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“Not yet. But I have a very eager real estate agent, who thinks it will sell quickly.”
Sadly, so did Clara. There was something about the little chapel that drew her in. She would love to own it. “How much are you asking for it?”
Mabel’s eyes widened. “You want to buy it?”
“I’d love to.” But even with this Hollywood wedding, she doubted she’d have enough for the down payment.
Mabel smiled. “Let me talk to my real estate agent and see if he determined the price.”
Clara knew the price would be steep. And if she were to ask her family to help out, it wouldn’t be a problem, but this was her career, and she would do it on her own. “I’d appreciate it.”
“And don’t worry, you can still have the wedding at the chapel.”
“Thank you.”
Three weeks until the big day and there was still so much to do. Although now that Andrew was in the wedding party, she might be a bit distracted. But as she thought it over, she realized this development wasn’t as bad as she’d initially thought. She’d see him at the fitting, at the rehearsal dinner, and at the wedding. Three run-ins—three well-chaperoned events. They probably wouldn’t even have a chance to talk.
Clara didn’t know if it was Mabel’s company or the cookies, but she began to relax. This wedding would work out. Andrew being there was no big deal. At least that was what she wanted to believe.
CHAPTER THREE
Thenextmorning,Clarasat in her San Francisco office, staring blindly at the computer monitor. She glanced around, wondering what Andrew would think of what she’d done for herself. It might not be the fanciest suite of offices, and it might not be situated in the poshest part of town, but she’d paid for the lease on her own—without any help from her family. She’d dipped into her dwindling savings—money she’d earned while working in DC. She just hoped the building’s rustic charms made up for the less-than-impressive address.
Her thoughts strayed to the Seabreeze Chapel. She would love to buy the place. Talk about a stunning location and a breathtaking view. She exhaled a dreamy sigh.
And then she gave herself a mental shake. The chapel was most definitely out of her financial reach. She needed to concentrate on making Tula’s wedding a huge success because that wedding would make or break her wedding planning business.
The Perky Pink Wedding Company had to succeed, because she didn’t have a backup plan. Instead of taking a role in her family’s charitable foundation, she’d followed her heart—making romantic dreams come true for brides. Her father had been so upset with her when he thought she’d thumbed her nose at his life’s work. It wasn’t the truth—not even close. Still, he’d cut her off financially. To this day, they weren’t speaking. His choice, not hers.
Her heart still panged when she recalled her father calling her work frivolous. He insisted he wouldn’t release her trust fund until she came to her senses. In the end, all he’d done was make her even more determined to strike out on her own and to make her business a success.
Clara halted the disturbing memories. All of this unwanted introspection was Andrew’s fault. He was the absolute last person she’d expected to see at the Seabreeze Wedding Chapel. It wasn’t exactly a tourist destination.
Andrew was the reason she planned others’ happily-every-afters and not her own. She’d tried dating a few times, but when she continually found herself comparing each man to Andrew, what was the point in going out? They all came up lacking in one respect or another.
Yesterday she’d immediately noticed Andrew wasn’t the same man she’d once loved. Gone were his designer suits and colorful ties. He’d had on a blue oxford with the sleeves partially rolled up, jeans—faded ones at that—and loafers. Definitely a more casual look for him than she’d become accustomed to seeing him wear.
But more than that, she’d noticed how he favored his left leg. What was up with that? On top of that, he’d lost some weight—not that he’d had any extra pounds to lose. And there had been a scar trailing up his jaw on the left side. That was most definitely new. And somehow it made him even sexier and more tempting.
Let it go. It’s none of your business. What happens to Andrew is not your concern.
Great advice. Yet this was a case of it being easier said than done. And what did he find so important that he had to talk to her after all of this time? Surely the fresh start he’d mentioned didn’t include them getting back together, because that was never going to happen.
A rapid, soft knock at her closed office door drew Clara from her thoughts. She focused back on the computer monitor to realize that her finger had rested on the space bar, making a mess of the email she’d been writing.
“Come in.”
Her assistant, Brooke Carson, rushed inside and promptly closed the door. Clara’s interest was piqued. Brooke usually didn’t make a point of closing the door. Either someone was in the outer office who made her uncomfortable, or she had information that she didn’t want anyone to walk in and overhear.
Clara really hoped it was the second because she just wasn’t up for dealing with difficult clients right now. She needed some downtime to regroup after the way Andrew’s sudden appearance had rattled her. She’d thought she’d let go of that part of her life. Obviously, she hadn’t done a good enough job.
Clara skipped the small talk. “What’s the matter?”
“Nothing. It’s what’s right.” Brooke smiled brightly, as though she were holding the winning lottery ticket.
“Brooke, don’t start with the word games. If it’s about the Fox wedding—”
“It isn’t. There’s a really hot guy here. His name is Mr. Smith, and he wants you to plan a party for him.”
