Page 37 of Unpredictable
She spun back to the group, and I didn’t miss the way Harrison clenched his fists. I was no stranger to the entitled and elite, but her demand grated on me more than something like that usually would. Maybe because I knew she was Harrison’s ex.
“Of course.” I forced a smile. After all, keeping guests happy was my job. And it was a good reminder that no matter how close I’d grown to Harrison and his daughter the past few weeks, I was here as the wedding planner, nothing more. “Can I get anything for anyone else?”
Olivia shook her head as did Connor, though they both looked uncomfortable. Connor seemed to lean forward as if to shield Olivia, while she seemed ready to step in and play referee between her parents if necessary. I wondered if this was how it always was between them, though I sensed Camille wasn’t the easiest person to get along with. Even from our brief interaction, she seemed snobbish, spoiled, attention-seeking. Basically, the complete opposite of Harrison.
“Let me help you,” Harrison said, taking a step forward.
Camille placed a hand possessively on his arm. “I’m sure Julie will be fine. It is her job, after all.”
“It’s Juliana,” he ground out.
His eyes flickered to mine, and I spun away before he could protest. As I headed toward the kitchen, I heard Camille’s laughter ring out over the group. Landon shot me a questioning glance from across the room, but I merely shook my head.
When I returned with Camille’s seltzer, she accepted it with a dismissive, “That will be all.”
“Camille,” Harrison chided, the furrow between his brows deepening.
“What?” she asked.
“You could at least say thank you.”
“I said thank you, didn’t I?” She held a hand to her chest in a false display of modesty, and I began to wonder what he’d ever seen in her apart from her looks. She then proceeded to turn to him without ever actually saying the words to me.
Her attitude reminded me of some of the other celebrities I’d worked with. It was the type of thing I despised, the type of attitude someone like Taylor Long was known for. And in that moment, I was even more grateful to be planning the wedding with Harrison, not Camille.
“Oh, Harrison, you always did love to point out my shortcomings as a wife and a mother,” she sighed, though she didn’t seem all that affected. “Perhaps our marriage wouldn’t have failed if you’d been a bit more complimentary.”
As I watched it all play out, I still couldn’t imagine the Harrison that Camille described. Because from what I’d seen, he’d been nothing but supportive and complimentary. Though, who knew the real story.
A muscle twitched in Harrison’s jaw, but Olivia interrupted before he could say anything. “Mom.” Olivia looped her arm through her mother’s. “Can you come with me? I was actually hoping to get your opinion on the, um…”
“The bridal party’s dresses,” I offered.
“Yes, well, of course.” Camille set her seltzer down on a side table, untouched.
Connor excused himself a moment later, leaving me alone with Harrison. Well, as alone as we could be in a house full of guests.
Harrison rubbed a hand over his forehead, chagrined. “I’m sorry about that.”
I glanced toward the floor. “You don’t need to apologize.”
“I can’t tell you how many years I spent apologizing for her behavior,” he sighed.
I wanted to know more, but this wasn’t the time or the place. When Harrison was drawn into conversation with some of the guests, I excused myself to the kitchen.
Landon glanced up from his phone when I entered. “Hey, boss.”
“Hey.” I took a sip of water, the weight of the day settling over me. Guests had already started to leave, but our work was far from done. “Everything okay?”
“Yep. Just catching up on some comments on Instagram.” He studied me with a furrowed brow. “Are you feeling okay? You’re a little flushed.”
“I’m—actually, it is a little warm in here.” I pulled my dress away from my skin, wishing I had something to fan myself with.
“Why don’t you go outside?” He gestured to the door off the kitchen, the one that led to the backyard. “No one’s out there.”
I considered it a moment before relenting. After my brunch with the girls, I’d started seeing a therapist, and I knew Lindsay would encourage me to take this moment to de-stress. It was part of our plan. And though I’d been sleeping better, sometimes the nightmares struck without warning. Last night, I’d woken up, my limbs twisted in the sheets, my heart pounding. I’d felt…off most of the day, and I could use a breather.
Besides, Landon had it covered, and if he needed me, he knew where to find me. I slipped outside, staying in the shadows close to the house. Harrison’s backyard was amazing, and it was one of the things I liked best about his property. The slate patio overlooked a lush green yard, pool and cabana, and trees beyond. It was a peaceful haven.
