“Does she sound like another bridezilla?” Sophie asked.
Ivy grimaced. “I hesitate to label any woman a bridezilla without even having the first consultation, but Addison did stop mid phone conversation to scream at the dog groomer, so make of that what you will. On the subject of bridezillas, Grace, how are those photos for the Bruni wedding coming along? The bride called me last night. Three times.”
“She called me yesterday afternoon before my date to ask me to Photoshop the shade of her lipstick in all the photos to be slightly more pink,” I said. “I explained that it would take a while to go through all the pictures.”
“Ah.”
“Bridezillas.”
The elevator dinged. A tall brunette and a man with shaggy blond hair stepped off.
“It’s time for your most important meeting of the day!” Gunnar Svensson announced.
Dana Holbrook, his business partner at Romance Creative, rolled her eyes.
“Ready to talk reality TV?” Dana asked.
“Do you want some water?” Brea offered, setting down the embroidery she had been working on while we talked.
“Do you have anything stronger?” Dana asked.
“Marriage in a Minute is filming the big wedding scene in two days, Dana,” Gunnar protested. “You have to stay sharp.”
“I cannot deal with these brides,” Dana complained.
“Welcome to our world,” I quipped.
“Speaking of!” Gunnar leaned forward. “Did you decide which of you are going to be one of the brides?”
“Excuse me?” I said in shock. “We were hired to plan the weddings for the show as part of a collaboration, not be brides.”
“Actually,” Ivy grimaced, “you missed that part of the contract negotiations. I think you were doing bridal portraits.”
“It’s a great idea!” Gunnar insisted. “Think of all the publicity if one of the Weddings in the City girls participates!”
Elsie raised an eyebrow.
“Women,” Gunnar amended. Elsie’s eyebrow went higher.
“Supreme goddesses of the universe.” Gunnar made a little bow.
“We don’t have time to be in the show,” I said, incredulous. “We’re up to our sweetheart necklines with flowers, cakes, and lace.”
“It’s just five days out of the next six weeks where you would have to pretend to be with your fake husband,” Dana cajoled.
“He’s a nice dude,” Gunnar assured me. “I roped one of my brothers to do it. There’s going to be no funny business because I’ll come after him. He doesn’t even live in New York City most of the time. You just have to show up at his condo for a few shoots, then your lives go on as normal.”
“Being on the show was in lieu of us paying to be a sponsor,” Ivy told me. “So someone needs to get fake married.”
I threw up my hands.
“Whatever. If one of you wants to be on Marriage in a Minute, that’s on you.”
“Unfortunately,” Ivy said, “I’m engaged. I can’t be on it!”
“Same,” Brea said, wiggling her fingers, the huge diamond engagement ring glittering in the sunlight.
I looked at Elsie.
“Don’t even think about it,” she warned, eyes narrowing.
“We want someone who people will like,” Gunnar said, scooting away from Elsie.
“Guess it’s Amy or Sophie,” I said.
Ivy and Brea exchanged a look. Then they smiled at me.
“Absolutely not.”
“But I already made the wedding dress to fit you!” Brea begged.
“I’m not getting married!” I shrieked, “Especially not to some guy I won’t meet until I’m standing at the altar!”
“It’s a fake marriage,” Dana reminded me. “This is not in any way legal. I am not getting sued.”
“I’m not getting fake married.” I crossed my arms.
“Yes, but you’re the person least likely to get caught up in the moment,” Ivy cajoled. “Besides, all you do is work. This might be a chance for you to meet some new people.”
“One of the other brides might have a hot brother,” Sophie added.
“I heard you’re trying to get a book published,” Gunnar said conspiratorially. “Once you start talking to a publisher, I will put in a good word and let them know I will be going heavy on the marketing!”
I did want to have my coffee-table book published and, more importantly, be successful.
“Fine,” I grumbled, crossing my arms. “But I’m only doing the bare minimum.”
“That is all we ask,” Ivy said, pressing her hands together.
“You’re getting married!” Amy squealed, pulling me into a hug.
“Fake married!”
4
Chris
“Are you sure this is a fake marriage?” I asked Gunnar as I looked over the contract.
“Totally a hundred percent fake,” he assured me as I signed the forms.
“Also, fuck your brothers.”
Gunnar laughed. “It will be fun!”
“Doubtful.”
“You’re going to learn so much about yourself. We have a sex therapist and a relationship coach,” he said,