Page 3 of Heartless

“No?”

“A deal’s a deal. You let us have my sister’s wedding here, and I agreed to plan five weddings in exchange. For free.”

“And why on earth would you want to work for free?”

She stared at me like I’d just said something unbelievably stupid. “Do you have any idea what planning Annie Foster’s wedding would do for a wedding planner’s career?”

I rolled my eyes. “I couldn’t care less.”

“Well, I care. And I want that for myself.”

“What about your clients in New York?”

“What about them?”

“You’re just going to ditch them to come here for one wedding?”

“Not just a wedding. Annie Foster’s wedding.”

I rubbed my forehead, feeling a headache forming.

“Look. Let’s make a new deal. I’m willing to pay.” Her eyes widened, but I pressed on. “How much for you to tell Annie The Gemstone doesn’t suit her celebrity status?”

Madison shook her head, a sly smile spreading across her face. “Are you trying to bribe me, Mr. Wilson? I guess we’re not so different after all.” She paused, her smile widening. “I see you’ve got a new PA. Do I have something to do with that?”

Her smug look told me she already knew the answer.

“The last one gave you my number. I don’t work with people I don’t trust. And in case you’re wondering, you’re firmly in that category. Tell Annie this place isn’t good enough for her.”

Madison sighed and glanced around the garden. “But it kind of is. Besides, you want to please your clients, right? I want the same thing. And make no mistake, Annie Foster is my client now. She wants to get married here, and I’m going to make that happen.”

I shook my head, disbelief creeping into my voice. “That last sentence sounds familiar, but I think you got the ending wrong.”

“Bark all you want, Wilson, but we both know you don’t just say no to Annie Foster. You need me to do it for you, and I’m not interested in that development.”

“And what development are you interested in?”

“I’m interested in making Annie’s dreams come true. And once that happens, I’ll have all five weddings we agreed on lined up. Every woman who can afford it will want to get married where Annie Foster did. You know how this works.”

I knew how things worked, but Madison’s true motivation was still a mystery to me.

She mistook my silence for a defeat and smiled. “Don’t worry. We do these five weddings, and I’ll be out of your hair. The only reminder I was ever here will be in your bank account.”

When it came to weddings, there were more important things to me than profit.

“I’ll make every second you spend on my property a living hell,” I warned.

She chuckled. “Yeah, sure. You’re a real badass. With your custom-made suits and manicured nails,” she said, glancing at my hands. “I bet you come up with your most devious plans in the spa.”

Her self-satisfied smile made my blood boil. “I’ll call Becca and let her know we’re moving forward with the wedding.” She turned to walk away, but stopped. “Who should I contact if I have questions?”

“Me,” I said through clenched teeth. “You must be insane if you think I’ll let you anywhere near my staff.”

“Fine,” she said with a grin. “You’ll be the one with the headache.”

Of that, I had no doubt.

Chapter Two

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