“How about we decide on whatever out of this room?” Jimmy said, urgently shooing Charlie back into the foyer and shutting the doors behind them.
“If we have an outdoor wedding, think of the lawn game possibilities!” Charlie took a seat and made himself comfortable. “Croquet, corn hole boards, or perhaps a bunch of those clever giant Jenga pieces?”
Jimmy sank down into the small sofa opposite Charlie and sighed in defeat. There didn’t feel like there was any way to escape this man. He looked up to see that Jerry had followed them, and he still had that odd look on his face. “Jerry?”
“Oh!Oui, monsieur?” Jerry blinked, snapping out of his daze. “Do you need something?”
“Could you please bring me a drink?”
“Absolument,” Jerry replied, glancing over to Charlie. “And for you,monsieur?”
“Rien pour moi, merci,” Charlie replied effortlessly.
“Quelle?” Jerry looked utterly amazed. “Tu parles français?”
“Oui,” Charlie said with a quick wink. He said something else in French, but it was too quick for Jimmy to understand.
Whatever it was, Jerry was blushing. He seemed to be floating on a cloud as he left to get Jimmy’s drink, leaving him alone with Charlie again.
“Tell me, Jimmy,” Charlie said, smiling brightly and leaning forward in his seat. “What are you thinking? I have a portfolio we could look over if you’d like. Are you a visual person? Do you need to see things to really envision them? What about...?”
Jimmy let Charlie ramble away for several minutes and tried to tune him out. He prayed he would go deaf, gratefully accepting the appletini Jerry brought to him. “Thank you, Jerry.”
“Oui, monsieur.” Jerry cast a bashful look toward Charlie before taking his leave.
“I don’t think you’ve been listening to a word I’ve said,” Charlie suddenly accused.
“Mm?” Jimmy peered owlishly over the rim of his glass. He gulped awkwardly, stammering, “No, n-no! I was really listening! To... to all of that... uh, the slideshow...? You wanted to make a slideshow?”
“Mr. Poe,” Charlie sighed wearily. “My job is to make your special day, well, special. I need your participation for that, and Mr. Legrand has made it very clear to me that every decision is yours to make.”
“I’m sorry,” Jimmy said, setting his drink down. “I’m not trying to make it so difficult. It’s just hard to care about something I didn’t want.”
“Then tell me. What do you want?” Charlie asked earnestly.
“I want Rod to ask me... I mean... I just wanted this to be personal.” Jimmy was struggling to find the right words without giving away too much. “Everything shouldn’t be up to me. You know, like this wedding planning! This should be something we’re doing together!”
“Ah, of course! Many couples find that planning their wedding is a wonderful activity that brings them closer together as a couple! Perhaps we can ask Mr. Legrand to join us then?”
“That would be great! And as soon as we see Mr. Legrand, we must be sure to ask him!”
“Mmm, and what are you going to be asking me?” Cold said from the doorway, gracefully leaning against the frame with a smirk.
“Hey!” Jimmy stood up to kiss Cold’s cheek, his eyes fluttering when he felt Cold’s hand rest on the back of his neck. He flushed immediately, replying, “I wanted you to help with the wedding planning.”
“This is my gift to you,” Cold said firmly.
“You mean it’s your half-ass way of apologizing for marrying me in secret!” Jimmy grumbled quietly.
“I want you to have whatever you’d like.”
Narrowing his eyes, Jimmy hissed under his breath, “You are not leaving me alone with him! Come on!”
Cold’s lips tugged up into an amused smile. “Oh, but I’m simply too busy. I’m afraid my schedule won’t allow for the time it takes to plan a wedding of this scale.”
“Oh?” Jimmy drew back, planting his hands on his hips. “Well, then, I’m sorry! I don’t think I’m going to have time in my schedule to show up!” He glared back at Charlie, saying, “I’m sorry for wasting your time, but we’re not going to be needing your services.”
Charlie’s eyes bugged out and he looked to Cold for direction.
