This didn’t sound like the Faith that Kelsey knew. The starlet wanted to be involved. She’d overseen everything down to the flower arrangements for the last wedding. Starr was always a big help, but even she demurred to her daughter’s wishes. “Faith trusts you to oversee her wedding preparations?”
“Yes.” A wry grin graced his lips. “Do you have a problem with this?”
Kelsey’s stomach twisted and turned and tumbled. She should have eaten more than a croissant for breakfast. “Of course not. I’ve worked with grooms—men—before.”
“Does this mean you’ll do it?”
“I…” Glancing at the closing elevator doors ahead of her, she watched her vacation disappear. And with it, her stress level inched upward.
“You can’t imagine what it will mean to my mother and my entire family.”
Grrr. She didn’t want to work on another wedding for Faith. Kelsey had promised herself she wouldn’t, yet for her grandmother and Starr… “Okay.”
“Okay, what?”
“I’ll coordinate Faith’s wedding.” The gruffness of Kelsey’s voice should have bothered her, but it didn’t. She was doing this under duress. “I’m not saying it again.”
“I’m not asking you to.” Will grinned. He was practically dancing like a bride-to-be registering at Tiffany & Co.
At least one of them was getting some enjoyment out of this. It wasn’t her. She wouldn’t be happy until February fifteenth—when Faith’s wedding was over and done with, and Kelsey was back home. “I want an exclusive contract to plan weddings at Starr Properties. As many weddings as I want.”
“Fine.”
“And my normal fee went up.” Money meant little to her, but she wanted to make them pay. This seemed as good a way as any. Unlocking the door to her office, Kelsey stepped inside. “Way up.”
He followed her in. “Okay.”
Nothing about this was okay. She was mentally prepared and physically packed for a beach vacation. Now, she would have to pivot completely to go from vacation mode to wedding planner mode. That gave her an idea.
“Hey, I just had a thought.” She forced a smile. “I could plan the wedding remotely.”
He shook his head. “My mother wants you there. Tonight. So if we could get going…”
Ugh. She blew out a breath.
“I need to pack a few things here. I’ll also have to stop by my condo, repack my suitcase, and make a few phone calls.” She paused, wondering if she could make him change his mind about taking her with him. Not the fairest way to play, but she was desperate.
“It’ll take a little while. I understand if you don’t want to wait.”
“I’m happy to wait.”
Ugh. He was just trying to make her happy. Kelsey was tempted to ask him to jump just to see if he would. She set her bag on the reception desk instead. With no warning, Will touched her shoulder, sending shivery sensations shooting up and down the length of her arm. “You don’t know how much this means to me.”
“Let’s get one thing clear.” She moved away from him, from his much-too-pleasurable touch. She’d brushed off advances from a few of the most handsome actors and musicians in the business—some even grooms-to-be. That had been bad enough, but this was much worse. Will was married. M-a-r-r-i-e-d. “I’m not doing this for you. I’m doing it for your mother.”
And my grandmother.
“I understand.”
Kelsey shook her finger at him. “And I swear, if Faith doesn’t get married this time…”
“I know my sister.” He smiled. “She’s getting married on February fourteenth.”
Kelsey flashed him one of her give-me-a-break looks. “Care to make a wager on it?”
His eyes gleamed as if amused by the idea. “It’s a sucker’s bet.”
“I happen to like suckers.” She grinned. “Lime’s my favorite.”
