Samuel & Julia's wedding reception is more like a publicity event than a family celebration: the room is filled with stars. And Mary is here, outshining the bride in her flame orange gown. The actor he saw her with after he met her in the spa the first time is here, too. His name is Bernard....Somebody, Nico can't recall his name. Are they together? Nico wonders. And is it any of his business?

Nico chats with Bill, and watches Mary, trying to determine if she's here alone. Of course, if she has a date, he's very unattentive, leaving room for Nicolas to step in.

Mary is aware of Nicolas, too, their eyes meet in furtive glances. But her eyes aren't for Nicolas alone, they spend much time watching after Bernard, who Nico hears talking flirtatiously with Lori, the hot new supermodel.

When Mary has had enough of watching her date flirt with another woman, she walks away. Nico follows her, but he reminds himself, this party is crawling with media, he can't do anything here he wouldn't want talked about in the tabloids....

Mary kisses him on the lips in greeting, "Nicolas, darling," she purrs, pressing her hands against his. He'd like to pick her up & carry her into that utility closet again...but this time there are just too many witnesses.

Bill doesn't give hime time to say hello: he follows Nico up, grabs him by the arm & pulls him insistently toward the buffet. They sit with a woman Nico suddenly realizes is Monica, the editor of WhooNoo magazine; she not only bleached her hair, but she must have had some work done on her face, she hardly looks like herself.

Mary follows Bill & Nico to the buffet & joins them at the table. She chooses the seat closest to Nico, and as she sits down, she brushes her leg against his. Nico feels the blood rushing to his face in a blush. Bill sees it, too, and clearly doesn't like it: of course it only means more damage control for him if the media start saying things about him and Mary. And given the evil grin spreading over Monica's face as she eats salad & observes the exchange going on at her table, there will be talk. The further he takes this, the worse it will be. Still, whatever the outcome, Nico is determined, he will make love to Mary before this day is done.

NEXT