“Kay-K, what are you worried about now?” Devon sat with her friend on Kayla’s king-sized bed in her luxurious hotel suite. “Tonight is going to be special, and tomorrow even more magical.”
“Brandon’s cousin informed me an hour ago that she’s allergic to fish, and his aunt left a message on my cell that she’s gluten-free. Ugh. Why didn’t Brandon tell me Jessica and his aunt had food allergies before I finalized the rehearsal dinner menu?” Kayla flopped over to her side.
“It’ll be okay. You’ll see. Let’s run through our checklist to see if we missed anything. That should calm your nerves.” Devon reached into her backpack and pulled out her iPad.
“You’re right. I need a distraction.” Kayla took a deep breath and reached for her computer.
Devon opened the rehearsal dinner menu file. “Let’s see what we have here. For the salad, we have mixed greens with carrot, shaved red onions, cucumber, shredded cheese, and croutons served with a choice of house vinaigrette or ranch.” Devon pursed her lips. “The salad should work, minus the croutons. We can ask the caterer to put them on the side, and see what salad dressing options might work.”
“True.”
“What’s next?” Devon scrolled down. “What if we substituted the fish dish for the fettuccini tossed with house-made alfredo for your cousin? It’s already on the hotel menu and shouldn’t be hard to switch out.”
“That should work too.” Kayla’s shoulders relaxed. “Do you think there are any other changes we should make? What about the floral arrangements and chalkboard signs?”
“The chalkboard signs are ready to be put in place first thing in the morning. The artist did a magnificent job. You’re gonna love them.” Devon did a quick check of her email to make sure there were no new messages from the hotel staff. “Your wedding is going to be spectacular. Have some faith.”
“You sure? What about the reception table centerpieces?” Kayla bit her lip.
“Brandon wanted candles and promised he’d take care of the arrangements, remember?”
“That’s right, he did.” Kayla rubbed her head. “He showed me what he was planning, and the candles with the tied lavender were perfect. Who knew he was so creative?”
A little surge of satisfaction seeped into Devon. She’d kept Brandon’s secret hidden from Kayla. Brandon didn’t have the first clue what to do about the centerpieces and had called to ask for help.
“And I sampled the sangria.” Devon placed her iPad on the bed. “It’s yum, and I made sure the help is prepared to serve the guests as they take their seats. It’s supposed to be hot. The drinks will keep the family refreshed. I’ve also confirmed your hair, makeup, and photography appointments tomorrow. You’re all set.”
“Thank you,” Kayla said, her voice almost choked with tears.
Gail Lewis ambled into the room. “No tears, baby girl.”
Kayla looked up. “Hey Mom.”
“Hey, Mrs. L.” Devon moved over to allow Kayla’s beautiful mother to take a seat between them as Kayla rolled to a sitting position.
Mrs. L had a classic style. Her hair was cropped short in a bob, and she wore a flowing peach dress with stylish gold earrings that showed off her long, slender neck. She always looked fresh, like she’d just walked out of a spa or salon.
Gail patted Devon’s knee. “Thank you, darling, for everything you’ve done for my daughter.”
“No thanks needed. Kayla would do the same for me if the tables were turned.”
“I’m not sure about that,” Kayla said. “You’re the organized one. Not me. I wouldn’t make it on time to my own wedding if not for you. You both know it’s true.”
Devon and Gail looked at each other and erupted into laughter.
“You girls should get changed for the rehearsal dinner.” Gail stood.
“Yes, Mom.” Kayla wandered into the bathroom.
“I’d better go get dressed as well.” Devon rose from the bed. “I don’t want to be late.”
“And make sure Mike arrives on time, will you?” Gail said.
Devon froze as panic cut off her breath. “Mrs. L, I can explain.”
Gail waved her off. “No need to explain, dear. Both Kayla and Mike already have. Although Mike had a little harder time coming up with an explanation. I think it’s a good thing my sister-in-law came with her wretched husband at the last minute. A marvelous thing indeed.” Gail patted Devon on the cheek. “Hurry along, dear, you don’t want to be late. Oh, and I hope you wear your blue dress, the one with the shimmers. You look so lovely in that gown.”
Kayla had insisted Devon pack the three-quarter-length gown with spaghetti straps—the skimpy dress she didn’t dare wear with underwear because the lines would show—in the same travel pack as the string bikini. The dress showed off every body feature to its fullest.
