The Wedding Read Online Free PDF Page A

argue.
    And as they lay together that night, Allegra smiled at him. There may have been some things to work out in their relationship, like his divorce and his preference for sleeping alone, but there was no doubt in her mind that she loved him.
    Thanks for staying here, she said softly, as she lay in his arms, and he gently touched her cheek, and then kissed her. And a moment later, he was snoring.

Chapter 2

    Allegra got up the next morning before the alarm went off at six-fifteen. That was the time Brandon had set it for. He got up and went to brush his teeth and shave, while she walked out to the kitchen naked, to make coffee.
    He was at the breakfast table, fully dressed, by six forty-five, and she put two blueberry muffins in front of him, and a steaming cup of coffee.
    Great service at this restaurant, he said, looking pleased. And I love what the servers wear, he said, admiring her body as she sat down across the table from him, still naked.
    You look pretty good too, she said, admiring his dark gray suit. He bought everything he wore at Brooks Brothers, and every now and then she tried wandering him through Armani on Rodeo Drive, hoping to jazz him up a little. But that wasn't Brandon's look at all. He was pure Wall Street. I'd say you look pretty damn great for this hour of the morning. She grinned through a yawn, and poured herself a cup of coffee. She didn't have to be at her office till nine-thirty. What are we doing tonight, by the way? she asked. She'd been invited to a premiere, and she wasn't sure if he could go, with his trial to prepare. She doubted it, and she didn't really want to go either.
    I've got to work. No more playtime. I told the other guys I'd stick around tonight till midnight, he said, looking mildly panicked at all the work they had to do. Preparing for trial was always like that, which was why she was glad her firm had a litigation team, and she never had to do the actual trial work. She just had to collaborate with them, and give them information. In many ways, what she did was simpler. It was creative in its own way, but it didn't make the brutal demands on her that federal defense work did on Brandon.
    Do you want to come here when you're through? she asked, trying not to sound like a supplicant. She liked having him come home to her, and he didn't always want to. And she didn't want him to feel pressured.
    I'd love to, he said regretfully. But I really can't. I'll be bushed when I'm through. I've got to go home sometime.
    My parents invited us to dinner on Friday, she said, extending the invitation to him. She knew that, in the end, her mother would have invited him anyway, just to please her daughter, whether or not they liked him.
    I'm going to see the girls on Friday night, he said matter-of-factly, finishing one of the muffins. I told you.
    I didn't think you were serious, she said, looking surprised. What about the Golden Globes? Her eyes were filled with her expectations. They're important. They were important to her, but not to Brandon.
    So are Stephanie and Nicky. I have to see them before the trial, he said firmly.
    Brandon, I told you about the Golden Globes months ago. That's a big deal to me, and to my parents. And Carmen is nominated too. I can't just forget all that and go to San Francisco, she said, trying to sound calmer than she felt. It was only seven o'clock in the morning.
    I understand that you can't go. I don't expect you to, he said perfectly calmly.
    But I expect you to go with me, she said, an edge developing in her voice, despite her best efforts. I want you to be there.
    That's not a reasonable expectation, Allegra. I told you, I can't. I told you why. I don't see any point in belaboring it. Why do that?
    Because it means a lot to me. She took a breath, trying not to get angry at him. There had to be a way to solve the problem to everyone's satisfaction. Look, why don't you stay and go to the awards with me, and we'll fly to San Francisco for the day on Sunday?