Page 41 of Marry Me, Right Now

I laughed so hard I nearly choked on my coffee.

“Don’t laugh – I’ve seen a whack of brides wearing a faceful of slap so thick their relatives didn’t recognize them. Less is more.”

“I’m so glad that Rosalind sent you here. I was worried that you wouldn’t listen, and try to get me to waste money on every single trend.”

“Not only am I here to listen, sweetie, but I’m also here to take the blame. If Rosalind tells you that something is tacky, you tell her that I insisted. If anything goes sideways, it’s all on me. It’s the bride’s event, and you can do no wrong.”

“I could trip and fall into the cake,” I snickered.

“Not on my watch, girl. We’re getting you a dress and heels first thing tomorrow, and you’re going to practice walking in those shoes until you can dance blindfolded. We’re also going to pack you cute little silver flats for when you start to hit the champagne later. No twisted ankles on my watch.”

I absolutely howled with laughter. “Zachary, I must say, you’re the best.”

“I am. Don’t tell anyone else. I’m usually overbooked.”

JACOB

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NOT THE BOSS

As I got home, I opened the door to see Mia hugging the daylights out of someone. The moment she saw me, she giggled, her pretty eyes lighting up. “Jacob, this is Zachary, our wedding planner.”

“Hi,” I said, holding out my hand.

He hugged me warmly instead. “Well, look at you. What a gorgeous couple.” He was smiling almost proudly at the two of us. “As soon as we get her gown situation taken care of, you and I are going shopping for your tux. Your homework is to spend ten minutes thinking about what you’d like.. Grab some photos online.” He turned to Mia and gave her another quick hug. “Tomorrow is wedding gown day, and I’ll have a huge list of details that you’ll just have to skim and approve. Don’t forget your homework is to look at dresses tonight and make some notes. Have a great day, folks!”

After I closed the door behind him, I raised an eyebrow to Mia.

“I know,” she giggled. “He’s a bit over the top. Your mom insisted I meet with her event planner, but he’s amazing. He really listens, and he’s going to make this go a lot more smoothly.”

I gave her a little hug without thinking. “Whatever makes you happy.”

Her laughter shook against my chest. “Keep saying that all day long and this is going to be a great marriage.”

We went to sit on the couch. “I have to say, I’m a bit surprised that you gave in to my mother so easily.”

Her lips tightened for a moment. “I didn’t think I should protest. I mean, this is your family, the wedding is mainly for their benefit, and we’re trying to sell this whole thing. Whatever makes it seem more real, the better. Right?”

“Yes, but you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.”

The look she shot me was extremely odd. “Jacob, I’m basically your employee for the next year. You do realize that, right?”

My mouth fell open. “I… I don’t see it that way.”

“It’s okay,” she said quickly. “That’s just the way it is. But we might as well be open and honest about it.”

“I really didn’t think of it like that at all.”

“But it’s true. I’m playing a role so that you get a house and an early inheritance, and I’m earning a cut. I’m considering this my work. My job. With a hell of an annual salary. So if I have to play the part of the obedient daughter in law, or defer to some of your family traditions or whatever, that’s just something I’ll have to deal with.”

I found this strangely uncomfortable. “I don’t want you to be unhappy.”

She shrugged. “Every job has a few parts that make you feel proud and fulfilled, and some parts that are lousy work. Everyone has to scrub the toilet sometimes.” Her eyes flew wide when she realized what she had said.

“Dealing with my family is the equivalent of scrubbing the toilet?” I laughed, nearly doubling over.

She gave me a light smack on the shoulder, pretending to be annoyed. “You know what I meant.”

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