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“Tula and I are good. She’s really trying. I appreciate you trying to look out for me, but I’ve got this.”
And now it was time for him to say what he’d gone there for. “Good. Then I hope you don’t mind if I head up to San Francisco and stay a while. With the wedding there, I can handle any loose ends that come up.”
Hugh’s brows rose. “I have the feeling this move north has less to do with the wedding and more to do with the wedding planner.” When Andrew went to argue the point, Hugh held up his hand, stopping him. “Don’t worry. We’re good. I just hope you find what you’re looking for and recognize it when you see it.”
That was a bit cryptic for his brother or maybe it was the lateness of the hour and too many hours driving. “Thanks. Call me if you need anything. And I’ll let you know when I have the bachelor party planned—”
“I told you that wasn’t necessary.”
“You might not think so, but I do. It’s the least I can do for my little brother before his big day.”
“Just remember no publicity.”
“Already taken care of.” Andrew got to his feet and stretched. “You’ll probably be gone by the time I get up so I guess I’ll see you at the bachelor party.”
“Wouldn’t miss it.”
And with that Andrew walked away while his brother raised the volume on the television. He had no doubt his brother would fall asleep right there on the couch. Sleep was something Andrew was craving. And he had no doubt Clara would tiptoe through his dreams—like always.
It was taking longer than hoped for…
…But at last the wedding was starting to take shape.
Clara stood in Maria Ortega’s downstairs, which had been converted into a large kitchen area to run her catering business, Classic Elegance Catering. It wasn’t a huge space, but Maria made sure to use every square inch of it. From four ovens to two six-burner stoves and three fridges. There was a lot crammed into the space and yet everything was neat and orderly.
She’d met Maria not long after her move to San Francisco. There had been a convention of wedding vendors, and Maria had been there. Clara had visited to try to make contacts for her up-and-coming wedding business. As soon as they’d met, they hit it off.
“And that’s the whole menu,” Clara said as her gaze skimmed down over her digital notepad. “And you’ll be able to circulate the finger foods before the dinner on the beach?”
“Yes.” Maria sent her a reassuring smile. “This isn’t our first wedding together.”
“True. But this wedding could make or break us.”
“Clara, I never heard you so worried about a wedding before. Is everything okay?”
Clara nodded, though her insides were knotted up. “It’s just that I’ve never had the whole world peering in at a wedding I’ve planned.”
Maria’s gaze narrowed. “Is that the only reason you’re so worked up?”
“Of course. What else would it be?”
“Well, I did hear about your ex being in town for the wedding. I bet that was a shock.”
Heat swirled in Clara’s chest. She opened her mouth to ask how she’d heard about Andrew’s appearance, but then it came to her—Brooke had told her. A group of her friends had a favorite coffee spot, Lacy’s Java ’N Tea. With everyone’s schedules so busy these days, it wasn’t often they all had time to meet up. But every now and then, luck played a part, and they’d arrive at the same time. It appeared Brooke had met up with Maria there recently.
There was no point in denying it, so Clara said, “Yes, Andrew is here for his brother’s wedding.”
“And I hear he won’t let anyone else help him but you.”
The heat in her chest worked its way up her neck and settled in her cheeks. “It’s… Uh, just that he knows me.”
Maria arched a sculpted brow before sending her a knowing smile. “Or maybe it’s more than that.”
Just then Clara’s phone rang. She’d never been so happy to hear the jingle of a call. “Sorry. I have to get this.”
Maria nodded as she moved away to stir something on the stove. Clara glanced at the caller ID and saw it was Mabel. The sweet woman didn’t call her, well, ever, so she wondered what was on her mind.
“Hello, Mabel. Is something wrong?”
