Page 23 of Dreaming of You

"What are you talking about?" she asked warily.

"Your fingers. I think at least one of them is broken. You can't wish that away with happy thoughts."

As she turned her gaze on her hand, she was afraid he might be right.

"Let me take you to the ER," Barrett said.

"If the swelling doesn't subside, I'll go in the morning. There's not much they can do anyway. Do you want more pizza?"

"I'm full. It was very good."

"I can't take much credit. All I did was put it in the oven. I'm afraid I don't do much cooking."

"When would you have time? Dealing with brides, trying on wedding skirts, making favors…"

"It is busy, but I love it. And I'm lucky I get to do what I love."

He nodded, giving her a thoughtful look. "You are lucky. Did you always want to be a wedding planner?"

"Yes. It was an idea I had really young. When I was in college, I worked for a caterer, and after college, I moonlighted at a florist shop, while I worked as an account manager at an advertising agency for my very boring day job. But my ultimate goal was to be a wedding planner. Luckily, I made some contacts at the florist, who did a lot of weddings, and eventually I was able to quit the ad agency and start up my own little company. The first two years were rough, but business is starting to boom now. Getting Candice Hunt's wedding would be my biggest job yet. Although, I'm not sure she'll end up hiring me."

"Why wouldn't she?"

"Her mother would prefer to hire one of her friends, and in the end, whoever pays the checks usually has the most say. But I'm meeting with both of them next Friday, so we'll see if they like my proposal."

"You have a lot on your plate."

"I like it that way."

"So do I," he admitted. "Work is where I'm at my best."

"Unlike the Winter Ball, where you left your very attractive date without an escort."

He tipped his head. "She had already moved on to someone else before I left. And big, expensive parties are not really my thing."

"And yet you've been to two in the last week—if you count the Hunts' party."

"The Hunts have been longtime friends. The Winter Ball was not my idea, but sometimes I try to keep my mother happy."

"Only sometimes?"

"She's not an easy woman to please. It takes a lot of effort, and the results are usually not good—at least not for me. My brother is much better at charming her into a better mood."

"Younger or older brother?"

"Younger. Matt is great. He's the perfect son, too. He's going to take over Fox Management one day. My parents are very proud."

"I'm sure they're proud of you, too."

"I'm not sure pride is the first word that comes to mind when they think of me. I let them down with my divorce and my career choices," he replied.

"You have to live your life, not theirs."

"Now that I agree with. See, we're getting along better already."

"I have to admit you're nicer than I thought."

He smiled. "So nice, I'm going to help you."

---