Say Yes to a Mess (Dreamspun Desires Book 103)

by Elle Brownlee

  Wiley smiled blandly at Kit, who regarded them with a touch of speculation. He didn’t look directly at Holt but didn’t avoid doing such.

  “What’s up?” he asked.

  “We’re going to finish with the discussion for decisions on décor. And then we’re doing a walkthrough of the house to have some filler reaction shots for our first day segment.” Elaine had her binder open on the table and her hands on her thighs as she read over it. “It helps you haven’t seen in there yet, but just act like it’s all brand-new and undecided, okay? After that we’ll need Kit, but you two are done.”

  As Kit settled, Wiley noticed how everything they’d been shown was reorganized into two piles on the table behind Kit. One pile obviously the “these are so perfect” they were expected to opt for and the other obviously what they should call “these are pretty but not for us.”

  “Let’s have Kit guide us through your choices. And then we’ll do set backup and have you two sort into yes, maybe, and definite no.” Elaine moved her binder to a different table. “Sound good and clear?”

  “Wonderful, my best Lainey-Loo.” Kit quickly went over each item, and then sat forward in his chair to do a series of breathing exercises he’d explained helped him relax and set his core for projecting.

  Makeup fluttered in and touched up Wiley’s natural no-makeup look, and he assumed an attentive posture. Blobs of people past the halo of the lights moved in the background, and Rick got set to film. Wiley glanced at Holt, who was checking something on his phone.

  “All right, everyone, quiet please.” Elaine backed up two paces and made eye contact with each of them. “Ready?” She dropped the slate and then counted down from five and pointed at Kit.

  “After a tough but resolute deliberation, because who wouldn’t be tempted by each and every little thing I showed them, Holt and Wiley have made their choices.” Kit scooped up the items and transferred them to the table between them. “This layer is going to be a divine mixing of textures and patterns, all held together with gold accents and rose undertones.”

  Wiley zoned out as Kit described the materials and their attributes as he unfurled a length of fabric that would be the tablecloth, folded a napkin into a napkin ring, and set one of the hand-blown glasses next to a salad plate.

  “What made you want these dishes? This pattern?” Kit speared him with a look and waited for an answer.

  Wiley really studied them for the first time and improvised. “The others were pretty but… busy. These are so simple but eye-catching, with the double band of gold on an otherwise plain-seeming bisque. It reminded us of the rings we picked out. And the weighty china has such a tangible, satisfying heft.”

  Holt shifted next to him and Kit’s eyes went wide, but then Kit grinned and reached over to squeeze Wiley’s arm.

  “Oh, that’s good. That’s so good.” Kit waved a hand in front of his face. “I love when design details join personal context to become so meaningful.”

  “We’re super pleased too.” Wiley leaned and touched his shoulder to Holt’s in an affectionate bump.

  “As happy with these as the plates?” Kit held up a fork. “Holt? Why these? And tell us just a little bit more than something practical.”

  Holt plucked the matching knife from the set—handles forged to resemble rustic cut branches in a low-toned rose gold—and balanced it in his palm. “As you know, I love hiking and camping and getting into nature whenever possible. I’ve worked at convincing Wiley to join me ever since we started dating, and when he at last agreed, well…. Those were the best hikes of my life.” He shrugged artlessly and smiled at Wiley. “So far.”

  “He makes it sound like a protracted campaign, but it didn’t take that long.” Wiley rolled his eyes. “I mean. I like walking and outside, and walking outside.”

  “The hikes, sure. The camping….” Holt tsked sadly. “The few times you’ve deigned to camp, you still insist we need an air mattress.”

  “Yes, because I’m absolutely in the right and we absolutely do. I’m certain your viewers would back me up on that if you had an online poll.” Wiley managed to laugh and skip past thinking about being in a tiny tent in the middle of nowhere wrapped in a blanket burrito with Holt. He said to Kit, “Okay, so I’ll admit I’m not a natural at being a back-to-nature guy. But Holt has shown me a lot of the positives to be had out there. In the woods. Doing woodsy stuff.”

  “Oh, I’m sure. I’m very sure.” Kit waggled his eyebrows and the fork at the camera. “Ahem. Moving on.”

