Chapter 6

Outside Jeff Hardy's Studio/Apartment, Manhattan, New York

Maria had been cussing up a storm to herself all the way over to Jeff's studio. Seeing him again so soon after what had happened this morning was certainly not on the redhead's agenda of things to do today. However she prided herself on offering her clients the ultimate wedding day planner package and if that meant picking up the dress from Jeff then Maria would do it but she didn't have to like it.

To her surprise the door wasn't locked when she tried the handle so she pushed it open and stepped inside. Another surprise was waiting for her once she'd closed the door behind her in the form of a good friend of hers and former client, Jay Reso who was chatting casually to Jeff. "Oh my god, I can't believe you're here. I haven't seen you or Amy in ages." She stepped forward and gave him a quick hug which the blond man immediately returned.

"It's great to see you too, Maria."

At this Jeff frowned, "How come I don't get a hug?"

Maria placed her hands on her hips, "After the stunt you pulled in bed this morning? No chance in hell."

Jay raised both eyebrows, "In bed? Did I miss something?" He motioned between the two of them with his hand, "Something going on here again that I don't know about?"

Maria shot him a look of disgust, "It's nothing like that. He played a joke on me this morning by pretending that we'd slept together." She shuddered, "My worst nightmare."

"It wasn't that bad."

Maria rolled her eyes, "Maybe not for you. You think everything is one big joke."

Jay smiled, "I'm sure Jeff didn't mean anything by it. But now that you're here, it's saves me a phone call."

"Oh really? Is everything okay?"

The blond Canadian nodded, "Yeah, I just wanted to invite you to a last minute fancy dress party and me and Amy are holding."

The redhead grinned, "When is it?"

"Tonight."

Maria giggled slightly, "Wow, you weren't joking about the last minute. I'd love to come but I can't."

Jay made a face, "Why not?"

"I have too much stuff to organise for a client's wedding on Saturday."

After being silent for the last few minutes Jeff suddenly piped up, "Candice's wedding? I thought you had everything sorted for that?"

"I do for the most part … Just need to double check things."

"Which you could do tomorrow … When was the last time you had a night off?" Jay asked.

"Last night, I got totally wasted at Mickie's and woke up to find Jeff Hardy in bed with me. Trust me, that's not happening again anytime soon."

Jay smirked, "I would have loved to have seen your face when you opened your eyes."

Maria pouted, "It wasn't funny. And besides all that you said it was fancy dress, I don't have a costume."

Jay waved off her with his hand, "That's easily solved, call Amy, she'll hook you up with something good."

Maria sighed, "You're not taking no for an answer are you Mr. Reso?"

The blond man shook his head, "Nope."

"Okay, I guess I could drop by for an hour or so."

Jay smiled, "Cool."

Maria smiled back at the blue eyed man before turning her attention of Jeff, "Now, the reason I'm here …"

Jeff laughed, "You mean you didn't just drop by to spend some more quality time with your date for Saturday?"

Maria huffed loudly, "First of all you're not my date. Inviting you to the wedding was Candice's idea and not mine. Secondly, I shall be working on Saturday so hopefully my interaction with you will be kept to a complete minimum."

Jay laughed, "Oooh totally burnage."

Maria glared, "You're not funny. Anyways, I'm here to pick up Candice's dress. She was supposed to be picking it up on Friday but she can't make it so …"

"Would you like me to get it for you?"

"Yes."

"Yes what?"

"Yes … Asshole."

Jeff crossed his arms over his chest, "Fine, if you're going to be like that. I'm not giving you the dress. Candice will have to come over and get it herself."

"You wouldn't."

"Try me … All you have to do is say the magic word."

Maria rolled her eyes, "Please."

Jeff grinned, "See, that wasn't so hard now was it?"

The redhead gave him a fake smile, "I guess not."

"I'll just go get the dress for you."

"Why thank you Mr. Hardy. You are too kind," Maria replied sarcastically as Jeff walked off.

"I see you two are getting on as well as ever."

"Don't you start on me as well. I already have Mickie giving me a hard time about it."

"I still don't get what your problem is with him. Jeff's a great guy."

"You would think that … He's one of your best friends."

Jay rubbed his chin, "I remember a time when you used to think that too."

"I was delusional and that was a long time ago, Jason."

"Whatever you say, Ria."

Seconds later, Jeff returned with Candice's wedding dress securely stored away in a full length dress bag, "Here you go."

The redhead carefully took the bag off him, "Thank you."

"You're welcome, little lady."

Maria huffed, "Whatever. Look I better get going. I'll call Amy once I get home and maybe I'll call around this afternoon or something."

"Cool, I'll see you later then."

"You sure will. Bye Jay … Bye Jeff."

"Goodbye honey," Jeff said sweetly.

"Asshole," Maria muttered as she walked off.

Maria had taken a small detour on the way back to her apartment to drop off Candice's wedding dress at her client's home. Luckily for Maria, the blushing bride to be wasn't in and she had managed to get away quickly.

Once she was back in her home, she picked up her house phone and called Amy.

"Hello?"

"Hey you, it's Maria, long time no speak."

"Hey yourself, Jay told me that you would be calling. How's thing?"

"Great," Maria lied.

"That's good to hear. Jay also told me that you're coming to the party tonight," Amy replied.

"Yup, I don't have a costume though. Any ideas?" Maria asked.

"Yeah, Jay told me that too, how about Princess Leia?"

Maria giggled, "You really think I could pull that off?"

"Of course you can," Amy replied instantly, "You'd look amazing. If you come over this afternoon, I'll do your hair. I just so happen to have a Leia costume that I bought for Jay's birthday last year."

"Really? Did he enjoy that?"

The older woman laughed, "Oh yeah."

"Okay, that sounds like fun. What time should I come over?"

"Say around four."

"Cool, do I need to bring anything else with me?" Maria asked, while she was twirling a few stands of her hair around her fingers.

"Nah, just yourself, we have anything else covered."

"Awesome, I'll see you later, Ames."

"See ya later, Ria."

Maria hung up the phone. She was now in a really good mood and looking forward to the party tonight. She had decided that it was just what she needed to get her mind off Jeff Hardy.