Page 26 of Among the Stars

Chapter Seven

If the giantknot in her stomach was any indication, this was not going to be a fun day.

Veronica spent the previous night marveling over the magnificence that was Cameron Rhodes’ smile. If he ever unleashed that lethal weapon on the general population, women (and plenty of men) would be swooning for days. Ovaries would be bursting in the streets. Mass pandemonium would ensue.

But Cam didn’t flash that smile to everyone. He’d only shown it to her. Quite accidentally by his reaction. The dimples had been the clincher. Not that there hadn’t been a hint of them when he talked, or even grimaced, but in full force? Devastating.

“We really appreciate this, Ronnie,” Jesse said as they followed a petite server down the hall toward Cam’s office. “I don’t know what we’d have done without you.”

Veronica didn’t dislike Jesse. She didn’t even know her, really. She knew of her, thanks to the mostly unflattering gossip that had circulated through the grapevine for the last year. Only recently did the truth come out that a former industry player who’d taken offense to her rebuff of his advances had set out to destroy her reputation and career. No one deserved that, and Jesse earned a certain level of respect for surviving the attack.

“You don’t have to thank me,” Veronica said, stepping aside once they reached the office door so that Ash and Jesse could enter first. “Your impending fame and popularity is what sealed the deal. I just explained the potential benefits of being the venue for Jesse Gold’s wedding.”

“My impending fame?” the younger woman asked.

“I’ve heard some of the cuts on the album, and Shooting Stars has a proven track record.” The songs were killer, and Veronica couldn’t help but admire the woman’s talent. “As Ash suggested when he asked for my help, your life is about to change. For the crazier.”

Jesse glanced up at Ash with an almost comical expression.

“I told you she likes you,” Ash said.

Veronica wouldn’t go that far. Yet.

They all stepped inside, and the waitress said, “Do you need anything else, sir?”

“We’re good, Lori, thanks.” Coming around the desk, Cam crossed straight to Veronica and placed a quick kiss on her lips before turning to Ash and Jesse. “Congratulations to the both of you. This is a new experience for Rhodes Tavern, but we’ll do whatever we can to meet your needs.”

Jesse stared as if transfixed, and Veronica was a bit dazed herself.

“Thank you so much for letting us use this place,” Ash said, extending a hand.

“Happy to help,” Cam replied, accepting the greeing. “We’ve not done standard catering before so I had the chef write something up. Let’s have a seat and get started.”

The foursome crossed the large space, Cam holding Veronica’s hand the whole way, and leading her to a chair beside his own behind the desk. She felt as if she’d been granted a seat beside the Iron Throne. Once Ash and Jesse settled on the other side, he handed them each a sheet of paper.

“These are the food options,” Cam said, “though some depend on the number of guests. Do you have a number yet?”

Ash looked to Jesse, who was still staring, open-mouthed at Cam. The poor girl. She’d been Cam’d, and he hadn’t even smiled at her.

Clearing his throat, Ash nudged his bride with his knee. She snapped her mouth shut and said, “What?”

To his credit, Ash laughed. “We spent last night making calls, and right now, we’re looking at one hundred and thirty.”

“You said one hundred,” Veronica cut in. They didn’t need to push the fire code limits and endanger Cam’s club.

“I said around one hundred.”

“It’s fine.” Cam patted her knee, then left his hand there. “We have the capacity for that. Would you prefer buffet or plated?”

“Buffet?” Jesse said, her eyes on Ash for confirmation.

“Ronnie and I had a buffet, and that worked fine.”

Cam’s grip tightened on her knee. “I’m sorry. Who’s Ronnie?”

As if he hadn’t already figured that out. Ash had the decency to blush. Bringing up his first wedding, while talking about his second, with both brides in attendance, was a bit tactless. He was nervous and stressed so Veronica gave him a pass, but Cam seemed less willing to ignore the faux pas.

“That’s Veronica. I call her Ronnie.”

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