When the music stopped, they headed toward the staff table. Adam grabbed two bottles of water and they both drank thirstily.
“You two looked great out there.” Renee smiled as she joined them. She was shorter than Teddy with light brown eyes and hair the same color that was pulled back, exposing her entire oval-shaped face.
“Adam, this is Renee Hart. She’s a fantastic assistant.”
Renee blushed as the two shook hands and exchanged the customary greeting. The assistant began clearing away the few things on the table that he assumed would go back to the office. Turning to Teddy, she said, “Your bag is over there.” She pointed toward the wall behind the table. Adam saw a small canvas bag lying there. “We’re all packed and about to head back.”
“All right,” Teddy said. “I’ll see you on Monday.”
Renee said goodbye, leaving the two of them alone.
Teddy turned back to him. “I’m finished now. I guess we should go get the painting, unless you want to dance again.”
* * *
Adam drove the SUV expertly through the crowded Manhattan streets. Yellow cabs, buses and New York drivers proved no match for his skill.
“How was the wedding?” he asked.
“Do you really want to know?” Teddy remembered his comment on weddings in general. “I thought you didn’t go in for the happily ever after.”
“I don’t. I was only making conversation.”
It was a long ride back to Princeton. It would be even longer if they didn’t talk. “The wedding was beautiful. The bride was beautiful. Several of her bridesmaids cried. You saw the church.”
“How long does it take to plan a wedding?”
“I thought you were married before. How long did yours take?”
“We didn’t have all the bells and whistles. We went to the justice of the peace and got married,” Adam said.
Teddy was surprised. “Your wife didn’t want a big wedding?”
“She did, but we couldn’t afford it. So we decided to use the money we had for the honeymoon.”
“Maybe next time,” Teddy said, forgetting his beliefs.
“There will be no next time,” he said. His voice was final.
“Then you better stop your mother from setting up blind dates for you.”
“Oh, it’s on the top of my list of things to do.”
Teddy laughed. “If you find a solution to that, please send me an email and share it so I can stop my mother.”
Teddy reached down and opened the small package she’d brought with her. Inside was a pair of shoes, which she traded for the ones she was wearing.
Adam glanced at her.
“Different muscles,” she explained.
“What does that mean?”
“After a wedding or a long day on my feet, changing my shoes means I use different muscles in my legs and they don’t get as tired.”
“From the way you were all over the place, you must be tired of running.”
Teddy sighed. “This one wasn’t that bad. The cathedral was huge, but everything ran rather smoothly. Jessica will be pleased.”
“Jessica is the bride, I take it?”
Teddy nodded. “For the fourth time.”
“Four husbands?” he said.
“She keeps us in business.”
He must have mulled that over. Adam lapsed into silence while he maneuvered through the traffic. Teddy realized she’d given him more ammunition to support his impression about weddings and marriage. Thankfully, traffic was clogging and Adam kept his attention on the road.
Finally they reached the gallery. Adam pulled into a space someone vacated and the two of them went inside. The place was bright with light. Huge windows covered the entire first story. Interior lights were placed strategically toward paintings to give them the best appearance.
A man came from the back of the small building. He was about six feet tall with gray hair, a potbelly and a welcoming smile. “Ms. Granville?”
Teddy nodded.
“I’m Gene Restonson, the gallery owner.”
“I’m Theresa Granville, Gemma Granville’s daughter, here to pick up a painting you’re holding for her.” Teddy introduced Adam. Gene shook hands with them both.
“We were just finishing packing it up. Give me a moment,” he said with a smile that took in both her and Adam. “Excuse me.”