With the way Susannah emphasized you, McKenna received the message loud and clear. She and Daddy were ticked an assistant, rather than the company’s owner was handling the wedding.
Maybe Grace was right about getting out and meeting people. “I don’t know if Ginny knew she needed surgery when you signed the contract, and I’m sorry the fact has caused you and your father concern. However, Ginny has kept me apprised on every detail regarding your wedding. We also met before her surgery to specifically discuss your vision.”
Ginny also issued a severe bridezilla warning, saying you’d been given whatever you desired your entire life, often before you thought to ask. Mix the family’s money, your striking good looks, with your father being mayor, and she said you expected the world to bow to your whims, no questions asked.
“When was the last time you spoke with Ginny?”
“I updated her via email yesterday, but I assure you I have everything under control.”
“Daddy isn’t sure an assistant is capable of coordinating a wedding the size and importance of mine.”
“I don’t know how well it’s known around town, but I have years of experience in the wedding industry working—”
“As a personal assistant?”
“As a wedding planner.” McKenna met the haughty woman’s gaze head-on and listed her educational qualifications. “My previous job was with the most in-demand wedding planning company in Houston.”
Susannah crossed her arms over her full chest and tapped an elegant French manicured nail against her pale forearm. “Then why on earth would you accept a job as Ginny’s assistant in a little town like Wishing?”
Her hands clammy, McKenna’s mind scrambled to compose an appropriate response. How could she let her pride goad her into this discussion? What could she say? Certainly not the truth. “I’d advanced as far as I could with the company. When I heard of the job here, I researched Lucky Stars Weddings and Wishing. Both have untapped potential, and I want to be part of helping them grow to rival wedding venues in Dallas and Houston.”
Susannah eyed McKenna making her want to squirm. Anxious to change the subject, she glanced at the antique wall clock, then back at her client. “Maybe you should text Campbell to see if there’s a problem.”
“No need to do that,” came the throaty voice from the entry. “I’m here and look who I found when I drove up.” A petite brunette stepped into the office, her arm linked through Zane’s. Dressed in skinny jeans, stiletto heels, and a low-cut top that cinched below her breasts, she appeared more ready for a nightclub than meeting a wedding planner.
“You remember Zane, Susannah.” Campbell giggled and glanced at Zane with wide doe eyes and licked her lips. “Of course, you do. Who wouldn’t remember Zane?”
Oh, Lord. Could the woman be more obvious and high schoolish?Plastering her best I’m-a-professional-nothing-gets-to-me smile on her face, McKenna rose to greet the maid of honor. “Hello. You must be Campbell. Susannah has selected beautiful dresses.”
Campbell nodded in greeting, dismissed McKenna, and turned to Susannah. “Isn’t it fabulous to see Zane today since we haven’t talked to him since he came home?”
“I wouldn’t call Wishing home since I’ve lived in California for over ten years,” Zane said.
“I adore California,” Campbell said, her voice as dreamy as the look she leveled on Zane.
“We need to cut this reunion short. We have a bridesmaid’s dress to pick out,” McKenna said, attempting to take control of the situation.
“I’d love to hear about your life in California. I bet it’s so fascinating,” Campbell said, once again ignoring McKenna. “We should catch up. We could get the old high school gang together. Wouldn’t that be fun, Susannah?”
“Of course. I’m sorry we didn’t get to talk at the engagement party.”
McKenna stared at Susannah. For a bride who’d come in panicked over the timeline, she’d lost those worries since Zane arrived.
“I suppose you’ve heard I’m getting married.” Susannah waved her hand with her two carat, pear-shaped diamond in his direction. “People are so excited for me. Every time I tried to make my way to you, someone stopped me to ask me about the wedding.”
“Congratulations. Wow, Susannah, that’s some rock. I wish I had my sunglasses.”
McKenna bit the inside of her cheek in frustration but forced her muscles to relax. “We need to move on to why you two are here today, picking out the bridesmaids’ dress for the wedding.”
“You’d like Garrett, Zane. We met at college when his frat, Pi Kappa Alpha, invited the Chi-Os for a mixer. It was love at first sight.” Susannah beamed almost as brightly as her ring. Then she continued, saying her fiancé was a corporate lawyer in Dallas’s most prestigious firm and on track to be the firm’s youngest junior partner.
Ignoring the urge to jump in front of the other women and wave her arms like the airport guy guiding the plane to the gate, McKenna counted to ten.Take control. You’ve dealt with far more difficult clients. But no more suggesting. Be firm, but sweet, and don’t give them an option to refuse.“Ladies, I have everything set up, including a light snack and iced tea. Follow me.” McKenna waved a hand toward the door, waiting for the women to follow.
Instead, Campbell placed her hand on Zane’s broad chest and smiled at Susannah. “I thought Zane could stay and give us a man’s opinion. After all, I need something amazing since the governor will be there.”
McKenna gasped, but quickly covered her reaction with a cough. After this morning’s episode ofThe Bachelor, Wishing, Texas, no way would she let Zane join them. Not simply no, but not-while-birds-still-fly no. The image of Campbell twirling and spinning in front of Zane, trying to entice him appeared in her mind. And what if Susannah chose a dress based on Zane’s input and received negative feedback on it at the wedding? Today could come back to bite McKenna in the behind.
No matter how much chaos there is around you or inside you, don’t let it show.
