Page 11 of The Backup Bride Proposal

She sighed. “You promise this isn’t going to be a big deal?”

“I promise. And you’ll get paid for your time.”

She had to admit his smile was reassuring, making her slightly less terrified. Plus, she didn’t want to let the Bellinis down.

“Fine. I’ll do it.”

Kane’s smirk only irritated her further.

This was going to be a nightmare. And the sooner it was over, the sooner everything could go back to normal.

Chapter

four

“I don’t know,Mae. It sounds like all kinds of fun to me.”

Mae shot Honor a look. “Sure, it sounds like fun to you because you’re not the one doing it.”

They all sat around the dining room table, the place where Bellini meetings were held. Louise, the Bellinis’ cook and de facto member of the family, had made the most amazing cheese-and-fruit Danish for breakfast, which assuaged some of Mae’s anguish at having been put in this position.

“If you really hate the idea,” Maureen said, “I’ll call Alexis and tell her you’re unable to do it.”

“Yeah,” Erin said. “We can tell them you’re needed elsewhere on wedding business.”

“You absolutely shouldn’t be forced to do something you don’t want to do,” Brenna said.

“I was only joking about the fun part,” Honor said, looking apologetic. “Mostly.”

She looked across the table at all of them, realizing how whiny and pathetic she must sound. It was her job to help out the Bellinis in their business. She felt that it was her businessnow as well, though it wasn’t like she was an owner or anything. She was merely an employee. But she was a damn good one.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to complain. I’ll be fine. And doing this puts me front and center in the production so I can keep an eye on things.”

Maureen eyed her closely. “Are you sure?”

“Absolutely. Though the five a.m. calls will be interesting considering I live in the city.”

“That’s easy,” Erin said. “You can temporarily move into one of our rooms here at the house.”

“Absolutely.” Maureen gave a short nod. “It’s been so quiet here since Honor moved into Owen’s house. With all three of the girls gone, it’s like the house is too big. We’d love to have you stay with us for a while, Mae.”

That would alleviate one of her concerns. “Thank you. I’d love that.”

“Great. Move some things in tonight,” Maureen said. “I’ll alert Johnny not to walk around in his underwear.”

“Mom,” Brenna said, wrinkling her nose. “Ew.”

Now all she had to do was read the script that someone from Alexis’s staff had dropped off.

She’d always loved reading. So now she was going to be reading for work.

At least there’d be some fun part.

“What’s Kane August like?” Honor asked.

Just the mention of his name made her blood boil. And her skin prickle, but not in theUghkind of way, unfortunately.

“Oh, you know, he’s fine.”

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