“What you need to focus on is the good outcome. Quit borrowing trouble. Be thankful you got the job done,” Zane said.
“That’s right.Igot the job done. I cleaned up the mess you created and kept it from blowing up in the company’s face,” McKenna said, keeping her voice even, despite her rising ire.
“I didn’t do anything. Campbell did.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. If you’d hadn’t folded when she—”
“Let me tell you something, little lady. Campbell has a temper when she’s in a mood, and today she was in a doozy. Her nickname in high school was Hurricane Campbell. She was fixin’ to strike, and if she had,thenyou’d have had trouble. That was why I agreed to stay. Who knew picking out a dress could be that big a pain in the ass?”
“With brides and wedding details involved, nothing’s easy. However, when Campbell started flirting and getting amorous—” Heat rushed up McKenna’s neck, into her face.
Amorous? If Susannah hadn’t been seated on the love seat, Campbell would’ve tried to toss him down on it and climbed on top of him. “You should have immediately handled her, making it clear her behavior wasn’t appropriate.”
He laughed. “I kept her from wrestling me to the ground and jumping my bones. I also prevented her from giving you another shiner. All without setting off her temper. I’d say I did a pretty damn good job handling her.”
He thought she couldn’t protect herself? New kids often got picked on in school. She’d toughened up fast and learned some fancy footwork. “I didn’t need you protecting me. I’m not a delicate miss.”
“The appropriate response is thank you.”
“Thank you.” She paused, weighing whether she should continue pressing her case.
Technically, Zane was her boss, though temporarily, but she owed it to Ginny to watch out for her best interests. She knew the wedding industry, while Zane didn’t. She owed Ginny so much for giving her a job when she’d been at her lowest. “There is a rule in the wedding industry. Personal relationships with someone connected with the bride and groom is off-limits because it rarely goes well. I suggest you follow that while you’re managing Lucky Stars.”
“That’s gonna be tough at AJ and Grace’s wedding since I’m a groomsman,” he joked.
“You know I didn’t mean their wedding. You need to take this seriously. There’s nothing funny about what happened today.”
“While today wasn’t, why can’t a job be fun? Life’s too short to spend it being miserable eight or more hours a day.”
“I enjoy my job, but that doesn’t mean anything goes. There must be structure and rules. Incidents like flirting with or dating bridesmaids, relatives, or friends of the bride or groom isn’t professional and can’t happen.”
“In a town the size of Wishing when there’s a wedding near everyone’s connected to the couple in one way or another.”
McKennatsk-tskedin exaggerated sympathy. “I guess you’ll have to cowboy up and deal with it.”
“What is it with everyone’s fascination with my love life? First Ginny, then Grace, and now you,” he snapped, his voice tinged with frustration.
McKenna laughed. “Talk about a huge ego. Yours has to be the biggest around, but get this, Mr. Small Town Loverboy. I don’t give a flying flip about your personal life. What I care about is my job. What you did today caused problems for me. Can I have your word you won’t get romantically involved with anyone associated with our clients?”
Zane straightened, crossed his arms over his broad chest, and his mesmerizing gaze drilled into her. “No.”
Chapter Seven
Aman hadto draw the line somewhere, and Zane had reached his limit. Not that he wanted to date Campbell. Today’s performance had turned him off well and good, but that wasn’t the point. “My personal life is off-limits. No one tells me who I can and can’t see.”
“What?” McKenna asked, her voice high and squeaky, her face red from her anger.
“You heard me.” He was the boss in Ginny’s absence. McKenna only possessed the control he gave her, but anyone hearing their conversation would think their positions reversed. “I’m usually an easygoing guy—”
“Not that I’ve seen.”
“I am with people that are easy to get along with.” His strode toward her, but instead of backing up, she held her ground. “Letmemake one point clear. You’re not in charge.”
Again, she remained unfazed. “I realize that, but you said I was responsible for clients, weddings, and receptions. I know what I’m talking about and behavior like today can affect the company’s bottom line. This should matter to you.”
“It does, but I think you’re wrong about weddings and folks here in Wishing.”
“Because you know so much about the wedding industry.”
