Page 81 of Once Upon a Holidate
“It doesn’t take three years to get settled.”
His gaze was steady. “I’m not opposed to marriage. Are you?”
She fought against the urge to put a little distance between them. Somehow the conversation had gone in a direction she hadn’t expected.
“I’m not,” she said softly.
“Good to know. Now I’m going to suggest we go watch some TV before we both feel this has gotten too awkward.”
She laughed and stood up. “Any suggestions on what kind of show?”
“Maybe a medical drama.”
“Not a reality show about fashion?”
He smiled. “I hear chunky heels are making a comeback.”
“Do you even know what a chunky heel is?”
“No, but it sounded good, didn’t it?”
Chapter Fourteen
Joylyn didn’t know what to expect from the wedding consultation. She knew time was tight, and Holly would have to take what could be put together in days rather than weeks or months. When she and Chandler had planned their wedding, they’d taken almost a year. She and her mother had gone over every detail, and the day had been exactly as she’d dreamed it would be.
She arrived at Weddings Out of the Box right on time. Wynn arrived seconds later and parked next to her. They walked in together, passing several decorated Christmas trees and a dozen or so freestanding, six-foot-tall candy canes.
“I’m looking forward to this,” Wynn said. “All my friends are in the wedding business, but I rarely get involved in the actual planning. Maybe one or two weddings a year. This is going to be fun.”
“I know Holly’s excited,” Joylyn said. “I hope we’re able to make the day special for her. It’s really last minute.”
Wynn smiled. “Renee knows how to work a miracle. I think you’re going to be pleased with what she’s pulled together.”
They walked into the conference room. It was plain, witha long table and a large video screen at one end. Renee was already there, looking pulled-together in a beautiful dark green suit. Her thick, long, red hair was pulled back in a ponytail. She smiled when she saw them.
“Hi. I think I have everything ready. It’s been a whirlwind, that’s for sure.” She waved to the empty chairs. “Have a seat and we’ll get started.”
Joylyn and Wynn sat across from her. Renee typed on her laptop and the screen lit up, showing the same view as her computer. She dialed a number and they connected with Holly. The screen on the wall split, showing Holly on one half and the display from Renee’s computer on the other.
Joylyn waved at her friend. “Hi! I can’t believe we’re doing this. Are you excited?”
“I am.” Holly smiled. “Rex and I are so happy we’re going to have a real wedding.”
“You are,” Renee said with a laugh. “I’m Renee by the way. Nice to see you in person, Holly.”
“Nice to see you, too.”
“This is Wynn,” Joylyn said, pointing to her. “She’s my dad’s neighbor. She’s the one who suggested checking with Renee about putting on the wedding.”
Wynn waved. “Nice to meet you.”
“Now that everyone has met,” Renee said, opening her tablet, “let’s get busy with planning. Holly, are we still at fifty guests?”
“Yes. That number is firm. Joylyn is going to be my attendant. It’s more complicated for Rex.” Holly grinned. “He has five Marines who are going to be co–best men. So we’ll need room for them there.”
Joylyn looked at Wynn and Renee. “They all served together and they’re like brothers. Ben S, John, Ben Z, Peter and Will.”
“We will make that happen.” Renee typed on her tablet. “So let’s talk about the overall structure of the day. We have a large room that we can easily partition. We’ll use part of it for the ceremony and part for the reception. For the ceremony with fifty guests, we’ll do a center aisle, with say seven rows of ten chairs. I know that gives us more seating than you’ll need, but sometimes people like to leave a seat empty.”
