No Groom Like Him

“Ugh. A tabloid reporter trying to beat out the competition. He evaded security, tripped over his own video equipment and crashed into one of the dancers. Of course, only the resort security cameras had caught that on film and they wouldn’t release the footage.”

“You could have given a statement.”

“I will not dignify this stupidity with a defense.”

Max didn’t look convinced, which annoyed Lily more.

“Also for the record, the point of not releasing my travel information was so the press didn’t have anything to write about. I would have thought that much should be obvious to you, as you’re privy to intimate details about my personal life.”

Too many, it would seem.

He lingered at a traffic light after the signal turned green as he frowned at her. “Are you saying you didn’t call that press conference?”

Now it was Lily’s turn to frown. “Are you telling me you didn’t leak my travel plans?”

“Of course not. Riley made it a point of telling me that you were keeping your arrival on the Q.T. And your mom. And dad. And my mother. Hmm…let me think. There wasn’t anyone who didn’t mention it. That’s why I was so surprised when my assistant told me she got a notice with your arrival details.”

Lily stared at the road ahead. “Well, that’s interesting. I wonder who leaked the information. That was quite a crowd. By any chance do you still have the notice?”

“I’ll ask my assistant. It was an email, I believe.”

No surprises there. Wasn’t as easy to cause trouble using fax and a landline. Or snail mail, either. But emails could be bounced all over the globe via satellite to effectively mask the sender. As she’d learned while trying to discover the identity of the culprit behind the All About Angel blog and got quoted privacy laws for the effort.

Now someone close enough to know her travel plans thought it was okay to leak to the press. Lovely. And she’d thought her plate was already full.

“Why would you think I’d reveal your plans?” Max asked.

“You were capitalizing on the moment, if memory serves.”

He slowed to navigate a sharp turn. “Back to the point of a press conference. Assuming you’d arranged it—which I did—I thought you’d appreciate the connection between you and the exclusive about Raymond’s campaign. I seized an opportunity. For both of us.”

“I haven’t contracted the wedding. We haven’t even spoken about it.”

“I didn’t want to waste any time.”

“You seem to have bypassed the part about choice, Max. Don’t I get one?”

“In case you haven’t noticed, I made it a point not to go through my mother.”

“Why?”

“Because I didn’t want you to feel pressured. I thought Raymond’s wedding would be right up your alley. And the timing couldn’t be more perfect since you’ll already be in town.”

“I’m here to whip up a family wedding.”

“I know. But I need you to whip up one for me, too. I realize the time frame is somewhat of a challenge, but you’re the Wedding Angel.” He flashed that dashing grin, dimples and all, but Lily couldn’t seem to move past a few tiny words.

Somewhat of a challenge?

She was somewhat speechless. It took her a moment and a few deep breaths, but she did manage to squeeze out a question purely for clarification purposes. “I thought you said Raymond and Jamilyn had leave around the holidays.”

“I did.”

“Christmas is barely twelve weeks away.”

He shook his head. “Thanksgiving. They’ll be on duty before Christmas.”

Lily could only stare. Did the man think she snapped her fingers and—poof—a media-worthy fantasy magically appeared out of thin air? Was it possible he didn’t realize there was actual work involved? Including seventeen thousand decisions about the venue, catering, costuming, licensing, guests… Hadn’t he walked down the aisle once himself?

“Max, seriously. Have you lost your mind? Thanksgiving is eight weeks away.”

“How hard can it be? You’ll be planning Riley’s wedding. Can’t you do one more of whatever you do for her? You know, order two cakes instead of one. That sort of thing.”

Condescension? Did he think she was exaggerating?

“No. No. No.” Why didn’t she remember Max being so dense? “Riley wants a simple affair. A wedding for the twins because I think she and Scott would be happy at the courthouse. They want tasteful, which will be challenging given the circumstances.”

“I wonder why she called you then.”

“That’s why she called me.” Lily really didn’t remember Max being this obtuse. If she had, surely she wouldn’t have spent so many years imagining him as the groom in all her weddings. “Scott was my brother’s best friend and partner. The situation has potential for social awkwardness since they all have the same friends and this town is so small. She doesn’t want to elope and leave the twins feeling less than excited about their changing family. Riley trusts me to figure out what’ll make everyone happy. You, on the other hand, want me to whip up a full-scale wedding on a dime.”

“I thought that’s what you did.”

“I create fantasies, and fantasies take time. An intimate family wedding is another beast from the extravaganza you want.”

“You’ve got eight weeks.”

This man… “I am not planning Raymond’s wedding.”

She didn’t feel obligated to explain. Even if he wasn’t being so high-handed, she had no intention of explaining that she’d come home to kick back, regroup and relax.

And while she rested, her crews would be working overtime. They needed to focus on the current contracts to ensure every t was crossed and every i dotted so there weren’t any more disasters. And she’d still be working by cell phone, laptop and fax. To take on even one more project would be insane.

Perhaps there was another solution, and out of respect for the man’s losses and the close connections between their families… “What if I arrange something with this office? Your mother is still my partner in that particular venture.”

He shook his head decidedly. “I want you.”

Max and everyone else. But there was some childish, forbidden and undeniably sick part of her that thrilled to hear those words. Ugh. She waved him off with a dismissive hand. “Unavailable. I’m tired. Can’t you see the circles under my eyes?”

He gave her a sideways glance. “You look fantastic.”

“The concealer I’m wearing is fantastic. Underneath…not so much.”

“Are you fishing for compliments? I’ll gladly give them, Lily Susan.”

Lily Susan.

What was it about her name said in that voice that still dissolved her insides into jelly? Even when he was arguing with her?