Page 5 of Love and Loathing

“You don’t have to tell me. I’m your partner. And friend or not, I never would’ve partnered with you if I didn’t think you knew what you were doing.” Charlie patted Alex’s shoulder. “It’s going to work out. It always does.”

Alex grinned at Charlie, the eternal optimist, as they finally hit the lobby. “If you say so.”

“Now, I have an idea I want to run past you.” They reached the front doors and Charlie pushed it open, letting Alex go first.

They stepped into the cool but sunny day, and Alex took a deep breath. “Can it wait until after the wedding? I can only handle so much in one day.”

“Sure thing, partner.” Charlie chuckled.

Chapter 3

Jessie and Caroline made their way inside the Grand Marina resort and came to an abrupt halt. It was like a whole new world in here. A large gold-and-crystal chandelier hung from the middle of the twenty-foot-high ceiling. Palm trees sat in every corner of the room. A large fountain bubbled water from where it sat underneath the chandelier, shining fractals of light across the room. The floor was a cream-colored marble, and the fanciest wicker furniture Jessie had ever seen scattered the room. In contrast to the frigid temperatures outside, it was hot and humid in here. Their winter jackets now smothered them in heat. The entire place had a very upper-class safari feel to it—if there was even such a thing. The sounds of running water and, oddly, birds chirping filled the space.

“Wow!” the sisters said at the same time.

“I looked this place up online,” Jessie said, “but the images there really didn’t do it justice.”

Caroline’s jaw hung slack. “Holy Toledo.” She looked at her dress. “Are we dressed right for this?”

Jessie stared between her dress and Caroline’s. Both were church dresses. She swallowed. “Of course we dressed right. We’re in our best Sunday dresses.” At least, she hoped that was right.

Caroline grabbed the red cotton of her flowery dress and squeezed it at her sides.

Jessie glanced around. On their far left was a concierge desk, made from the same marble as the floor, that stretched a third the length of the room in the middle. There were halls to both the right and left of it. Straight ahead and past the fountain was a greenhouse. The door sat open, and from here Jessie could see the stone path leading in surrounded by walls of green and bright tropical flowers.

To her right was the dining hall. Both places had big signs out front reading: Beaumont/Hayes wedding. She pointed. “Looks like the ceremony will be in the greenhouse, and the reception will be in the hall over there.” She nodded at her sister to follow her and made her way to the front desk. After announcing their arrival and handing over their coats, they waited for the hotel’s wedding planner.

A few minutes later, a woman in a pale gray, nearly white suit came out from an office in the back and around the counter. She wore three-inch heels, was tall and skinny like a supermodel, had her brunette hair pulled back in a twist, and had on a name tag that read: Paige. She stopped in front of Jessie and Caroline and extended her hand. “Hi, my name’s Paige. I’m the wedding planner for the Beaumont/Hayes wedding. You must be—”

Jessie took her hand. “Jessie Winslow, the videographer.” The woman had a firm grip.

“Of course. Nice to meet you, Miss Winslow.” Paige turned her friendly gaze on Caroline and extended her hand to her as Jessie shook hers out behind her back. “And you are?”

“I’m Caroline, Jessie’s sis—assistant.” She smiled. “I’m here to help with whatever she needs.”

Jessie gave Caroline the side-eye but said nothing.

Paige clasped her hands in front of her chest. “Excellent. If you ladies will follow me, I’ll show you where the ceremony is going to take place, where the best vantage points are for filming, and then I’ll show you the banquet hall where the reception is going to be.”

Paige headed off, and Jessie and Caroline followed, both practically going into a two-step to keep up and giggling as they did.

“Assistant?” Jessie whispered.

Caroline leaned closer. “I was intimidated by her handshake. I think she broke some bones in my palm.”

“Right?” Jessie shook her hand again.

“I thought she’d be more impressed withassistantthansister.”

Jessie chuckled. “Wimp.”

“I am. I know I am.” Caroline blushed. “Just don’t tell her that.”

* * *

All decked out in his suit, Alex grabbed his wallet and room key from the hall table in his suite and headed out. Guests would be arriving now, and he wanted to find Charlie before Roxy foundhim. She’d sent him a series of texts last night asking if he had a date for the wedding and, if he didn’t, suggesting they stick together to act as buffers against those seeking autographs.

Alex stepped on the elevator and hit the button for the lobby. He’d been torn about what to do. On the one hand, he’d already had a couple of run-ins with overly enthusiastic fans today, but on the other hand, Roxy wanted to date him, and that wasn’t in the cards for them. He didn’t want to hurt her, so spending the night using her as a shield seemed unkind. Though the woman was relentless. He’d been trying to put her off for nearly two decades without much success.

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