She didn’t let the fact that he kept in touch with his ex hurt her. In fact, she buried it deep because she didn’t like the woman she was becoming. She was more than this.
“Call her, then I will call her to discuss details if she says yes.” She went to her toes and kissed him softly on the mouth, ignoring the look on Colleen’s face. “Thank you, Harper.”
Harper cupped her face. “Aubrey helped Wes and Storm with a function. That’s the only reason I know. I told you I’d help you, Ari. Now, go call Pierre and give him hell.”
He kissed her again, then went off to the side to make his call.
“Arianna, are you sure—”
She held up her hand at Colleen’s words. “Don’t. Not now. I’m going to need to handle this with Harper.” She handed her friend her list. “Can you work on the next few items on the checklist? I don’t want the other things to go by the wayside because I’m dealing with this.”
And Harper’s ex.
Stop it.
Apparently, Aubrey wasn’t just an amazing chef, but one who knew how to fix the unfixable. The woman was a saint.
A pretty, articulate, and downright likable saint.
It had taken one phone call, and the woman had sprung into action, sending her minions out to the farmer’s market for food and supplies. Though the menu wouldn’t be quite the same since some of the ingredients wouldn’t be able to be acquired so last-minute, it was apparently perfect enough for the B&G and their guests. Arianna had explained to them both what had happened—minus the part her father and Justin had most likely played—and before they had time to react, she’d told them she had a backup plan already on the run. The couple, thankfully, were down to earth enough to take things as they came, and didn’t care that they might be eating something slightly different than they’d planned. Sure, the bride had only wanted white, but other than that, she’d been a little easier going than some of Arianna’s past brides.
And, as Arianna had tasted every dish, she had a feeling the B&G were getting the better deal anyway. However good Pierre thought he was, Aubrey was better.
Plus, the woman didn’t give Harper the time of day beyond a roll of her eyes and a smile.
“I just wanted to say thank you again,” Arianna said. “I know you had to pull this out of your hat at the last minute, and I honestly don’t know how you did it.”
Aubrey grinned, then looked up her and down. Arianna merely raised a brow, not caring for the look at all.
“You know I’d do anything for Harper.” She held up her hand as Arianna opened her mouth. “No, not that way. He’s my friend. Not to say we’re as good of friends as you and he are. God knows no one could live up to that.” She gave a wry smile. “I always knew you two had chemistry, but I knew he never would have acted on it when he was with me. I’m glad he did it now. You two deserve each other—and I don’t mean that in the catty way some exes say. I truly think it. Harper and I are better as friends who see each other with other groups of friends occasionally. Plus, I was prepared to dislike anyone that could take Harper’s heart so easily, but then I found out it was you. You’re good for him, Arianna. Don’t break him.”
There was so much in that statement that Arianna didn’t know where to start. Or even if she could start.
“I…I’m going to brush over most of that if that’s okay with you,” she finally said, forcing a laugh out of both of them.
“I don’t blame you, and I don’t want it to be awkward between the two of us as I’d like to work with you again in the future.”
Surprised, Arianna tilted her head. “Seriously?”
“Hell, yeah. I mean, come on, we always knew you were the brains behind King’s Weddings, and now, you have something that works for you and isn’t pretentious.” She grinned again. “No offense.”
Arianna laughed, relaxing at the woman’s candor. “None taken. King’s Weddings is pretentious because that’s what their image is meant to be. I don’t want Just for Them to be like that.”
“I know. And no, Harper didn’t mention anything to me if you’re worried about that. I know how you’re running the place because, despite the fact that you and I haven’t talked in years, I hear things. You’re good people, Arianna, and I’d love to work with you and Just for Them. I think we can really make something fantastic together, and I promise I won’t act like that fuckwad who flaked out on you at the last minute.”
Arianna snorted then took the flute of champagne Aubrey held out. “I think us working together would work out amazingly well. And I’m going to have to fully deal with that man soon.”
Aubrey nodded then tilted her glass for a toast. “I know you will. And I know you’ll take good care of Harper.” She winked. “Last mention of your relationship. I promise. Now, let’s toast to a beautiful partnership.”
They clinked glasses, and Arianna swallowed most of her glass in one gulp. The feelings and emotions running through her were too many to name, to count. She needed to deal with the Harper situation and decide what she wanted to do because this frantic, jealous woman was not her.
“You looked beautiful on the dance floor, Ari,” Harper whispered in her ear as he slowly undid her dress.
She shivered, loving the way his calloused hands brushed against her sensitive skin. “I still can’t believe you got me to dance at both weddings.”
“It’s all in the promise.”
The dress slid to the floor, and she turned in his embrace, wrapping her arms around his neck. He lowered his head, brushing his lips against hers, his hands on her butt, pulling her closer.
“I like the sound of that,” she whispered back once they’d broken apart.
He grinned then stood back, pulling his shirt over his head. “I saw you talking to Aubrey.”
She couldn’t hold back the wince at the mention of the other woman’s name while they were in his bedroom and getting undressed.
