Page 6 of An Italian Wedding Adventure

‘Since that was the final detail of the contract, Mr Coombs,’ Reshma continued, ‘we can probably wrap this up. Sophie is eager to pin down the arrangements for our first couple.’

She was going to kill Reshma – unless the ground opened up and mercifully swallowed her first.

‘What contract? What couple?’

Mr Coombs sent Andreas a quelling gesture and turned to Reshma. ‘Does that mean we’re in agreement? You’ll accept a clause protecting my employees?’

‘If you can convince them to work for me at weddings on occasion, then yes. Kira Watling and Toni Goschl will remain on staff.’

A huff of laughter erupted from Andreas and he drew up straight from his slump. ‘Kira? Working at a wedding? Are you joking?’

‘I’m sure Ms Watling will be more than capable,’ Reshma said smoothly, eyeing Andreas in a way that gave Sophie a fresh shot of admiration for her boss. ‘The fact remains that we have more clients than we can handle and Great Heart Adventures is not so fortunate. I was very much hoping to gain your support too, Mr Hinterdorfer, even though you’re only employed on a casual basis.’

Sophie drew her brows together. If Andreas was only casual, then she wouldn’t have to see him often. She couldn’t imagine him dealing with florists and caterers and fancy hotels and he’d surely refuse even if he was asked. Perhaps he’d just leave the business entirely. She could hope.

He looked ready to laugh again, but paused when he accepted that Reshma might be serious. ‘What do you needmefor?’

Reshma gave him an amused smile and Sophie was appalled to see how easily he’d disarmed her boss with a single, baffled look.

Sophie spoke up. ‘Reshma, I think Mr Hinterdorfer,’ it was so strange calling him by his surname, ‘is allergic to weddings.’

His gaze snapped to hers and Sophie’s breath stalled. That had been the wrong thing to say. The memory of their last conversation came alive between them. His expression was dark – unlike the mocking tone he’d used eight years ago – but that was probably because the news of the proposed merger had come as a nasty surprise.

‘She’s right,’ he rasped gruffly. ‘The only wedding I’ve ever attended was Toni’s and that was just the three of us.’

Sophie was annoyed to feel the spark of curiosity again at his mention of Toni, his voice softening over her name.

‘I don’tdoweddings.’ He glanced at his boss accusingly. ‘What’s going on? What does Great Heart have to do with weddings?’

‘Perhaps Sophie is the best one to explain,’ Reshma said in a diplomatic tone, but the alarmed glance he shot Sophie filled her with misgiving. He didn’t want to talk to her any more than she wanted to see him.

‘Reshma—’

‘Since she’s the one who made me realise there’s a market for an adventure wedding package.’

Oh, God. Andreas’s gaze had hardened to alpine granite and she wished she’d never mentioned anything about adventure weddings or Great Heart. Then Reshma continued speaking and all of Sophie’s hairs stood on end.

‘I understand you lead a tour to Lake Garda for Great Heart – one of the activities that reliably books out every year. As you will be able to help with our current clients quite specifically, Mr Hinterdorfer, perhaps you could clean up and then spare Sophie an hour of your time? You will be paid at your normal rate.’

No. Sophie couldn’t work with Andreas – especially not on a wedding, no matter how well he knew the area. She needed what little pride she had left.

‘I’m not the right person to help plan a wedding.’

‘Andreas,’ Willard Coombs said in a low voice. ‘You know bookings have been dire. Unless you want to fly home for two weeks and pick up some work in the Alps, I don’t have anything else for you right now. Maybe you should renegotiate your rate too, since I know you don’t charge me enough.’

Andreas shifted uncomfortably, glancing at the door behind which Toni, the receptionist, would be waiting.

‘I need to find sponsors for Manaslu – and train. I don’t— I can’t help with awedding.’ His wild glance was further evidence he was thinking back to Sophie’s naïve mistake years ago. The only blessing was that they’d broken contact so completely that he had no idea of Sophie’sothermarriage-related disaster.

‘We’re not asking you to get married yourself, Mr Hinterdorfer,’ Reshma commented, a hint of amusement in her expression as she obliviously made Sophie’s embarrassment complete.

‘Andreas, this could mean a way forward for Great Heart,’ Willard continued. ‘Perhaps theonlyway forward.’

Sophie stood, her spine thrumming with nerves. ‘Actually, I need to get back to Bath tonight. Perhaps we can arrange a call for next week.’ And in the meantime, she’d come up with an excuse for why she needed a different guide.

Andreas scraped his chair on the floor as he matched her stance. ‘Sophie,’ he said quietly, his emphasis on the wrong syllable sending memories ricocheting through her. ‘Come on.’ He made an irritatingly presumptive gesture for her to follow him and turned for the door.

‘What? Where?—?’

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