, I was just calling to see if you were in fact in town… I'm sorry if this weird." He replied with an uneasy laugh.
My eyes shut trying to take in the fact that he was on the other line.
"No, I am here. I'm staying at a hotel. I was out by your side of the city tonight because I was getting my nails done."
"I thought so. Since when do you drive a Benz! I saw you and Lesley outside of the salon about an hour ago but you don't work there anymore, right?" He questioned.
I laughed. "No, no… I work in Vegas now. I'm just visiting for the time being. I'm here to get married."
The other line got dead silent for a moment. "Married?! Holy shit… now I really feel like an ass for calling."
"Nah, really… it's okay." I assured as my leg bounced against the carpet.
"So, who is the lucky man, anyone I would know?" He asked blandly.
I hesitated for a moment and then decided to be honest. "Actually, you might… have you ever heard of Criss Angel?"
There was a long pause again before he replied, "Get the hell out of here,"He laughed. "No really… who are you marrying?"
I smirked. "Criss Angel, honestly. It's a bit of a long story."
"Well, if this is true… I most certainly have the time to hear it." Kevin responded.
"Kevin, its more of a sit down conversation." I giggled.
"I'm up for some coffee if you are? I miss you! I haven't talked to you in years, why do you think I called?" He replied.
I bit my bottom lip and drew in a deep breath. "Well, I…"
Just then the bedroom door opened and Criss walked in carrying a doggy bag.
"Hey, babe. I'm sorry I'm a little later than I expected. That restaurant was packed. I brought you some pasta." He set the box down in front of me on the bed and kissed my forehead.
"Sarah?" Kevin chimed in my ear.
"Yeah, sorry. I'm here. Can you call me on Tuesday though? I really would like to catch up with you Kev, I just need to get some sleep before the "big day" and everything." I muttered.
Criss raised an eyebrow once he discovered that I was talking on the phone.
I gave him a signal to hold on a minute.
"Sure. Will do. Have a good night with 'Criss Angel'." Kevin replied.
"Yeah, you too. Buh-bye." I hung up with dramatic sigh.
Criss shot me a confused glance as I peaked inside of the brown doggy bag.
"Thanks for the pasta." I smiled crookedly.
He nodded as he shoved his hands inside of his pants pockets. "Sure. Who was on the phone?"
"Actually, that was Kevin…" I replied uneasily.
"Kevin, who is Kevin?" Criss asked seeming lost.
I hesitated. "He is my ex-boyfriend."
His eyes widened. "Oh, yeah that guy that you had a zillion pictures of in your apartment. I remember him now… kind of shorter… darker hair, blue eyes. THAT Kevin?"
I nodded. "Yeah, that's him alright."
Criss took a seat next to me on the bed. "I didn't know that you two still kept in contact?"
"No, we haven't. He saw me out in town tonight and called me out of the blue. I have no idea why. Isn't that strange?" I shrugged.
Criss nodded. "Yeah… it sure is. I'd be careful of his intentions. Guys just don't call after years and years for nothing. Usually they find out that they either had their head up their ass when they were with you or they miss something else about you, if you know what mean?"
"Yeah I do. I just am somewhat curious as to what he wants exactly. I mean, I do miss talking to him, we were together for a long time…" I replied in thought.
Criss rubbed my neck. "Just take it slow and be cautious like I said. I'd rather you talk to him than the asshole I ran into tonight."
My eyebrows stitched. "Who did you see tonight?"
His hand rubbed a bit harder on my neck and I pulled away with a frown.
"I saw Brandon a few blocks from Michigan Avenue."
My jaw instantly tensed.
There went my idea of Criss ever warming up to him.
"Oh… I see."
"Whatever. It doesn't matter anyhow. He probably has no idea we are here… I don't think he saw me. You don't have to worry about that baggage again baby." Criss wrapped his arm around my waist and I leaned back against his chest.
"Are you alright? You seem distant tonight or something?" He asked.
"No, I'm fine… I'm just tired and thinking about all the things we have to do in the morning." I fibbed.
"Well, you should eat a little something. Your stomach sounds like a tornado." Criss chuckled as he set the doggy bag into my lap.
I gave it a screwed up look and stood up. "I think I'm past the point of eating for today… maybe we should just head off to bed."
He shot me a concerned glance and followed me to the mini fridge where I stored the food away.
"Hey, you know something?" He questioned cutely as I shut the fridge door.
"What's that?" I asked.
"I love you." He smiled reassuringly.
"I love you too." My lips found his.