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“Send the bill to me. I’ll cover it. It’s the least I can do.” I take another gulp and down the rest of my wine.
“Hmmm,” she murmurs as she stands and grabs the wine bottle from the kitchen.
“Okay, so since you have the Miller wedding covered by Rosie tomorrow, are we bingingRegency DukesorScottish Highlandertonight?” she says, kicking her flats off and nestling her feet under her.
“It depends on which season.” I lift my brow and turn slightly to find the TV remote.
“First seasons are always the best.”
I groan because both are my favorites. “I can’t decide. I love both.”
“Do we need to flip a coin?” she asks.
I think about which one will remind me less of the man I just lost.
“It’s a simple decision. Do we want a moody, arrogant yet romantic hero or stubborn, overprotective, but loyal one?”
I blink at her, my mouth slightly agape. She looks back at me with patience.
“Fuck it, let’s watchGilmore Girlsinstead,” I say and flip on the TV. I don’t want to binge any man, fictional or not, who could remind me of Theo right now.
* * *
I lean against the reception desk, nervously fidgeting with my hands. Realizing that I’m pulling at my fingers, I shake them out and try to force myself to calm down. The elevator door slides open and there’s Nora, standing in the middle of the car. She smiles at me as she steps out of the elevator.
“Cassie.” She smiles kindly.
“Nora, thanks for meeting with me on short notice.” Normally she hugs me, but she doesn’t this morning. Shit. This isn’t good. I motion to the Smitten with Love conference room.
She walks in front of me and isn’t her normal chatty self. My anxiety skyrockets. I slide the door behind us closed as she takes a seat in the overstuffed love seat that fills this room. I sit across from her in the matching chair.
“I called you here because I have some information I need to share with you,” I start. Nora lifts her hand to stop me.
“Cassie. I know things with you and Theo ended, poorly if I might add.” Her demeanor is sad but firm.
Shit, this is it.
“Yes, and I wanted to explain,” I rush out.
“While I would love to know the details, it’s not necessary.” I open my mouth to explain, but she continues. “If you called me here to tell me you’re firing me as a client, or that you’re worried that I’m going to fire you as my planner, the answer is no to all of it. I will not accept either option. I’m getting married in four weeks and you will see this wedding, see me through this wedding until the end.” Her eyes fill with tears and I feel my own moisten.
“Nora,” I start.
“Cassie, you are amazing and you came to my rescue with this wedding. I don’t have anyone in my life besides two men who are clueless about weddings and romance and what a woman truly wants on her wedding day. I needed you. I still need you. Hell, I’m probably going to force a friendship upon you after the wedding. Fair warning.” She laughs.
I join her and take in the first breath I’ve been able to take all day.
“I’m so glad to hear all this. I wasn’t going to fire you as a client, no way. I was worried about you firing me,” I tell her and sag back in my chair, relieved.
Nora sighs. “Nope. Not happening. While I’ll admit that I wanted there to be something between you and my brother, I didn’t want either of you to get hurt and once I got to know you, I was worried that’s what was going to happen,” she admits.
My lips twist to the side before carefully asking, “Did he tell you?”
She shakes her head. “Kind of. He was being extra grumpy. I asked about you and he blew up at me.” My eyes widen. She waves it way. “No, it’s fine. If I had a dollar for every time my brother has had a short fuse and my younger, sisterly charm has caused an explosion I’d be rich.”
I suppress a giggle. “You are rich.”
“Exactly.” She smiles.
