"Or they're watching their wedding planner hitting it off with the bride's charming brother," Zach suggested, eyes twinkling.
"We are not 'hitting it off,'" Piper protested, though her traitorous cheeks warmed again. "We're having a very professional discussion."
"Very professional," he agreed solemnly. "So, professionally, what do you think of their relationship?"
The abrupt change of subject caught Piper off guard. "Anna and Drake?"
"Yeah. You've seen a lot of couples in your line of work, right? Even if you avoid weddings."
Piper gazed across the terrace where Drake was now carefully tucking a strand of hair behind Anna's ear, his expression tender. "They seem... real," she admitted. "The way they look at each other when they think no one's watching. It's not performative."
"But that doesn't mean it will last," Zach observed, studying her carefully.
"No. It doesn't."
"No faith in happily ever after?"
Piper shrugged. "Statistics don't lie."
"Statistics don't account for everything," Zach countered. "Sometimes it's about choice. Every day choosing each other, even when it sucks."
The conviction in his voice was surprisingly moving.
"Anna likes it," Zach said with confidence. "I can tell. She keeps looking at the sunset and smiling that little secret smile she gets when she's imagining possibilities."
"You know her well."
"She's my sister. I've been reading her facial expressions since I was in diapers."
The fondness in his voice made Piper curious. "Were you close growing up?"
"Always, though we're pretty different. Anna's the steady one. Predictable career, stable relationship. I'm more..." he trailed off, searching for the right word.
"Unpredictable?" Piper suggested.
"Experimental," he corrected as his lips curved up. "I like trying new things, finding unconventional solutions. It makes me a good designer but sometimes a frustrating brother."
"And yet she clearly adores you."
"The feeling's mutual," Zach said simply. "Which is why I want this wedding to be what she wants, not what's best for team publicity or team tradition."
The sincerity in his voice touched something in Piper.
"We'll make it work," Piper found herself promising, despite the committee approach.
"I believe you," Zach said, his voice dropping slightly as he moved closer. "You're pretty convincing when you get that determined look."
She became acutely aware of how close they were standing, the warmth of his arm nearly touching hers. The setting sun cast his face in a golden glow that softened his features and brought out flecks of amber in his blue eyes.
For a breathless moment, the entire venue seemed to fade away. There was just Zach, looking at her with an intensity that made her usual defenses falter. Made her want to lean in and take a taste.
He glanced briefly to her lips.
"Piper..."
Before she could reply, a sharp voice cut through their conversation, "The social media optics are excellent," Tess announced, heading for Babushka and the breadbasket.
"I'm sure the hotel will be thrilled." Piper scribbled a note on her clipboard.
