Two days after the announcement, the posse of friends managed to transform Paula’s home into a wedding central with all its trappings and Lisa was preparing walk down the prefabricated aisle under the eyes of the sixty guests in attendance. Under threat of physical harm from Paula, Gabby and Camille, Lisa’s two sisters, made their appearance; which in most respects should have caused waves however the three sisters seemed genuinely happy to see one another. They helped Lisa dress while Paula attended to the other hundred details still left on her plate. Seeing that her three helpers were in the wedding party and nowhere to be found, Paula had her hands full.


She made sure the DJ had the music on cue, went to the kitchen and ensure that the caterers were well stocked and then mingled about the guests as any dutiful hostess would. She caught Tess’s eye a couple of times when Charlie was near. Every time he touched her, Paula could feel Tess’s judgmental stare.


It was ten minutes before six o’clock and time to get the show on the road. Lisa wore a tasteful white strapless Jessica McClintock with a square neckline and sequined trim. Walking towards Tony, she looked every bit the perfect princess. Besides Judy getting choked up near the very beginning, the ceremony went out without a hitch.


Soon after the nuptials were over and the couple went off to change into their evening attire, the guests stood around socializing and carrying on as normal. The music played, the champagne flowed and the hor’dourves were devoured. Mo and Stacy joined Paula and Charlie in conversation. Now that their secret was out they couldn’t keep their hands off of one another.


“Paula, you did a wonderful job on the party,” Gabby said hugging Paula, Tess was with her. “I don’t know how you pulled it off, but thank you.”


“You’re welcome,” she said roping her arm into Charlie’s and leaning her head on his shoulder. “I had a lot of help.”


“Aw, look at you two,” Mo intoned with a puppy dog look. “You’ll be next. You guys are all other over each other.”


“I hardly think being all over each other means we’ll be getting married soon.” Charlie laughed.


“It could be seen as weakness.” Tess said to everyone’s dismay and Paula’s utter astonishment.


“So, it’s a sign of weakness for a woman to lean against her man’s shoulder?” Stacy asked.


“In public, yes, it’s weak and insulting. It’s like she’s showing off in front of women who don’t have anyone to lean on,” she turned to Paula. “Like she’s marking her territory so everyone knows this is the person she’s fucking.”


Everyone’s jaw dropped.


“Don’t you think that’s a bit harsh, Tess?” Gabby added to cut the tension.


“No,” she spat. “Especially when there’s malice in their intent.”


Charlie gave a nervous laugh. “I don’t believe there was any malice meant, do you Paula?”


“None at all.” Paula said.


“I beg to differ,” Tess whispered sorrowfully. “Please excuse me if I disagree.” She left the group where they stood.


Paula excused herself and found Tess in the kitchen pouring a glass of champagne.


“I think you’ve had enough.” Paula took the glass and bottle from her hands.


“Shut the hell up, Paula.” She retrieved her glass and drunk.


Paula’s eyes narrowed not in anger but honest confusion. “Tess, what’s your problem with me?”


“Ha!” Tess threw her head back laughing. “You’re a regular Florence Nightingale. Or at least you put on a damn good act! Look around you, Paula! This isn’t about Lisa and Tony; this is all about you! This is you and Charlie’s big debut!” she drunk and poured again. “And the worst part is you won’t admit it. You’re as self-centered as they come.”


“No, I’m not.” Paula tried to keep her voice down.


“Yes you are. And you’re just about as worse as it gets.”


“What the hell are you talking about?”


“Damn it, Paula!” Raw pain fueled her. “You befriended me and you knew I had feelings for Charlie. You pushed me up to it and gave me hope when there was none…and you knew it. You stood there and watched me make a fool of myself for your amusement,” Her eyes began to pool. “You laughed at me.”


“Tess, I never laughed at you.”


