by Layla Hagen
I was staying. For my boy, I told myself. Not because I was hoping to get glimpses of Graham during the night. Does he sleep in shorts? Naked? Nor was I hoping to accidentally bump into him after he showered. I chastised myself for giving so much thought to scenarios I didn't want to occur. But just like last night, the more I tried not to think about Graham, the more I did.
Before heading out, I checked my phone for any calls or e-mails from vendors. To my dismay, I discovered an e-mail from Jeff.
From: Jeff Finn
To: Lori Connor
I've tried your old number, but it's disconnected, and your assistants won't give me your new one. Don’t play games. I just want to catch up.
I snorted, shaking my head. I had no intention of calling him. My phone number wasn't listed on my website, only a number that connected to my assistants' phones. I was thankful my girls hadn't given him my number. I wasn't interested in his booty calls. I'd long since given up on the idea that he'd want to be involved in Milo's life. He'd tossed us aside, because Milo's existence wasn't convenient for him. An unexpected child was too much to handle while training to become a doctor.
As usual, his e-mail soured my mood, but I tried my best to lose myself in the day's tasks. Gigi and I put up the flower arrangements in the tent in no time at all, then focused on setting up an orchid arch at the main entrance. The delicate flowers looked even more beautiful against the limestone exterior of the house.
We moved onto the deck next, arranging garlands of roses and orchids on the ceremony aisle and officiating table. We left the glass railing unadorned so everyone had a clear view of the ocean. The chairs still had to be delivered, and I was eyeing the time on my phone almost compulsively. The delivery should arrive in ten minutes, and I hoped they wouldn't be late. Managing weddings was a lot like building a puzzle. One had to coordinate all the moving parts. I'd built in buffer time in case one of the vendors was late, but I'd rather not have to rely on that.
When I walked Gigi to her car, I spotted Graham's Range Rover. He was back. Energy zipped through me, and the man wasn't even in sight.
"I counted the personal flowers twice," Gigi said.
"Don't worry; I counted them once too. All there." It was my responsibility to distribute the personal flowers before the ceremony. "Thanks, Gigi. Your arrangements are lovely, as usual."
The chairs arrived as Gigi left. They were simple white chairs, a sturdy but festive-looking plastic. I planned to purchase similar ones soon. Wedding planning was a profitable business. I wouldn't have gone into it otherwise, no matter how much it spoke to my romantic soul. But owning decorative sets was the way to make the big bucks in this business: linens, tablecloths, decorations of all kinds. Maintaining an inventory was tricky. One had to always be on top of the trends, and sell existing stock before it went out of style. Typically, the items that were hottest this wedding season were already out of style the next one.
I currently owned a large assortment of decorations and tablecloths, but I was always looking to expand, and I'd had quite a few couples who'd wanted the ceremony in locations where one had to bring everything from seats to officiating table.
The driver and I arranged the chairs in straight rows on both sides of the aisle on the deck. While I maneuvered the seats, my body hummed in a way it hadn't before. Was Graham inside the house on the upper floors? Was he watching?
There was a smaller deck directly above this one, but I suspected one could see the outer edges of the lower deck from that window. I risked a glance over my shoulder once. The sun reflected against the glass front on the upper floor, but I thought I could make out Graham's shape anyway. The humming in my body intensified. My pulse was erratic. I felt it in my throat, my chest. Between my thighs.
After the driver left, I had a window of about thirty minutes until the next vendor was slated to arrive with the special brand of champagne that Matt ordered. I resolved to head to my room and freshen up a bit in the meantime. Perspiration had gathered under my armpits during all that chair maneuvering. I also wanted to use my curling iron on a few strands. I'd slept without taking down the ponytail, and carefully splaying the curls on my pillow, but they still needed retouching.
It was a beautiful day for a wedding. The sun was shining; the gentle breeze from the sea was refreshing. I headed straight upstairs without passing through the living room. When I stepped in my bedroom, I ran into an unpleasant surprise.
A beautiful dress was laid out on my bed. Turquoise silk with a white band around the middle. Had I brought my things to the wrong room? It looked like it, though the rightful occupant didn't seem to have left any other possessions around.
I was relieved that I wouldn't be spending the night alone with Graham, but I was also... jealous. Who was she? Couldn't be one of the bridesmaids because they were wearing lilac. It had to be someone who'd traveled from another city. Perhaps that's where Graham went this morning, to pick her up. They had to be close if he offered for her to spend the night here. In any case, the woman had excellent taste in clothing.
A knock at the door startled me. I whirled around to find Graham in the doorway.
"What do you think?" he asked at the same time I said, "Sorry, I mixed up rooms."
He frowned. "You didn't mix up rooms. This is where you're sleeping."
I pointed to the dress. He smiled, and I felt even more irrational jealously toward the owner of the dress.
"That's for you."
Oh boy. That humming from earlier? It was now a full-blown buzz. It electrified me.
"I don't understand."
"You tore your dress on my property. I owe you a new one."
I stared at him. "I slipped. That wasn't your fault."
