Page 6 of Dreaming of You

"I'm sorry that happened to you." She heard a hint of pain behind the bitter words. "But a big, beautiful wedding doesn't always lead to divorce. Some people get married at the courthouse and don't last out the year. It's about the people, not the party."

"Sometimes. But weddings can get out of hand very easily and people lose track of what's important."

"Well, the brides and grooms I've worked with are very happy in their marriages."

"And how long have you been in business?"

"Four years."

He smiled, as he dug his hands into his pockets. "Let's see where you are in ten."

She frowned at his words. "I think I'll be just fine."

"But will your happy couples still be happy?"

"I hope so. But if they're not, it won't be because of the wedding." She paused. "If you get invited to Candice's wedding, you should say no. No one likes a downer on their special day."

"I'm just a realist."

"I'm a realist and a romantic."

"You can't be both."

"I think I can."

The air bristled between them, but it wasn't so much anger as tension. There was something about this man that made her nervous and irritated and tingly—all at the same time. But she needed to find a way to calm things down. He was her landlord and a fellow tenant. They needed to get along.

"Miss Marlow—Kate?" Candice interrupted, as she moved toward them, a studious-looking man at her side. "I've been looking all over for you. This is my fiancé, Anthony."

"It's nice to meet you, Anthony," she said, relieved by the interruption.

"Barrett," Candice said, surprise on her face, as Barrett stepped into view. "I didn't realize you were here. You haven't come to one of Mother's parties in a long time. How are you?"

"I'm fine."

"You remember Anthony?"

"Yes, of course," he said, shaking the other man's hand. "Congrats on your engagement."

Candice gave her fiancé a quick smile before she said, "We're so excited. We haven't officially set the date, because we haven't picked a venue yet, but it will be sometime next year. We want to make sure that David can be there. He thinks he'll have a better idea in another month or so. Of course, you'll get an invitation. You're one of David's best friends."

David was Candice's older brother and currently on deployment with the Marines. Knowing that David and Barrett were friends put a pit in her stomach. She was beginning to realize that Barrett was very entangled with the Hunts. That was a complication she didn't need.

"I'd love to come to your wedding," Barrett said, giving her a pointed look. "Although, some people have suggested I'm not the best wedding guest these days."

She really needed to start thinking a bit more before she opened her mouth.

"Oh, I don't care about your cynical view of love," Candice proclaimed. "I know that Anthony and I have the real deal. We're going to be happy forever."

Barrett didn't refute her words, just stepped forward and gave her a hug. "I hope that's true. I'll let you all talk weddings." He nodded to Anthony. "Good luck."

Anthony smiled. "I've got Candice; that's all the luck I need."

"I shouldn't have brought up the wedding," Candice said, an odd look in her eyes, as her gaze followed Barrett's departure. "I hit a nerve."

"With Barrett?" she asked.

"He's a wonderful guy, but he had a hellish marriage, and things started to go bad as soon as he and his fiancée began planning the wedding. It was a beautiful event, but Barrett hates weddings now." She turned to Anthony. "That's not going to happen to us. We won't let the wedding get out of hand."

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