“Then why didn’t you tell me? Not wanting to tell everyone else was different, but you could have told me and saved me from looking like an idiot. I tell you everything. You’re my friend and friends don’t do this to one another. Mind you, this isn’t about Charlie; this is about you and me,” She stared into Paula blank face. “You’ve hurt me, Paula.”


Tears hung from her lower lashes and trickled down her cheeks. “I’m sorry, Tess. I should have told you. You didn’t deserve to find out in this way. I never meant to hurt you.” She said honestly. “I was wrong and I hope you’ll forgive me. I should have been a better friend to you.”


“You’re damn right, you should have been.”


“I’m sorry, Tess.”


I long heavy silence fell between them. Both mired in their separate yet on conjoined sorrow.


“Are you apologizing because you mean it or so I won’t hate your guts?” Tess handed Paula a napkin.


“I mean it,” she dabbed her tears and chuckled. “Really mean it. I misjudged you and I’m sorry. Can you forgive me?”


Tess eyes searched the floor. “I don’t know. But I’m willing to try if you are.”


“I am.”


“I’m also gonna need your recipe for gumbo.” She said with a faint smile.


Paula shook her head. “I’ll make you a deal. Come over and I’ll teach you how to make it.”


“I’ll have to check my schedule. I have a lot going on.” She grinned and wiped her tears away. “I’ll get back to you. Do you mind if I take a nap in the guestroom?”


“No, go right ahead.”


“Thanks. By the way, congratulations…you and Charlie look very happy.”


“Thanks” Paula said humbled by Tess’s strength.




                                                               ******




After the guests were gone, after the music faded, after the food was eaten, and the champagne drunken, Paula and Charlie lie cocooned in one another’s arms.


“What was going on with Tess?” Charlie asked.


“I’ll explain tomorrow. I’m just glad everything is settled.”


“I half expected you to rip her head off then I remembered you’d never cause an unnecessary scene. You and my mom are alike in that way.” He stopped.


Paula sensed by his abrupt silence there was sometime weighing on Charlie’s mind. “What is it?”


“I love you. I don’t tell you nearly enough.” He kissed her fingertips.


“I love you too.”


“Then why don’t you tell me more often?”


“Because I show you every day.” She sat atop him and kissed his neck while he massaged her back. “I love you more than anyone I’ve ever loved.” She moved back and gasped as she felt his cock pressed between the folds on her slit. Her mouth parted in both the sudden introduction of her firm thickness and the enticing want she saw in his eyes that faded when he realized the sensation he felt would be short lived. “Oh God,” Paula panted, her head slightly back.


Charlie sat up, still firmly inside of her and pulled her against his chest. “Are you cumming?” he whispered into the nook of her neck.


Paula clung to his massive body but didn’t answer. He pulled her closer effectively wrapping her legs around. He felt her pussy pulsating and gripping his cock, desperately and willingly accommodating each thrust. Charlie observed every ounce of doubt drain from her face as he pushed her closer and closer to the pinnacle of yet another orgasm.


“Fuck, Paula,” he tried to control his arousal but she had him on the ropes. He felt her walls tighten and her legs quiver as he pushed deeper into her. He kissed and sucked her tits, her neck and her mouth---he hungered to taste every inch of her.


Perplexed by Charlie’s absolute possession of her and the pressure of his long searching strokes, his mouth on her, in her, all over her----Paula succumbs to waves of paralyzing vision blurring orgasm. “Fuck!!” she screamed rocking and grinding on his cock until she felt his on the verge of bursting. “I don’t want you to stop.” She held his stare. “I’m ready.” He lifted her chin kissing her which such fervor another orgasm began to peak. “Baby, I’m cumming,” her lips trembled.


He rubbed and kissed her; wrapped his arms around her and with a few intense, long, heated thrusts, felt himself rush throughout her leaving both of them dizzied and weak. They caught their breath as they held each other.


“Is that how it felt the first time I came in you?” he said still out of breath.


“Yes.”


“Damn, I’m sorry I missed it.”