“You’re not old.” Tom shrugged. “Had some work to finish up before the weekend, and then Sasha insisted on stopping back at the apartment to grab some extra clothes before we set off. She’s in a bit of a state about these wedding planners today.”
“Hmm,” Marnie mused, looking annoyed. “You mean the wedding planners I had to pay to fly over from London, even before we’ve agreed to hire them?”
“Sasha has already hired them in her mind.” Tom felt a small dart of embarrassment, and looked down. “I’m trying to make this special for her.”
“They better be damned special, at the price I’m paying,” Marnie retorted.
“Mom—”
“Oh, I’m going to foot the bill and not complain...much.” She raised one impeccable eyebrow. “I just don’t know what’s wrong with Elegant Events. We’ve been using them for decades, Tom. Every family event and occasion, they’ve been there, reliable as the tide. How is it going to look when I send Frank an invitation to your wedding, which has been planned by these... theseBrits?”
“It’s going to look like you’re inviting an old friend to my wedding,” Tom replied. “I love Frank too, Mom. But Sasha... she’s a modern girl, you know?”
“And what am I, a relic?” Marnie gave Tom a rueful smile. “Don’t answer that. Well, I take it by your attire you’re heading up before we all head out?”
“Quick flight, I promise.”
“Make it a long one and we can cancel the wedding,” Marnie quipped, before seeing Tom’s stern face and giving a shrug. “All right, no more of that. Give that plane a good look over before you head up, okay? It hasn’t flown since you were last here. I dread to think what state the engine is in.”
Tom nodded. “I will. You know I’m careful.”
Marnie sighed. “So, exactly what am I supposed to do with Sasha all morning while you’re off on your jaunt?”
“Talk to her. Make nice with her. Maybe plan the wedding with her?”
Marnie frowned. “All I’m allowed to do for this wedding is sign the cheques.”
“Hey,” Tom gave her a gentle nudge, “we’re getting married in the woods at least, like you wanted.”
Marnie nodded. “Well yes, there is that. And I suppose I could mention Corentin to Sasha...”
Tom blanched at his older brother’s name. “Corentin? Why? What does he want?”
“Well, you know how he’s a man of the cloth these days...”
Tom held up a hand, stopping her. “I know exactly where this conversation is going, Mother. And I already told you, I can’t ask Sasha to let my crazy—”
“Hey!” Marnie protested, without conviction.
“—loopy, off-the-radar brother marry us. I can’t do it. I won’t. She’ll never agree.”
“Maybe not to you, but if I throw in, say, an all-expenses paid honeymoon to a five-star destination somewhere in the world, Sasha might be more amenable.”
“It worries me, Mom, that you think you can buy my fiancée’s conformity like that.”
“And it worries me that you persist in believing I can’t.”
“Mom—”
“Oh, don’t worry, I’m not going to say anything,” Marnie said brusquely. “But you must know that I don’t like the woman and I’m never going to. I don’t understand why you plan on marrying her.”
“Sasha can be very sweet. Besides, you don’t know her like I do.”
“Small mercies,” his mother retorted, and he frowned at her.
“I’ve been with Sasha for a long time.”
“Exactly. Maybe you should try dating other women — you don’t know what you’re missing.”
