“That’s true,” Fern agrees with a wry smile. “What about you? What did you do?”
“Looked for you mostly,” I admit. “I checked in with security. We have our game plan for the rehearsal and the big day. Should be easy since there isn’t anything to look out for.”
“I’m sorry you’re here wasting your time,” Fern apologizes.
I squeeze her hand. “I don’t mind. It hasn’t been so bad.”
She blushes, and my body stirs at the sight. I want Fern. Badly. I know I need to make a move soon. I can’t let her go back to Oregon without her knowing I’m head over heels crazy about her.
“Are you all set for the rehearsal and wedding? Do you need help with anything?” I ask as the server drops off a basket of bread and fresh butter.
“No, I’m all good. Honestly, things have been set for weeks now. It’s all just waiting now. Waiting for deliveries, waiting for the big day. Then it will get crazy.”
I ask her about other weddings she’s planned, and she smiles as she talks. It’s obvious she loves her job and is good at it. She’s patient, detail-oriented, creative, and hard-working.
Our food comes, and I split the dishes between us. We both dig in.
“Have you dealt with a lot of bridezillas before?” I ask.
She snorts. “I’ve been fortunate to only have a few difficult clients. Most are pretty calm and trust me to do my job. But every now and then, you get someone who needs to be in controlof everything or needs things to happen on a timeline that isn’t realistic.”
“Do you fire them?”
Fern shakes her head. “No, I’m firm with them. I remind them that I do this for a living and can deliver what I promise.”
“Does that work?”
She grins. “About half the time.”
We fall into easy conversation after that. I tell her about some of my missions, sticking to the funnier stories. She tells me about her friends in Wolf Valley, some of her favorite weddings, and what she wants in the future.
I notice that she doesn’t mention her family. It’s like they’re not really part of her life. If that’s true, why is she putting herself through this hell?
The check comes, and I pay the bill before Fern can. She frowns at me, opening her mouth to argue.
I shake my head. “Let me treat you.”
“Thank you,” she says softly.
I smile. “Anytime.”
Neither of us looks in her family’s direction as we leave the restaurant hand in hand. I lead Fern to the elevator, and we step on together, riding up to our floor in silence.
I don’t want the night to end. I’m not ready to say goodbye to her.
I walk her to her door, unable to take my eyes off her as she digs her keycard out of her bag.
“Thanks for today. I had a lot of fun with you.”
“Me too. I wish we had more time together,” I say honestly.
“Really?”
“Yeah, really.”
“Did you want to come in?” she asks, looking up at me hopefully.
I swear I almost come in my pants right there and then.