  Wiley smiled until he thought his face would crack as they continued the tablescape tour. He chuckled when Kit offered witticisms, pulled together sincere enough answers that didn’t seem trite or practiced, and looked adoringly at Holt when Holt was asked to comment on the wineglasses and centerpiece mats.

  “All right, that does it for us here.” Elaine gestured for them to get up and follow her. “We’ll get those interior reactions, and then you boys are dismissed.”

  Wiley didn’t have to pretend being impressed for the interior reactions. The house was spacious and grand, and displayed wealth it had the better taste not to outright flaunt in every aspect, from the handmade tile floors to the cashmere pillows on the foyer settees and gleaming beveled glass french doors.

  Less easy was pretending he didn’t know what they’d discussed in the past two days, avoiding that in their real-but-fake conversation, and that he wasn’t preoccupied by thoughts of cozy fires and cozier starry nights on the camping excursion Holt had said would be perfect and romantic.

  “Wiley, what do you think of this space for you and your attendants?” Kit thrust open a set of huge double doors to reveal a morning room in blue and white. “We’ll bring in a full-length mirror and little dressing table, but otherwise it should be so suitable. Hm?”

  It struck Wiley he had no attendants. Or could reasonably ask anyone to be such even if he wanted to, considering the wedding was a sham. He blinked and cast about for an answer he couldn’t find.

  “You can use this room for getting ready. But Kit—we discussed this—we aren’t having attendants. Despite the rose-gold sparkle, your flair, and this house, Wiley and I decided on relatively simple overall. Remember?” Holt pulled Wiley to him under an arm and smiled. His voice had an edge.

  Kit put a hand to his forehead. “I’m getting carried away! Imagining Wiley with an army of gorgeous guys and gals in dusky-rose taupe and seeing stars. Of course, of course. Allow me to rephrase. Wiley, would you like to shimmy into your tux here the morning of?”

  “I wouldn’t hate it,” Wiley said lightly. “You know me, and you picked the room to prove it. This beautiful room will give me a magical start to the day.”

  The room was beautiful. Way fussier and filled than Wiley cared for but beautiful with a distinguished, regal charm nonetheless. Since he wouldn’t be here again or in a tux, it didn’t much matter, so it was easy to agree.

  “Wonderful! Now, Holt. For you.” Kit swept out of the room.

  Holt held Wiley back long enough to make eye contact, plant a kiss on his temple, and murmur something he couldn’t quite hear.

  “Okay, that’s cut. Thanks, everyone.” Elaine jotted notes as she spoke. “Holt, we already toured your ready room. And that’s all the interiors we need to see.” She pointed at them. “You two are dismissed! Remember, we’re not filming with you tomorrow. Get some rest and see you at five the next day.”

  “This is nice. I could get used to not having to be on set day in, day out.” Holt kept hold of Wiley as they walked through the foyer and massive front door and down the stairs into the surrounding landscape garden.

  “Don’t get too used to it.” Elaine narrowed her eyes. “Although….” She trailed off and then shrugged. “Anyway, see you soon enough, but believe me, I’ll text if there’s a fix-it emergency.”

  Holt laughed. “I’m sure you will. Tell the crew hello, about the lovely early evening I’m having, and that I’m not at all rubbing it in.”
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  Elaine waved but since she was already in discussion with Rick, she didn’t pay them more attention.

  “I for one am so ready to be done. Thank goodness we’re done. We’re done, aren’t we?” Wiley didn’t mean to whine, but he might be whining just a bit. “Did we know tomorrow had no filming?”

  “It’s on the call sheet I am going to tell you about. Elaine beat me to the punch.” Holt absently massaged Wiley’s neck.

  Wiley tried not to tense up from how good it felt.

  “It is good to be done.” Holt exhaled. “I keep wondering if I’ll get pangs or realize I’ll miss this, but I don’t think I’m going to miss this.”

  “Is that weird? Also, it’s okay if it’s weird. It’s also also okay to not miss it.”

  Holt turned toward Wiley. “I appreciate that.”

  He seemed to get briefly lost in thought and then opened his mouth to say more. Kit interrupted, trilling a loud yoo-hoo while trotting over to meet them at the car.

