Page 17 of Unpredictable
I butted her shoulder with mine. “And who’s still carrying around an iPhone 6?”
Despite the fact that I’d offered to buy her the latest model, she still wouldn’t let go of the old one. The only reason she’d agreed to let me give her my old Land Rover was because I’d wanted to get a new car.
“Yeah. Yeah.” She shielded her eyes from the sun, glancing up at the building. “This is it.”
I held the door open for her. “Where’s Connor again?”
She pressed the button for the elevator. “Virginia. He’ll be back on Friday.”
“And you’re sure you don’t want to wait to meet with the wedding planner until he can be there?” I asked as the doors opened and a few people filed out. Though, honestly, I had no idea how long that would be. I hadn’t connected with Juliana at the hotel like I’d hoped. And Olivia and I had been lucky to get this appointment after someone canceled.
Olivia barked out a laugh and stepped into the elevator, pressing the button for the eighth floor. “And miss the chance to meet with Juliana Wright?” She shook her head. “No way.”
“You know this isn’t a done deal, though, right?” I asked. I didn’t want to burst her bubble, but I felt the need to caution her. I’d hate to see her disappointed. “I don’t know if she’s even available for your date or if you’ll like her or…”
“Dad.” She placed her hand on my arm. “As a wise man often likes to remind me—it will all work out.”
Leave it to my daughter to throw my own advice back at me. But she was right. I considered myself a laid-back guy, but I struggled when it came to my daughter’s happiness. Still, I knew that whether it was this wedding planner or another, we would make her dream wedding happen.
“Thank you again for setting this up. It means a lot to me.”
“You’re welcome.” I draped my arm over her shoulder, and she wrapped hers around my waist. “I’m sorry for overreacting the other day. I know how important this is to you, and I’m honored to be included.”
“I’m glad to have you here with me. And I’m sorry too. I’m stressed about work, and you know how grumpy I get when I’m hungry.”
“I do.” I gave her shoulder a quick squeeze before releasing her. “All right. Let’s get this over with.”
“Dad!”she said, dragging out the word.
“Okay. But I just… Keep an open mind. She’s not the only wedding planner in LA.”
“Okay.” The elevator chimed, and the doors opened to our floor. “But—” she backed into the hallway and cupped her mouth “—it’s Juliana freaking Wright,” she whisper-yelled.
I smiled despite myself, more curious than ever to meettheJuliana Wright. Olivia rarely got excited about celebrities. She’d been surrounded by them thanks to my career, and she often interacted with famous authors in her line of work. So, for her to get this excited about a wedding planner… Well, I was certainly intrigued.
And I was kicking myself for not looking her up ahead of time. Considering the amount of research I put into football—both as a player and now as a color commentator—it was surprising. But I’d been so busy preparing for the wild-card game, then there’d been that night with the woman at the wedding expo, and a photo shoot, that there hadn’t been much time to research Olivia’s wedding planner. I’d just been grateful to get an appointment. And I’d never expected for Olivia to ask me to come with her.
I adjusted myself at the reminder of the night of the wedding expo. I’d gone there on a whim, hoping to catch Talia’s contact. I still didn’t know my mystery woman’s name, but if I closed my eyes, I could trace every slope and curve of her body. I could recall all the ways I’d made her come and envision all the ways I still wanted to. If only she hadn’t been so hung up on her ex…
Perhaps it was for the best that it would never happen again. I didn’t have any way to contact her. And much as I might want a repeat of that night, I couldn’t give her what she needed beyond a brief escape.
“Here we are,” Olivia said, bringing me back to the present.
She pushed open the frosted glass door with an interlocking J and W etched in a cursive font. I hesitated a moment, trying to get my brain to catch up with reality. This was happening. My baby was getting married.
“Welcome to Juliana Wright Events,” said a man at the front desk. He smiled at Olivia, but his eyes lingered on me, scanning me from head to toe with an appreciative grin, a knowing grin. “Do you have an appointment?”
He looked familiar, and I frowned as I struggled to place him. I shook away the thought—he was probably just another fan or something.
I shoved my hands into my pockets. “Harrison Hayes. Talia Winters referred me.”
The office was clean and stylish. Everything was blush pink and gold and white—definitely feminine. But also…welcoming.
He glanced at his computer screen. “Yes. Harrison.” He smiled at me and rounded the desk to shake my hand. “Welcome. And…?”
“Olivia.” She held out her hand.
“Landon.” He shook her hand. “Right this way.” He led us to a conference room, though he kept glancing back at me. All the while, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I should know who he was.
