Page 13 of A Happy Endings Wedding
Josh raised a brow at her in question.
“You can use it,” she told Lucy. “And send me a copy. I’d like to frame that.”
Josh grinned.
Once they were all settled back in the room, Evelyn said, “Everyone loves to hear the story of how the happy couple met. How was it for you two?”
Hailey glanced at Josh, who clamped his mouth shut. Thank God he was letting her tell her version. Frenemies who got out of hand was not the image she wanted to convey to the world. She turned to Evelyn. “We actually work just across the street from each other in Clover Park. I work out of Ludbury House for my wedding planning business, and Josh owns the Happy Endings bar. Over time, we grew closer. He took some cooking classes offered at night at Ludbury House, it’s owned by the town and frequently hosts community events, and I met friends at his bar, so we talked quite a bit over two years or so, and we had a lot of connections that brought us in frequent contact at parties and special occasions. I’m close with his sister, his dad married my mom, and some of my friends are married to his brothers. He has a big family.”
“Your dad married her mom?” Evelyn asked Josh.
“Yup.” Josh didn’t elaborate. He could be very reserved, especially with people he didn’t know, and Hailey was immensely grateful in this instance.
“That’s brilliant!” Evelyn exclaimed. “So you’re actually her stepbrother.”
Crap. Why had she said their parents were married? On the other hand, it would be obvious when their parents arrived tomorrow. Hailey resembled her mom, and all of the Campbell sons took after their dad. It was impossible to hide it, especially with how revoltingly lovey-dovey their parents were with each other.
Josh frowned, his voice sharp. “It’s not like that. We found each other long before our parents got involved.”
Evelyn beamed. “Your love was contagious. Mr. and Mrs. Second Generation! Love redux! No, Happy Ever After Redux!” She waved airily. “I’ll think on the phrasing.” She leaned forward. “I’d dearly love to interview them too.”
Hailey shifted uneasily, not liking the direction this was going. Not only the weirdness of the stepbrother thing, her mom was the worst oversharer. She shuddered to think what might come out of her mouth. Probably something about how great Joe was in bed and the apple must not fall far from the tree. “They’re not here yet. I’m not sure there will be time, but I’ll run it by them.”There will definitely not be time.
“I’d prefer to keep them out of it,” Josh said.
Evelyn pressed on. “But our readers would love to hear how two generations have connected. Did you two help bring them together?” She winked. “A little matchmaking?”
“I’d prefer to keep them out of it,” Josh repeated.
Hailey nodded once. “I think that’s best. They’re very private people. In any case, your readers might like to hear about our first date. Josh is a gourmet cook and he prepared a delicious steak dinner for me at his place.” She leaned forward, sharing the best part. “He even prepared some steak for my little Rose.” Rose popped up from the floor at her name and jumped onto Hailey’s lap. Max leapt onto Josh’s lap. She casually checked Rose’s stomach, feeling for ring-shaped lumps.
Evelyn inclined her head. “Okay, so no parents.” She wagged her finger. “Though I’m quite sure there’s a story there. We’ll circle back to that.”
“We’re done with that,” Josh said in a voice that brooked no argument.
“Mmm,” Evelyn murmured noncommittally. “So how’s the wedding shaping up? I couldn’t help but notice the abundance of wildlife in the palace.”
“Damn furries,” Josh muttered.
“It’s no problem,” Hailey chirped, sending Josh a stealthplease leave this to melook. He looked back at her brows raised likewhat?
She considered how to address the other wedding without throwing Bonnie under the bus. Phillip needed Bonnie at this early stage of building their client list. “It turns out there are two weddings on Saturday due to a mix-up. There were extenuating circumstances with the other wedding, but everything has been worked out. My wedding will be in the chapel at seven followed by the reception in the ballroom, until dawn if we want, though I confess I’ll probably be in bed by midnight.”
Josh squeezed her hand. “It is our wedding night.”
Evelyn smiled. “So everything’s right as rain? I heard there were a few hiccups.”
Hailey stiffened. Had Evelyn overheard Hailey’s freak-out in the hallway, or was everyone talking about this? There were a lot of servants around, who probably heard everything. Ugh. This was supposed to be the wedding of the century highlighted in all its glory in the glossy pages ofLuxury Weddings, not the wedding from hell.
“I took care of the flower problem,” Josh said. “Everything’s fine.”
Hailey chimed in as cheerfully as possible. “Flowers were slightly delayed. No problem at all.”
“How is the gown?” Evelyn asked. “We’d love to get pictures of you in it ahead of time.”
“It’s here,” Josh said.
Hailey smiled tightly. “Of course it’s here. And I’d love to show you tomorrow.”