He wiggled his eyebrows. "My sprinklers. My fault." I didn't know why, but the words sounded dirty. "You could sue for damages."
"I wouldn't do that." I laughed, looking at the dress with a fresh perspective. It seemed even more beautiful than before. It wasn't too flashy, which meant I could wear it even if I was the planner and not part of the wedding. I pulled on every ounce of self-restraint to do the right thing.
"Graham, I can't keep this."
"You don't like it? We can go to the store and change it. There's still time before everyone arrives."
He had time. I had to be here, coordinating everything, but that was beside the point.
"It's not that. The dress is gorgeous. But taking it wouldn’t be right."
There was fire in those hypnotizing irises. Even though there were at least two feet between us, I suddenly felt as if we were close enough to touch.
"I beg to differ."
"Graham."
"I want to see you in that dress."
I nearly swallowed my tongue at this—mostly because it sounded like what he meant was I want to take it off you. His gaze traveled up and down my body. I hadn't checked, but the dress seemed my size, which meant Graham had watched me very closely.
"When did you even buy it? Stores don't open this early."
"I have my ways."
Private opening hours—got it.
He was bossing me into accepting this dress, just as he’d bossed me into spending the night here...There were no two ways about it. I had the hots for this bossy man.
"Okay, I'll wear it. Thank you."
"Welcome. You like this room?"
"I love it. I've already put out my toiletries and pajamas in the bathroom, so I don't have to unpack during the night."
"And here I was, hoping you slept naked.” He leaned in. “I don't either."
"I didn't ask." I cleared my throat, suddenly feeling very squeamish and very hot. My nipples tightened.
"But I'd be happy to take off my clothes for you."
Other body parts tightened too. I was hanging onto my wits by a very thin thread. "Graham, I need to get ready before the champagne is delivered."
I pointed to the door, and with a quick nod, he took off. The room felt empty without him. I turned
to look at my dress, trying to sort through everything I was feeling. This wasn't the time for me to get overwhelmed, so I decided to take things one step at a time. Step one: I was going to rock this dress.
Chapter Twelve
Graham
Amber and Matt radiated happiness. They'd arrived at the same time, because she'd decided she wasn't going to do the whole “groom must not see bride before” nonsense, much to the chagrin of her mother.
"How are you holding up?" she asked while we were waiting for the music to start.
"Me? It's your wedding."
"Yeah, but this must bring some unhappy memories for you."
What could I tell her? That I wasn't looking forward to hearing the vows, because every time I heard "I do" I saw my divorce papers flash before my eyes? I wasn't going to dim her happiness with my negativity.
"Don't worry about me."
"I can't believe we didn't manage to convince Nana to come for the wedding."
"She's stubborn." She was also terrified of flying. I'd offered to take a few days off and drive her myself, but she wouldn't budge.
“You don't make road trips across the country in my old age.”
The woman was sharper than ever, but she didn't like to travel. She'd instructed me to send her pictures as things happened.
Once the ceremony started, it took a lot of effort to keep my focus on Matt and the wedding party instead of searching for Lori in the crowd. I lost the battle quickly. One sweep around the perimeter revealed that Lori was standing next to the piano. She was wearing the dress I bought her, and she was magnificent. A friend of mine owned a shop on Rodeo Drive and she'd helped me choose the dress. It fit Lori perfectly, highlighting the curve of her hips, her full breasts. I knew I should have paid attention to the minister, but I couldn't. Her green eyes were cast downward. Only when Amber and Matt started reciting their vows did she look up. Something clenched in my chest when I realized she'd teared up. When she caught me watching her, she shrugged one shoulder, as if saying, "What can you do?" and smiled through her tears.
She had to be attending at least a wedding a month, and yet the vows still moved her to tears. Despite the rejection she'd suffered, she was a believer through and through. For one split second, Lori made me a believer too. I was confident that Matt and Amber would make it to their sixtieth anniversary and surround me with nephews. I planned to claim the role of uncle, even if we weren't related by blood. But this was the first time since my divorce that I dared to believe that maybe they weren't a unique case. Maybe Elizabeth and I just hadn't been a good fit. Still, we'd once exchanged vows too, and it all ended with shouting, accusations, and Elizabeth repeating every chance she got how disappointed she was in how our marriage turned out.
After the ceremony, Lori ushered the wedding party to the photo session and the rest of the guests inside the tent.
While the photographer was splitting us into groups, I engaged others in conversation, but I couldn't help looking away every time I caught sight of turquoise. Lori was the only one wearing that color today. She moved around the tent constantly, talking to servers and the rest of the personnel. In the hour it took us to finish the photo session, she hadn't sat once.
She bossed around anyone who wasn't giving one hundred percent to their job. Crazy as it sounded, watching her all fierce and in charge turned me on. Lori was a strong woman. I liked that a lot. I went straight to her after the photographer announced we were free.
"Lori, are you going to be on your feet all day?"
"Of course."
"No breaks?"
"I'll call Milo at nine before he goes to sleep, but otherwise no." Her devotion to him got to me every time. Every single time. "I have to make sure everything runs smoothly."
"Everything is running smoothly."
