Page 23 of Reckless Harmony

“Right.” Arianna didn’t look like she believed her.

“She’s grumpy and distracted because he gave her a super hard time about knowing her own damn job,” Emma said. “Which, despite how much I love his video games and admire his talent, really is an asshole move on his part.”

“Exactly!” Rayna said, sinking into a chair across from them. “And then, and then - he had the audacity to hire us for the job.”

Emma blinked at her as Arianna said, “I don’t get it. Why is that a bad thing?”

“Because he basically said right to my face that he didn’t think I could do the job, and then later called my boss and not only agreed to the estimate, but insisted that I be the one who does the work.”

“Maybe he felt bad for being so rude,” Arianna said.

“He doesn’t have the emotional capacity to feel bad,” Rayna said. “All he cares about is himself and his money. Other people are just pawns to him. He is incapable of feeling emotion.”

Emma laughed. “Okay, do you think you’re exaggerating just a little? He did save you from the tree the other night. How is your back, by the way?”

“Sore and spectacularly bruised,” Rayna said.

“What tree?” Arianna asked. She petted Molly, who was weaving around her feet and purring loudly.

Not one to miss out on pets, Bea immediately heaved herself out of her bed and headed toward Arianna, nudging Molly out of the way and pressing her head against Arianna’s leg.

“It’s a long story,” Rayna said.

“Bea, you’d better not fart,” Arianna said.

Immediately, there was a long, low braaap, and Arianna made a disgusted face. “Bea!”

“You practically dared her to do it,” Rayna said.

Arianna waved her hand in front of her face before standing. “Okay, I’m leaving before the smell, like, permeates my clothing. Ray-Ray, you want me at the hall at six for the fundraiser, right?”

“That’s right,” Rayna said. “Thank you again for volunteering to do the bachelorettes’ makeup. I know a lot of them appreciate it.”

“Oh, like, of course,” Arianna said. “I’m happy to help the ladies and the animals. And, like, you’re still okay with me doing a live stream video of some of it for my followers, right?”

“Yes,” Rayna said with a grin. “That’s fine with me.”

“Okay, good.” Arianna grimaced. “Oh God, Bea, you smell so bad.” She blew a kiss to Rayna and headed toward the door. “Oh, Em-Em - I almost forgot! Your foundation will be in by then, so I’ll bring it with me, okay?”

“Thanks, Arianna,” Emma said.

“Of course!” Arianna blew another kiss and left.

Emma waited until she heard the front door close before saying, “Em-Em?”

“Welcome to the Arianna nickname club,” Rayna said with a laugh.

Emma rolled her eyes before studying the notepad again. “Okay, so Lucas, Connor, Wyatt, and Nathan will start setting up tables and chairs at five thirty.”

“Man, I wish we could have gotten Wyatt to be a bachelor,” Rayna said. “Women love a hot cowboy.”

“I know, but Wyatt hasn’t dated a single person since Lydia left him. He’s still not over her.”

“It’s been years,” Rayna said.

Emma shrugged. “I feel for the guy but honestly think he’s better off without her. We have Addison Moore and Grace Larkin at the ticket table, Doug overseeing the PA system, and his wife Judy, Wanda Taber, and Savina Ras in charge of the appetizers and wine. Wren is backstage with you and me, organizing the bachelor and bachelorettes for when they go on stage, and Solomon Whitaker agreed to be the MC. How did you make that happen?”

“Savina,” Rayna said. “She’s been friends with him and his wife for years. Hey, thanks for getting that James guy at Stark Entertainment to volunteer to be a bachelor. I met him today at the Stark offices, and he’s super cute.”

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