Page 12 of Playing It Forward

I want to chase her. I want to ask her why she’s hiding from me. What did I do wrong?

I swear I didn’t pressure her in the closet. I made sure she said yes loud and clear before I buried myself in her wet heat.

Does she regret what we did? I need to find out.

I stand to follow her but Corbin steps in my way.

“I wouldn’t.” He nods toward Tanner and Gage, who are pretending not to watch my every step.

Crap. He’s right. Tanner hasn’t shut up about how the pretty little brunette shut me down since last week. I shouldn’t give him any more ammunition to tease me.

I don’t mind being teased by Tanner. But the wide receiver has a big mouth. He’ll broadcast my love life to the entire world without a second thought.

I don’t know what’s going on with Terri, but I do know I don’t want the world to know about her. Not yet.

Chapter 5

Great. Seals, melting mermaids, and quarterbacks are all determined to ruin my day.

Terri

I review the to-do list on my clipboard as I hurry down the hallway. Photographer? Check. She’s here. Cake? Check. It arrived. Flowers? I pause with my pen poised above the item. Have the flowers arrived?

I snatch my phone from my pocket and dial the number for the florist. I don’t allow her to say hello.

“Where are you?”

Iris sighs. “We’re here.”

I frown. “I don’t see any flowers.”

“Sammy is blocking the service entrance to the resort.”

I growl. Don’t get me wrong. I love the seal as much as the other smugglers on the island. But he can be a real pain in the ass sometimes.

“Did you try moving him?”

She snorts. “Of course. He’s not budging.”

Crap on a seafood cracker. “I’ll be there in five minutes.” Because I have nothing else to do this morning.

I hang up and make my way to the ballroom. I’ll quickly check the setup for the reception before going to deal with Sammy.

I flip to another page of my checklist. Table settings? Done. Centerpieces? The little pirates are still chasing the mermaids. Good. Signage? Candles? Linens? Gift table? Everything is looking good.

I start to walk away, but something feels off. My nose wrinkles as I scan the room again. What’s off?

There! The mermaid ice sculpture is melting. I check the time. The ice sculpture shouldn’t even be outside yet.

I dig out my phone but it rings before I can answer it. Bridezilla 1 calling.

Yes, I have more bridezillas programmed into my phone and have numbered them. Welcome to event planning at the most sought after wedding location on the East Coast.

“Hello, Tiffany,” I answer the phone in a bright voice despite the dread rolling through my body.

“It’s a disaster. Everything’s ruined.”

Everything’s been ruined at least ten times since she arrived at the resort yesterday.