"Lavender's beautiful." Tess slid the binder closer to scan a tab. "But it fights the palette. We'll lose cohesion on press materials."
Piper kept her tone even. "Perhaps we should get clear on the goals for this event? Generally speaking, it's about the happiness of the bride and groom. But, in this case, I'm not sure that's what we're aiming for?"
"Get these two married in a way that amplifies the Stallions brand and shows our commitment to our players and the community," Tess recited, still flipping through pages.
"You want this over fast, right?" Drake asked Anna tenderly.
"Yes," Anna agreed.
"Then we get it done so everybody can move along. Everybody wins." Zach clapped his hands together too loudly.
"Not everybody," Piper said so quietly he almost didn't hear her.
"Sorry?" he asked.
"Nothing," she said, shaking off whatever she'd been thinking about.
"You know what? Let's start at the beginning. With the engagement," Tess said, redirecting everyone's attention with the professional efficiency of someone accustomed to controlling rooms.
"Can't we just tell everyone we got engaged?" The confusion in Anna's words made her sound extra vulnerable.
"Not without inciting a Stallions-themed riot," Drake said, frowning.
"It's best to play this for the narrative, not the reality." Tess pointedly closed the binder to reset the agenda.
Piper's shoulders tensed slightly, and the fluorescent lights overhead suddenly seemed too harsh. Their quiet electronic hum became more noticeable in the momentary silence. The climate-controlled air was suddenly too cool against his skin.
"Nothing too dramatic," Anna said quickly, her fingers fidgeting with the sleeve of her blouse. "Please."
"I'm thinking an on-field proposal," Tess suggested, matter-of-fact. "Halftime fireworks, cameras, the works. Fans will Eat. It. Up. No one will even think about superstitions. And when they do? We'll be ready with the solution."
Anna's complexion lost the little color it had regained, her knuckles turning white as she gripped the edge of the table.
"No," she said quietly but firmly.
The look she exchanged with Drake spoke volumes.
"Something more subtle," Drake said, squeezing Anna's hand. The quarterback who regularly faced down 300-pound linebackers now looked distinctly uncomfortable.
"Subtle does not get attention," Tess countered, the gentle tap of her pen against the table punctuating her point. "On this one we're going for attention."
Anna frowned. "I feel like a prop, not a bride."
The tension in the room thickened, seeming to press against his skin.
Someone's expensive perfume (probably Tess's) hung in the air, growing cloying and overwhelming as the minutes ticked by on the sleek wall clock that punctuated each second with a barely audible click.
Somehow, he needed to steer this conversation toward a compromise that would satisfy Tess without completely steamrolling everyone else.
"Authentic is always better than staged; we can all agree on that, I think." Piper reached across the table to reclaim the binder. "This is Anna and Drake's engagement announcement, not a media stunt." She turned to face Anna directly and tapped the binder. "In your notes it says you love the botanic gardens. I think it's perfect. Intimate. Beautiful. Meaningful."
Tess's expression hardened as she listened. "That's not going to work for?—"
"You know," Zach said carefully, "Piper's right. Fans will know if something's forced. Cameras don't lie." He turned to Piper, silently trying to communicate his intent. "What if we combine approaches? The gardens shoot gives us controllable visuals for the press. I'm thinking a private moment that's captured professionally for later release?"
Piper blinked, her expression shifting as she processed his suggestion. After a quick moment, she nodded slowly. "That... could work." She glanced to the couple. "Best of both worlds, really."
They all looked at Tess for her agreement. "Private shoot at the gardens, professionally captured, released on our timeline with clean visuals, controllable message. Approved."
