Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 72586 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72586 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
James pressed a soft kiss to my shoulder before stepping back to gather our clothes. I tried not to mourn the loss of his warmth as I pulled my dress back on.
"So," I said, still feeling pleasantly buzzed from what we'd just done. "I assume I don’t need to ask you not to tell any guests you technically just fucked the wedding planner while she was on duty?"
His movements froze. "You're the wedding planner?"
"Yeah. I thought you figured it out when the server asked for my help earlier," I smoothed down my hair, not noticing his change in demeanor. "But, yes. And this wedding is huge for me. If it goes well tomorrow, it could really launch my career. I mean, planning a destination wedding at an Irish castle? Talk about a dream gig. I was lucky to land these clients, so I have to make sure nothing goes wrong."
The temperature in the room seemed to drop ten degrees. When I looked up, James' face had gone carefully blank.
"James?" I stepped toward him, but he took a subtle step back. "Everything okay?"
"Fine." His voice was tight. "I just... I should go."
"Oh." I tried to ignore the sinking feeling in my stomach. "Well, maybe we could grab coffee tomorrow? Or if you're headed back to the States soon—"
"Emma." He ran a hand through his hair, looking anywhere but at me. "This was... but we can't..."
"Can't what?"
"Trust me," he said, voice rough. "After tomorrow, you're not going to want anything to do with me."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
He finally met my eyes, and the regret I saw there made my chest ache. "Just... I'm sorry. For what it's worth, I really am sorry."
Then he was gone, leaving me alone in the wine cellar with my ruined hair, swollen lips, and a growing sense of dread.
I touched my mouth, still tingling from his kisses, and tried to make sense of what just happened. But all I could think about was tomorrow's wedding and the way he'd said sorry—like he was apologizing for something he hadn't done yet.
I shook my head, forcing the thoughts away. I still had a million things to check before morning, a career-making wedding to coordinate, and a heart I needed to stop from doing stupid things like hoping.
Besides, I had nothing to worry about. I had meticulously and obsessively planned and prepared for every possible disaster. I was ready for whatever tomorrow threw at me.
4
EMMA
"Tell me you didn't sleep with him," Maggie said through the phone.
I adjusted my earpiece as I checked the flower arrangements in the castle's courtyard. "I didn't sleep with him."
"You're lying."
"I'm working." I bent to straighten a slightly crooked rose. Perfect.
"Emma Marshall, I've known you since college. I can hear your 'I totally got laid' voice from a mile away."
"I don't have a voice for that."
"You absolutely do. It's all breathy and dreamy, like you're starring in your little movie. Although, sometimes it’s a little shameful, like you just stopped and had gas station sushi and you know the consequences are coming sooner or later.”
I glanced around to make sure none of the staff could hear me. "Fine. Maybe something happened. And it was more like five Michellan stars than gas station sushi."
"I knew it!" Her squeal made me wince. "Details. Now. And does it even go to five stars? Nevermind, don’t care. Just tell me everything!"
"Can't. Too busy making sure this wedding goes perfectly." I checked my watch. Two hours until the ceremony. "But it was... intense."
"Intense in a good way?"
"Intense like I'm pretty sure I saw God. And…” I looked around, once more, cupping my hand over my mouth to hide the sound of my voice. “It was big enough to have its own zip code, so there’s that." I smiled at the memory, then forced myself to focus. "But it doesn't matter. He got weird afterward and basically ran away."
"Weird how?"
"Like cryptically apologetic weird. Said after today I wouldn't want anything to do with him."
"That's... concerning."
"Yeah, well, I have bigger things to worry about. Like making sure a few hundred guests don't notice that the florist sent coral peonies instead of blush ones."
"No one will notice that."
"The bride's mother will. That woman has the eye of a hawk." I moved toward the altar setup, mentally checking off items from my list. "She already complained about the thickness of the paper stock we used for the programs. The programs, Maggie. As if anyone keeps those longer than—"
I stopped short. James was there, talking to the bride's father. The charm he’d seemed to ooze yesterday was nowhere to be seen. He looked... tense. Grim, almost.
"Emma? You still there?"
"Yeah, sorry. Just..." I watched as James handed Mr. McNamara something that looked like an envelope. A chill ran down my spine, though I couldn't say why. "Hey, I should go. Ceremony starts soon."