A December Bride Page #3

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you were getting before

have turned into smiles.

Imagine the looks

we're going to get

when they realize

we're not telling the truth.

I think that

you are going to laugh

about this one day.

Not in a million years.

Jessica and I would like

to thank you all for coming

and for sharing our joy.

And we'd like to extend

our best wishes

to Layla and Seth,

who just announced--

--their engagement.

[applauding and cheering]

Congratulations, you two!

You just made

an embarrassing situation

so much worse.

Oh, what

I wouldn't give

to be "Poor Layla,"

not "Engaged Layla

Who Actually Isn't."

Wait, so, what are you saying,

the wedding is off?

I'm going to need you

to take this seriously, okay?

How do we deal

with this?

What do I tell my dad

and my brother,

and my entire family?

I'll tell them

I did it on a dare.

The party was so much fun,

I got wedding fever.

Of course, 'cause you can't

tell them the real reason

is because

you feel sorry for me.

That's not

the wording I'd use.

Close enough.

Look...

[sighing heavily]

I'm sorry, Layla,

I really am.

I'll call everyone

first thing tomorrow

and tell them

it was a bad joke.

Too much champagne,

and poor judgment on my part.

Hey.

I'll make it right, I promise.

Thank you.

Okay.

[beeping]

Hi, darling,

it's Aunt Lorraine.

I hope your happy news

means that you and Jessica

can bury the hatchet.

Hi, it's your brother.

You've taken keeping secrets

to a whole new level.

Call me.

Layla, this is

Stanley Malcolm.

I was hoping

we could have lunch.

We can discuss

your staging some houses.

Bring your portfolio,

and bring your fianc.

[call ringing]

This is Seth Murphy

of Denning and Hardwick.

Sorry I missed your call.

Please leave a message.

[beep]

Hey, Seth, it's me.

Don't tell anyone

we're not engaged...

just yet.

Call me.

I could barely

sleep last night.

This isn't

grand larceny.

It's just...

it's lunch

and a white lie.

Working for Malcolm Realty

could launch my entire business.

Then let's go to the lunch.

I got you into this mess.

This can be my way

of redeeming myself.

So we'd only be engaged

for a couple more days.

A couple of days.

Until I got the job.

Right.

But I'm going to need

something from you.

Besides redemption?

Consider this a win-win.

I need you

to decorate my house

for the Holiday Tour of Homes.

You don't even know

if I'm any good.

No, but I know you,

I know how hard

you're going to try.

Besides,

this could be great exposure.

It might even

drum up some more business

other than Malcolm Realty.

You've just got to

make it really...

"Christmassy".

Okay.

Okay?

You've got a deal.

Deal.

[laughing]

Now, Seth is

a shrewd negotiator.

He got his house

at a remarkable price.

It's lovely,

isn't it?

Oh, yeah, it's...

it's gorgeous.

Beautiful home.

And Layla is

an amazing stager.

Can we show him, honey?

Mm-hm.

Very nice.

You really are

very good.

Thanks.

Honey.

Layla is

doing my house

for the Holiday

Tour of Homes.

Oh.

Well, I'm glad

you're doing that.

That house deserves to be seen,

and you know how

Joyce Hardwick feels

about the tour,

and her charity.

I do.

Can I get

the bill, please?

I could do one of

your current properties

on spec.

I would love the opportunity

to work with you.

You know,

I think I'd rather see

what you do

with Seth's house.

But that's three weeks away.

Houses like Seth's

are the pillars of my business,

and I know he has done

absolutely nothing with it.

If you could

transform that house,

you just might

get my attention.

I love a challenge.

Good.

Sorry I have to run.

I have a showing

this afternoon.

One of your clients.

Thank you, Stanley.

Good luck.

Now what do we do?

We stay engaged

another three weeks.

You get a job...

Maybe I get a job.

And I get

my house done,

and get to impress

my boss's wife.

What do we tell

our family and friends?

See, that part

could be tricky,

but I think we can pull it off.

Plus...

your Aunt Lorraine

loves me.

Wow, your yard is so...

empty.

We're going to need

something really special.

Like what?

I don't know.

Wait, no, no, no,

wait, wait.

Can we go inside

right now?

Well, what's the rush?

My boss is next door

decorating the house.

Is that a problem?

It is if I want

to keep my job.

[chuckles in wonder]

Wow, what

a beautiful house,

but it seems

so unfinished.

Well, I bought it

as an investment property.

It's already

gone up in value.

This is your home.

Yeah, but I'm never here.

I'm working all the time.

So you can afford

a beautiful house

that you can never enjoy.

[chuckling]

Show me more.

Okay.

Uh, the only thing

I use in here

is the coffeemaker.

The kitchen is supposed to

be the heart of the home.

So do a little CPR.

[cell phone chimes]

Oh, sorry.

Yeah, I gotta

get back to work.

But you...

you are going

to need a key.

And...

Thank you.

...a credit card.

Do whatever you want,

warmth as far

as the eye can see.

And very, very--

Christmassy.

You love that word.

What exactly does that mean?

It means my boss's wife

will be impressed.

[cell phone chimes]

Gotta go.

[chuckles] See you.

Bye.

I am going to

bring you to life.

Thanks, everyone!

See you in a couple of hours.

[cell phone rings]

Hello?

Oh, hello, darling,

it's your beleaguered

Aunt Lorraine.

Hey, what's the problem?

Oh, it's the toy drive.

It's simply overwhelming.

I need your help.

Uh, I'm a little busy

at the moment,

but I'll do what I can.

Oh, good.

I knew you wouldn't

let me down.

Where are you going?

Uh, my lunch break.

Oh, pick up

the silver wreath

for the Fletcher house

on your way back?

And grab me

a mocha latte,

sugar-free.

Oh, thank heaven

you're here.

There is so much to do.

There certainly is.

Is it just

the two of us?

No, no, there's

help on the way.

Hey, sorry I'm late.

Oh...

You girls have

so much to do,

and I so appreciate

you being here.

Layla...

when are you going

to let me take you shopping

for a wedding dress?

Soon.

I promise.

I've just... I've been so busy

with work and the tour...

Yeah.

Well, we've got

a lot to do.

Christmas is right

around the corner.

Let's get busy.

So,

you two are family,

and that's forever.

You've got to learn

to get along.

You make meddling

an art form.

Well, at least that's

one thing we agree on.

Well, the galling

thing is,

I'm usually right.

This is not the way

these things are done.

Love doesn't operate

according to schedule.

Which is where good

judgment comes in.

When do we

get to meet her?

I'm going to

have to call Layla.

She's very busy.

Well, what does she do?

She's an interior

decorator.

Actually, she's doing my house

for the Holiday Tour of Homes.

What do you know

about this girl?

All I need to.

Well said.

On that note,

I'm going to go.

I've got

an early meeting.

Bye, Mom.

Bye bye.

You let me know

when you and Layla

are available for dinner.

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