Page 79 of Crazy Rich Cajuns

“Or Governor.”

“Ken—”

There was a sudden loud knock at the door.They both froze.Kennedy lifted her head.Bennett covered his face with his hand.

“Nooo,” he groaned.

“Bennett?”

It was Maria.Kennedy rolled away from him, clutching her towel around her.Well, crap.

“Not now, Mom!”Bennett called.

“Yes.Now.It’s an emergency.”

With a muttered curse, Bennett sat up, pulling his towel around his waist.He started for the door but stopped to look back at Kennedy.“This negotiation isn’t over.”

She laughed.“I’ll bring my argument to this table any time.”

Bennett blew out a breath and went to answer the door.

“Bennett, I—” Kennedy heard Maria start.Then an, “Oh.”

“Just took a shower, Mom.What’s up?”

“The catering truck for tonight turned over on the highway.Everything is ruined.We’ll have to cancel tonight.Can you help me make calls?”

Kennedy got out of bed, making sure the towel was tight around her, and moved in behind Bennett.Out of Maria’s line of sight.

“Calm down,” Bennett told his mother.“There has to be something else.”

“I’ve called two other companies.No one can do it on such short notice.”

Maria didn’t sound good.But there was no way Kennedy was going to risk peeking at her.Or even coming out from behind Bennett.

“Well, then we’ll…figure something else out,” he told his mother.“Can we just do cocktails or something?Everyone will understand.”

“I am not throwing adinner partywithoutdinner, Bennett,” Maria replied coolly.“And there’s no way Melinda is prepared to make a meal of this size for this many people.”

“How many people?”Bennett asked.

“Fifty.”

“Well, let’s order pizza,” he suggested.

“You want to orderpizza?”Maria asked.“For your father’s retirement party?”

Kennedy rolled her eyes.It was a solution.It just wasn’t a great one.

All they needed was a bunch of great food and…that was really all they needed.Her family had been throwing parties for fifty or more every weekend for years.Okay, and beer.That was a staple.

“Pizza is good,” Bennett was saying.“Everyone likes pizza.And we can get… salad.”

Kennedy sighed.“Crawfish boil.”

He glanced over his shoulder.Then her words sank in and he grinned.He reached for her wrist and pulled her around.To face his mother.

“Kennedy,” Maria said with a sigh.

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