At least one of them was getting some enjoyment out of this. She knew it wouldn’t be her. She wouldn’t be happy until February fifteenth—when Faith’s wedding was over and done with, and Kelsey was back home. “I want an exclusive contract to plan weddings at Starr Properties. As many weddings as I want.”
“Fine.”
“And my normal fee went up.” Money didn’t mean much to her, but she wanted to make them pay. This seemed as good a way as any. Unlocking the door to her office, Kelsey stepped inside. “Way up.”
He followed her in. “Okay.”
“I need to pack a few things here. I’ll also have to stop by my condo, repack my suitcase and make a few phone calls.” She paused, wondering if she could make him change his mind about taking her with him. Not the fairest way to play, but she was desperate. “It’ll take a little while. I understand if you don’t want to wait.”
“I’m happy to wait.”
Anything to make her happy, Kelsey realized. She was tempted to ask him to jump to see if he would. She set her bag on the reception desk instead. With no warning, Will touched her shoulder, sending shivery sensations shooting up and down the length of her arm. “You don’t know how much this means to me.”
“Let’s get one thing clear.” She moved away from him, from his much-too-pleasurable touch. She’d brushed off advances from a few of the most handsome actors and musicians in the business—some even grooms-to-be. That had been bad enough, but this was much worse. Will was already married. M-a-r-r-i-e-d. “I’m not doing this for you. I’m doing it for your mother.”
And my grandmother.
“I understand.”
Kelsey shook her finger at him. “And I swear if Faith doesn’t get married this time…”
“I know my sister.” He smiled. “She’s getting married on February fourteenth.”
Kelsey flashed him one of her give-me-a-break looks. “Care to make a wager on it?”
His eyes gleamed as if amused by the idea. “It’s a sucker’s bet.”
“I happen to like suckers.” She grinned. “Lime’s my favorite.”
“Cherry happens to be mine.”
“So I’m tart and you’re sweet.” She laughed. “This could make for an interesting wager.”
He smiled. “Seriously, there’s no need for us to bet. Faith will go through with it this time. Trent’s different than her other fiancés. What you see is what you get. No games, no ego trips. Faith’s found the one.”
“The one?” Kelsey tried not to sound too incredulous.
“Her soul mate, heart mate, love of a lifetime.”
Surely he couldn’t be serious. Yet the wistful look in his eyes was hard to ignore. Of course, it must be the lighting. Men weren’t wistful about such things. Especially married men. Yet a part of her wondered if Will had married what he believed to be his “one.” Kelsey tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Don’t tell me you believe in those things?”
“Of course I do.” His eyes narrowed. “Just because I’m a guy doesn’t mean I’m not…”
“A romantic at heart?” she offered.
He nodded. “There’s nothing wrong with being romantic. Women like that in a man.”
Kelsey shrugged. “Some women might, others…”
“I feel sorry for those who don’t.”
Oh, boy, they came in all shapes and sizes, those romantic idealists who believed in love at first sight and happily-ever-after, but she’d never met one in a more perfect package than Will Addison. Too bad she didn’t share any of his beliefs. No, it wasn’t too bad. After everything she’d been through growing up, Kelsey knew better. That should kill whatever attraction she felt for Mr. Romance.
She headed toward the storage room. “Would you give me a hand?”
Together they carried the leather trunk she took with her on out-of-town weddings into the office. From Telluride to Turkey, the contents of the trunk had saved the day more than once.
Will tapped the top of the trunk. “What’s this for?”
“Anything I might need to keep me from having to run around a town I’m not familiar with and waste time I don’t have to spare. You’d be amazed at what can happen the morning of a wedding.”
She opened the trunk, rummaged through it and made a mental list of what needed to be packed. “Does Faith have a wedding dress to wear?”
“Yes.”
“That’s right. I forgot,” Kelsey said. “She’s got four of them. Let’s hope she hasn’t had any alterations done yet, in case she’s a no-show again.”
Will laughed. At least he had a sense of humor. Not that it mattered, she reminded herself.
“Does she have a headpiece and veil?”
The smile faded from his face. “My mother planned to make one herself a` la Martha Stewart. She got hooked on crafting last summer, but the stroke…”
“I’ve got plenty to choose from.” Kelsey stared at her selection. “Do you know what style of gown Faith’s chosen?”
“No,” Will admitted. “That’s been the most highly guarded secret, next to her engagement itself.”
“Not a problem.” Kelsey packed a variety of head-pieces—halos, silk flower wreaths, beaded tiaras and different-length veils—in the trunk. If worse came to worst, she’d call in a few favors owed her. “We’ll bring several with us.”
“What about the one you were wearing?”
It would kill her to let Faith wear the vintage ensemble, but even Kelsey had to admit it would look lovely with the movie star’s long wavy locks. “I’ll pack it.”
“Do you need anything else in here?”
She gathered up a couple of garters and guest books in case Starr hadn’t gotten around to that, either. “Would you grab the lavender toolbox in the storage room?”
“A toolbox?”
“Tricks of the trade.” And right now she needed every trick she had up her sleeve to get through packing her gear with Will’s help. If it felt strange here in her own office, she didn’t want to think about what it would be like working with him in Lake Tahoe.
“What tricks would those be?”
“Sewing needles, thread, safety pins, first-aid kit, clear nail polish, hair spray, things like that.”
“You’re very prepared.”
“I have to be,” she admitted. “My clients expect nothing less. I do my best to make sure their wedding day is the most perfect, the happiest day of their lives.”
He stared at her with an odd look on his face. “A person’s wedding day is only the first of many happy days.”
Using all of her willpower, she managed not to roll her eyes. “Wasn’t your wedding day your happiest day ever?”
Her question seemed to catch him off guard, but only for a moment. The sweet smile on his face made Kelsey swallow hard and remind herself he was already taken. “Yes, it was the best day of my life.”
The dreamy tone of his voice touched a place deep within her heart. His wife was a lucky woman. Or would be until the marriage started unraveling and falling apart…No doubt they hadn’t been married long or faced any bumps in the matrimony