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“Of course!” she says a little too eagerly, reaching for the envelope with such excitement, I’m not sure she clearly understands.
“Kelly?”
She raises her eyes to mine.
“Only two people in the world know what’s in here. Me and the personal wedding planner that will be the main point of contact.”
“Claire doesn’t know?”
“Not yet.”
“When do you plan to discuss it with her?” Mitch asks.
“This weekend. She works tonight and tomorrow night. We both have Sunday off.”
Understanding dawns on him and relief fills his face. The night he came to dinner and insisted we go out for drinks, he was not happy and made this known. He is a traditionalist and wanted assurances our living together was the first of many steps. “Certainly took you long enough,” he rumbles.
“I agree, but there was a holdup.” I don’t elaborate that I had the diamond reset three times before it was perfect.
“Can you please put me out of my misery and hand over that damn envelope?” She’s losing patience.
I hand it over, and she rips the papers out, shrieking. “Oh my God, the Bellagio?” Her eyes sweep rapidly over the page.
“Terrazza Di Sogno… full dinner reception… bridal day spa services…” She pauses and gasps, “July twenty-seventh!”
“July twenty-seventh,” I confirm.
“But that’s so soon! How can I possibly plan a wedding in less than nine weeks?”
“Easily.”
“You can’t know that. There is too much to do! Claire is going to stress out!”
I sit up, locking eyes with Kelly, my mood shifting. “No, Kelly, she’s not going to stress because I’m not going to let it happen. Rachel, the wedding planner, is at your beck and call. She’s been given strict instructions to contact me if there is even a hint of stress on Claire. Bizzy flipped out in her planning, and Grace planned a huge event in another state that almost drove her insane. That’s not happening with Claire.”
“You have no idea how this goes. You’re a man.” She huffs, completely flustered.
“Here’s what I know: You and my mom both have your dresses already. Bizzy is working on bridesmaids’ dresses. Brayden and Brinley have their outfits. My dad, brothers, and myself all own tuxes. The invitations are chosen, waiting on the location, date, and time. You have that now. Claire and I have decided on an intimate guest list that equals about fifty people, so invitations shouldn’t be a problem. We can work on the local celebration details after all the wedding plans are done. When you and Claire decide on flowers and colors, you call Rachel, email her your wishes, and she will have it ready. No questions. There’s a block of rooms already saved for RSVPs. I’ve arranged for Claire and me to fly into Vegas a few days early, and we will sit down with the executive chef to plan our menu. The cake as well. Rachel will be working with me on the band and music choices.”
“What about the extras? Your registry, the showers, the parties? We can’t fit all that in.”
“You have four women, five if you include Sharon Monroe, to help plan these things. I’ll talk to Claire about the registry, even though I don’t think we need much.”
“Her China! Her silver! What about her crystal?”
“For shit’s sake, Kelly. Give it a rest. You got this; we all know you got this. Hand me those.” Mitch snatches the packet out of her hand and scans it, flipping through the contract. “I don’t see costs anywhere on here.”
“I’ve got it covered.”
His face heats up, and he shakes his head at the same time Kelly inhales sharply. “No, Mathis, you don’t. This is my baby girl, and we’re paying for her wedding.”
“Not up for discussion.” I’ve been preparing for this argument since I made the decision to get married in Vegas.
“We have money. We are paying.”
“I know you have money, and I appreciate the offer. But this is all me. You want to pay for something, I suggest getting ready for the price tag on the dress Claire’s eying.”
“Dammit, Mathis—”