What was Mrs. L suggesting? Was she okay about Mike and her being together—like really together?
Devon pondered the idea while she made her way to Mike’s suite and was halfway down the long walkway with rooms on one side and tropical plants on the other before she realized she’d missed it. She retraced a few steps and inserted the plastic card into the electronic keyhole.
“Mike?” she called, pushing the door open, and paused to wait for a response. Apparently he wasn’t back from the guys’ bachelor lunch yet.
She dropped her backpack on the couch and went to the bathroom for a cooling shower before shimmying into the cobalt blue cocktail dress and three-inch heels. A quick application of makeup and blow dry of her hair and she was ready. She looked up as the door to the room opened.
“Bathroom’s all yours.” She ignored Mike as she went to pick up her purse and toss in breath mints and a tube of lipstick. She froze when he approached her from behind.
“You look stunning.” Mike’s voice had a sensual, husky tone.
“Thank you.” Devon continued securing her dangle earrings. She didn’t dare turn around. She wasn’t sure what she would see on Mike’s face when she did.
“We have time before the reception dinner. Why don’t you stay awhile?”
Mike’s suggestion compelled her to turn and look at him.
He cupped her jaw with a warm hand while he smoothed his thumb over her lips, his eyes conveying a dark, sensual spark. A rush of electricity surged through Devon, and her knees weakened as she fought for balance.
“I…uh…need to go help Kayla get ready.”
He lowered his mouth until it hovered just above hers. “Are you sure?”
Her heart wanted to say no, but the practical, list-keeping brain of hers refused to allow her to deviate from the scheduled plan. “Rehearsal dinner.” She backed away. “Your mom asked me to make sure you get there on time.”
“My mom?” He raised his eyebrows.
“Yes. I saw her in…” Her mind went blank.
“Kayla’s room,” he provided.
She snapped her fingers. “Yes, your sister’s room. And I’m scheduled to be with Kayla now.”
“Or”—Mike unbuttoned the top button of his shirt, and then the next, and the next, letting the folds of cotton fall open—“you might help me dress. Make sure I make it to the reception on time. Of course, you would have to undress me first, though.”
Oh, my God. Her body parts tingled, and she had to swallow the drool swirling in her mouth. He was teasing her, of course, but she didn’t care. Seeing Mike Lewis stripped down to his birthday suit was definitely on her bucket list. In fact, it was at the very top.
His six-pack winked at her, tempting her to come play, but she couldn’t. Kayla would kill her for falling for her brother.
“No. No. I must go.” She backed toward the door. “Kayla is waiting for me. She needs my…my help.” Devon reached past him and grabbed the purse she had dropped when his body heat made thinking too difficult.
“If you change your mind, you have a key.”
His naughty-boy expression warmed more than one body part. Damn those smoldering eyes. When he caught her staring, a slight, knowing smile curved his lips.
She was so screwed.
He liked playing the game. She should have expected as much. You didn’t get to the top in business without knowing how to outmaneuver your opponents. Playing for money was one thing. Playing for the heart was on a different level. She would need to play smarter.
“See you at the reception. Don’t be late.” Devon closed the door and didn’t look back.
She raced down the corridor and made it to safety in two minutes flat. Her heart raced as she opened Kayla’s door.
“I’m back.” She walked down the narrow hallway, which opened up into the larger room, and then let out a gasp. “Why isn’t everyone dressed? The rehearsal starts in forty minutes, and Kayla is supposed to arrive early!”
The other three women in the room were busy holding up mirrors and applying makeup in their underwear.
“We couldn’t decide whether to put our hair up or keep it down,” Brandon’s oldest cousin, a cute, petite blonde, said as she opened the double-door closet to retrieve Kayla’s lavender chiffon dress.
“Okay, fine. Let’s focus on getting the bride dressed. Then let’s worry about hair.” Devon accepted the dress from Jessica, while Nicole and Lauren, Kayla’s cousins, continued fussing with their hair.
It wasn’t until this afternoon, when Kayla gave Devon the final guest list, that Devon realized she was the only person at the reception who wasn’t related to either the bride or the groom. There were cousins, aunts, uncles, siblings, parents, and significant others, but no outsiders like her. She had tried devising a way to still help Kayla but let the Lewis and Myers families celebrate this important time together, but the list of ideas fell flat. Kayla would see right through every excuse.
Why was she so good at solving other people’s problems but not her own?