"Absolutely." Piper pulled the cap off her pen to take notes.
"Do you have a status on the happy couple?" Tess asked.
Piper frowned. "I understand the bride is experiencing a sort of… um… you know… a… nutritional reversal situation."
"Anna's puking and Drake's probably holding her hair," Zach clarified.
"Pregnancy can be unpredictable." Tess's expression didn't change. "Let's build buffers into the wedding schedule. Ten minutes margin per segment."
"Anna's pregnant?" Piper asked, pausing from her note taking.
"Yes," Tess said. "And it's important that all medical details stay internal unless the couple approves release."
"I've planned events with expectant mothers before," Piper assured. "There are accommodations we can make. I'll arrange seating with back support, if she needs to sit during the vows, we'll make it elegant. I'll be sure she's not on her feet all night, and water is always within reach. We'll keep restrooms close by, transportation easy, and I can even prep the wedding party to quietly step in if she needs help. It's all very doable." Her voice held genuine concern that caught Zach off guard.
"That's really thoughtful," he said, surprised by how much he appreciated someone else caring about Anna's comfort.
"My sister had hyperemesis during both pregnancies," Piper explained quietly. "I know how rough it can be."
The personal revelation felt like a small gift, something she hadn't needed to share but chose to.
"We're hoping the sickness goes away by the second trimester." Zach shrugged. "Mom had said it was the same for her, and it did eventually go away."
"Will you be participating in all wedding prep?" Tess asked.
"Anna asked me to help out, so that's the plan," he replied.
"I say the more the merrier with planning this kind of thing," Piper straightened her already-perfect posture. "Fresh perspectives can be... valuable." Her gaze flickered to Zach for just a heartbeat before returning to Tess.
Tess looked between Piper and Zach, lifting an eyebrow in that way only certain people can accomplish without looking like a super villain.
"And you two know each other?" Tess asked, glancing between Zach and Piper with curiosity.
"Not really." Piper's response collided with Zach's confident, "Yeah."
"I mean, we've met," Zach clarified.
"But it's not like we know each other, know each other," Piper replied.
"I mean I did help you get dressed," Zach said, a dimple appearing in his right cheek.
"Barely," Piper replied, her cheeks flushing.
Zach opened his mouth to explain their sidewalk encounter, but Tess cleared her throat, the sound more of a cue than reprimand.
"Actually, Tess, since we're already here together waiting, I wanted to talk to you about the Stallions," he said.
He didn't need long. Just enough time to confirm next steps on the official underwear conversation.
"What do you need?" Tess asked, again with the straight to the point. Her phone buzzed and she typed out a message on the phone screen before stashing it again.
He hadn't expected Piper to be there for this part of the pitch, but she didn't seem to be going anywhere until Anna and Drake returned.
He took a deep breath and dove straight into it.
"I own a brand of men's underwear called Wild Sacks and we make comfortable undergarments for men," he said to catch Piper up. "Breathable fabric, no-chafe seams, lift-and-separate pouch to reduce discomfort."
Piper seemed to choke on air, covering it with a clearly fake cough.
