Page 16 of A Happy Endings Wedding
“See what I mean?” Judith asked Rob. “Lemme see. You got it, right?”
Rob showed her his digital camera screen, and they both looked pleased.
Judith lowered her voice. “So I heard there’s been a change of plans. Your wedding was pushed back by a kangaroo wedding?”
Hailey spoke in her most professional tone. “I rearranged the time due to a scheduling mix-up with the new wedding planner here. She’s still quite green, but I’m hoping after working with her tomorrow, she’ll get up to speed. In any case, the other wedding will be completed long before mine, and everything will proceed as scheduled. I can’t wait for you to see my gown for the photo shoot tomorrow.”
“Those furries are hysterical,” Rob said. “I got the best picture of the bride and groom feeding each other ice chips.”
Hailey’s brows shot up. “You’re not featuring them too, are you?”
“It’s priceless,” Rob said.
Judith shook her head. “Your wedding is the feature. They’ll be in a sidebar, probably only in the online version of the magazine. No worries! Just enjoy your special day.”
Hailey nodded, her gut churning. Sharing the spotlight with a furry wedding was not her idea of a good image for her business or Villroy’s new venture. What could she do? She couldn’t very well demand they feature only her. This was all free publicity.
Judith asked them several more questions, probing about the proposal, the engagement party, and Hailey’s wedding planning business. She answered as best she could, her mind stuck on the possibility of a kangaroo bride making Hailey’s traditional wedding look absurd. She must’ve trailed off a few times because Josh jumped in, answering questions too.
Finally, everyone left the dining room. She and Josh were due to have a brief visit with the king and queen, who wanted to welcome them.
Phillip joined them in the hallway. “This way to the private salon.”
Josh crooked his arm and she took it, appreciating his manners on such an important occasion. She’d met the king and queen during her last visit at Princess Silvia’s wedding very briefly, but still it was quite an honor to have a private audience with them.
“So slight change in plans,” Phillip said with a grimace. “My father isn’t up to a visit. He’s been having some health issues and my mother is by his side. Gabriel will greet you in his place.” Crown Prince Gabriel, heir to the throne, was much worse than Josh in the gruff and growly department.
“I’m sorry to hear it,” Hailey said. “Is your dad very ill?”
Phillip’s expression was uncharacteristically grim. “I’m not supposed to speak of it, but yes.”
“So sorry,” Hailey said.
“Me too,” Josh said.
Phillip bowed his head. “Yes. Well. Thank you.”
They walked in heavy silence until they reached the door of the private salon. Phillip put a hand on the doorknob and turned to them. “I should probably warn you Gabriel is furious about the furry wedding. He says it’s an abomination to the royal tradition. He was barely on board with our destination-wedding idea in the first place.”
She gulped. And then they were ushered inside.
Gabriel had his back to them. He wore a dark blue suit, his gaze fixed out the window at the sea.
Phillip went ahead. “Gabriel, Josh and Hailey are here.”
Gabriel slowly turned from the window, a brandy snifter in hand. His features were so like Phillip’s with dark brown hair and stunning blue-green eyes but not at all friendly—his eyes cool, sharp high cheekbones, full lips pressed together. His stance was regal, powerful, and proud. He’d been groomed to be king since birth and held himself accordingly. He said nothing, merely stood there, waiting for them to come to him.
Josh ambled over when she would’ve rushed, but her hand was still tucked in the crook of his arm, so she had to keep to his pace.
They stopped in front of Gabriel.
He stared down his nose at them.
Phillip gestured to her with a small head bob and bent at the waist.
She pulled her hand free from Josh’s arm, bowed her head and curtsied. “Your Royal Highness, thank you for seeing us.”
“Thank you for having us,” Josh said. No bowed head, no polite deference to his title.
