out. I know our janitorial service would like more hours. We could find out if they would do the setup and takedown.”
“We’d have to get a cut of the catering,” Renee told her. “Because that’s where all the money is. I suppose we could set up different menus so everything flows through us. Oh, what about themed events? We have the decorations from all the weddings. Depending on the type of business, we could offer different packages. It would add an interesting element to the event.”
“A Star Trek–themed corporate getaway?” Pallas asked with a laugh. “I like it. You know, I was playing with this idea right around the time Nick and I got together. Then we fell in love and got married and I got pregnant and what is it they say? Life happens. I’m so glad you want to be a part of this.”
“Me, too.”
“Anybody home?”
Renee turned toward the open doorway. “That sounds like Jasper.”
She got up and called his name. Seconds later, he came into view.
“You’re not in your office,” he said. “But your car is in the parking lot. I was starting to think you’d been abducted by aliens.” He lightly kissed her, then waved at Pallas. “Am I interrupting?”
“We were just finishing up,” Pallas told him. “Are you here to steal her away for a few hours?” Her voice was teasing.
Renee immediately thought that why yes, she could make the time, but before she could say that, Jasper looked at her. The second she saw the combination of regret and concern in his eyes, she knew he hadn’t shown up to ask for a little naked time.
“What? I can see it’s something, so just spit it out.” She wanted to ask what her mother had done now, only she knew whatever it was Verity couldn’t be involved. Since arriving in Happily Inc, her mother had been sweet and helpful and just plain—
“It’s about your mom.”
“Is she okay?”
“She’s fine.” Jasper looked past her to Pallas. “This is kind of about you, too. Her producer has come up with a really fun idea to promote the show.”
Renee couldn’t imagine what that had to do with her or Pallas. Unless...
“Did she find out about the giraffes?”
“What? No. It’s a giant dog wedding.”
Renee turned to Pallas who looked as confused as she felt.
“I don’t know what that is,” Pallas admitted. “How many dogs does it take to be a giant dog wedding?”
“That was my question,” he admitted. “I guess we’ll find out when they get here. Odele, that’s her producer, thinks it will be entertaining and visual and give them something to promote that will get attention on social media.”
“Because ‘we have a woman who talks to animals’ isn’t enough of a grabber?” Renee shook her head. “Sorry. I don’t know the business and if my mom’s excited then it’s great that they’re—” The pieces came together.
“Oh, no,” she breathed. “They want to have the giant dog wedding here, don’t they?”
“That’s kind of the point of me stopping by. Your mom said things were good between the two of you and she didn’t want to mess that up, so she sent me instead.” He flashed her a smile. “This would be a good time to say don’t kill the messenger.”
Renee wanted to scream. This was so unfair. She and Pallas were in the middle of negotiating her joining the business. Talk about an off-putting twist in their relationship.
“It would be midweek,” he added. “Odele said the show will cover all the expenses and make sure the property is back to normal by close of business on Thursday. Apparently they’re willing to pay a premium for the use of the space.”
Pallas looked at Renee. “Premiums are always nice.”
“You’re saying you can be bought?”
Pallas grinned. “When it comes to the business, money nearly always talks.” She turned to Jasper. “I guess I need to speak with Verity’s producer.”
He pulled a business card out of his shirt pocket. “I happen to have her number right here.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
RENEE AND JASPER left Pallas to call Odele and work out the details of the giant dog wedding.
When they reached her office, Jasper stepped in front of her to keep her from going inside.
“You need a break,” he told her. “Let’s go walk around for a half hour or so to clear your head.”
She thought of all she had to do and all that had happened in the past hour. “I’d like that. I’m kind of reeling from too much input.”