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“Hi everybody. Who’d like a drink?” She beckoned the waiter over. He took their orders and walked back to the bar.
“This is beautiful,” Ember’s mom said to Caitie as the waiter served their drinks. “You’ve done such a wonderful job. Ember and Lucas are so lucky to have you.”
“It really is gorgeous,” Brooke agreed, smiling at Caitie. “You’re so talented. And Ember told me you won the contract you were hoping for. That’s great news.”
“Thank you.” Caitie smiled at her. Ember’s friends were lovely. “I just want to make their day special.”
“You have,” Ember said, smiling softly at her. “You really have.”
“So, let me talk you through the plans for today,” Caitie said, clearing her throat. “Did you manage to check the seating plan for the rehearsal dinner?”
“Yes we did,” Ember said, nodding. “We had to make a couple of adjustments, I hope that’s okay. First of all, my Great Uncle Stan called this morning to say he could make it after all. So we’ve put him at the table with Frank Megassey and Lorne Daniels. He should be happy there, they’re all a similar age and know a lot of the same people.”
“That’s fine.” Caitie made a quick note to order an extra meal from the kitchen.
“And we’ve moved Rachel next to sit with Breck,” Ember said, shooting Rachel a smile. “She doesn’t know many people here and asked if she could be near him. That’s okay, isn’t it?”
Caitie ignored the way her chest contracted. “Um, yeah, that’s fine.” Just one more day. Two at the most, and she wouldn’t have to pretend any more.
“Thank you.” Rachel smiled at her, and Caitie immediately felt bad. She was nice, all Ember’s friends were. Caitie couldn’t help but feel like she was lying to her, even though she hadn’t said a word.
“I got a text from Aiden,” Brooke said. Breck’s boss, and the director of Silver Sands was also her boyfriend. “The guys are about five minutes away.”
“I should go and meet them,” Caitie said, standing up. “I’ll point them in this direction once they’ve checked in. You ladies can stay and finish your drinks.”
“Do you need any help?” Ember asked her.
“No, it’s all covered. Try to relax as much as you can.”
On her way to the lobby, Caitie dropped into the kitchen, and asked the chef to make an extra meal for Ember’s Great Uncle Stan.
“No problem,” he said, scribbling on the paper in front of him. “While you’re here, can we go through the allergies and special requests for tomorrow’s food? I want to make sure nothing goes wrong.”
“Of course.” Caitie leaned over him, talking through the list, pointing out the gluten-free requirements, the peanut allergies, and the guests who’d requested vegetarian meals. She was so absorbed with the chef, that when two hands grabbed her from behind, she almost jumped out of her skin.
“So this is where you are.” Lucas said, his voice warm. “We’ve been looking all over for you.” Behind him were Griff and Jack. At the back of the crowd she spied Breck, leaning on the counter, a half smile on his face. It was directed straight at her. Caitie’s body relaxed for the first time in days. Seeing him was like taking a deep breath of fresh, cool air.
Before she could say anything, one of the sous chefs walked into Griff, sending five aluminum trays clattering to the floor. The chef fell to his knees, scrambling around to pick everything up, while the rest of the kitchen staff was laughing.
“Um, we should probably get out of here,” Caitie suggested. “If we want to eat this evening we should leave these guys in peace. Have you all checked in and gotten your rooms?”
“All done. We were heading to see Ember and the others,” Lucas said, releasing her from his bear hug. “I wanted to see you first and thank you for everything. Are you sure there’s nothing you need me to do?”
“No. It’s all under control.” Caitie smiled at her big brother. “Save your energy for the rehearsal dinner and tomorrow. You’ll be exhausted by this evening.”
“Not too exhausted I hope,” Griff said, winking. “He’s got work to do all night.”
Caitie rolled her eyes.
“Can it,” Lucas said, good naturedly. “Or I’ll make you wear that Santa suit down the aisle.”
“Oh no, anything b
ut that.” Griff pretended to swoon. “Come on, let’s go and get ready, leave your sister in peace.” He raised an eyebrow. “She’s going to need all her energy to dance with me tomorrow.”
Over his shoulder she could see Breck watching them, a speculative expression on his face. Was he jealous of Griff? A tiny piece of her hoped he was, at least a little. The same way she felt about Rachel.
She couldn’t wait to be in Breck’s arms again. They hadn’t talked about their holiday plans – she’d been too busy planning the wedding to think any further ahead than the twenty-third, but now that it was getting so close, the only thing on her mind was the aftermath. Finally being able to relax for a few days, after such a frantic fall and winter. If she had her way, she’d spend the rest of her vacation in bed with Breck, laying in his warm embrace. There was absolutely no place she’d rather be.