He cupped her cheek, a frown on his face. “Stop with the wincing, Ari. I was only going to mention that I think the two of you would work well together. I know it was awkward as hell to have my ex-girlfriend working with my current girlfriend, but I think the two of you can work it out.”
“So, I’m your girlfriend?”
Harper rolled his eyes. “Of course, Ari. What do you think I would call what you are to me?”
She closed her eyes, leaning into his palm. “I honestly have no idea. That’s probably why I’m acting like a jealous shrew.”
He snorted. “Honey, you aren’t. You were professional and made everything work out. Yeah, you looked like you’d rather work with anyone else at first, but you let that go because you are a better person than that. Now, I will say that it annoyed me a bit that you’d ever think I’d look at Aubrey the same way I look at you. But I can let that go since we haven’t actually talked about it.”
“I…I didn’t think you were with her. It just surprised me that you were still friends.”
Harper brushed his lips against hers. “I have many friends, Ari, but there’s only one you. I’m yours just as much as you’re mine. And right now, I’m going to show you that.”
She shivered. “Oh, really?”
His eyes darkened. “Really.” And this time, when he took her lips, he didn’t back down. He took everything, and she gave it freely.
He wrapped his arms around her once more, pulling her close. Her nipples pebbled against the firmness of his chest, and she gasped, needing him.
Wanting him more than she dared.
They slowly finished stripping themselves, panting heavily as they moved together, their bodies sweat-slick, and Arianna so needy, she thought she just might combust.
Harper pushed her gently onto the bed, and she opened for him, her head going back as he slowly entered her. The feel of him deep inside made her gasp, her breath coming in quick bursts.
Harper leaned down, one hand on her thigh, the other between her legs, rubbing over her clit. “You’re beautiful like this.”
She laughed, cupping her breasts. His eyes darkened at the movement, so she pinched her nipples. “Only like this?”
He moved his hips, and her eyes crossed. “You’re beautiful every day, but here, right now? This is only for us. I’m the only one who gets to see this, the only one who gets to feel this.” He moved again, and she reached up for him, needing to touch, to feel. “You’re mine, Arianna.”
Thrust.
“Mine.”
She moved with him then, his words scaring her more than she thought possible. She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think. As they came together, he moved to hug her close so they lay side by side, their breaths coming in unison as they stared at one another.
They didn’t say a word, but then again, no words were needed.
As the rapid pace of her heart began to slow, fear began to thread itself around her in the place of all the warmth they’d shared.
She couldn’t fall for this man, her best friend. If she did, then she could break once again. She’d put everything she had into her dreams once, and she’d lost it all.
She wasn’t sure what she’d do if she lost Harper, as well.
Chapter Seven
Some might call a Valentine’s wedding cliché, but Arianna loved them. What better way to show your love to one another than on the day made for love? Today’s wedding wasn’t too large of an affair because they’d wanted only their close friends and family to join them on their special day. Honestly, Arianna didn’t mind that as it allowed the couples not invited to enjoy their day in other ways.
As for her romantic relationship, Harper would once again be there to help out if she needed, but they didn’t have any plans after the wedding to celebrate the holiday. She wasn’t sure how they would celebrate at all. The wedding was an evening one, and she wouldn’t be done for the day until almost into the next morning. She would probably pass out on her bed after it was over and not have enough energy to do anything else.
She sighed and ran her hands over the back of her hair, making sure the pins stayed in place. Her business had been going very well despite the odd issues that kept coming up at each venue. If she were a superstitious person, she might have thought she was cursed when it came to planning weddings, but as she wasn’t; she hoped it was just a string of bad luck that would soon be over.
It was her job to plan for every possibility and outcome. Usually, however, people didn’t need to use their seven backup plans for each event.
Yet with all of that, she was still happy with her new life and new job. She was doing exactly what she wanted, even though she hadn’t known what that was for so long. She’d spent her entire life working toward a goal that in the end, hadn’t been the one she wanted in the first place.
Though she’d been kicked, and it had hurt like hell, her father giving her that ultimatum had been the best thing to happen to her.
She had friends she loved and depended on and who could depend on her.
She had a job where she could do what she was good at, and excel at it.
She made people happy and got to see them live their own dreams.
Everything she had was hers now. And though she relied on others, it was her blood, sweat, and tears that had gone into everything.
And through it all, she had Harper.
Harper.
Her hands fisted in the folds of her dark blue dress, and she forced herself to breathe once again. She couldn’t think of Harper, not now. He’d always been there for her, always, and yet it was different now. Things had changed so quickly that she could barely keep up.
One minute, he was her best friend, and she was doing her best not to think about how attractive he was with all those strong muscles and sweet smiles; the next, he was making her come against her front door with his hand over her mouth so she didn’t yell too loudly and scare the mailman.
She’d gone into this whole thing lying to herself about her true feelings about Harper, and now, she wasn’t sure if she could continue the lie. Maybe it was the whole Valentine’s Day theme, but she couldn’t quite keep her mind on her work, and off the man who filled her thoughts during the day and her dreams at night.
