Page 67 of Dreaming of You

A knock came at his office door, and his heart jumped, but it wasn't Kate who stepped into his office. It was Candice Hunt.

He jumped up in surprise. "Candice, how are you?"

"Not great," she said, her eyes strained. "I'm sorry to barge in on you, Barrett. There was no one out front."

"Jackie is at lunch."

"I really need to talk to someone. Do you have a minute?"

"Of course. Sit down," he said, waving her into one of the two chairs in front of his desk. "What's going on?"

"It's the wedding."

He almost said he wasn't surprised but managed to bite back that cynical comment. "Are you and Anthony having second thoughts?"

"No. This has nothing to do with Anthony; it's my mother. We just had a meeting with Kate. I thought we were going to hire her, but right in the middle of our conversation, my mother suddenly announces that your mother suggested she talk to one more person before making the decision. Kate was really taken aback. I'd told her it was a done deal, because she came up with the perfect event, and I thought my mom would love it because we'd have the ceremony and the reception at the Conservatory of Flowers, and you know she loves gardens. I don't know what happened."

His gut tightened. "Apparently, my mother happened. And I don't think this is about your wedding at all; it's about Kate."

Candice looked confused. "Why would it be about Kate? Does she even know Kate?"

"I brought Kate to my mother's birthday party last Sunday. My mom was not happy about it. She has some crazy idea that now that Vanessa is no longer engaged, we should give it another shot."

"That is crazy. You and Vanessa were horrible together."

"I don't disagree." He paused. "Look, Candice, I don't want to tell you what to do—"

"I wish you would," she interrupted. "I would normally talk to my big brother, but David is deployed, and I certainly don't want to bother him with my trivial problems. I'd love to get your opinion."

"It's your wedding. If you want to hire Kate, hire Kate."

"But my mother is paying."

"That doesn't change the fact that it's your day, not hers. And I know your mother cares what you think."

"Not as much as she cares about what her friends think."

"You need to talk to her. You need to tell her how you feel."

"She doesn't listen."

"Make her listen. You have to fight for what you want, Candice. Otherwise, you'll regret it. But you already know that."

"I needed to hear someone else say it. Thanks," she said, wiping her watery eyes with the tissue.

"No problem."

"So, if you took Kate to your mother's party, how come I didn't see you there?"

"We left as soon as Vanessa arrived."

"Got it. I was wondering why she was there. Now I know. Well, I'll let you get back to work. Thanks for listening." Candice got to her feet and walked with him to the door. Pausing, she added, "Are you and Kate dating?"

"Uh, I wouldn't call it that."

"What would you call it?" she asked with interest.

"Honestly, I have no idea."

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