Page 65 of Seducing Bran
“Wait a minute,” Ireland said. “You pushed me inHunt’sdirection, not Bran’s.”
“Did I?” Cali’s expression was pure confidence, as though she’d planned it all along.
Ireland shook her head. “There’s no way you could have known I’d end up with Bran. You were sick, and Hunt was supposed to drive the boat that day.”
Cali stood and stretched out her hand, admiring her manicure. “Like I said, I called it. Maybe I didn’t plan it out to perfection, but I knew he liked you.”
Cali and her matchmaking… “Enough about me and Bran,” Ireland said. “We have a wedding to plan. What else do we need to do? I can’t believe you set the wedding two weeks from now. Will people have enough time to make travel arrangements?”
“I emailed everyone a week ago to let them know the date and that formal invitations would arrive soon.” Cali stopped writing and looked up. “I couldn’t wait any longer. The indecision was driving me crazy.”
“I know, I witnessed it,” Ireland said, and laughed. Cali glared. “Seriously, though, I think you’re making the right move to have it at Jaeg’s parents’ place. From everything you’ve said, it sounds like an idyllic setting.”
Cali sighed. “It is. And the Langs hired a wedding planner to help me pick out seating arrangements and food and basically everything I’ll need. I’m supposed to meet with the planner tomorrow. I just have to find a wedding dress.”
“That should be fun.”
“Do you want to come? You can try on maid of honor gowns.”
Ireland’s eyes widened. “I’m your maid of honor?”
Cali smiled. “Will you be? Gen’s a bridesmaid too.”
Ireland stood and hugged her cousin, who was still sitting. “I’d love to. You’re the sister I never had, and boy did I need one with all my brothers around. If it weren’t for you, I’d have murdered them long ago.”
“I’m glad I kept you out of jail. But I don’t know why you guys fight. I love your brothers.”
“That’s because you never had to live with them.”
“True. What do you think about going shopping in a couple of days? Gen’s taking time off work at the university to join me. Did I tell you she’s doing postdoctoral work now?”
“No, but that’s amazing. Good for her. And yes, I’ll make sure I’m available. I’ll take the day off work if I need to.”
“Excellent!” Cali looked across the table at all the envelopes still left to do. “Let’s find the wine yokes. This is going to take a while. We’ll need the sustenance.”
“If we drink, the addresses are going to start to slant. I can’t promise a steady hand with a direct tap to wine.”
“Pinterest said they needed to be handwritten, not perfection. And I need a glass after the two hundred other addresses I’ve written.” Cali flexed her fingers. “I think I’m getting carpal tunnel.”
“Holy crap, how many people did you invite?”
“Three hundred. But like you said, it’s last minute, and not everyone will make it.”
“I hope Jaeg’s parents are prepared for the crowd.”
“Are you kidding? I had to talk them down from four hundred guests. They wanted to invite the entire Austrian contingent. We settled on aunts, uncles, and first cousins.”
Cali stood and rummaged around in a kitchen drawer. She pulled out her bedazzled wine yoke and handed Ireland a bright blue one. Wine yokes were a kitchen staple in Cali’s house.
She opened a bottle of red wine and poured two glasses. “Let the writing and drinking begin!”
Oh boy.
Chapter 25
“Guess what arrived?” Bran said into his phone on his way to the parking lot. He passed the golf shop and lifted his head in greeting to Wes standing outside with Harlow in his arms. He swung in close and planted a kiss on Harlow’s chubby cheek then kept on walking.
“Hey!” Wes shouted. “Where’s the fire?”
