Temptation on Ocean Drive - Jennifer Probst Page 0,30
the wedding, let alone the day before. They’ll need places to stay, though. Penthouses, private suites, spa dates, et cetera. The usual to keep them happy.”
Bella typed out the notes on her phone. “And what about Edward? Is there anything specific he’d like to see at the wedding . . . or not see?”
“Ed wants to show up so we can finally make this legal. We’ve been living in sin far too long for his poor aristocratic heart. He’s asked for Courvoisier cognac, a safe place to smoke a cigar, and for me to be happy with the rest.” She sighed. “Isn’t he sweet?”
“He definitely is,” Bella said.
The waitress dropped off their food. Gabe almost groaned at the perfect bacon cheeseburger. “How would you like us to handle the press?”
“Most of them want to write about my wedding and tear me apart,” she said good-naturedly. “I want to be sure they don’t get through the door.”
“I’ll coordinate with Stacia and get some security,” Gabe said.
They chatted about a few more specifics; then Adele took a call and made her apologies. “I must run, darlings. Thank you. From now on, you have my approval to do the rest as you see fit. I barely have time to show up that day, let alone deal with cake and food tastings, appointments, or questions on my opinions. All I ask is you give me a day of great joy but with personal touches that will make it special.”
“We will,” Gabe said.
She blew kisses, grabbed her yellow jacket, and flew out the door.
Bella collapsed back into the booth. “She just gave us carte blanche to do her entire wedding, Gabe. She doesn’t even want to hear from us! Has this ever happened to you?”
He scoffed. “Are you kidding? Most brides insist on a full explanation if I change the brand of chardonnay. This is beyond my usual pay grade.”
Her eyes sparkled with excitement. “But now we know how to make this wedding perfect. The Dr. Seuss theme is about her mother.”
Gabe nodded. “It’s more important than trying to throw a wedding no one else has done or satisfying a fun theme. It’s about what Dr. Seuss meant to her. Which means we can—”
“Bring her mother’s memory into the wedding and—”
“Make it whole.”
They stared at one another in complete satisfaction. His insides burned to reach over and touch her, make her understand how well they worked together and that they could be so much more. But he swallowed it all back for now. “I’m just not sure about the best way to do it,” he finally said.
“Neither am I. But we’ll figure it out.”
He liked the term we. She was getting more comfortable in his presence. Sometimes he’d catch her staring at him, then quickly turning away and morphing into business mode. But the look in her eyes told him she felt more than she showed. His only problem was balancing what he really wanted from her.
Everything, the voice inside him whispered. Anything she’s willing to give.
“We better go,” she said, interrupting his thoughts.
He picked up the bill with a sigh. “Guess we pick up the check even if our client is richer than God.”
Her giggle surprised him. “At least it’s a tax write-off. We’ll put it on the business card.” She tucked it in the leather folder, then gasped as she studied the bill. “Eighteen dollars for an Irish coffee? Are they serious?”
Amusement cut through him. “Welcome to city prices. It’s pretty standard.”
“It had more coffee than alcohol! It’s not even a fancy place. How much do you need to make here in order to survive?”
“Too much.”
They paid and he escorted her out. The wind whipped with mad fury, and Bella rushed to cross the street, probably desperate to get back into the warmth of the car. He grabbed her arm and hauled her back just in time, barely missing a screeching taxi hauling ass down the other side of the road. His heart stopped in his chest as he looked down at her beautiful face, her cheeks flushed pink.
Bella gasped. “Oh my God, that car almost hit me when I was in the crosswalk! Pedestrians have right of way!”
“Not here. That’s just a technicality.” He kept a firm grip on her until she was safely in the car and wondered if his hair had turned gray. He needed to remember she wasn’t used to being someplace other than Cape May.
He pulled out into the crazy traffic and slowly navigated them toward SoHo.