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I nodded. "I have a list of locations that can fit that number."
Amber turned to Graham. "Graham has agreed to host the wedding. He has a beautiful house outside Santa Monica, and the outdoor space is gorgeous. We could install a tent there."
"Perfect. If we've got the location, half the wedding is practically in the bag." I turned to Graham. "But I do have to warn you that hosting a wedding involves a lot of hassle. We'll have a crew milling around your property."
"I can handle it."
I bet he could. He seemed the kind of man who could handle anything. He smiled, and I returned it but then averted my gaze. I was trying really hard not to find him attractive, and I was failing. His face looked sculpted, and I briefly wondered if the rest of him did too. I couldn't tell because his blue shirt was tailored but not stretched. Still, I thought it hinted at steely, defined muscles. Or maybe that was just my overactive imagination.
"Since we're on a tight schedule, you might want to send a save-the-date e-mail to your guests. I have some beautifully formatted wedding templates to show you."
"But we'd be sending regular invitations too?" Amber asked.
"Some of our guests are more traditional," Matt added.
"Of course. But choosing invitations and having them printed and mailed can take up to a week, even if we hurry. The save-the-date e-mail is so people already know to keep that day free, make traveling plans if necessary."
"Great thinking. I like you, Lori," Amber said. "So what are the next steps?"
"Do you have any preferences regarding color scheme, or even a theme?"
"Not really," Amber said. Matt looked mildly panicked. Graham merely leaned back in his chair. This was business as usual. The bride getting all excited, the man—or in this case, men—checking out at the mention of color schemes.
"I have my laptop with me, and I'll be showing you a few things, so you can have an idea of what's possible."
I extricated my laptop from my tote and positioned it on the table so the four of us could see the
screen. Most of the time, the first meeting was about getting to know each other, seeing if we clicked, but Amber and Matt were on a tight deadline. I clicked open the folder titled Themes, and started the slideshow. I had a mix of everything, from classic elegance to shabby chic to more extravagant options.
"Tell me if you like anything. And if you don't, that's okay too. I promise we'll find exactly what you need for your special day."
I trained my gaze on the bride and groom, trying to read their expressions, but out of the corner of my eye, I caught Graham smirking when I said “special day.” Was he a marriage skeptic? I hoped not, because they ruined the buzz. I encountered one in the close circle of the couple every now and then. When said person happened to be the best man, it could become very unpleasant. I'd witnessed one too many awkward speeches.
Maybe Graham's smirk was simply a knee-jerk reaction to the overload of glitter on my screen. Over-the-top wedding arrangements brought out the cynic in everyone, occasionally even in brides. But I wanted to show them the possibilities.
I flipped the image on the screen to a wedding with a vintage theme, then to one with no theme at all, just classic, timeless elegance. I had a hunch Amber would go for that one. When she pointed at the screen, and exclaimed, "This. I want something like this!" I couldn't help the pride surging inside me. "What do you think?" she asked her fiancé.
"This looks about right."
"I thought you might go for classic elegance! Now, for catering, photographers, florists, and everything in between, I work with a network of professionals. It'll be fastest if you trust me to pick the right team to work for your wedding."
"It means less hassle for us, so I say go for it," Matt said. "We should also talk about your fee."
I'd hoped the question would come later, but I couldn't skirt around it. When I uttered my fee, Amber nodded.
“How much do you think the menus would be?” she asked.
Graham talked before I could answer. "Amber, leave that to me. I told you it’s my wedding gift to you."
I was surprised at that. So not only was he putting his property at their service, he was also paying for the wedding menus? That went above and beyond best man duty. He slid a business card over the table, and said, "Ms. Connor, send all invoices regarding the menus to me."
"I will. Call me Lori, please."
"Cost is not an issue, Lori."
Amber nudged him with her elbow. "Hey! Just because you're paying doesn't mean I can't watch the menu costs."
"That's exactly what it means," Graham said.
