Page 34 of Marry Me

“Amy on standby.” A pause. “Send Amy. Thank you,” Megan said quietly into her headset from the back of the church as she watched the second bridesmaid begin her procession, as instructed by Cade, who had the door. “Sienna on standby. That’s a go for Sienna.”

“Copy,” Cade said in her ear just moments before Sienna emerged, perfectly spaced from Amy. She loved working weddings with Cade. Their communication was seamless, and the women adored his good looks and warmth. He’d been handed more than a few bridesmaids’ phone numbers in his time with Soiree, but she knew she could depend on him to behave with professionalism at all times.

Megan proceeded to call the rest of the wedding before joining the formal photo session after, as Cade went ahead to the Dallas Museum of Art to be sure all was on track for the guests’ arrival at the reception. Staying true to the promise she made herself, Megan remained focused on the many details she had to manage and kept her mind from wandering too much. So far, so good.

“Thank you, Megan,” Kristine—the bride—said, just beforehopping in the rented Rolls for her ride to the museum, the venue she’d always imagined herself getting married in. She and Matthew, the groom, had been ideal clients, bubbling over with happiness. “I’d be a disaster without you here.”

“I’m not so sure about that. But you focus on enjoying yourself, and we’ll handle the rest.”

Kristine beamed like a person who’d just married the love of her life and now had a fantastic party ahead of her. All was as it should be.

Thirty minutes later, Megan arrived at the reception and organized Kristine, Matthew, and their wedding party for their big entrance, which played out beautifully. Now she and Cade had a few minutes to relax as the guests were served their meal. Though she’d been invited to the sit-down dinner, Megan always preferred to eat after. Comfort food on her couch late at night was part of her post-wedding ritual along with a good glass of bourbon-barrel-aged red. Helped her unwind and celebrate a job well done. Maybe tonight, she’d pick up some of those sinful nachos at a drive-through and add the extra cheese.

“Things seem under control,” Cade said. The signature cocktail—the cranberry cuddle—flowed, and the band played music mellow enough for dinner. Another fabulous wedding almost in the books.

“You want to do a lap to make sure the kitchen is ready for the cake cutting?” she asked Cade. “I want to press on just as soon as our couple is finished with their meal.”

“I’m on it.”

She turned and found herself face-to-face with a grinning guest. “You’re Megan Kinkaid, right?”

She smiled back at the beautiful woman whose dress she recognized as Dior. Something about her was familiar. Why was that? “Yes, I am. Nice to meet you.”

“Betsy Hascomb. You’re planning my sister’s wedding, and we are just so excited about it.”

“Oh, fantastic. Who is your sister?”

“Allison Hale. Though it might be the Carmichael name that jogs your memory.”

She went still but held her smile. “No need to jog my memory. Allison is great.” She refrained from informing Betsy that she would no longer be planning the wedding. It wasn’t her place. “How is she?”The question was out of her mouth before her brain had a chance to censor itself.

“She’s fantastic and just over the moon about the engagement, as you surely know. She’s right over there, actually, at table nine. You should say hello.”

Megan went still, blinked, and followed Betsy’s gaze across the large room where she glimpsed Allison in a simple black cocktail dress. Her heart rate escalated without permission. Her mouth went dry. Her heart literally hurt. “Oh. I didn’t see her at the ceremony.”

“She just arrived. Work thing. Some kind of kids’ carnival. Kristine was really more my friend growing up, but Ally would run along after us, and I suppose that was enough to score her a bonus invitation.”

Megan’s heart rate still hadn’t settled. She didn’t see Brent, and as if reading her thoughts, Betsy chimed in, “Brent probably had a board meeting or something. He’s got so much on his plate in his VP role at BeLeaf.”

“I can only imagine.”

“Well, I’ll let you get back to it,” Betsy said. “I know you’re fabulous at what you do.”

“Thank you,” Megan said, her eyes still trained across the room.

As the night played on, she kept herself focused on all that needed to be done, but she also made sure to give Ally space. Megan was always aware of where she was in the room, whether she wanted to be or not. Luckily, it helped her keep her distance. They’d agreed to stay away from each other, and the last thing she wanted was to ruin Allison’s evening. Though hers no longer felt so great.

Just as Kristine and Matthew began their first dance, and the romance in the room swelled, Allison appeared at her elbow. “Hi.”

Megan exhaled. “Hey. I had no idea I’d be seeing you tonight, and that’s the honest truth.” Damn those blue eyes and how wonderful it was to see them.

“I know. I never mentioned I had a wedding to attend. But here we are.” The soft tendrils of blond hair that framed her face from the updo were gorgeous, as was the dress or, rather, how Ally looked in it. “It’s really good to see you.”

Megan’s heart clenched. “It is? Well, good to see you, too,” she said conservatively and then pretended to scan the room for any sort of wedding planner alert.

“Could we maybe steal some time to talk?”

“Tonight? Probably not. I’ve got my hands full.” What was happening?

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