Page 134 of Champagne Fizz

It’s wedding day!

Mrs. Voss has been on the other side of the island for the last two nights. Naomi let her stay in her parents’ beach house, and she agreed to distract Mrs. Voss with spa treatments. I even heard Esme and Desmond made an appearance for afternoon tea. Nothing keeps an angry mother-in-law distracted better than a sexy television star who makes house calls.

I rap on Flambé’s locked door, praying someone’s here to let me in. Becca’s coming with the flowers in the next hour, plus I don’t want the mountain of decorations I just hauled from the elevator to sit in the sun. We can’t have melted candles and wilted centerpieces.

“What in the world are you wearing?” I turn to see Simon exiting the elevator and pointing at my dress. I’m wearing a classic little black dress with cap sleeves and a professional silhouette. Apprehension and relief shoot through me at the sight of Simon, especially with that flirty smile on his lips.

“You can’t believe I own a garment that’s not neon rainbow, can you?” I throw back.

Simon shakes his head, walking up to the front door of Flambé and unlocking it. “But seriously, who died?”

“Ha ha,” I say dryly.

“It’s a wedding, not a funeral, Kendall!”

“People wear black to weddings,” I say defensively, picking up one of my boxes as he props the door open. “It’s classy.”

“Black on other people is classy,” Simon concedes. “But on you? I’m nervous you’re about to have a mental breakdown when I see you in black.”

“I’m the wedding planner,” I defend. “I have to wear something that’s elegantandfunctional to work in.” I put my box down past the main entrance and come back out for the next one. “Plus,I’mnot supposed to stand out on wedding day.”

“It’s impossible for younotto stand out,” Simon says in a tone that sends a shiver up my back.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I frown at him, trying to cover for the way Lady Lada is overreacting, and Simon picks up one of my boxes and gives me a sexy smile. His eyes glitter behind his horn rim glasses, and a second flush of warmth rushes through my limbs. “No flirting!” I admonish.

“All I said was ‘who died?’ That’s not flirting.” Simon walks past me, using the box to keep us apart.

“You know what I mean!”

“And even in that dress, you know whatImean,” Simon says, full grin, shrugging like I ought to accept the fact that men are going to notice me—even in black.

“Veronica West says one should be invisible during the wedding as to not distract from the event.”

“Well, Veronica West isn’t designing this wedding,” Simon replies. “And the last time I checked, she was a power-hungry witch whose opinion you’d happily clean dog poo off your boots with.” That makes me smile. “I’d prefer to hear you quote Sue Blade, instead of the employer who made you feel like you’re no good at this.” He motions to my boxes of décor.

“Are you saying you’re becoming a Sue Blade fan?” I ask in mock surprise.

“Let’s not go crazy,” Simon jokes. “Blade’s the lesser of two evils.”

“Typical,” I toss back, bending over to pick up another box.

“Oh, you don’t need to get those,” Simon says, pointing over my shoulder. I turn to see half a dozen Flambé employees coming out of the elevator. I look to Simon inquisitively. “Extra hands to help this morning,” Simon explains. “They can move your boxes and do the heavy lifting. If you want design help, you’ve got it. If you’d prefer to be the artist setting up your masterpiece alone, that’s fine too. The point is, if you need anything, we’re here.”

“You didn’t need to do that,” I say, my chest feeling tight.

“You’re right,” he agrees. “But if we can make this day less stressful for you—and for Ned and Olivia—then we’ll do it. Everyone’s here to pitch in.”

I look through his crew, who are all nodding in agreement.

“Wow, thank you,” I say, a little choked up. “That’s just—that’s really wonderful.”

“Kendall’s in charge,” Simon announces, stepping up to address the group. “What she needs, we do. When Arie gets here, please send her to me. And if Arie contradicts Kendall at any time today, just remember Kendall has the last word. We don’t want any drama for Olivia and Ned, and we all know Arie loves drama—” I hear several whispers of confirmation from the staff. “—but today we aren’t having any of that. If you’re not sure about something come talk to Kendall or me—not Connor, not Arie, and especially not Olivia. Got it?”

Simon’s employees nod in agreement, and I’m impressed with his command over them.

“Alright, Weddings with Hart,” Simon motions for me to step forward. “What do you need?”

I’m overwhelmed by this gesture. Simon knew how stressed out I was and here he is swooping in like Superman—first to help with Mrs. Voss, and now this. I want to run over and kiss him, because my heart is ballooning.

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