What would happen after this wedding? What would she do once the two of them had time to actually talk about their relationship and who they could be?
She’d done back-to-back weddings for the past couple of months to make sure she was ready for what would come next. She’d needed as many jobs up front as she could get so she had a cushion. Though she slept more than she had when she worked with King’s Weddings, it still wasn’t that much, and the wear on her body and nerves was beginning to show.
After this wedding, she had a couple of weeks where she only had to plan things and set up the next phase of her business. She’d done that on purpose, but now, she knew the time would come where she and Harper would actually have to talk.
What would they do when they actually spoke? She’d gone into this—whatever this was—telling him that it would only be for a night, and then later, for only a short time with no strings.
Yet all she could see were strings.
Holly’s voice sounded in her ear, and Arianna quickly pushed all thoughts of futures and Harper out of her mind—at least as much as she could.
Though Holly didn’t work for her as she had a perfectly amazing job on her own, because today was a holiday, her friend had offered herself and her new man up as aides for the day so others could have time off to be with their loved ones. Holly and Brody were beyond adorable, and they hadn’t minded working on the romantic holiday as long as they could be together.
“What is it?” she asked over her Bluetooth.
“We’re set up in the back to finish prep if you want to see,” Holly said. “It looks wonderful, Arianna.”
Arianna smiled, though the other woman couldn’t see her. “Well, let’s hope the front looks just as nice. I’ll be there soon.”
“No need, I’m here,” Holly said with a grin. The other woman had curled her pale blonde hair and pinned it back from her face. She wore a long, off-the-shoulder, deep blue dress that matched the bride’s colors. Brody stood behind her; his hair brushed back from his eyes, though Arianna knew it would fall forward soon. It tended to do that when he smiled, and she knew Holly loved it so much she practically melted in his arms.
“You were fast,” Arianna said with a grin.
“I was walking as I talked to you. I wanted to see your dress, and oh my God, Arianna, you look amazing. It’s like stars on moonlight.”
Arianna slid her hands down her dress and sighed. She truly loved this dress and was so happy she’d found it on clearance when she was looking for the perfect dress to match the wedding. She felt like a fairy princess in it. Plus, she remembered the way Harper’s eyes had darkened when she’d tried it on for him that day…
And enough of that.
Brody winked at Arianna as he spoke. “You do look stunning, but I have to go with my girl here on who looks best.”
Holly swatted at him as Arianna shook her head. “Well, I would be a little annoyed with you if you’d said anything else. Can I just say thank you again for coming? Both of you. I honestly don’t know what I would have done without you.”
“We get cake out of the deal, so I’m happy.”
“It’s always food with you, isn’t it,” Holly teased.
Brody turned to her and grinned. “Well…not always food.”
Harper cleared his throat as he walked past the two lovebirds, and suddenly, Holly wasn’t the only person blushing in the side prep room.
The man sure could fill out a suit.
He stalked toward her, his eyes on hers, bright and dangerous. He didn’t touch her when he stopped right in front of her. Instead, the heat of him covered her body, and she wanted to slide her hands over his suit, his skin, every freaking inch of him.
“You look stunning,” he breathed, and she let out a shaky breath.
She was working for God’s
sake. She didn’t have time to swoon like a young maiden in the arms of a dangerous rake.
“Arianna? We have a problem! The sprinklers just went off in the main room!” Colleen’s voice echoed in her ears, and Arianna froze.
“What? How? Is there a fire?” She ran as she spoke, the others on her heels. “Oh my God. Have we set the tables yet? No, we were waiting to do that until an hour from now because of dust issues in this place. Oh my God.”
This couldn’t be happening. Not again.
Why was it that every single one of her major events had issues like this?
Breathe, she told herself. Just breathe.
Assess the damage. Fix what she could, And find a solution.
She could do this. It was what she did best.
Though sprinklers had never truly been on her list of job requirements before this. She took a deep breath and entered the main room to survey the damage.
Well, it could be worse.
There could actually be an ark floating through the damn place with animals staring at her two by two.
“I’ll get on the sprinklers,” Harper said as he pushed past her. He was even undoing his tie as he splashed through the puddles on the way to the storage room like he was Superman on a mission.
Damn it. He had to save her once again, and she hated being his Lois Lane when it came to things like this.
The bottom of her dress was soaked, but she ignored the pang at the thought of the beautiful dress being forever ruined. There were far more important things going on right now.
“Okay, Colleen, head to the back and make sure the other rooms are dry,” she ordered. So far, Arianna had only seen this room under water, but they couldn’t be too careful. The wedding was supposed to start at the other venue soon before coming here for the reception. As she had only stopped by here to check on the place before going to the chapel, she knew she was running out of time to do anything productive.
Plans formulated in her head, and as soon as she opened her mouth to give people directions, the sprinklers stopped.
Love, Honor, and Ink: (A Montgomery Ink Novella) Page 7
