Blake’s shoulders relaxed. “Exactly, Talia. Thank you.” Unbelievably she laid a comforting hand on top of Blake’s, smiling sweetly. I didn’t even know she had a sweet side, I’d certainly never been privy to it.
“No worries. And bed rest means I can boss her around and she has to listen.” Like the dutiful assistant she was, Talia grinned at Poppy and whipped out a notebook and pen, scribbling furiously while Blake and I watched. “Maple will be happy to help too.”
“So I can count on you two?” Blake wanted nothing but a positive response, and I knew that. He was strung tight, my brother, with a deep desire to make sure everything ran perfectly in his world, but I knew just how to soothe him.
“You absolutely can,” Talia assured him. “I’ll make sure this is as stress free as possible for you and Poppy.”
“I will too,” I added too late to sound like an adult, and more like a boy who wanted credit for his contribution too.
“Great! That’s a load off my back,” Blake smiled and sipped his water until his body was no longer drawn and tight. “Thank you for this. Both of you.”
“Yeah, thanks,” Poppy said, but I could see the tension she carried in her shoulders. “But we have something else to discuss,” she declared ominously.
“Shouldn’t Lacey be helping with this? I don’t want her to feel left out.” I also didn’t want to hear about the something else that had Poppy so worried.
“She’ll be planning her own wedding inside of a year, let your sister enjoy watching this fresh hell from afar.” Talia’s words were spoken with certainty, like she knew planning a wedding was sheer insanity. Suddenly I felt sick.
Blake’s face held a hint of red when he spoke. “Poppy’s asked Lace to plan the bachelorette party.” The way he stuck a finger in his collar told me he was worried what my twin sister might come up with for his bride-to-be’s last night as a single woman. “She’s included.”
“Don’t worry Blake, I excel at handling difficult clients, so your baby brother here won’t be a problem. We’ll plan an upscale, but slightly bohemian wedding. You and Poppy need to start on the guest list if you haven’t already. Just so we know how much of everything we’ll need.” She rattled off several other commands while we sat there, staring at her. Talia was completely oblivious because she hadn’t looked up yet. “And if you have some place your little heart is set on for the wedding and/or reception, let me know.”
“Whatever Poppy wants is great with me.”
That stopped her rapid wrist flicking and she looked up at my brother with a soft smile. “That’s so sweet. I’m happy for you both.”
Blake blinked, still getting used to showing emotion. “Thank you, Talia. I love her.”
“I know, and that’s why I only had a mild tantrum.” She pulled a card from her bag and slid it across the table. “If you think of anything else as we go forward, just shoot me a text or email. And no need to keep the wedding too formal. Maybe consider orange cummerbunds or something.”
“Fuck no it won’t,” I shouted at her, making her, Poppy and Blake laugh.
“Who knew this one had such strong opinions on wedding attire?” She was purposely trying to rile me up, and it was working.
I had plenty of strong opinions, and Talia would see that soon enough. Not only would I help plan this wedding, but I planned on using our time together to finally get her out of my mind. A quick roll, or ten, between the sheets and her allure would be gone. I’d see her for who she was, just a woman.
Plan in place, I flashed my most charming grin her way, and leaned in. “Just you wait sweetheart, you ain’t seen nothing yet.”
She snorted and rolled her eyes as she began to repack her giant bag. What was the woman carrying around in there?
“I look forward to you proving me wrong.”
Poppy clapped excitedly. “I’m so glad to hear you both say that, because Blake and I have another issue we need you to deal with. Both of you.”
Fuck my life. “The wedding isn’t enough?”
Poppy blinked like she was trying to hold back tears, and I had to remember she was twelve hundred months pregnant and sensitive as hell. “Sorry to inconvenience you.”
“What do you need, Poppy?” Talia’s tone was sympathetic and kind, but she sent a searing glare my way to let me know just what she thought of me. As if there was any doubt.
She sighed and rubbed her belly, gaze fixed on the table as Blake rubbed her shoulders in soothing circles. He spoke instead. “We’re sponsoring the Northwest Adventure Classic, and we’d like you two to take care of the details.”
I smelled a rat, but with Poppy on the verge of tears there wasn’t a damn thing I could say about it now. Luckily Talia was on top of it.
“Send me whatever details you do have, and I’ll coordinate a time to meet with Lukas through his assistant.”
I heard a hint of resignation, or maybe it was annoyance, but she still refused to look at me.
“Is that all?” Blake nodded and I walked out, ready to go lose myself in a drink, a steak and woman. Not necessarily in that order either.
* * *
To be continued…
Want to know what happens next? Check out Luke & Talia’s story here.
About Piper Sullivan
Piper Sullivan is an old school romantic who enjoys reading romantic stories as much as she enjoys writing them.
She spends her time day-dreaming of dashing heroes and the feisty women they love.
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Also by Piper Sullivan
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