  “That was good today. You’re doing really great, Wiley. I knew you’d take it seriously, but this is better than I’d hoped.” Kit sounded actually sincere. “We’re doing this! It’s working and we’re making it work and we’re gonna pull it off. Enjoy your lovely early evening, Holty.”

  “I will. At least until rehearsal.”

  “Oh, that’s right. The dance!” Kit struck a dance frame and sauntered sideways while humming a tango. “My gift to you.” He kept dancing from them when Elaine called, “Don’t forget Glen and Janet. Toodles!”

  “Glen?” Wiley asked. “And Janet the very efficient PA?”

  Holt sighed and looked toward the people hurrying their way.

  “Glen. Extra cameraman and fill-in-wherever guy. Janet here to help him, I’m sure.” Holt pursed his lips as they neared. “Hiya, what’s up? Elaine said we’re all finished and it’s way before nine, but even so, I didn’t think the rehearsals were being filmed.”

  “They’re not? I mean, no, I’m not and they’re not. We’re going with you to pick out village houses.” Glen patted his bag, bulging with gear. “Wherever that is and whatever they’re for. Ready?”

  HOLT held in an exasperated sigh as Wiley nervously tidied his very tidy house while Glen and Janet got set up.

  Wiley’s nerves got under his skin. This wasn’t a big deal and no reason to be nervous or rearrange the couch pillows, but he didn’t intervene in case Wiley took it wrong, and it wasn’t fair to say “hey, calm down, unexpected filming in your house when you really wanted to be finished for the day is no biggie.” He also just didn’t like that Wiley was out of sorts.

  Glen and Janet weren’t at fault. It wasn’t even that bad—they were going to livestream for a half hour and then they’d pack up and go.

  But Holt had been looking forward to a break from performing. From the camera and everyone who thought he and Wiley were eagerly anticipating getting married in a few short weeks. He also looked forward to seeing the house again and having the chance to check out projects and repairs he remembered doing.

  Some downtime to discuss filming so far, work on their stories, and agree about how to proceed would have been helpful too.

  When Wiley refolded the quilt over the back of the couch and started in with the pillows again, Holt stepped from his out-of-the-way spot by the front door to get into Wiley’s path and between him and Glen’s view.

  “Hey. You gonna be okay?”

  Wiley chuckled weakly. “Sure, I’m fine. This is fine. It’s what I agreed to after all, so.” He shrugged.

  “Hm.” Holt pried a pillow from Wiley’s two-handed grip and let it drop onto the couch. “At least we have a task we can focus on. We’re raiding a village—could be fun. We can set to it with long matches and cocktail forks.”

  Wiley’s reluctant smile made Holt’s heart lift.

  “I made certain with Kit that the majority of our dance lesson wouldn’t be filmed. He agreed it might be too complicated, but the trade-off is I’ll post selfies and short videos to the show’s social.” Without thinking about it, Holt loosely circled Wiley’s wrists with his hands and massaged them, working up to relax Wiley’s clenched fists. Wiley sighed but relaxed, and that made him smile. “We get through this, and then we have all day tomorrow. Think you can make it?”

  “I can. If….”

  “If?”

  “You let go of me so I can redo the pillows one last time.”

  “I guess. If you insist and must.”

  “I definitely must.” Wiley tugged to get free.

  Holt briefly tightened his hold, and on an instinct that felt right as anything, brought Wiley’s knuckles to his lips for a light kiss. Wiley pulled away, fists clenched again.

  “Okay, well. Okay.” Holt start-stopped but then moved aside and returned to the mat by the front door.

  Wiley redid the pillows and darted into the kitchen. Janet changed the pillows so none remained in the center of the couch and cleared off the coffee table.

  “You guys sit here, and we’ll film from there.” She pointed at the deep bay windowsill the couch faced. “It’ll be more homey and intimate than the kitchen table or standing around.”

  Holt didn’t linger on wanting to linger on homey and intimate.

  “What?”

  “What what?” Holt popped an eyebrow at Janet.

  “You’re smiling in a certain kinda secretive way. So, what are you thinking?” Janet spread her hands. “It could give us a better shot or narrative insight.”

