Page 12 of The Trouble with Runaway Brides

“I’m not going to like it, am I?” He sighs.

“You know I grew up in a small town in Alaska?”

Will nods. “Yeah.”

“Well, I was reminded today how much I love this one special spot in town, and I always dreamed of getting married there. Since the idea came to me, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. It feels right.” I bring our entwined hands to my heart, sliding closer to him. “I want an intimate wedding.”

He blows out a breath. “My dad wants big and they’re paying for it.”

“If we go smaller, my parents can help. I can pay for some of it.”

“Why would you want that? Let’s just have the big wedding and be done with it. We can say our vows on the beach during our honeymoon if that’s what you want.” He releases my hand and picks up his menu again, seeming to think we’re done talking about this.

But I didn’t get where I am in my career without persistence. “Will, I really want this. Please? Maybe we could invite one press person. Have an auction and the highest bidder wins—they report the whole wedding, pictures and exclusive interviews. All the money could go to charity—which would look great for your family—and we don’t release the details to the winner until twenty-four hours before the wedding, though I don’t know why they’d share the info. It’s to their advantage that they are the only member of the press there.”

He puts down the menu and purses his lips. This is Will’s thinking face. At least I’ve got him that far.

“You’ll have to convince my dad,” he says. “He’ll tell me no for sure. I do love the idea of people toppling over themselves to bid on us.”

“Will, that sounds awful.”

“You know what I mean. Keeps my—our name in the press.” He continues to stare at the wall, thinking hard.

I’m not a fan of the way everything he does comes with the debate of whether it’s a good strategic play or not. But there’s lots to love about him too, so it’s just something I have to get used to.

“I like it. Where are you from again?”

“Lake Starlight, Alaska. I’ve told you this many times.”

He nods as if he’s remembering, but he won’t remember tomorrow.

His parents couldn’t have better timing because I spot them approaching the table.

Will and I stand to say our hellos with kisses on cheeks and barely touching bodies when we hug. His dad actually keeps his hands on my shoulders to stop me from getting too close. The first time I met him, I was so nervous I ended up hugging him so tightly he politely asked me to get off him. My family are huggers, what can I say?

His mom sits closest to me while his dad sits by Will. The two men talk business while she corners me about the bridal shower. “I don’t like the idea of a wedding shower. Sounds so low class, you know? Regardless, I booked it at The Mag for a Sunday afternoon.”

The Mag is the Asburys’ premier hotel in New York. Mag is short for magnificent. Will’s mom, Jas, short for Jasmine, gives herself credit for coining it The Mag.

“Oh, you didn’t have to do that,” I say, knowing my mom was looking forward to hosting the event.

“Nonsense, I’m your new mother. But we need to come up with something else to call it. Definitely not shower.” She picks up her menu.

“Speaking of the wedding, Kenzie came up with a great idea.” Will grabs my hand as though we’re a united front and I love him for it.

Neither of his parents says a word.

“Instead of allowing all the press to come, Kenzie had the great idea that we auction off the right for one member of the press to attend the event and donate the funds to charity.”

Jas looks at me. “Sweetie, this is New York. We can’t keep the press out. Nor would we want to.”

She laughs, but I glance at Will’s dad, and he’s got the same expression Will does when he’s thinking hard.

“It’s not a bad idea, but it’s already leaked,” Wendell says.

“Well, that’s the other thing. Kenzie would like to get married in the town she grew up in.”

“Not have it in New York?” Jas places her hand over her heart as though Will’s words are scandalous.

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