Page 28 of Unpredictable
“We did. I’m just…I’m still not sure I understand the rush.” I wasn’t trying to upset her, but I wasn’t going to bury my feelings on the matter. Marriage was a big step, and I wanted to be sure she was taking it for the right reasons.
“Why do I need a reason apart from the fact that I love Connor and want to be with him?” she asked, and I sensed she was holding back tears. “Earlier this year, some of the guys on Connor’s team went missing, and one of them died. I just want to celebrate life and love.”
I placed my hand over hers, wanting to comfort her. She was too young to have lost so many friends. And it made me realize that perhaps she’d given this decision more thought than I’d realized. That perhaps she was more prepared for marriage than I was willing to admit. Besides, I knew Connor was devoted to her. He was a man of duty, of service. He was a good, upstanding man. A former navy SEAL who now worked for a private security company.
“I’m sorry.” I squeezed her hand, hoping she’d feel the love and strength flowing through me and into her. “I promise to be nothing but supportive from here on out.”
“Thank you.” She sniffled, and it nearly broke my heart. “So—”
The conference room door swung open before Olivia could finish her sentence. Juliana breezed in like a breath of fresh air. Her smile was warm and inviting, and she really was stunning. The vise on my neck loosened, and for a moment, I forgot about the bombshell my daughter had just dropped as well as the heavy conversation it had led to.
“Good afternoon.” Juliana gave Livie a hug, then shook my hand. Her gaze darted between us, but if she had questions about what she’d walked in on, she was professional enough to act like nothing had happened.
I lingered a moment longer than necessary, loving the feel of her soft skin against mine. But then it was over. I waited for Livie and Juliana to be seated before joining them.
“How are you doing?” Juliana glanced between Livie and me. When neither of us answered, Juliana said, “Guys, is everything okay?”
“Well…” Livie hesitated. “I got a promotion, and I’m being temporarily relocated to London.”
If this news alarmed Juliana, she didn’t show it. She seemed completely unfazed, but I could tell her mind was whirring with activity. She was the calm in the storm, the eye. When everything was swirling around her, complete and utter chaos, she was stillness, serenity.
“What does that mean for the wedding?” she asked.
Livie turned to me. “We were just discussing that, actually. I was hoping the two of you could handle it.”
Livie’s eyes were pleading, but I had my reservations. This was her wedding day after all, not mine.
“Honey.” I placed my hand over hers. “You know I’d do anything for you. But…well, I’m not sure I’m the best person for this. What about Alyssa?” I asked, referring to her best friend and maid of honor.
She shook her head. “No. It has to be you. I trust you, Dad. You have excellent taste and love chick flicks. Besides, youknowme, and Juliana knows what she’s doing.”
I held a hand up to the side of my mouth and stage-whispered, “You weren’t supposed to tell anyone about the chick flicks.”
Juliana laughed, and the musical sound spoke to something deep in my soul. Though she often smiled, I rarely heard her laugh. At least, not a genuine laugh like this one.
I already knew the answer before I said it. I was such a sucker when it came to my daughter. I might have been strict when it came to discipline growing up, but she knew she could have almost anything she wanted.
“Yes. Fine.” I turned to Juliana and found her watching me with a bemused smile. “As long as that’s okay with you.”
She opened her planner and smiled. “I’m sure we can handle it. Now, let’s talk dates…” She dove into the logistics, and by the time we were done, I felt both more and less overwhelmed.
Chapter Nine
Istood on the sidewalk outside the boutique, watching the sun as it descended over downtown LA. Olivia and Harrison would be here any minute, and I was still trying to wrap my head around the fact that this was one of the last times—apart from the surprise engagement party this weekend—I’d see Olivia in person until a few weeks before her wedding. She wouldn’t be my first long-distance bride, but this was the first time I’d be planning a wedding with the father of the bride.
The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end, and I felt Harrison’s presence before I saw him. He and Olivia were walking down the opposite side of the street, his head thrown back, laughing at whatever Olivia had said. He looked so sexy, carefree, and it made me wonder for the millionth time why a man as hot and successful as him was single.
I wasn’t the only one who’d noticed. Across the street, a woman stopped for a double take. And who could blame her? Between the dark jeans that highlighted his muscular thighs, and the T-shirt draped over those broad shoulders, he was impossible to ignore. But it was more than that—it was the way he carried himself, with effortless confidence that belied his strength. Unwavering confidence that spoke of control and discipline.
I waved when he spotted me and watched as he and Olivia crossed the street to join me. They were similar in looks and temperament, and seeing them interact made me wish I was closer to my own father. But he’d never understood my career. He’d always thought parties, weddings, were frivolous and extravagant. According to him, I didn’t live in the real world.
“Olivia, Harrison, great to see you.” I hugged Olivia, and then an awkward moment passed where I couldn’t figure out what to do with Harrison. I reached out to shake his hand; he leaned in as if to hug me and ended up kissing me on the cheek.
“Thanks for, um, meeting me here.” My skin felt like it was on fire from that brief contact. And I resisted the urge to cup my cheek as if to capture the feeling of his lips on my skin.
No matter how many times I’d told myself to be cool, act calm, my façade crumbled any time he was near. I told myself it was because he’d seen me naked, but I knew it was more than that. All he had to do was smile and my knees turned to Jell-O.
I gestured to the store. “I asked you to meet me here because Evelyn is a talented designer who creates gorgeous custom gowns. Also…she can work within our short timeline.”
