Callum & Harper (Sleepless 1)

Tom straightened. “I had several assignments. The flowers, the processional, and I am also here to escort you lovely ladies in my kickin’ Sixty-Five Imperial because that’s the kind of guy I am I guess. I bring hot ace women to weddings apparently.”

Callum must have thought about that. I really thought we were going to have to ride the subway to The Bowery. It was laughable now that I really thought about it.

I took Tom’s hand and we started walking toward the door but Cherry stopped us.

“Wait!” she said. “Perfume!” She ran to her vanity and picked up a bottle of perfume. “Stand back Tom, unless you want to smell like a fabulous woman all night.” He quickly hedged toward the door. Cherry spritzed my body twice then placed a dab on my wrists and behind my ears. “You’re good to go.”

“What is that?” I asked, breathing in its heavenly scent.

“It reminded me of you,” she said. “It’s got bluebells, persimmon, lily of the valley and eglantine. It’s very elegant. Do you like it?”

“I love it,” I said, almost drunk on its unbelievably yummy bouquet.

All five of us piled into Tom’s most awesome Imperial and rode in laughter and fun to The Bowery. We were half an hour early but I preferred it that way.

“I can’t believe you’re not wearing Tie-Dye, Tom,” I said.

“Oh, but I am,” he said, yanking down the collar of his dress shirt to reveal a yellow tie-dye t-shirt, making us all lose it in the laughter department.

It was going to be quite a happy day.

It was weird to walk into my place of work in a wedding dress but I just laughed at how I couldn't believe any of the stuff that had been happening to me lately had been happening. We walked up the steps to the rooftop. Cherry shielded my eyes as she wanted it all to be a surprise and led me to the ancient greenhouse. The glass was so old you couldn’t see out and I was told to stay put while they readied everything outside. There was a little broken corner of glass on the door and it allowed me to see who was coming. I didn’t expect anyone but was pleasantly surprised when I saw a few of our co-workers from The Bowery as well as the restaurant, including Martin and Rodrigo. I saw Van scrambling around a little bit and wondered what in the world he could be so flustered about. I saw our entire group of friends pass by. I saw a few people I had no idea who they were but figured they knew Cherry or Charlie or any of the others. I saw a few of the bands who would open for The Ivories often. There were a lot of people. I just had no idea they would have showed so last minute. Finally, I saw Judge Ryder in his robe and a lovely older woman I could only assume was his wife, Karol.

My heart jumped in my throat a little when I could hear Tom playing a soft melody on his acoustic as people arrived.

“Oh no!” I said out loud to no one, bringing my hand to my face. “Who’s going to walk me down the aisle?”

“I am,” Charlie stage whispered through my peep hole before laughing, startling me. He opened the door and shut it behind him quickly. He shook his head as he took me in. “My God, Harper. You are a vision.”

took over where Marty left off, a bright gold curling iron in her hand. She began to fashion spiral curls that tapered to the middle of my back.

“I learned this from our hair girl at the theater. It took a lot of practice,” she said, laying a warm curl against my skin. “You’re hair looks like copper, Harper.”

“That’s what Callum always says.”

“Does he now?” She teased, wagging her brows up and down.

I blushed profusely. I knew there were going to be sex jokes this day but I didn’t think they were going to start that early. I figured they’d come right about the time the champagne started flowing.

“Stop, Kelly,” I laughed. “Don’t you dare!”

Cherry pulled a chair up to my side, grabbing my hands in hers, seriousness was written all over her face.

“Now, Harper. When a man and woman get married...” she started and I pulled my hands free, covering my face. All three of us started to bust up.

“Callum’s never done it with anyone before,” Marty said, matter-of-factly flipping through a magazine.

“Marty!” We all yelled.

“What? He hasn’t. It’s written all over him.” She looked at me pointedly. “He hasn’t, has he?”

I cleared my throat, turning another dangerous shade of red. I’m going to look like a lobster in the photos, I thought. “I’m not at liberty to say,” I said cryptically or maybe not so cryptically.

“I knew it!” Marty laughed throwing her head back. “What about you?” She asked.

Cherry could tell how uncomfortable I was becoming. “Marty,” she admonished. “We’re vexing Harper.”

“No, it’s okay. I’m not experienced either.” Once I said so, all of the girls’ faces turned expressionless. “What?” I asked, feeling shy all of a sudden. I sunk slightly into my shoulders.