Page 100 of Plane Passion

“My turn now,” said Beth, standing and gesturing for a waiter to refill her glass. She looked stunning in her plum-colored, satin bridesmaid dress with a fashionably low waist and hemline just below the knee. Not that she could compare with Millie, who looked like a scrumptious angel in her floor-length ivory satin gown, pearl studded headdress and cascading veil.

“The first time I heard about Ernie, Millie made me a bet that she could get him to change his ways, and I thought everyone would end up worse off for her interference. As things progressed, and it became clear that Millie was a little bit too interested in the object of her quest, I added a stipulation that she couldn’t end up romantically involved with Ernie at the end of it. Obviously, she lost the bet.”

Interesting. Ernie had no idea about this bet with Beth. He snuck a glance at Millie, who smiled and shrugged.

“I got this lovely necklace out of it,” Beth said, holding up a rope of pearls that dripped nearly to her waist.

The guests oohed and aahed.

“But,” Beth continued, “I’ve been thinking about it, and while technically, I won my bet, I think I was wrong.”

Millie gasped.

“Yes, Millie, I was wrong,” said Beth. “I may have guessed right about what was happening, but I was betting against your best interests, something I should never have done. In recognition of that, I got you something.”

Beth reached into a bag beneath the table and brought out a large, gleaming trophy and handed it to Millie whose eyes went wide.

“It says, ‘I was wrong. Love, Beth,’” Millie said, holding it up triumphantly.

“Don’t get too cocky, dear. It won’t happen again,” Beth said, walking over to Millie and kissing her on the cheek.

“You really are the best friend I could possibly have,” said Millie quietly, tearing up a bit.

“Yes, I am, and don’t you forget it,” Beth said, squeezing Millie’s arm. “To the happy couple,” Beth said loudly, turning back to the room and raising her glass.

There was raucous noise as everyone drank to their health.

Ernie looked out at the room full of friends and family, grateful for their love and support. It was a warm blanket wrapping him up on this cold winter’s day. He turned to his bride, who was looking out at the guests and smiling.

“We’re very lucky, aren’t we?” Ernie murmured in her ear.

“Yes, we are,” she murmured back.

“And now,” Ernie said, standing and holding out a hand, “I would like to dance with my wife. Millie Pritchard, will you do me the honor?”

“With pleasure.”

He led her to the dance floor, and the quartet they hired struck up a foxtrot.

“I love you, Mrs. Pritchard,” he whispered in her ear as they started to move across the dance floor in perfect sync.

“I love you too, Mr. Pritchard,” she whispered back, brushing her lips against his cheek.

Millie was his wife. Ernie could hardly believe it. His heart swelled at the thought. Was it possible to have a more perfect wife? He didn’t think so. Perfect for him, that was. She was flawed, just like him, and that made him love her all the more.

As they moved together, sinuous satin slipped against him, and he suddenly wished he had her all to himself at the Plaza Hotel where he’d reserved a room, this time with a full-sized bed.

“I had no idea about this bet,” Ernie said to distract himself from his inconvenient reaction to her gorgeous proximity. “When did you make it?”

“Right after I got back from our first trip together.”

“Very interesting. Were you attracted to me from that first trip? After all, you don’t go on crusades for just anyone.”

She stroked his back with her hand, sending shivers down his spine.

“I was attracted to you the first time I met you, not that I was going to admit it to anyone.”

He smiled.