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21
“Try to not freak out,” Lucas’s said, his voice strained. “But there’s no way we can make it to the Chateau this weekend. It’s all Mom’s fault. She insisted we try her fish… or whatever it was. And whatever it was, it’s coming up right now.”
Caitie walked out onto the balcony to improve the reception “Eww, too much information.” She wrinkled her nose.
“Hang on…” He started to retch. The sound was enough to curdle her own stomach.
“Are you throwing up? I think I’d rather listen to you having sex than vomiting in the bathroom.” She shuddered. “Wait, I take that back. I really wouldn’t.”
“Can I call you back?” There was a loud thump, as though he’d dropped the phone.
Caitie frowned. “Lucas?” she called. When there was no response she tried a little louder. “Lucas? What about the tastings? We’re due to agree on the final menu tomorrow—”
All she got back was silence. Sighing, she slid her phone in her pocket and walked back into the office, her pulse dancing around like an acrobat. This was the last thing they needed. The wedding was in exactly ten days, and the kitchen needed to order in all the food in the next two days to make sure everything was ready. Without Lucas and Ember here to taste the chef’s suggestions, and agree on what food to serve, there was no way they could meet the deadline.
Martine, the hotel’s wedding coordinator, looked up as she walked in. “Is everything okay?” she asked as Caitie slumped back into her chair.
“My brother and his fiancée are sick. They can’t make it tomorrow.”
Martine winced. “Ouch. Is there any way they can get better before then?”
“Not without some kind of miracle. He could hardly talk on the phone without being sick in my ear.” Caitie cringed. “There’s no way they can drive here and face eating the food.” Caitie swallowed, trying not to panic.
“So we’ll have to do the tastings without them.” Martine smiled at her. “You have good taste, you can make the decisions.”
“On my own?” Caitie’s eyes widened.
Martine shrugged, her face soft with sympathy. “It’s that or the guests go hungry. Which would you prefer?”
This was the last thing she needed. Caitie had spent the last week running herself ragged, decorating houses and hotels for their Christmas events. When she’d had a moment to herself, she’d had to spend it making plans for her move to California, ready to start her new role at the Hollywood Hills Theme Park in January.
Then there was Breck; the light at the end of her overworked tunnel. They’d talked every night, each laying in their own bed, their bodies aching from a combination of hard work and need. The sound of his soft voice in her ear was like a balm to her soul, warming her from the inside out.
God, she missed him. And this weekend wasn’t making it any better. Knowing he was so close, and yet they couldn’t see each other. Not without having to explain to Lucas why Breck was spending time with Caitie here in the mountains. So instead she had to suffer with the knowledge the man she wanted to spend time with was only a short drive away.
She’d arrived at Chateau des Tournesols earlier that day. The plan was to stay two nights. Enough time to finish up the arrangements, coordinate the décor, and finalize the menu for the wedding dinner. With the big event almost here, she was feeling the pressure.
And thanks to that phone call, it had risen to the boiling point.
“We also have to agree on timings,” Martine reminded her. “Unless we walk through the event, I won’t be able to estimate the number of staff we’ll need. With the wedding right before Christmas, I’m already having trouble pinning wait staff down. Either they’re travelling to be with family, or they’ve already agreed to work at other events.”
Blowing out a long breath, Caitie stared at the plan they’d written out. The rehearsal dinner the night before, the ceremony, and post-wedding drinks. All of which was followed by an elaborate sit-down meal and dancing. Each step required intense organization and a whole barrel of staff. “Okay,” she finally agreed. “We’ll have to go ahead and do it without them.”
“I can get a couple of my team to stand in for the bride and groom,” Martine said, giving her a reassuring smile. “And if you know what your brother and his bride want, hopefully we won’t go wrong.”
“Luckily, they’re fairly easy going. I’ve spent enough time with Ember to know her tastes.” And if Caitie messed everything up, which was highly likely, then somehow they’d have to forgive her.
“Okay. I’ll tell the chef to go ahead for the tastings tomorrow. We’ll do the run through of the ceremony in the afternoon. That way we can check the lighting, the warmth, and make sure everything’s right for the actual wedding.”
“That sounds good.”
The door behind her creaked open. Martine sat up straight, a careful smile plastered on her face.
“Everything okay in here?”
Caitie turned to see Juan Dias walking through the doorway. She had met him before. As the owner of Chateau de Tournesols – and a friend of Breck’s – he’d taken her on a personal tour of the hotel the last time she’d been here.
“Caitie, it’s great to see you again. Is Martine taking good care of you? Is there anything you need?” He shook her hand. It was only when she smiled that she realized he wasn’t alone. Behind him were two more men. And one of them was giving her the dirtiest grin she’d ever seen.
