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“Nothing now.” Rylee rushed to the box that Trick had carried in. She unfolded the top to reveal...feathers? “The pens were delivered to Sasha’s hotel by mistake, but here they are. And it looks like they’re all here.”
Trick extracted a chunky gold pedestal with multiple holes in it and then lifted one of the feather-tipped pens. They were ornate, with gold nibs and bands, the black faux feathers full and silky. He set the pedestal upright on the table and stuck a pen in it. Rylee and Dee began helping. Once every pen was in place, the pedestal looked more like a vase with a waterfall of feathers sprouting out of it.
“For the guest book,” Rylee explained.
“It’s gorgeous,” Dee said approvingly. “What a find!”
“Thank you. Of course I’ll ensure each of the pens work and I’ll find some backup pens that are attractive in case one of the decorative pens run out of ink.”
Trick swallowed a smile. That was his Rylee, planning for every unlikely hiccup. While that trait was admirable, he suspected her over-attention to detail caused more problems in her life than it solved.
“Keely brought the dress by already. I have it locked safe and sound in my private office here in the TCC. You never know who could be lurking around.”
“Yeah, I see that.” Dee slid Trick a look, but to him it felt approving.
“Now that you’re both here, how about drinks?” Trick offered. “I’m buying.”
Dee exchanged glances with Tripp and then Rylee.
“I was actually going to call about the vintage car situation, anyway,” Rylee said. “Drinks would give us a chance to chat.”
“In that case—” Tripp extended an arm toward the exit “—lead the way.”
Rylee had worked with Dee closely over the last few months. Dee had been making decisions for the bride whenever Ari couldn’t be here. Not to mention Tripp had practically mind-read Rylee’s plans for an Old Hollywood glamor wedding theme.
They relocated to the Silver Saddle, a tapas bar within the Bellamy, the same hotel where Trick and Rylee were staying. The bar was luxurious yet comfortable. Tripp chose a stand-up table with four high stools, one of which he pulled out for Dee.
“I’m going to grab drinks,” Trick said after doing the same for Rylee. “Bellini?”
“White wine.”
“No peaches for you, Peaches? What gives?”
The nickname prompted a raised eyebrow from Tripp. Dee gave him her order and the two men walked to the bar to collect the drinks.
“Sorry, I dove right in to asking Tripp about the cars before we sat down. I have no social graces when I’m off the clock.”
“Are you ever off the clock?” Dee chuckled.
“Not really.” Rylee shook her head abashedly. “I tend to quadruple check every item on my list. And then check once more.”
“Hey, you’re under a lot of pressure. This wedding is a big deal. Which begs the question, why don’t you have, like five assistants?”
“I’m beginning to see the need for them,” Rylee admitted. “In the past I’ve hired remote assistants to place orders and double-check stock and available dates, but with Ari and Ex being so famous, I didn’t trust anyone to have their hands on this besides me, you and Tripp. And the other vendors, of course. They’ve been wonderful. Ex and Ari’s wedding is by far the most extravagant wedding I’ve planned.”
Which had had the added bonus of completely overwhelming Rylee. Maybe that was the real reason behind why she kissed Trick. She’d never behaved so out of character in her life—and while at work.
Dee must have noticed the worry tugging at the corner of Rylee’s mouth. The other woman patted her hand. “Ari hired you because she knows your work ethic is unmatched. You have a gift for turning the ordinary into magical. And she trusts you because you have done everything in your power to make this event crease-free.”
“I thought she hired me because I’m from Texas,” Rylee sort of joked.
“Xavier loves that you’re a Texan, but it’s not mere geography that landed you this gig, sweetheart. Tripp and I see it too. You are a professional through and through. Everything is going to be perfect. You wouldn’t allow it to be anything less.”
“Thank you.” Rylee meant it. A compliment from Dee went a long way.
“You’re welcome.” A smile tickled the corner of Dee’s mouth as she checked the bar for the guys. “What’s up with you making out with the enemy?”
Rylee turned her eyes to the ceiling before closing them and scrunching up her face. “I don’t know how that happened. Trick is so different than I thought he was. He’s kind, and thoughtful. He changed a tire today for a courier, and then filmed a video with her because she was a fan.”
