“I am a professional wedding planner with standards, not a circus ringleader with a glue gun and a death wish!”
I stared at them in disbelief. “You’ve known each other fortwo hours.”
“Two hours too long,” they said in unison, then glared at each other with renewed hatred.
Security finally managed to separate them completely, though both looked ready to lunge again given the slightest opportunity. A small crowd had gathered, several people filming on their phones despite the expo staff’s attempts to move everyone along.
“This is completely unacceptable,” a security guard growled, keeping a firm grip on Mr. Gable’s arm. “Both of you are facing removal from the premises and possible legal action for damages.”
I stepped forward, slipping into the calm, reasonable persona that had defused countless wedding disasters. “I understand this looks... bad,” I began.
“They set two booths on fire and destroyed a third with the sprinkler system,” the guard said flatly.
I glanced at the adjacent booth, now soaked beyond recognition. “We will, of course, cover all damages,” I assured him, silently thanking the wedding gods that I’d married a man with a good lawyer. “This was clearly an unfortunate accident?—”
“She’s the accident. A walking breathing accident,” Mr. Gable interrupted, attempting to straighten his ruined suit with his free hand. “I want her arrested for assault and arson!”
“That is my best friend you’re insulting, Mr. Gable.” I lifted my chin, narrowing my eyes. “Be careful what you say.”
He opened his mouth and closed it, wisely choosing not to respond.
“You’re the man who weaseled his way into my conversation with a couple and told them our centerpieces looked like something a drunk toddler would make at summer camp!” Mari shot back.
“I was merely offering an expert opinion,” Mr. Gable replied. “One they clearly appreciated, given how quickly they signed with me.”
“You snake! You corporate vulture! You?—”
“Enough!” I rarely raised my voice, but when I did, people tended to listen. Both Mari and Mr. Gable fell silent, though they continued to glare at each other. “This is ridiculous. You’re both adults, not children fighting over toys in a sandbox.”
“Tell that to the woman who tackled me,” Mr. Gable muttered. “She started it.”
“I don’t care who started it.” I turned to the security guard. “We’ll pay for the damages and remove ourselves from the premises immediately. No need for further escalation.”
The guard looked skeptical but nodded. “Get them out of here before I change my mind.”
As the guard released Mr. Gable, Callan appeared beside me, looking suspiciously entertained by the whole situation. “I’ve already called our insurance,” he murmured. “And offered to make a donation to the expo’s rebuilding fund that should smooth things over.”
“My hero,” I sighed, leaning against him momentarily before turning back to the warring planners. “Both of you, outside. Now.”
To my surprise, they complied, though they maintained a careful distance from each other as we made our way through the now-emptying exhibition hall. Once outside in the parking lot, I rounded on them both.
“I don’t know what happened in there, and honestly, I don’t care. Mari, we’re driving back to the hotel. Mr. Gable, I apologize for whatever part we played in this... catastrophe.”
Mr. Gable straightened to his full height, somehow managing to look dignified despite being covered in foam and glitter. “It appears we got off on the wrong foot, Mrs. Burkhardt. Iassure you, I don’t normally resort to such... primitive tactics in business competition.”
“Could have fooled me, Fire Starter,” Mari muttered. “What’s next, slashing our tires? Poisoning our coffee?”
A muscle twitched in Mr. Gable’s jaw. “Your she-devil of a friend seems to bring out the worst in me.”
“Feeling’s mutual, asshole.”
I noticed something then that I’d missed in the chaos. The way Mr. Gable’s eyes never left Mari’s face even as he spoke to me, the slight flush on his cheeks that couldn’t be attributed entirely to their physical struggle, the way his hands clenched and unclenched at his sides as if he was physically restraining himself from reaching for her.
Oh shit.
Glancing at Mari, I noticed the same intensity mirrored in her expression, though she’d disguise it as hatred if questioned.
Callan must’ve noticed it too. “Fascinating,” he murmured in my ear quietly enough that neither of them would hear. “A thousand bucks says they’re sleeping together within a month.”
