Page 31 of Rules of Engagement
"Have you eaten today?"
What was it with him and food? "I had breakfast."
"It's five o'clock, Eliza."
Already? Guests would start arriving any minute.
She shook her head and took a step back. "And I have too many things to do. I'll eat later." Her gaze landed on the florist, who'd arrived forty-five minutes late. "Ihaveto go, Carter. Thanks for the help. Again."
She slipped by him and hurried to meet the woman carrying half of a pre-made floral arch.
This wedding was much smaller than the ones last weekend, but the bride had gone a little crazy with her flower requests.
Once the arch was in place, white columns were carried across the sand and still more flowers placed atop them as well as along the two ends of the arches. Creamy nautical rope was strung along both sides of the aisle and attached to the sides of the chairs, then decorated with eucalyptus sprays, ribbons, and seashells.
The clock ticked as things fell together with frantic intensity. Guests began arriving but lingered back toward the shade provided by the hotel. Once the sun sank lower, more of the seating was shaded and guests began to move forward.
Eliza checked her charts and lists and finally felt comfortable enough to leave the beach to venture inside to the bridal suite. She liked to check on her Bs and Gs beforehand, just to get a feel for the mood of the day.
As she passed through the lobby, Eliza glanced toward the bar area and saw Mac, Carter, and Lincoln sitting at a high-top. As though sensing her presence, Carter's gaze locked with hers and her stomach did an odd flip.
Lah, the man really needed to come with a hazard warning.
She managed a smile and kept moving, her mind on the thoughtfulness of the trio of bachelors who'd come to her rescue. One in particular.
Maybe it was the way he'd helped out his brother or offered to trade shelving for a birthday party for his baby girl, but she was beginning to observe a different side of the gorgeous contractor.
But, that being said, Carter had seemingly taken her warning and backed off, and she was grateful for that.
Wasn't she?
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Chapter 12
Carter kicked back in a chair in the hotel lobby around ten that evening and watched the sliding doors leading out to the sand open and close for the millionth time with no signs of Eliza's return.
She'd gone a hundred miles an hour the entire night, first with the wedding outside and then with the reception inside. Dance music pulsed from the other side of the closed ballroom doors, and Carter spotted the two musicians from the wedding hitting on bridesmaids across the room. By all measures, Eliza had pulled off a beautiful and successful event. Again.
"This has got to be the worst bachelor party ever," Mac said, sending Carter a glare.
"It's fine," Lincoln said, staring at his cards so hard Carter wondered if he was trying to memorize them. "I didn't need a party anyway."
"Will you stop looking for Eliza?" Mac demanded. "It's annoying."
Carter locked gazes with the other man and realized Mac knew exactly why they were there. "Did you take a look at her? A real look? She hasn't eaten all day, she's exhausted, and she has another wedding here tomorrow."
"And just how do you know that?" Mac asked, gaze narrowing.
"Gentlemen, can we stop bickering and play cards?" Lincoln asked.
"No," Mac stated. "I thought I warned you off of Eliza?"
"You can't warn me off of her," Carter said. "She isn't your toy."
"She isn't yours, either."
"Trying to win here," Lincoln muttered.
