Intent on nixing the idea, McKenna said, “Between his own work responsibilities and checking on Ginny, I don’t think Zane has time to help.”
When Susannah’s brows furrowed and Campbell glared, McKenna rushed to correct her misstep. “Not that Zane wouldn’t like to help. I’m sure he would, but his first priorities are to his job and Ginny.”
“And I don’t want to get in the way of important wedding decisions.” Zane flashed Susannah and Campbell a blinding smile. “We’ll talk about getting together soon, though.”
McKenna bit her lip to keep her mouth from hanging open. Who was this pleasant, smiling man and why didn’t he work here every day? His tone was warm, lacked the sarcasm she’d grown familiar with, and he was backing her up.
“But I need your opinion, Zane,” Campbell whined. “This wedding is so important. You wouldn’t want me being embarrassed wearing a hideous dress in front of the governor, would you?”
McKenna swallowed her groan. As if any wedding planner with a day of experience, an ounce of talent, and any self-respect would let a bridesmaid walk down the aisle in ahideousdress.
Susannah crossed her arms over her chest and leveled a hard stare at her maid of honor. “Campbell, my taste is excellent, and I selected these dresses.”
“I’ve seen the dresses, and they are all fabulous,” McKenna added, hoping to avoid trouble between the pair.
“Then it’s more important we get Zane’s opinion because all the dresses may look so wonderful on me, we can’t decide.”
“Then I’ll make the decision,” Susannah snapped.
“But I have to wear—”
“Ladies, we’re getting ahead of ourselves.” McKenna’s chest tightened over a brewing girlfriend fight. The minor ones ended with hurt feelings, while the worst led to destroyed friendships and a new maid of honor. Yikes, the stuff wedding planner nightmares were made of. “I’m sure you two won’t have trouble selecting a dress. Most times the bride and attendants know the right dress when they see it.”
Please let that be the case today.
Campbell snuggled closer to Zane, and McKenna resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She’d seen newlyweds show less public displays of affection. She strolled to the door. “Susannah, Campbell, I have everything ready in the bride’s dressing room. Follow me.”
Campbell, still wrapped around Zane, pouted, and squeezed his arm. “After all we meant to each other, surely you can do this tiny thing for me?”
After all we meant to each other?Zane and Campbell had a history? As in they were involved, but now weren’t? Exes? The potential for disaster ratcheted up a notch. Out of nowhere the song “All My Exes Live in Texas” played in McKenna’s head.
She’d lost her mind.
“I’ll make it worth your while, but if you can’t do this for me—”
Campbell’s threat hung in the air.I will find a way to make you pay.Dread twisted McKenna’s stomach.
“I guess I can spare a little time,” Zane said.
What? Had Zane lost his mind, too? What happened to backing her up? Why would he do this when he’d said he wanted nothing to do with client meetings?
And she’d thought she could take control? She wanted to laugh. Taking charge of anything with Zane around seemed as likely as her controlling the Texas weather.
With Zane’s desertion, she was outnumbered three to one. No matter what strategy she employed she’d lose. A good wedding planner knew when to cut her losses. Nothing to do now but minimize the damage and survive.
She should ask Ginny for a raise. Today she deserved combat pay.
Forget that. This was Zane’s fault. She’d take payment out of his hide.
*
McKenna’s stiff posturetold Zane he was as welcome as a wet dog at a society party. He hadn’t wanted to stay either, but he knew Campbell. In her spoiling-for-a-fight mood and the way she’d dug in her heels, continuing to defy her would unleash Hurricane Campbell. Easier and safer for everyone in her wake if he conceded.
No big deal. He’d smile, make a couple comments, and be done in thirty minutes tops. After all, how long could it take to try on a few dresses and pick one?
When he’d first run into Campbell in the parking lot, his interest flickered, but she’d dampened his attraction with her clinging and whining. The fact that boredom and desperation rolled off her in waves had killed it Amazing how messy divorces changed folks.
Once in the bride’s dressing room, he sat on a dainty love seat next to Susannah. Tiny sandwiches and little cakes rested on Ginny’s china plates on the coffee table in front of them along with a pitcher of sweet tea and glasses. Zane felt like a scraggly tom cat in the middle of a fancy cat show, an all-female one.
