Happily This Christmas (Happily Inc #6) - Susan Mallery Page 0,73
into the night.
“Hunter’s upset,” she said, returning to the original subject. “He was quiet all afternoon. I know it’s a lot to take in.”
“He’ll work through it and next fall he can apply again.”
“I hope he does. I think the program would be good for him. Rules and discipline as he enters high school. It’s a mother’s dream.” She looked at him again and smiled. “And in your world?”
“I went to my first birthing class.”
She laughed. “How was it?”
“Horrifying. I’m not sure how I’m going to get through the videos. The whole process is insane and unnatural.”
“It’s actually very natural.”
“For you.” He shuddered. “The cliché is true. If it were up to men to have babies, the human race would be dead in a generation. Can we talk about something else?”
“Is this where I point out you were the one who brought up the birthing class?”
“Sure, but I take it back. I was wrong.”
“Ah, the W word. That’s exciting to hear. All right—a new topic. We’re having the meeting about Holly’s wedding tomorrow. I’m really excited to see what Renee’s pulled together. With what we’ve all pitched in, Holly and Rex are going to have a great wedding.”
“Something they can remember always,” he said.
“That’s what a wedding should be. Especially because they’re still young.”
“And you’re old?” His voice was teasing.
“No, but I’m less idealistic than I was.” She sighed. “I had to cancel Hunter’s sleepover.”
“I figured.”
“So we won’t have the house to ourselves.”
He put his hand under her chin, pressing gently until she looked at him.
“I want nothing more than to make love with you,” he said gently. “But our lives are complicated. I’m not going anywhere, Wynn. When the time is right, we’ll take that step, but until then, it’s okay.”
Which was exactly the right thing to say, she thought happily. “That’s what I think, too.”
“Good.”
“Why aren’t you married?”
He chuckled. “There’s a question.”
“What’s the answer?”
“I was married and it didn’t work out.”
“So you won’t do that again?”
“No.” He paused. “After Sandy and I split up, there was the whole Colombia thing. That messed with my head. When I got home, I was restless. I heard about the job here and moved back. Since then, I’ve been busy settling.”
“It doesn’t take three years to get settled.”
His gaze was steady. “I’m not opposed to marriage. Are you?”
She fought against the urge to put a little distance between them. Somehow the conversation had gone in a direction she hadn’t expected.
“I’m not,” she said softly.
“Good to know. Now I’m going to suggest we go watch some TV before we both feel this has gotten too awkward.”
She laughed and stood up. “Any suggestions on what kind of show?”
“Maybe a medical drama.”
“Not a reality show about fashion?”
He smiled. “I hear chunky heels are making a comeback.”
“Do you even know what a chunky heel is?”
“No, but it sounded good, didn’t it?”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
JOYLYN DIDN’T KNOW what to expect from the wedding consultation. She knew time was tight, and Holly would have to take what could be put together in days rather than weeks or months. When she and Chandler had planned their wedding, they’d taken almost a year. She and her mother had gone over every detail, and the day had been exactly as she’d dreamed it would be.
She arrived at Weddings Out of the Box right on time. Wynn arrived seconds later and parked next to her. They walked in together, passing several decorated Christmas trees and a dozen or so freestanding, six-foot-tall candy canes.
“I’m looking forward to this,” Wynn said. “All my friends are in the wedding business, but I rarely get involved in the actual planning. Maybe one or two weddings a year. This is going to be fun.”
“I know Holly’s excited,” Joylyn said. “I hope we’re able to make the day special for her. It’s really last minute.”
Wynn smiled. “Renee knows how to work a miracle. I think you’re going to be pleased with what she’s pulled together.”
They walked into the conference room. It was plain, with a long table and a large video screen at one end. Renee was already there, looking pulled-together in a beautiful dark green suit. Her thick, long, red hair was pulled back in a ponytail. She smiled when she saw them.
“Hi. I think I have everything ready. It’s been a whirlwind, that’s for sure.” She waved to the empty chairs. “Have a seat and we’ll get started.”
Joylyn and Wynn sat across from her. Renee typed on her laptop and the screen lit up, showing the same view