Page 2 of Forgotten Desires

Rowan and Charlotte exit the barn with all of us waiting in rows for them outside. They stop at the doors, kiss, and we all clap and toss the birdseed up in the air. Thankfully my brothers behave and don’t use the seeds as projectiles. The guests move around to the standing tables where there is food and champagne. Meanwhile, the bridal party marches back inside to arrange the barn into a reception.

Rowan and Charlotte will spend the next hour taking photos while the guests stay in the outside area around the barn for a more laid-back, cocktail party. It’s beautiful and honestly the perfect setup.

However, this part inside the barn isn’t fun.

Asher and Grady are setting up the tables and I’m making sure the chairs are correct based on the seating chart.

“Remind me again why we didn’t hire a company to do this?” Grady asks as he’s heaving another table over.

“Because it’s expensive and we’re free labor,” I remind him.

“That’s right.”

We both smile and get back to it. It takes a good thirty minutes of us working together to get things put in the right spots. Phoebe and Addison are hanging more gossamer and my niece, Olivia, is throwing flower petals everywhere.

I let out a long sigh, surveying the room. It’s really pretty. So perfect for them.

“Can you help me put the rest of these nameplates out?” Phoebe asks.

“Of course.”

We go around setting up the nameplates. I take the bridal table and then do a little rearranging of where Charlotte put the town troublemakers—everyone knows you can’t put Mr. Cooke next to Albert. There always needs to be a buffer.

“Who is Carson Knight?” Asher asks, looking at one of the nameplates.

Grady walks over. “Oh, that’s Rowan’s new boss and the guy I work for in New York. Good guy. I bet he gives great gifts.”

I roll my eyes. “Yes, because either of them is the slightest bit materialistic. I’m sure they just want a good working relationship with him.”

“Speaking of work, how is it going with your new company?” Phoebe asks.

I’m currently in the final stages of starting my own crisis management PR company with Catherine Cole’s friend Thea in New York City. I spent a month with Catherine in California and absolutely loved my job. She owns one of the biggest PR companies that handles mostly celebrities, but she started in the corporate sector. While living in Pennsylvania and working in Manhattan isn’t ideal, I have a plan to make it work. I can head into the city when I need to while we’re building and I’ll move when I can afford it. Because last week we signed the papers, and yesterday I made the largest bank transfer I’ve ever made in my life. Which means I sure as hell can’t afford to live anywhere but in my cottage that’s free.

I’m so excited. Thea and I already have meetings set up with potential clients and I am ready to take this industry by storm.

“It’s great, we are just waiting for the paperwork back from the state and then we’re in business.”

“Nothing like going to college for half your life to not use the degree,” Asher says offhandedly.

I know he doesn’t agree with me leaving law, but I really didn’t like it. “Would you rather I throw my life away and be unhappy?”

“Of course not!”

“Then, shut up. I invested my savings in something I’m passionate about. Which is whatyouwould’ve told me to do.”

Phoebe slaps his chest and then turns to me. “I’m so happy for you, Brynn. I know you wanted to stay with Catherine’s PR company, but this is really great. Hey, maybe you can chat up this Carson Knight guy and get him as your first client. I know billionaires usually need crisis management.”

I laugh and turn to my brother. “What table is he at?”

Asher’s eyes narrow. “The one I’m standing at . . .”

“Right.” Well, this is pure luck because it’s my table.

“How about we put him next to you since he doesn’t have a plus one, and . . . you’re by far the nicest Whitlock, and will make him feel welcome,” Addison suggests.

Yes, that’s my role in life, to make everyone happy and comfortable. However, it’s what I’m good at. I’ve always been this way and it’s not bad to do nice things for others. It just sometimes gets my heart into trouble.

“All right,” I agree, and hope to make a good impression.

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