“Situation?” His eyes darkened. “We’re talking about two people who love each other and plan to spend the rest of their lives together.”
“We’re talking about two people who’ll be lucky to make it to the ‘I do,’ so don’t start in on happily ever after.”
“You are in the wrong business.”
“I’m in the perfect business. One I approach logically.”
“Love is all about the heart.”
“And following your heart will lead straight to divorce court.” Or heartache, as in his case with Sara’s death.
“Not always.”
Kelsey’s gaze locked with his. Stalemate.
It was bound to happen. Their beliefs were too different. But that didn’t explain the heavy feeling in her stomach. She wasn’t going to change his mind or vice versa.
She took a breath and then pointed to the charts. “Tell me what you think.”
Will opened his mouth and closed it. A muscle twitched at his jawline, and then he focused on both seating arrangements. “Don’t seat Uncle Wayne so close to the bar, and make sure Hope and her kids are near an exit.”
Kelsey scribbled a note on the anniversary seating chart. She wouldn’t need the other one. “That was too easy.”
“Is it usually harder to seat forty-eight people?” He sounded genuinely interested, which was better than his questioning her career choice.
She had to remind herself he might not be the bride and groom, but he was her client, so she needed to be patient and not storm off like a Bridezilla herself. She took a breath and another.
“It can be. Between the bride and groom, their friends, and families, there’s a lot to consider.” Those words sounded a warning in her head. “Have you mentioned any of our plans to Faith and Trent?”
“No,” Will said. “Faith doesn’t want to be disturbed during filming. I’m doing exactly what she wants me to do and a good job of it, if I do say so myself.”
“What about Trent?”
“If it mattered to him, he’d be the one overseeing the wedding plans instead of me.”
Kelsey didn’t want to throw shade on Trent, but she was curious. “What does that say about your future brother-in-law?”
“He’s a lot smarter than me.” Will grinned. “Don’t worry. Faith will call if she has any concerns.”
He sounded so nonchalant as if they were planning a surprise birthday party, not a wedding. Relaxed was one thing, but this…
What-ifs swirled in Kelsey’s head. What if Faith hated the wedding? What if Trent hated it more? What if Faith didn’t even show up?
Kelsey took a deep breath. “I wasn’t really worried before. A little concerned, but now…”
Will gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “Everything is fine. Faith trusts me. And you.”
The only problem was Kelsey didn’t trust herself. Not with Will around. And she sure didn’t trust Faith.
* * *
“Thank you,” Kelsey said to the operator at the San Montico palace. Waiting for her call to be transferred to the royal suite, she shifted the phone to her left ear and lay on her bed. It was only noon, but she was tired.
Kelsey wiggled her toes inside her wool socks to keep her blood flowing. She just needed a little more energy to get through the rest of the day.
She had to admit she missed having her staff there to help her, but Will was doing the best he could for a guy clueless about planning a wedding. At least he had connections and contacts in the Lake Tahoe/Reno area. Between arranging security to transportation for guests from the inn to the ceremony and back to the reception, they had accomplished more than she thought possible this morning. Still, so much work awaited them, work they would do together.
That concerned her. The more time Kelsey spent with Will, the better she got to know him. She liked what she was learning, too. He was a hard worker. He was also devoted to his family. And what a family. Will might say his family wasn’t perfect, but they were as perfect a family as she’d ever seen. She enjoyed being with his parents, too, whether it was dinner or only a brief visit to update Starr and Bill on the progress of the wedding plans. With parents like that, Kelsey couldn’t blame him for his views on love and marriage and happily ever after, but it was a red flag to her and all she knew to be true.
