Grace burst out laughing. “Are you going to help me pick out invitations and flowers today?”
Chapter Four
Zane cringed, havinggrown weary of laughter greeting the announcement of him managing Lucky Stars. Sure, he was an easygoing guy, but he co-owned a successful business. Why did people find it so difficult to believe he could run this one?
“I’ve pulled sample books and am set up at the table in the outer office,” McKenna said as she stood.
Grace glided across the room, her face filled with worry, and placed her hand on McKenna’s arm. “I heard you were hurt at the party, but I had no idea it was so bad. Does it hurt as much as it looks like it does? If you want to reschedule, it’s not a problem.”
“I told her she didn’t need to be here, but Mac here said no way. She’s a real trouper. She didn’t even leave the party early,” Zane said.
“My name is McKenna. Mac is a truck,” she said, her voice sharp, clipped, and filled with censure. “Would you have preferred rather than being a responsible employee that I called in sick, leavingeverythingthat couldn’t be rescheduled for you to deal with?”
Grace chuckled and turned to him, a bright grin on her beautiful face. “She told you, Zane. I like this woman.”
As he made his way back to Ginny’s desk, when he got within reach of Grace, she swatted him on the arm. Not hard enough to bother him but enough to show her irritation. “Zane, no woman wants to be called a ‘trouper.’ You’re usually smoother than that.” She turned to McKenna again. “I appreciate your dedication.”
Women never got under his skin. What was it about McKenna that pushed his buttons and made him say the wrong thing? Why did he feel as if he lost all common sense, control, and half his brain cells when she was around?
“Despite the way he’s acting now, watch out for Zane,” Grace said as she waved a delicate hand in his direction. “When I met him, he asked to take my picture because I’d be the perfect model for a new game being developed.”
“That wasn’t a line. It was the truth. You would’ve been perfect for our heroine. Sadly, we had to settle for second best because you said no. I hope it doesn’t affect the sales when we release.”
Grace grinned at McKenna. “See what I mean? If a woman isn’t careful, he could sell her snake oil before she ever realizes she’s pulled out her credit card.”
“I’ll remember that. We’ll meet in the outer office,” McKenna said, and then turned to him. “I hope we won’t distract you too much. You might consider moving somewhere else.”
“Are you throwing me out?” he said, forcing his voice to remain serious.
Why had he said that when he knew it would rile McKenna?
Wasn’t that the point? You want to see if she’ll blush all pretty pink again?
No. He was bored and wanted to have a little fun. That was all.
“Of course not. You’re more than welcome to stay,” McKenna said. “I’m sure Grace would love your input on the wedding’s final color scheme, floral arrangements, and invitations.”
He cringed. That hadn’t gone how he intended.
“I agree, McKenna. Zane would be a big help with those decisions.”
McKenna put her hand on her chin, looking him up and down. Dang, women gave him a long look all the time, but something about McKenna’s made him want to squirm. She acted as if she was judging him and found him lacking. “I don’t know about his style, but maybe he could help.”
How had his attempt to jerk McKenna’s chain backfired, leaving him in the hot seat? No worries. He’d show her. “The color scheme is easy. Black tuxedoes with Aggie maroon bow ties for AJ and the groomsmen. Aggie maroon dresses for the ladies. For flowers, roses. I’d say yellow for Texas and white because they represent a new beginning and everlasting love. What was the other item?” He paused and scratched his chin. “Invitations. I’d say a light gray with a more traditional font.” He flashed both wide-eyed women a smile. “How’s that?”
“It’s actually pretty good,” Grace said.
“Unless you graduated from the University of Texas,” McKenna said, frowning.
He shook his head and swallowed hard. His luck couldn’t be this bad. “You didn’t?”
“I sure did.”
When she flashed the hook ’em horns sign, Zane’s stomach turned over. No wonder they’d butted heads like two bulls over one cow. “That explains a lot.”
“It definitely does,” McKenna said.
“Clearly I’m missing something,” Grace said, glancing between him and McKenna.
