Page 72 of Kissing for Keeps
Mr. Sheppard clears his throat and starts pulling bags from the car trunk, and I scramble to help. Between the five of us and the bellhop that shows up, we’ve more than got it covered.
“Is Philippe gone?” I ask the bellhop.
“Monsieur Bédard,” the bellboy says emphatically, “is taking care of chateau business at the moment.”
“Right, of course,” I say. “Designing the armor for the next siege and all that.”
“Pardon?”
“Nothing,” I say.
“Who’s Philippe?” Troy asks as we go through the massive front door and into the chateau.
“The guy who’s inheriting this place.” I chuckle as I catch a glimpse of the man himself down the hallway, chatting up a pretty blonde. “Beholdchateau business.”
Troy raises his brows. “Apparently, business is good.”
“Shut up,” Siena says, and I laugh even though I’m wondering whether it bothers her to see Philippe flirting with another girl. Man, I really hope not.
We take the bags to the two rooms they’ve got on the second floor and leave the Sheppards to get settled in. The door shuts behind us, putting Siena and me together in the corridor. There’s nothing but silence as we walk toward the staircase.
Leaving Siena’s family was like turning on my awkward switch—a switch I didn’t know I even had. But it’s there, all right.
“How’s stuff coming along for the wedding?” I ask.
“Youtellme. You’ve been doing a lot the past few days.”
“Meh. Just a little help here and there.”
“And it’s all been okay?” There’s that stress creeping into her voice. I can’t hold her hand like I want to, but I can reassure her, at least.
“Yup. Everything is on track. Rémy’s suit alterations will be done tomorrow. I’m waiting on the email back from the band confirming they’ve got everything they need for the reception. The flowers will be delivered Wednesday and stored in the chateau’s fridge room—because naturally every medieval chateau had a walk-in fridge.”
“And the bachelor party?”
“We have reservations for dinner at 6:00 and an appointment for 7:00 at the chateau.”
She takes a deep breath.
“It’s all going to be great.”
“Yeah.”
“Just focus on having fun at the bachelorette party tonight. But nottoomuch fun.” I cock an eyebrow at her. “What’re you ladies doing, anyway?”
“Just dinner and spa night.”
“Is that bachelorette code for aMagic Mikeperformance?”
“Yes, Jack,” she says with one of the looks I’ve come to live for. “That’s what it is.”
* * *
I’mthe first one outside when the time comes for the bachelor party. I pull my phone from my back pocket. I made sure to bring it tonight just in case anything goes sideways or Siena needs some help. Before I know it, this pocket computer will be glued to my face.
I refresh my email as I wait. No dice. I sent an email to the band two days ago and haven’t heard back. Siena forwarded me the one from when she booked them, and after a quick glance at their last response, the guys seem to speak English sparingly. That’s why things have been done by email, I assume. That and the ridiculous cost of international phone calls.
But I’d really like to get the confirmation for my own sake and Siena’s. I scroll to the email signature and copy the phone number into the dialer.
