of her props.
With each step Reese took toward Alex, her heart thudded harder.
“Carly? Take Fabio by both hands.”
At the moment of contact, she felt light-headed. To lift her eyes and look at him without giving herself away was the hardest acting she’d ever had to do. The pastor took them through the vows.
“Repeat after me. I, Carly Shaw, take thee, Fabio Andretti, to be my lawfully wedded husband, to love and adore from this day forth.”
Long ago the line between Fabio and Alex had blurred for her. Looking into his jet-black eyes, she said, “I, C- Carly Shaw, take thee, Fabio Andretti, to be my lawfully wedded husband, to love and adore from this day forth.”
“Fabio? Repeat after me, I, Fabio Andretti, take thee, Carly Shaw, to be my lawfully wedded wife, to love and adore from this day forth.”
He gripped her hands tighter. “I, Fabio Andretti, take thee, Carly Shaw, the most beautiful love of my life, to be my lawfully wedded wife. I promise to watch over you, to care for you in sickness and in health, to love and adore you from this day forth, and forever.”
Alex’s elongated speech was his second deviation from the script. It sounded heartfelt. Every fan out there would melt on the spot.
The pastor smiled at all four of them. “Now, by the power invested in me by the church, I pronounce both Miranda and Carlo, and Carly and Fabio, man and wife.
“What God has joined together, let no man put asunder. You may exchange rings, then kiss your brides.”
Alex swept Reese in his arms first, as the script directed. The force of his embrace dislodged her hat, which fell to the floor. He’d warned her.
After he’d kissed her long and hard, he slid the band on her finger. She in turn removed his ring from her pinky and, with a trembling hand, pushed it onto his ring finger.
“You’re mine now,” Fabio said, before kissing her hands.
After Carlo and Miranda had exchanged rings, the pastor raised his hands in benediction.
“Members of the congregation? May I present the two Mr and Mrs Andrettis. You may give them your best wishes in the vestibule of the church.”
Wedding music accompanied their joyous walk down the aisle behind Carlo and Miranda. Alex kissed her neck several times, playing the part of the besotted bridegroom to the hilt.
The cameras stayed on them as everyone followed them into the vestibule. Immediately both couples were converged upon with kisses and congratulations.
While Carlo hugged Miranda, the pastor, who stood at the offerings table, took Fabio and Carly aside for them to put their signatures on the license and certificates. When their business was concluded, Fabio waved the papers in the air.
“It’s official,
“Fabio-I love you so much!”
Again the newlyweds embraced.
“Ah-h-h,” everyone murmured.
The cameras stopped rolling.
“Great take, guys!” Phyllis declared. “I’m in tears, and that’s never happened before. After you get changed, come on back to the set. It’s party time for Reese. One day I might forgive her for leaving us, but I’m not making any promises.”
CHAPTER FOUR
REESE pulled her hand from Alex’s grasp and left the set before anyone could detain her. She passed Leah on her way up to Wardrobe. The actress who’d gone off stage earlier had already changed into slacks and a knit top.
“You look comfortable, Leah. I have to admit I can’t wait to get out of these heels.”
“I know what you mean. Those spikes they made me wear almost killed me before I could pull the gun on you.”
“You know something? You had a wild look in your eyes that could have scared me under other circumstances. You deserve to get the best villainess award again this year.”
“We’ll see.”
“I’m not kidding. You’re so good at being bad, it’s frightening.”
“Thanks. Let’s talk after you get changed.”
“I’ll be down in a few minutes.”
It didn’t take long for Reese to divest herself of the dress and shoes. Soon she was back in her jeans and T- shirt.
She returned everything to Patsy, including the ring Fabio had put on her finger. One of the assistants in Wardrobe would sweep the set for any props left around.
“You’re coming down to the party, I hope?”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” Patsy declared. “Thanks for the beautiful flowers, Reese. They arrived a few minutes ago. What a surprise!”
“Good. I’m glad they got here before I left. No one deserves them more than you. In fact I’m going to see if a best service award can’t be given out on the night of the soap awards. You’d win it hands down, Patsy.”
She smiled. “That’s sweet for you to say. You’ve made my day.”
“You’ve made mine every morning for the last two years. I’ll never forget.” After hugging her, Reese walked over to the dressing table to remove her makeup.
Patsy followed. “Do you know something? You’re just like your aunt Lilian. She always remembered everybody, too. I bet you miss her.”
Reese blinked back the tears threatening. “You’ll never know.” Especially right now. When she’d never been in such pain in her life, how could she possibly go home to an empty condo and pretend everything was going to be all right?
After every bit of makeup had been removed, she applied lotion to her skin and put on her own pink frost lipstick. With a flick of the brush through her thick black hair, there was nothing else to do but go downstairs and face her peers with a happy face.
Little did they know she would be putting on the greatest performance of her existence in front of them.
Patsy had already left by the time Reese jumped up from the chair and hurried downstairs. When she entered the set, she noticed everyone congregated around a couple of banquet tables enjoying a catered lunch smorgasbord style. On another table were half a dozen bottles of champagne and glasses.
Elaine started clapping when she saw Reese. Pretty soon she was surrounded by cast and crew alike with more hugs and best wishes for the future.
While she was filling her plate with Swedish meatballs and pasta, she saw Alex walk in. Through veiled lashes she noticed he’d changed into a white polo shirt and navy cargo pants.
He was such a striking man, Reese purposely struck up a conversation to avoid looking at him. But she was feverishly aware of him working his way through the crowd, smiling and talking with everyone.
Leah walked over to her with the mike. “It’s time for speeches! Let’s hear it from you, Reese.”
For once Reese was center stage without a script. “This is scarier than acting.” Her comment provoked laughter. “Whoa… I knew this was going to be hard.” Her throat had swelled.
She could feel Alex’s dark gaze. “I’ve had the time of my life with all of you. You’ve been like a family to me. When Aunt Lilian passed away, you were there to support me. I couldn’t have gotten through some of those difficult hours without you.”
Emotion got in the way. She waited for a minute to gather her composure. “My parents were big on academics. They both got their doctorates in a field they loved. Though they would have supported me as an actress, I know they had other dreams for me.
