The Art of Stealing Kisses (Stealing Hearts Book 2) (16 page)

Now he heads for the bridal suite while Jody starts scouting in the
bushes. Crisis averted – until I see the best man walking
toward me his bowtie undone and an undone look on his face. “Hey,
Ginny, I…um…we…um…have a problem.”

“What kind of problem?”

“The rings. They’re gone. I put them down on a tray next
to my coffee…and then…” he trails off.

I check my watch and think about sending Theo to the nearest cheap
jeweler for a couple of placeholder bands. But there’s no time.
The ceremony is due to start in ten minutes.

“Don’t worry,” I tell him, my mind racing. “I’ve
got this.”

I reach for the chain hanging around my neck with two rings
dangling from it. My parents’ rings. They died in a car
accident when I was nine, and I like to keep their rings with me for
luck, especially for a big wedding. I guess today they really are a
lucky charm.

“Here, use these.” I tell him, pressing them into his
hand. “They’ll work for the ceremony, and we can switch
them out later.”

Relief floods his face. “You’re a lifesaver.” He
grabs the rings and crushes me in a quarterback’s hug.

“Whoa, just make sure you keep hold of those.” I
detangle myself and smooth down my dress. “Now you go get into
place with the groom, OK?”

“Yes, coach!”

He heads off, and I hear something even more beautiful than the
string quartet’s rendition of
Pachelbel’s Canon
.
It’s the sound of barking. I look around and find Jody gripping
Bartholomew tight. “Theo found Bartholomew! I’m going to
get him to the groomer to get that seafood smell off of him.”

“Seafood smell?”

“Seems like ol’ Bart found his way to the bacon-wrapped
scallops.”

“A dog after my own heart,” I grin, relieved. “What
about the bride?”

“All dressed up and ready to go.”

I let out a long breath of relief. We pause and look out at out the
scene: friends and family all lined up in their seats, the water
shining beside them under a canopy of green. It’s beautiful:
just the way I’d want my wedding to look.

“You really hit it out of the park this time, Ginny.”
Theo grins, holding up his hand for a high five. “Is there
anything you can’t do?”

“Ask me once they make it to ‘I do’,” I
laugh. On a wedding day, anything is possible.

I watch the ceremony from a discreet post off to the side, giving my
silent cue to the musicians, and the man poised to release two dozen
heart-shaped balloons after the vows. I keep an eye on my parents’
rings as they sparkle during their big moment. Somehow, the bride
doesn’t even notice the substitute rings as she gazes into her
new husband’s eyes and leans in for that first, perfect kiss.

I breathe a sigh of relief. From here on out, it’s smooth
sailing. Even if the reception is a disaster, and somebody has an
allergic reaction to the cake, and somebody else’s crazy uncle
starts stripping to the Macarena, the couple won’t mind. All
they’ll remember is the ceremony, and how it went off without a
hitch. My work here is done.

As the crowd cheers and the newlyweds make their way back up the
aisle, something else catches my eye. Or rather, someone else. Across
the dock, a dark-haired woman in a designer suit lurks, watching the
scene. Unlike the expressions on the faces of the invited guests,
which range from “happy for the bride” to “dang,
how much did that dress cost?” this woman has her eyes narrowed
in scrutiny. I quickly run through emergency protocols. A jealous
ex-girlfriend? Scorned client? I’m about to run interference
when I notice she’s not paying attention to the happy couple,
she’s looking at everything else: the flowers, the decorations,
the band. When she sees me, she brightens, and comes cutting through
the crowd.

“Ginnifer Austen?” she asks.

“That’s me.”

“I’m Marcie Miller,” she says with a bright smile
and strong handshake. She’s about my age, with a fashionable
choppy haircut and oversized gold statement jewelry. “Can I
have a moment of your time?”

I glance around to see guests dispersing. Sarah and James are
climbing into their rented Corvette, and I’ve already
double-checked with the reception venue that everything’s ready
to go. “Just for a minute,” I tell her. “I’m
kind of in the middle of something here.”

“It was a gorgeous ceremony,” she says, still smiling
brightly. “Great work. I won’t waste your time.”
Marcie plucks a business card from her bag, “I’m with
Star! Networks. I produce
Park Avenue Princesses
,” she
says as though I should know what that is.

“Are you looking for a wedding planner?” I ask, still
confused. “If you call my office and make an appointment—”

“Not for me,” Marcie laughs. “For Pixie and
Clyde.”

Again, I have no idea what she’s talking about. “Who
now?”

“Pixie and Clyde!” Theo’s voice comes from behind
me, excited. He sees my blank expression and rolls his eyes. “Duh?
They’re pretty much the reality TV it-couple.” He
catches himself. “I mean, I’ve seen a couple of episodes.
At the gym. The girls are always putting it on. While I lift weights.
Big weights.”

“That’s great,” I say, puzzled. “But I
really don’t have time—”

Marcie cuts me off again. “They’re getting married in
the fall, and we’re looking for a wedding planner for the
show.”

“On TV?”

Marcie looks at me like I’m insane. “Of course on TV.
It’ll be a special episode, massive ratings draw. My team will
call and set up a meeting, OK? We can’t wait to hear your
ideas.”

“Now, wait a minute,” I try to protest, but she’s
already stalked away.

Theo whistles and takes her card from my hand. “Big-shot. This
could be the break you’ve been waiting for.”

“Or a total disaster,” I laugh, snatching it back. “I
don’t even want to be on TV.”

“Not you, the
brand
.” Theo explains. “Do you
realize the kind of free publicity you’d get doing something
like this? Franc-Giorgio designed the gown for the last
Bachelorette
.
There’s now a six-month waiting list just to get a
consultation. He’s like a millionaire!”

I pause, considering.

“Plus, you’d make Kara green with envy,” Theo adds.

Now that I think about. Kara deKline is my big rival on the wedding
planner scene. She’s been trying to poach my clients for years,
rips off all my wedding ideas, and generally tries to put me out of
business. If this Marcie could help put my business on the map, maybe
I shouldn’t dismiss her so quickly.

“Fine,” I agree. “One meeting.”

“There’s my girl,” Theo cheers. “How bad
could it be?”

What happens next? Ginny’s job of a lifetime is going to take her back home to face the ex
she left behind. Sparks will fly!

BEACH WEDDING
is
available now
!