Page 31 of Champagne Fizz

“Are you saying that Arie’s jealous?”

“You’re her best friend,” Esme points out. “And you’re her business partner. She’s used to being the alpha female in your life. Be honest, has she ever liked it when you’ve dated anyone?”

“She likes it when I mess around,” I say, thinking back. “But yeah, she becomes a royal B when things get more serious.”

“Exactly,” Esme says quietly, letting that sink in.

I look at the waves crashing against the shore and the tourists running through the surf carefree. This is paradise. This is where you’re supposed to forget your life back home and imagine something more. And yet all I’ve been imagining is Flambé and the next steps for this business.

“You’re saying Arie’s going to turn into the uber-dragoness-from-Hell if I flirt with Kendall? That’s the wedding planner,” I clarify.

“If you really like Kendall,” Esme says, “then what Arie wants doesn’t really matter. In fact, Arie should be supporting you. But yes, my sister is my sister. Plus, there’s the fact that Kendall is in charge of Ned and Olivia’s wedding, so if you don’t want Arie inciting full-fledged villagers with pitchforks and houses burning, then maybe wait till after Ned and Olivia tie the knot. Just to keep the peace.”

That’s solid advice and exactly what I needed to hear this morning.

“Thanks, Esme,” I say, nodding. “You have a way of putting things in perspective.”

“Arie can be a landmine, but under it all are good intentions.”

“No, you’re right. It’s not about me or Arie. It’s about Ned and Olivia,” I agree, seeing the Atlantis coming into view ahead. “Thank you. Hey, in all seriousness, are you and Desmond good? Can I return this favor with some inside scoop on manhood?”

Esme laughs. “We’re awesome, but thanks. I’ll remember that should I need someone to talk to.”

“Deal,” I promise.

“By the way,” Esme inquires. “When is the wedding? Maybe it’s presumptuous of me to think we’d get an invitation, but we haven’t heard anything.”

“Oh, it’s May 28th,” I share. “I think there’s been some tension around Connor and Ned’s family, especially their father. No one’s gotten an invite yet.”

“That’s soon,” Esme points out.

“Yes,” I agree. “Hence Arie’s stressed and tensions are high. But I’ll put you on the guest list, plan to come if you want to.”

“Are you really in a position to invite me to someone else’s wedding?” Esme jokes.

“You know Arie would do it,” I reply.

“True!” She giggles. “You’re definitely spending too much time around Arie if you’re starting to think like her. I love her, we all do, but sometimes she needs reigning in.”

“Wise words,” I say, nodding. “Thanks again.”

“Talk to you later, Simon,” Esme says, hanging up.

I head toward the Atlantis with a spring in my step, knowing I need to keep things focused. If I do what’s best for Ned and Olivia, the rest will fall in line.

Simple.

7

KENDALL

I’m sitting in my office staring at Hawaii’s most premier wedding magazine, and who is on the cover?

Veronica West—my old boss.

The boss who fired me and said I’d never make it in this business.

And it’s not just a featured wedding by Veronica West that’s on the cover. Oh no, it’s the Wicked-Wedding-Planner-of-the-West Veronica herself who’s on the cover. She’s standing in her non-descript black dress, smiling broadly at the camera like she’s the world’s answer to your wedding planning dreams. Correction, she fake smiles at the camera, and if you look close enough her skin might flicker with a hint of green as her true witchy colors shine through.

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