Page 29 of The Wedding Twist

Jack scoffed. “Oh yeah, definitely. I had an agent there for a while, but I was only getting offered contracts for Calvin Klein underwear ads, and I’m a bit on the shy side.”

The line went quiet again. Celeste cleared her throat. “I’m not kidding, actually. The last groomsman’s flight was canceled, and he won’t make it here until lunch tomorrow, if he’s lucky. The bride is—how do I say it?—particularabout having a balanced bridal party in her wedding photos.”

“Uh-huh,” Jack said. “Explain to me how I fit into this equation?”

“Come to the wedding?” Celeste said. “Even just the ceremony and pictures? Pose for a few photos and eat some dynamite hors d’oeuvres and be on your way before dinner?”

“You’ve got to be kidding me. Why would they want a stranger in their wedding photos forever?” While he was eager to see Celeste again, if there was anything he hated almost more than weddings, it was posing for pictures.

“Theylikedyou, Jack! And like I said, the bride is…particular.”

“And I hate weddings.”

“Please?” Celeste said.

“No.”

“I’ll come fishing.”

“Now I know you’re desperate.”

“I will. I’ll experience everything so I can recommend you to more guests.”

“You wouldn’t already?”

“Hah,” said Celeste. “I want to be able to speak with authority.”

“Well, unfortunately I don’t have a suit.” There. If the bride was as particular as Celeste was making her out to be, he figured she wouldn’t want him there in his khakis and a sweatshirt.

“What kind of man doesn’t have a suit?”

“The kind that likes having an excuse not to attend fancy events.”

“Well, lucky for you, Kevin’s suit was shipped here, and I think you’re around the same size. And I’ll make you another batch of that stew.”

He felt his defenses chipping away. It was less about the promises she was making and more about the sweet, slightly breathy sound of Celeste’s voice and the idea of her needing something from him that was too much for him to fight against. That addictive brush of her lips against his and the promise of maybe more.

“Please, Jack?” she said, and he was done.

“Lucky for me, huh?” Jack said, squeezing his eyes shut and flopping back onto the couch. Where was his willpower? Any iota of good sense? “Fine. What time?”

Chapter Ten

Brunch went offwithout a hitch, the morning sunlight spilling through the gallery and enhancing Kassie’s bronzer-induced glow in a way that Celeste could tell made her very pleased. Guests raved about the mango eggs benny and the frittata, and everyone seemed happy with the choices of activities to keep them busy until the wedding.

Later in the afternoon, Celeste returned to the bridal suite to check on things. In contrast to the morning, hushed voices sounded from behind the suite’s door as she approached. She paused for a moment, gauging if it was the right time to knock or if perhaps Jeff had made a visit to the suite to see his bride. Most people kept up with the tradition of not seeing one another until the bride walked down the aisle, but Celeste had been surprised once before by a couple who’d wanted to…be intimateon their wedding morning, and she would never make that assumption again.

After listening for a few seconds, it was clear that Jeff wasn’t in the room. She lifted her fist to rap on the door just as the door flung open.

Victoria rolled her eyes at Celeste as she breezed by in her robe. “She’s in a mood again,” she said, leaving Celeste standing in the doorway.

Celeste stepped into the room. “I’m just here to check if anyone needs anything,” she said tentatively. “Are you enjoying your wedding day so far?”

Kassie was sitting on the bed, rubbing a jade roller on her forehead. “The water here isn’t good for my skin,” she said, glaring at Celeste. This was a new one.

“I could have someone bring up a pitcher of filtered water,” Celeste said. “From the mountain springs nearby.” She had no idea if that would be the difference maker Kassie was looking for, but she said it with confidence anyway.

“It’s too late,” Kassie said, moving the jade roller to the skin under her eyes. “You should really get some water softeners in here.” The softness and vulnerability she had shown the night before had disappeared in a puff of setting powder.

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