"Yeah, but that's because everyone knows I'll be busting their balls otherwise."
Her words went straight below my belt. A dirty vision flashed in my mind.
"Nice dress," I said on a wink.
"Thank you. A well-meaning gentleman bought it for me."
"Is that so? How about toasting with him?" I pointed to one of the servers circulating with glasses of champagne on trays.
"I don't drink while working."
I saw my opportunity right then and there. She could have a drink with me after work.
"Can you believe it's the wedding day already? Sometimes I get so caught up in preparations that I'm surprised when the day finally arrives."
"You've done a great job."
And her job ended today, but I was nowhere near ready to stop seeing her. She smelled sweet and citrusy, like last night. And like last night, I wanted to pull her closer. Only I wouldn't let go of her now.
"Damn earrings," she muttered. One of her curls had entangled with her earring again, but I didn't trust myself to touch her with so many people around us.
"I'm going to the bathroom. I need a mirror to untangle this without pulling my hair out. See you around. I'll keep an eye on you during the speeches." Her warning was laced with humor. I took the bait.
"Or what, you'll bust my balls?" I challenged. On pure instinct, I moved a step closer, and Lori tugged at her bottom lip with her teeth.
She sounded breathless when she said, "You bet I will."
She turned around, and I watched her until she disappeared from view. I couldn't wait to be alone with her, to have her all to myself.
Chapter Thirteen
Lori
By the time the main course was being served, I couldn't feel my toes. I'd been on my feet for twelve hours, but the wedding wasn't going to be over for another five. At nine, I slid out of the tent to call Milo. Afterward, I took advantage of the fact I was alone and took my first mini-break, enjoying the cool, salty air. I'd snapped a photo of the wedding rings and sent it to my cousin Pippa. She called me a few seconds later.
"Hey! Thanks for the pic. I always like to see my creations out in the wild."
"They're beautiful. So, when can we expect the special collection?" My cousin had created a limited edition collection of engagement and wedding rings a few years ago, and it took off. Now they wanted to grow that segment to a permanent line.
"I'm thinking next year. We still have to finalize details and contracts."
"Can't wait. How are things in San Francisco?"
"Oh, you know. Sebastian and Logan try to boss us around. Emphasis on try," she said, referring to her older brothers. "Christopher and Max try to teach my girls every trick in the book."
I laughed, imagining how that went. There was a strong twin gene in our family. Christopher and Max Bennett were identical twins, and they'd used their likeness for many pranks as kids. It seemed common sense to teach Pippa's twin girls to do the same. I'd last seen the Bennett clan at Landon's wedding, and I missed them.
"So, business as usual," I concluded.
"Pretty much. By the way, I've heard interesting reports about a certain best man." I could hear the joy in Pippa's voice. I wondered which of my sisters had ratted me out.
"Pippa Bennett-Callahan! Are you prying?"
"Of course. And proudly owning up to it."
"Well, I'm working this wedding now, but I'll call you next week and fill you in."
"Okay."
As soon as I clicked off the phone, I realized the DJ was playing dance music, when my indications had been to switch to low-key chamber music while the guests ate. With a sigh, I headed back inside.
"Andrew, the guests are eating the main course," I said when I reached his booth.
"Sorry, Lori. I got carried away." He switched to a low-key tune. I headed to the bar next, in the far right corner of the room.
"Dylan, how is the ice supply?" I asked the bartender. We'd ordered enough ice for the entire event, but we only brought out one ice bag at a time, for cosmetic reasons.
"I still have some left. I think I'll need a new one in about twenty minutes."
"Why don't you go and get it now
while everyone is eating? I'll stay here in case anyone needs something."
He nodded and disappeared through the personnel door. We'd set up a lounge area in front of the bar, comprised of five leather chairs and a small coffee table in between. I sat on one of them and felt my skin prickle with awareness. Graham was watching me again; I was sure of it. I'd caught him looking at me often tonight.
I chanced a glance across the room and immediately found him, even though he wasn't in his seat. I felt even more wired to him than yesterday. That invisible thread linking us was growing stronger, and I had no clue what to do about it. Maybe he could feel that too, because each time we talked tonight, he'd kept a respectable distance, as if he didn't trust himself to be too close to me. Our gazes crossed. It was a good thing I was sitting because my knees weakened a little. I could swear his gaze was more molten each time he looked at me. He was an excellent best man. His speech had been fun and heartwarming, and he'd dutifully danced with each bridesmaid.
I'd tried to ignore the twist in my gut each time one of them had leaned in too close, or laughed with him. The maid of honor had been particularly possessive of him, monopolizing him for double the number of dances the other bridesmaids had. Yep, I'd counted. I was certain Jackie hoped they'd honor the long-standing tradition of the best man and the maid of honor getting it on during the wedding night. My gut twisted some more at the thought. It shouldn't bother me, but it did. I hadn't been so attracted to a man since before I had Milo. I could still feel the heat of his lips on mine, even though it happened twenty-four hours ago. Yeah, I'd counted that too.
A waiter showed up next to me. On his tray, he carried a plate with the main course and a glass of orange juice.
