“I told you living in a small town would drive you crazy,” Zane said, his voice filled with good-natured ribbing.
“Better watch what you say, Zane, since these folks will be your clients.”
Zane glared at his best friend. For the supposedly quiet, thoughtful one, Cooper had a lot to say tonight.
“Clients? Did I miss something?” AJ asked.
Coop hooked his thumb toward Zane. “You’ll never guess what he’s done.” Without waiting for an answer, he continued, “He’s agreed to manage Lucky Stars Weddings while his grandmother’s recovering.”
His buddies stared at him as if he’d agreed to run naked through the streets.
“And you saidmyjob would drivemenuts,” AJ said. “You’re going to realize there’s a whole different definition of the word when a woman is planning her wedding.”
“Now that’s funny, right there,” Ty said and slapped Zane on the back. “Mr. Confirmed Bachelor helping brides pick out invitations and flowers.”
Guffaws erupted around Zane.
“I won’t be doing any bride or event crap. Ginny’s assistant will handle that. I’m managing the administrative and financial work,” Zane said.
Not that he was thrilled with those tasks either. He’d discovered that the hard way when he and a coworker Cody started their video game design company, Big Stake Games. They’d imagined a workday filled with creative freedom to design games like the one their company had rejected,Cowboys and Zombiesset on a ranch based on the Lucky Stars. Then reality set in. Payroll, taxes, human resources, and endless other details they discovered neither of them enjoyed needed attention. Lacking the funds to hire a financial exec, they’d divided those duties. As the company grew, Cody talked him into adding designers and programmers instead of an administrator, and his owner responsibilities multiplied.
Lately, Zane spent more time in meetings discussing budgets, staffing, productivity, marketing and sales projections than he spent creating games, further removing him from what he loved doing. Not exactly what he had in mind or wanted when he and Cody started the company.
Hoping to dispel his gloomy thoughts and have fun, Zane scanned the room searching for a diversion. His gaze landed on two women. The first, a tall, stunning blonde wore skinny jeans and a tight shirt with a low-cut V-neck, laces holding it in place over her ample breasts. Standing with her was a somewhat familiar, pretty brunette dressed in low-rise, tight jeans and an off-the-shoulder floral number.
“Zane? Want to come back to earth?” AJ said as he waved his hand in front of his face.
“Who’s the blonde in the navy lace top?”
“That’s Susannah Timmons,” Ty said.
“That’s huge-overbite, Coke-bottle glasses Susannah?” Zane asked. Contact lenses, and a couple surgeries—nose and boobs—unless he missed his guess, had done wonders for her appearance.
“Put your eyes back in your head. She’s engaged.”
“She’s having her wedding here. I bet she’s one scary bridezilla,” AJ said, shuddering in exaggerated horror.
“That’s for sure. She brought her cat to see me. Talk about having pretty girl syndrome,” Cooper said, using their term for a woman who felt the world should overlook her mistakes, help her whenever necessary, and give her endless chances because of her looks.
“Unless she’s getting married in the next six weeks, and the countdown started after Ginny’s surgery last Thursday, it won’t be my problem.” Zane glanced at the women again. “Who’s her friend?”
“I’m surprised you don’t recognize her. That’s Campbell Alverez.”
No wonder she looked familiar. He and Campbell had dated on and off during high school and college summer breaks. “She still lives here?”
“She moved in with her folks six months ago,” AJ said.
“I might give her a call if I get bored,” Zane said.
“Word is she went through a nasty divorce.”
The news made Zane pause. After a divorce, women went one of two ways. One, they loosened up, went a little wild, and made up for lost time. Or, they grew bitter and subconsciously punished men for their ex’s actions. If Campbell chose the first, great. They could have fun, but if memory served, she possessed a temper, making the second option more likely.
AJ thumped him on the arm. “Did you hear me, Zane?”
“Sorry. What did you say?”
“I asked what Cody thinks of you taking off six weeks?” AJ asked referring to Zane’s business partner.