  “You definitely picked that up from Kit.” Holt cast about for a reason to be smiling in a certain kinda secretive way and hit on what wasn’t a lie, exactly. “I remembered how Wiley’s grandma made me sit on the windowsill instead of her furniture. Because I was dirty and sweaty from work and she said it’d break like twigs under me.” He gestured around the room. “We could flip the shot. Wiley and I on the windowsill, you film from the couch. The azaleas are in bloom, which would be a good backdrop.”

  “Nice. I like it. And that’s a great story—you should repeat it as we’re filming.” Janet called, “Wiley? You good?”

  Wiley stared at Holt from the kitchen doorway. After a moment he said, “Does anyone need a drink? A snack?”

  Holt considered suggesting they crack open a bottle of wine. Or whiskey.

  “Thanks, no, we’re good.” Janet glanced at Glen. “Right?”

  “Totally good.” Glen gave the ubiquitous thumbs-up. “I’m ready to start filming. What do we think for this? It’s going to be continuous, so let’s get the blocking figured out.”

  Janet consulted her phone. “Something straightforward. Get the village down, put the houses on the table, go through them and make yes, no, and maybe piles.”

  “How about just yes and no?” Wiley asked.

  “Everything is better in threes. Also, we don’t want to give away your final choices yet. Leave that as a fun surprise on your wedding day.” Janet slid past Holt to a closet. “You said there’s a stepladder in here?”

  “There is. Burrow past the coats to the back,” Holt answered automatically. There always had been. He’d used it all the time when helping GB.

  “Aha, yes. Thanks.” Janet unfolded it and handed it to Holt. “We can start with this shelf,” she said, gesturing to a frame directly under one shelf. Then she took a huge sidestep to stand under the other shelf. “You move to this one, and Glen will position in the kitchen to stay behind you as you move along and then to the windowsill. I’ll get the houses to the coffee table off camera.”

  “Works for me. Wiley?” Holt held the ladder as Glen and Janet squeezed past into the kitchen.

  “We don’t have to pretend you’re not here, right? Since this is the low-key streaming extras?” Wiley carefully placed the stepladder for best access to the first shelf.

  “Right. Overall, don’t pay much attention to the camera or worry about engaging with me or Glen, but show things to viewers and stuff if you want. It’s not like show footage
where the camera doesn’t exist.” Janet looked at them. “We good?”

  “Start here, next shelf, maneuver to the windowsill, three piles of houses. Got it.” Wiley nodded decisively. “Good.”

  “Great. I’m going to just hit Send here on the posts we have ready to go saying we’re going live….” Janet’s thumbs flew over her phone. “Okay! Let’s do this.” She slipped aside, tapped Glen on the shoulder, and held a finger to her lips.

  Glen checked on them and then motioned that he’d started filming.

  Holt grinned at the camera and allowed years of practice to take over. “Hi, everybody. If you read Kit’s posts about what’s going on for this episode, you’ll know we’re at Wiley’s house to pick out centerpieces for our wedding reception tables. If you don’t read Kit’s posts about what’s going on for this episode, first, don’t tell him. Second, hey, guess what? We’re at Wiley’s house to pick out centerpieces for our wedding reception tables.”

  “We’re here to raid my grandma’s village.” Wiley’s smile was adorable and a bit shy, but he didn’t hide from the camera. He stepped into the gap between the stepladder and the wall and grabbed on to its curved back. “I’m going to stay down here, and Holt’s doing all the dashing action stuff.”

  Holt easily followed the cue. “Well then, up I go. You know you don’t have to hold a stepladder.” He chuckled as Wiley stood fast. “Sure, all right.” He climbed to the top step and started to hand the village pieces to Wiley one at a time, who passed them to a discreet Janet.

  Holt was surprised at how sharp his memory was of installing these shelves and placing the village just so, according to GB’s direction. There were several houses he didn’t remember—he realized with a start how many years he hadn’t been here or gotten to know Wiley better or kept track of them after he’d left for college—and at some point Wiley had added strings of solar LED lights to cast a gentle glow among the houses.

  They moved on to the other shelf and repeated the process, Wiley stubbornly holding the stepladder steady and Holt retrieving the pieces.