Page 69 of Always a Roommate
“That’s because it is.” But then, why couldn’t I make myself grab the cup? I handed Mariana my credit card, but she refused to take it. And still, I stared down, letting the aroma waft up, taking me back to that moment in time when I realized this smell would always mean something bad to me.
Someone who’d left.
I couldn’t drink it. “I’m sorry,” I said, turning on my heel and rushing back out to my car.
My hands didn’t stop shaking until I was halfway to The Beach Club. By the time I got there, I’d gathered my will to slide my cool, calm mask back into place. If I could keep it there during a hurricane, then walking into a room full of celebrities was no big deal.
Pushing out a breath, I stepped from the car and smoothed down my dress.
Inside, the lobby was quiet as it normally was, the clicking of my boots across the marble tile the only sound filling my ears. There was extra security at each of the halls and into the common areas of the members-only club.
The lady at the front desk looked me up and down, apparently deciding I belonged because she smiled. “Hello, may I help you?”
“I’m here to see Drew Stone and Lola Ramirez.”
She lifted a brow. “There’s no one here by those names.”
“Just tell them Rae Brooks is here.” I didn’t have time to be treated like a crazed fan trying to gain entrance into a rock star’s room to… steal his underwear or something.
Honestly, I wasn’t in the mood for any of it today.
They’d opted not to do a traditional rehearsal because of the added security they’d need for that on top of the wedding. So, today was it, the last time to make sure they knew how everything would proceed.
It was the home stretch, and I’d made it against impossible odds. A ridiculous timeline, a massive guest list, and security concerns I’d never handled before.
I was proud of myself. More than proud. For the first time, I didn’t question my abilities, my worthiness of this career. I belonged here.
“Rae?”
I turned at the sound of my name to find the two bridesmaids coming my way. Piper and Melanie looked elegant in their summer dresses—that also marked them as tourists. We Floridians had already packed away those clothes.
I pasted on a smile. “Ms. Evans, Ms. Snyder, it’s nice to see you.”
Piper gave me an understanding smile at the nervousness turning into formality. “It’s going to be a lot.”
Melanie laughed. “Understatement. Get the nerves out now. I deal with rock stars for a living, and even I can’t handle them all together very often. This is your deal today, though, so maybe they’ll listen to someone for once in their lives.”
I smiled at the note of affection in her voice. “Okay, let’s get this over with.”
They led me to the patio that had been closed except to members of the wedding party and family. Drew was standing among a gaggle of kids that looked like him. I’d seen his siblings around town.
Lola sat with the man I recognized as Ben Evans, and their laughter reached us.
Everyone else, from celebrities to family members to wait staff, chatted away like this day wasn’t huge, like we could just laze it away. I turned into business Rae, in-charge Rae, and clapped my hands.
No one noticed, so I raised them above my head and did it again. Finally, everyone turned, and talk died off. I smiled. “Hello, I’m Rae, the wedding planner, and we have a lot to accomplish.”
Noah Clarke, the bad boy turned adoring adoptive father, rested his chin in his hand. “And what do you want us to do, love?” There was syrup in his voice that almost made me go a little weak in the knees. This man knew what he was doing.
Melanie smacked him on the back of the head. “She’ll tell you if you shut your mouth.”
I stifled a smile that would have been unprofessional. “Okay, let’s get started.”
I had them line up for the processional in the center of the balcony where tables had been pushed to the side. We went through it all, making sure everyone knew their roles. Drew’s sister, the maid of honor, stopped at the edge of the balcony and stared down the beach.
“Hey, what’s going on down at the Hut?” She leaned out further for a better view.
I wasn’t sure if anyone answered her because I turned away and started shouting orders at the groomsmen, who’d started goofing off again.
