Page 3 of Talk About… Secrets
“This isn’t the right venue,” I called back. “Let’s move on to the next.”
Both Mom and Candace looked affronted but one glance at the couple and they reluctantly agreed.
“The next one is better anyway,” Candace huffed as she stalked out, Mom in tow, muttering about picky omegas.
I gritted my teeth and sighed.
“You don’t have to do this, Grace,” Hailey said gently.
“What?”
“Be my protector. That’s my job as the older sister.”
“No. This is your wedding and we’ll make sure it’s perfect. I don’t have much work right now, so you can lean on me a bit more.”
She lit up, excited already and I instantly regretted it.
Until I heard Mom calling out for us to hurry. Then I was reminded swiftly why I was putting myself through this.
The third venue was worse than the first two. We started with a circus-themed place that even had tight ropes and rings for dancers. It was… interesting.
It might even beat the creepy cherubs in the title of worst venues for weddings in history.
This one was fully outdoor, a glass room nestled among the trees. It might be perfect if it didn’t share a fucking beach with the nudists down the way. Nothing like catching wrinkly asses in all your wedding shots.
Mom was scandalized, her gasp echoing out and drawing attention and waves from the nudists. Candace looked pleased with herself. When I raised an eyebrow, showing I saw right through it, she huffed.
“Well, this is all I had planned for today,” she said defensively. “How was I to know it was next to all… this?”
“The pamphlet,” I said, my eyes catching on the warning on the back. “It’s literally in print.”
“That’s okay, we can try another time. I’m tired anyway,” Hailey said, placating us both. “Ready, Grace?”
“Okay, let us know when you're ready for more, Aunt Candace and I will find another round of places.”
“Thanks, Mom,” Hailey said, practically dragging me and Nolan back to their car.
When we were safely enclosed inside she let out a breath. “That was fucking terrible. We actually have one more place, I just didn’t want them there. I’m sure they’d hate it. It’s a few hours drive if you’re up for it?”
“I’m sure we’ll love it, then,” I countered as I buckled in for the long drive ahead.
I was right. This place was far more appropriate for my sister and her alpha. The resort was nestled among the trees, a sparkling lake behind it. There were cabins sprinkled around the property.
I’d loved to explore more but a woman was stepping out of the main building, blinding smile on her face.
“I’m glad you could make it,” she said as she waved us in, shifting her pregnant belly out of the way to let us in.
It was clear within the first twenty minutes of the meeting that my sister was in love. Even Nolan was smiling and offering his ideas. He was so quiet during the other tours that I assumed he wasn’t into planning. It seemed he just wasn’t happy with the venues.
“We’ll take it. When’s your earliest slot?” Hailey asked, excitement taking over.
“Actually, we had a cancellation next month and have a free slot,” she admitted as she opened her portfolio and gestured to a time block on her calendar. It was only a month out, but I bit any response as Hailey danced in her seat. “They’d reserved the entire facility, so you would have the venue all to yourself. It’s a full Monday through Sunday slot. I know a month isn’t a lot of time to-”
“We want it,” Hailey interrupted her after having a quick, whispered conversation with her alpha. Nolan seemed at ease, happy to indulge her.
“We’ll have to work hard to have everything ready in time,” I said, trying to hide my concerns. Hailey was detail oriented and this was only going to up the intensity of wedding planning.
“Maybe me or my sister could come down that weekend before, if you have any openings, to help with any last-minute details. She knows my wedding plans inside and out,” Hailey said before turning those pleading eyes on me. “I don’t know how much time I can get off work.”
