Page 55 of To Have and to Scold

“Well, I have work to do before everyone gets there, so I need them to be functional. Besides, sometimes a girl just needs to wear flats for her own sanity.”

“Uh, I’ve never seen you in flats. And those are not flats, but they’re the closest I’ve ever seen you wear.”

“I don’t know. I usually like to bump up my height as much as possible, but lately, I find myself not caring as much about that.”

“I’ve been trying to tell you not to kill your feet so much and just wear what’s comfortable. Listen, Dal. Have fun!” She brings her phone closer to her face, fixing me with a stare. I’ve seen her use it on vendors who were being uncooperative. “But don’t forget about Amore and little old me. I can’t work for GiGi much longer.”

“Forget Amore? The whole reason I’m here is to get in Shoshana’s good graces.”

“Shoshana isn’t going to be there tonight.”

“She’s as good as here. She’s as good as everywhere, like a phantom ghost, whispering to me to correct every single wrong.”

“Girl, that cannot be healthy.”

I squirm. I know she’s right—about all of it. I do have a thing for Beck and an unhealthy obsession of getting back on Shoshana’s nice list. “You’d probably feel the same way if it had been you.”

“I would,” Kaia says, although I get the impression she’s only sympathizing with me. “Look, whatever happens, you’re a stellar wedding planner who’s helped a ton of people have the wedding of their dreams. Nothing can take that away from you.”

My doorbell rings and Kaia shrieks. “He’s there? Already?”

“I asked him to pick me up an hour early so we can get everything looking right.”

“Of course you did. Look. Whatever you do, relax. Have a nice time showing off all your hard work. You got this, Dal!”

She’s still talking when I’ve reached the door. “Okay, I’ll stop now,” she says with a giggle. “And will you freaking answer your texts? I sent you like forty-five of them earlier today.”

“It was more like three, but okay.” I massage my forehead, trying to breathe. “I am sorry about that. Sometimes I forget to check my phone.”

“You? Forget to check your phone? You have so many timers and reminders and notifications. How do you forget?”

“I just get busy with my designs. I’ve turned most of those reminders off.”

“Beach life is making you soft.”

I perk up with a smile. “Thanks. I’ll take that as a compliment.” I look her in the eyes. “Miss you, Kaia.”

I open the door.

I’m not at all prepared for what I see on my doorstep.

Chapter Twenty-One

Beck

When Dallas opens the door, I have to grab the doorframe to keep from swaying at the sight of her.

I think I recover quickly enough to not totally embarrass myself. Well, almost, because I can’t stop the soft “Wow,” from escaping my lips.

The curls in her hair are glossy and her eyes are lined dark, which brings out the brilliant blue. Her lips are seashell pink, parting slightly as she takes the sight of me in, too. She smells incredible—there’s a rosy addition to her typically tropical scent.

She’s in a dark green, casual dress that hits just above her knees. The length accentuates her shapely legs. She’s not wearing her usual high heels. These are a very light tan, a shade or two darker than the color of her legs, and they have short heels.

“Wow to yourself,” she says with a smile and a brief flick of her eyes at me. I’m in my charcoal fitted suit, the one my mom insisted I get last year for my parents’ fortieth wedding anniversary celebration that they had at Montmoor Hotel in Wilmington.

The way Dallas is looking at me tells me she likes it.

How am I going to make it through this evening without kissing her? This is not a date, it’s a work event. I cannot kiss this woman tonight or any night.

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