“Not to my knowledge,” Connor said.
“Can you find out?”People blocking views would probably be the best hope.
Connor stepped to the side to make a call.
“How are you doing?”Sofia asked Lara.
“Fine.Happy.Nervous.”She said it all in the same breath.
“I’ll be your designated worrier.”Sofia squeezed Lara’s hand reassuringly.“Your job is to enjoy the evening.I’ll be nearby if you need anything.”
Lara smiled.
“You look beautiful,” Sofia said.“The perfect Mrs.Donovan.”Lara radiated elegance and sophistication in her short, form-fitting, cream-colored lace dress.“Marriage is obviously still agreeing with you.”
“More than I would have imagined.”Her friend flushed and fingered the stunning gold choker around her neck.
A series of diamonds descended from the metal to snuggle against the hollow of her neck.Because of their discussion, Sofia knew it was more than a piece of jewelry.The necklace was an outward symbol of Lara’s submission to her husband.
Sofia didn’t quite understand it, but she couldn’t argue that Lara seemed happy, satisfied in a way she had never been before.Even when Sofia had asked, Lara had said she wasn’t sure whether the feeling came from being married, from the strength of her new husband’s business acumen, or from submission.After a glass of wine, she’d mused that it was probably the combination of everything.
“It’s been a whirlwind, and I couldn’t have managed this without you,” Lara said.
“I wouldn’t have let you,” Sofia replied.“Please let me know if there’s anything you need.”
Connor returned and lightly touched his wife’s shoulder.“Julien will have two men with him.And it’s my understanding he’ll only be here a short time.Mostly he’s coming by to gloat.He thinks he had a hand in making the relationship work, and he does enjoy feeling as if he’s a genius.”
“And did he?Have a hand in the relationship?”
“He’s a good friend with good advice,” Connor replied.
“I’ll talk to the DJ.I’m thinking he can play a song that will engage a lot of people.The twist, perhaps.Other than that, I’ll contact the country club personnel and security to see what we can do.Maybe we can bring him in the back way.Keep him on the patio or something.”
“You’ll work it out,” Connor said, his voice holding no trace of doubt.
She asked for a contact number for one of Julien’s people.“I’ll do the best I can,” she promised.
The photographer signaled she was ready for the bride and groom, and Lara and Connor excused themselves.
While the couple was busy, Sofia went in search of the country club security team.They agreed that bringing in the Bonds entourage through the patio was the most feasible option and suggested she have a look for herself.
She greeted other arriving family members then confirmed the schedule change with the DJ and asked for his help in keeping the focus away from Julien.
“Not a problem,” the man assured her.“We can do some things with lighting and announcements about the photo booth and video greeting cards for the couple.”
“There’s a reason I like working with you, Marvin.”
“It’s the voice.”He dropped his tone until it sounded like honey drizzled over a jagged knife.
“You should have a radio gig,” she told him.“Nights, on an all-romance, all-the-time station.”
“I have the face for it.”
“You’re fishing,” she said.
“Yeah.”He shrugged.
“I’ll bite, though.You’re a handsome man.”
