“It’s that wedding planner Lacey’s talking to on the phone. I accidentally dropped the call, and she wasn’t happy about it.”
I put an arm around the younger woman’s shoulder. “I’m sure Lacey knows you didn’t mean to. Things like that happen all the time.” I glanced at Alex, hoping for confirmation.
“Yeah, all the time.” He nodded.
“I’ll be okay. But y’all might want to get in there with Mayor Cherish. She’s got that woman on speaker, and it sounds like she wants to climb right through the phone and wring her neck.”
Alex passed through the doorway into the reception area. I gave Chelsea one more pat on the shoulder before I followed him. A loud voice came from behind the closed door of Lacey’s office.
“Should we go in?” Alex asked as he stepped toward the door.
I pressed my ear against the thick slab of wood and held up a finger. Lacey said something about working together. Her voice was calm, even toned. That’s right, rein her in. Don’t let her get the best of you. I smiled, nodding as I pulled my head away from the door. “Sounds like Lacey’s got it under control.”
Alex reached for the handle. “But we should still go in, right? I think we’re supposed to be on this call.”
I stepped back. “Go for it.”
He turned the knob and pushed the door inward.
As he did, a screech came from the speakerphone. “You’ve got to make this happen. If you won’t work with us, we’ll find someone else.”
I tried to peer around Alex as he filled the doorway. Lacey sat behind the desk, her hands clasped together, the whites of her knuckles showing. “I can assure you, we’re doing everything we can to accommodate you. In fact, our penguin handler just came in to join us on the call.” Lacey gestured to the chair opposite her desk.
Alex sat down, relaxing against the back of the seat.
“Alex Sanders, meet Chyna Daniels, Ms. Munyon’s wedding planner.” As she made the introduction, she rolled her eyes. I recognized that look. It meant Lacey was holding on by a thread. A thread that might unravel soon.
“Hi, it’s nice to have a chance to talk to you.” Alex glanced to me and nudged his chin toward the chair next to him.
“So you’re the man in charge of the penguins?” The screechy tone shifted and came through the phone like honey sliding over a piece of warm cornbread just out of the oven.
“That’s right.” Alex’s lips quirked up into a half grin. I waited for the fallout. Surely, he didn’t think he’d charmed the banshee solely with his baritone.
“We’ve got a problem. My client wants to move up the wedding.”
Lacey cleared her throat. “I’ve been explaining to Chyna that we need more time than what she’s proposing. Surely, we can find some common ground . . . a compromise?”
Alex’s shoulders rolled. “I’m sure we can figure something out. The bride is entitled to her special day, isn’t she? Whatever you and Ms. Munyon need. We’ll make it happen.”
“That’s more like it. I knew there had to be someone reasonable in town. Why don’t you give me a call later, Mr. Sanders, and we’ll work out the particulars?” Chyna suggested.
Alex beamed.
But Lacey looked like she wanted to reach across the desk and smack that smile right off his face. “I’m not sure you understand, Alex. Ms. Munyon wants to move the date up quite a bit, she’s asking for?—”
“Whatever it is, we’ll make it work.” He shrugged.
Lacey leaned against the back of her chair and crossed her arms over her chest. She shook her head. “Alright then. The two of you seem to have things under control.”
“I think we do,” Chyna said. “I’ve got to go. Big meeting with another bride this afternoon. Of course I can’t say who it is, but do the initials O. W. mean anything to you?”
Alex treated us to a deep chuckle. “You go take care of your business in LA. I’ve got it all under control here.”
“Please text my assistant to arrange a call for later. I’m looking forward to meeting you in person, Alex.”
Lacey bit her lip while Alex glanced between us, a smug grin on his face. “Will do. You have a nice day now.”
The call disconnected and Lacey eyed Alex like he was public enemy numero uno. “What the hell was that?”
