“She won’t,” I sigh. “She’s very busy.” Apparently. “But I’ll send you her measurements. Will that be good enough?”

“Highly irregular,” she sniffs. “But we’ll make it work.”

“Thanks, Louise. Remember to send brides my way who are overwhelmed with all the planning,” I remind her, sliding my purse strap over my shoulder. I scratched her back an awful lot this week. She better return the favor.

“You’ll be up to your neck in brides soon enough,” she laughs airily, giving me faux air kisses. “If you can get that girl to the altar, that is.”

So she noticed Serena’s indifference too? Well, at least I won’t have to deal with it anymore if she wants to unload all responsibility on me. I’ll still need to work with her on some things, but this will honestly be better for everyone. No gloomy presence as Gabriel and I make decisions, interrupting us, bringing the mood down.

We can be alone… just the two of us… no prying eyes…

I mentally scream, exiting the shop more forcefully than necessary to begin my trek to the subway. I’ve got to get this ridiculous whatever it is to Gabriel under control. Fascination? Attraction? Crush?

I can work professionally with someone I’m attracted to. No big deal. It just means I don’t act on anything my stupid brain comes up with. I’ve got willpower.

Now to employ it.