“It’s greatly appreciated,” I reply, but the strain in my voice is impossible to hide, and it draws a dark glare from Sheila.
“I can’t wait for you to see Katrina in her bridal gown. I saw the preliminary design earlier this morning. It’ll be downright stunning,” she says. “Perfect for her slim, delicate figure.”
“I’ll need to focus on the last-minute request of the event itself,” I reply. “I hope you understand that there will be additional fees attached to the final bill, and we will need timely responses on every selection, from fabrics and theme colors to decorations and the catering menu. Not to mention the drinks, the cake… everything. It will cost you a fortune.”
“We have a fortune,” Sheila laughs. “I will spare no expense for my son’s happiness, Willow.”
Bitterness tests the back of my throat as I remember how I spent six months engaged to this man, and not once did she ever sit me down to talk to me about the actual wedding. Hell, she’s fast-tracking this, like the engagement to Katrina might expire before the new year. It makes me angry.
But Jamie’s right, and so is my business instinct. We need the money, and with the amount of additional fees we can charge for this event, we’ll have enough to brave the winter, without worrying about most of our monthly expenses.
“I hope you’re not bitter about this.” Terrence continues to run his mouth.
Sheila sighs deeply. She doesn’t seem happy about what he just said, but she stands by her son with a stern, bold smile, looking at me as if she expects me to react. In the meantime, Jamie’s shoe keeps nudging mine to the point where I might have a bruised ankle.
I’m just about to answer, when the tearoom door opens again. To my astonishment, the Morgan brothers come in.
“When Ian said you were here, I thought he was mistaken.” Cole laughs as he and his brothers join us. “You look fantastic, Willow.”
I stand up, beaming like the sun, as I greet all three. They lean in, one at a time, dropping a soft kiss on my cheek as we say hello, then shift their focus to Sheila, Terrence, and Katrina—who look like they just swallowed a keg’s worth of lemon juice.
“So, you’re really doing this, eh?” Cole asks Sheila, albeit rhetorically, by the sound of his voice. “You get an A foraudacity.”
“Willow’s agency has great credentials,” Sheila replies with a careless shrug.
“What are you three doing here?” Terrence grumbles at his stepbrothers.
Asher gives him a wry smile. “We’ve been living here since before you were born, squirt. Mind the tone.”
“Gentlemen,” Sheila tries to stifle the brewing conflict.
“Are they treating you well?” Toby asks Jamie and me.
“Well enough, thank you,” I say, while Jamie stands up and puts his iPad away. “We’ll draw up the contracts and have them sent to your office by the end of the day,” I tell Sheila, “with a complete breakdown of the prices and a specific mention about the estimates. There’s no telling what the suppliers will charge for such last-minute requests, particularly so close to the winter holidays.”
“I’m fine with that, as long as my son has the wedding of his dreams in Thornwood,” Sheila says.
Cole gives her a hard frown. “What did Dad say about Thornwood?”
“He’s been under the weather. I didn’t bother him with the details,” she replies, her shoulders squared as she looks up at him.
There’s tension between them, the kind of tension that spans years and has been kept in check for far too long. They clearly can’t stand each other, but they’re also forced to share the same space. I wonder what’s going on under the surface.
“You should. He married our mother at Thornwood. That place is sacred to him. Last I remember, he was hoping for aspring wedding for Terrence and Katrina, so he’d be in better health and able to have it here,” Cole insists.
“I will not have this discussion here right now,” Sheila replies. “Take it up with James when he comes back from the clinic.”
The last thing I need right now is a crash course in Morgan family drama. I put on my bravest smile and decide to put my business above all else.
“If that is all, Jamie and I need to get going,” I cut in. “There are plenty of preparations to make if we’re to deliver Katrina and Terrence’s perfect winter wedding.”
“Oh, I love the spirit,” Sheila quips.
Terrence and Katrina seem pretty content, as well, cuddling and smiling with an almost perverted satisfaction as they look at me. I turn to Cole and gently squeeze his wrist, the touch of his skin quick to alter my senses, then give Asher and Toby a playful wink.
“And I will see the three of you on Friday for our date,” I add.
With lightning speed, the humor fades from Sheila’s and Terrence’s eyes. Katrina’s just surprised, but nowhere near as emotionally invested in my downfall—so she doesn’t have a dog in this fight.
