Page 73 of Never In My Wildest Dreams

“Yeah, that’s a pass on the goody bags. The guests can provide their own after-hours entertainment. It’s probably too soon to ask, but do we know how many guests we can expect?”

“Let me tell you something, Noa works fast. She’s canceled everything and reinvited the must-have people on their list. She’s thinking forty to fifty at the most.”

“Is she as upset as Ginty?” he asked.

“Oh, yeah. For sure. But mostly, she’s just protective of him and hates that his family would screw him over like this.”

“I like that. She’s just what he needs. How do you and Noa know each other?”

“I started out in country music, so I moved to Nashville when I was twelve. She and I were in the same music program together in high school. We drifted apart—hey,”—her voice got muffled as she talked to someone else—“you’re going to break it. Stevie, honey, no. Go see Grampa.” She came back on the line. “Sorry about that. It’s mayhem over here. Anyhow, we drifted apart because I went in a different direction, but we reconnected when I moved to Calamity and she started dating Ginty. I don’t have many people I can trust, but she’s one of the good ones.”

“Yeah, I get that. Once you hit a certain level of fame, you never know who wants you for yourself or your access.”

“Or money. But you can tell, you know? People think they’re so slick, but if you watch their expressions, you can tell.”

Slick. He hadn’t heard that word in a long time. Even after two and a half years, he still had a visceral reaction to it. It sent him back to the cabin. To Hellcat writhing beneath him. Her laughing. Dancing and whisper-singing.Fuck. He forced himself to snap out of it and return to the conversation. “What do you mean?” When the car finally hit Grand Central Parkway, traffic was at a crawl. But that was okay. He had plenty of time for the new flight. And he liked talking to her.

“I’ve learned to pay attention. People come on strong, and you think, wow, we’re really connecting. But it’s in the moments when they think you’re not watching that you see who they are. When they’re bitchy to the waitstaff, or when you look away and their smile disappears.”

“I know what you mean.” He wouldn’t tell her, but that was one of the ways he determined whether a potential client was a good fit. Everyone was friendly and on their best behavior when they wanted to sign with him, but it was how they behaved when they thought he wasn’t watching that mattered.

“And I want to give her a dream wedding. She deserves it. I don’t know how I’ll pull it off, but I’m going to.”

“Don’t forget I’m in this with you. I’m on my way to the airport right now, so as soon as I get to your place, we’ll divide and conquer.”

“I love that. Thank you. That makes me feel like we can really pull this off. We just have to make sure nothing gets leaked. The most important thing for this wedding is keeping it under wraps. Which is why I offered my place. Other than a deserted island, you can’t get more private.”

“That becomes dicey when we start hiring caterers, staff, and landscapers. Once we let the outside world in, the privacy’s over.”

“And that’s exactly why we’re doing everything ourselves. That’s why my dad and stepmom are on their way to Idaho Springs. They’re picking up tablecloths, sheets, blankets, soap dispensers…all the stuff. We’re not going to have any outsiders.”

“We’re cooking meals for forty people?” That didn’t sound feasible.

“I mean, if we have to. But I haven’t figured out all the details yet. I don’t know how well you know Calamity?—”

“I grew up there. I know it well.”

“Yeah, so, you know the locals couldn’t care less about celebrities,” she said.

“You just don’t want the paparazzi camping out in the woods with drones and flying over in helicopters.”

“That’s exactly right. It’s no secret I live here, and people are very respectful. Of course, it helps that I’ve retired and haven’t performed in three years, but still. I try to keep a low profile.”

“I got you. We’ll handle as much as we can ourselves. It’s just a wedding. A few nights. How hard can it be?”

“Well, we’re starting with nothing. Noa can’t wear her wedding dress because the designer shipped it directly to the resort.”

Okay, that was a problem. “I hadn’t thought of that.”

“As soon as I get off the phone with you, I’m calling a well-known designer who lives in town. She makes dresses to die for. It’ll have to be off the rack, but hopefully, she can make quick alterations and turn it into Noa’s dream dress.”

“When you have a minute, make a list. That way, I can take some things off your hands.”

“Let’s forever remember this as the moment I fell madly in love with you. Thank you for that.Hey.” Again, she lowered the phone. “And this is why we can’t have nice things.” Her voice was muffled as she spoke to someone else. “Here, can you take this? Thanks.” She came back to him with an exaggerated sigh. “You sure you want to join my circus?”

“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

And strangely, he meant it.

---