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“Nooo.” This is bad. “Is this one of our vendors?” I sure hope the answer is no.
“Nope,” she says, popping the word. “This is one the mother of the bride just had to have. I had heard some negative rumblings about this photog, but she could not be swayed to go with one of ours.”
“Well, shoot. Do you think you’ll be able to get someone to step in?” I ask as we move closer to the counter. Hazel catches my eye and waves, nods, and mouths an “I got you.” Before rushing back to what she was doing.
“I think it’s going to be so flipping hard to do. I need to go through my list. Worst case I have to contact someone on my list of potential vendors. I hate doing that last-minute, though.” She pops her bottom lip out in a pout.
“Or, we could talk Stella into stepping in. She would be fantastic,” I offer.
Cassie’s eyes go wide. “That would be amazing, but there’s no way she’d do a wedding.”
“Maybe, but if you’re in a true pickle, I think she would help out,” I tell her.
Cassie bites her lip in thought before a grin takes over. “Yeah, let me contact my go-to photogs and if I have no luck, let’s devise a plan to get Stella on board.”
“Perfect. I would love to have an in-house photographer, so maybe this is the first step,” I add while we finally reach the counter. Hazel squeezes in next to the young man at the register. He can’t be more than twenty years old, but he blushes when her arm brushes his.
Oh my. Someone has a crush. And a foxy older woman too.
“Ladies, a mid-morning pick-me-up on me.” She grins at us.
“Oh, well, don’t mind if I do.” Cassie reaches out and grabs the caramel macchiato she knows is hers. I shove some bills into the tip jar and take my iced mocha.
“What’s in the bag?” I jerk my head to the white bag I know has something yummy in it.
“New cupcake. Banana peanut butter. I think it’s a winner.” Hazel winks.
“Oh, you had me at peanut butter.” Cassie nearly drools.
“We still on for Saturday?” Hazel asks.
“September Girls Night In, you betcha!” I confirm. An employee taps Hazel on the shoulder, so we say goodbye and let her get back to work.
“I love having a friend who gets us access to coffee and sweets,” Cassie says, taking a drink.
“Same.” I laugh.
And I realize in that moment that my life is so good and full. I can’t help the smile that grows across my lips at the fact that I’ve got amazing friends, a kick-ass career, and an amazing man who loves and adores me.
* * *
COLE
Walking through my office, I whistle a tune I heard a few days ago and can’t get it out of my head. I’m comfortable enough in my manhood to be okay with the fact that it’s some new Jonas Brothers song. Layla listens to pop music, so my preferred classic rock has taken a back seat on the Spotify playlists.
“Dude. You’re so pussy-whipped it’s not even funny. She’s got you listening to the Jonas Bros?” Travis says, standing in the doorway of his office. I was on my way out but was going to come say hi.
I smirk at him. “Two things. One, it’s damn good pussy and chef’s kiss.” I mimic the gesture. “And two, I have an excuse for listening to those three fine men. What’s yours?”
Travis rolls his eyes. “Where are you off to?” he asks, changing the subject.
“A little afternoon pick-me-up.” I waggle my brows at him.
“Ah, heading over to HEA then?” He leans his shoulder into the doorframe.
“Yeah, need me to do any sleuthing while I’m there?” I shift on my feet, antsy to get to my girl, but fucking with Travis is too much fun. Travis just started the process of matchmaking and I can’t possibly be having more fun with it. Ruth has taken him on as a client and it’s much more entertaining being on this end of the process.
“Shut up,” he grumbles.
