Page 12 of 4 Weddings and a Feud

He crossed his arms, not budging when a server brushed against his suit as he hurried past. “You’re an event planner, not a sous chef.”

She blew her bangs off her forehead. “Tonight, I’m whatever it takes to make this party run smoothly. And your kitchen doesn’t have an expeditor, so I’m it.”

“Thank you. The party has been flawless.”

“I’m only executing on Evie’s plan. It’s not hard.” She set down a plate a little too forcefully, and the tray wobbled. Alex grabbed it and steadied it.

“Looks like hard work to me.” He nodded his thanks to the server as she lifted the tray of meals and carried it out to the dining room floor.

Mary shook out her hand. Did her broken finger still bother her after all these years? Something he hadn’t felt in a long time panged in his chest.

She started filling the next tray. “I like hard work.”

“I know.” Back in high school, not only had she earned all A’s on her report card and served as the secretary of the young entrepreneurs’ club, but she’d worked after school at the family business.

“You do, too.” She pierced him with her clear-eyed gaze for just a moment before she glanced down at the plate in her hand and handed it back to the saucier. “This one’s missing the balsamic glaze.”

“I do like to work hard. But I play hard, too.” He winked.

Mary’s lips tightened for a second. “You make no secret of that. Now get out of my kitchen and back to your guests.”

He chuckled. “Come join the party when you can. I’d like to introduce you to the hosts.”

“Really?” She fanned her face before reaching for the next plate. “I’m a mess.”

“You’re beautiful.” It was true. Her face was flushed, and concentration made her deep brown eyes sparkle. Even the sweat-dampened curls framed her face attractively. He wanted to reach out and coil the one at her nape around his finger, but he’d ceded the right to touch her long ago. It was a good thing she didn’t bother to look up at him, or she’d have caught the weakness on his face.

He turned to leave. “I expect you to join me for dessert. I’m saving a seat next to me.”

“Ha!” she barked. “That’ll be the day, when there’s an empty chair next to Alessandro Villa.”

But Alex kept his promise. As soon as the first tray of chocolate mousse emerged from the kitchen, he excused himself from the seat he’d borrowed at the councilwoman’s table, next to her flirtatious daughter. He returned to his seat just below the head table and pulled up a spare chair himself, then waved to a server to bring a fresh place setting.

The anniversary couple had finished their desserts and descended from the head table to chat by the time Mary finally joined him. She’d let down her hair, and the curls cascading down her back were frizzled.

He rose and kissed Mary’s warm cheek. Her hair smelled sweetly of balsamic vinegar and chocolate. “Jack and Janet, I’d like to introduce you to the woman who’s responsible for tonight’s successful party. Mary Forza, of Forza Events. Mary, meet Jack and Janet Sweetly.”

“Hello, Mary.” Janet shook Mary’s hand. Janet’s petite frame and short gray hair couldn’t have contrasted more with Mary’s solid build and voluminous dark locks. “Do you work with Evie? She was so helpful with all the decisions about the party.”

“Well, I…” Mary turned wide eyes to Alex.

“Mary stepped in when Evie was unexpectedly…unavailable.”

“Unav—”

He spoke over Mary. “Hasn’t she done a beautiful job?”

“Exquisite. We’ve been so well cared for. Haven’t we?” Janet nudged her husband.

“Yes, yes.” He tugged at his tie.

“Stop pulling your tie, dear,” Janet said. “You’ve gone positively feral since you retired.”

“Semi-retired,” Jack said.

“What do you do, Jack?” Mary asked.

He smoothed down his tie. “I own an investment firm here in Las Vegas.”

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