by Carla Luna
White Wedding
Blackwood Cellars Series #3
Carla Luna
Moon Manor Press
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2021 by Carla Luna
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotations in a book review. For more information, contact: [email protected]
First paperback edition: November 2021
Cover Design: Bailey McGinn
Editing: Free Bird Editing
Proofreading: One Love Editing
ISBN: 978-1-7368661-5-3 (paperback)
ISBN: 978-1-7368661-4-6 (ebook)
Published by Moon Manor Press
carlalunabooks.com
Created with Vellum
For my brother John - artist, poet, writer, dreamer
Thanks for always having my back.
Contents
White Wedding
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
The Blackwood Cellars Series
Acknowledgments
About the Author
White Wedding
Take one lavish holiday wedding. Add one evil ex and his bridezilla. And toss in a smoking-hot chef from the past. It’s a recipe for disaster.
Victoria Blackwood has spent years trying to redeem herself after falling victim to a blackmail scheme that cost her father thousands. So, when he insists she coordinate a big Christmas wedding at her family’s winery, she can’t say no. Even if the groom is her ex and the caterer just quit.
For Rafael Sanchez, a last-minute call to cater a huge society wedding is a golden opportunity. If he can prove he’s up to the challenge, his brothers might entrust him with more responsibility in the family catering business. But when he meets Victoria, he can’t believe his eyes. Five years ago, they had a passionate fling that rocked his world. Until she left him with just a fake name to remember her by.
To pull off the perfect wedding, Victoria and Rafael can’t afford to get caught up in the past. But keeping things professional won’t be easy, not when the attraction between them burns hotter than Christmas in July.
Chapter 1
Twenty-Two Days Until the Wedding
Victoria Blackwood faced down her father, waiting for him to make the first move.
Brian Blackwood hadn’t told her why he’d summoned her into his office at ten thirty on a Friday morning. He’d merely sent her a text, assuming she had nothing else on her calendar.
Which couldn’t be further from the truth. With Christmas less than a month away, her plate was full, dealing with holiday banquets, parties, and weddings. As one of the event coordinators for the Blackwood Cellars Estate, much of the legwork fell to her. Especially since her boss, Lindsay, was on maternity leave until mid-January.
Smart woman.
Victoria loathed her father’s office. The space was dark, stifling, and aggressively male. A shrine to his achievements as the CEO of Blackwood Cellars, her family’s wine empire based in the Temecula Valley. Stuffed animal heads were mounted on the wall above rows of framed awards. A glass case displayed trophies from numerous wine competitions. On the sideboard, a decanter tray held crystal glasses and bottles of premium liqueurs. For his important guests.
When her father lit up a cigar, she recoiled at the strong smell. Setting aside all pleasantries, she addressed him directly. “Why am I here?”
He leaned back in his chair. “I spoke to Ben. He told me the caterer quit.”
Even though two months had passed since Ben had left her for Missy, Victoria still flinched at the sound of her ex’s name. But she kept her cool facade in place.
“He didn’t need to call you. His assistant got in touch with me yesterday.” She allowed herself a satisfied smile, grateful her father hadn’t blindsided her. “It’s handled.”
“Why did it happen in the first place? What did you do?”
“Me? Why do you assume this was my fault?” The unfairness of his words rankled her.
“Ben thinks you’re trying to sabotage his wedding.”
She wanted to leap off her chair in a rage, but she stared into her father’s piercing blue eyes without blinking. “May I remind you that I never wanted to coordinate my ex’s wedding in the first place? You forced me into it.”
“I didn’t have a choice. Lindsay’s on leave until January fifteenth.”
“You could have asked June. She loves doing weddings.” As Lindsay’s assistant, June had worked on dozens of weddings. More to the point, she adored them. For a woman who’d been divorced twice, she was surprisingly optimistic about the institution of marriage.
“I didn’t think she was capable of taking the lead on such a significant event. Besides, you’d already planned so much of Ben’s wedding before he switched things up. It made more sense to keep it in your hands.”
Switched things up. Is that how they were describing it now?
She clenched her fists, digging her nails deep into her palms. Her father could justify his decision all he wanted, but that didn’t make it any less vindictive. “When Ben made the request, I begged you to turn it down. But you didn’t listen. And though I’ve hated every minute of it, I’ve given Ben and Missy the same level of service I’d show any other couple. So you’ve got no business accusing me of sabotage.”
If anything, she’d been extra gracious, even when Missy acted like a raging bridezilla.
When her father didn’t respond, she continued. “Do you want to know why the caterer quit? Heather said in all her years at Blue Willow Catering, she’s never dealt with someone like Missy. And trust me, she’s handled plenty of demanding brides. But Missy had already changed the menu five times. Then, last week, she brought two of Heather’s assistants to tears. She behaved terribly, and Heather called her on it. I don’t blame her for quitting.”
And I’d quit, too, if I could.
That day couldn’t come soon enough. But first, she had to repay her debt to her father.
She owed him thousands. Tens of thousands. All because she’d screwed up and he’d bailed her out. But he’d promised to wipe the slate clean if she coordinated this wedding.
On days like today, she wondered if the stress was worth it.
He shook his head, as if to express his sympathy. “You could show Missy a little more compassion.”
“Are you serious?”
“Ben told me she’s having a rough t
ime of it with the pregnancy.”
She couldn’t keep her voice in check any longer. “I don’t care. If it wasn’t for her, I’d be the one getting married. She didn’t just steal my fiancé, she stole my whole damn wedding.”
The irony continued to smack her in the face each and every day. Before Missy had stepped in, Victoria was engaged to Ben and in the midst of planning her own wedding.
She’d first met him at a charity ball, where he’d won her over with his polished charm. When he proposed a year later, she accepted without hesitation. As the oldest son of Senator Frank Macalister, he easily met her father’s approval. Not only was her father in favor of the match, he told Victoria if she married Ben, she’d earn her Get-Out-Of-Debt-Free card.
But six months before their wedding, Ben cheated on her with Missy Cavendish, an old flame who’d moved back into town. Though he apologized and promised to mend his ways, Victoria only took him back after her father pressured her into it. A terrible mistake, since Ben broke off their engagement three months later and confessed he was still in love with Missy. And since she was pregnant, they needed to get married as soon as possible.
Finding a venue to host their two-hundred-person extravaganza was no easy feat, given that Missy wanted an elaborate, Christmas-themed wedding. So, Ben—being the dick he was—asked if he and his new bride-to-be could use the same date, the same venue, the same everything that he and Victoria had originally planned for their Christmas wedding.
Victoria wanted nothing to do with it. He wasn’t getting married on her home turf. And she wasn’t lifting a finger to help him. But instead of supporting his only daughter, her father kissed up to Senator Macalister’s son and said, “Of course you can have your wedding at Blackwood Manor. Victoria will be happy to arrange it.”
There was no coming back from that.
A flicker of remorse crossed her father’s face. Like he was sorry he’d put her in such an excruciating position. But the moment passed. He set down his cigar in a glass ashtray. “Have you lined up any other caterers?”
“Actually, I have.” She glanced at the antique grandfather clock beside his desk, bought at auction, worth thousands. Pretentious as hell. “I should get going because I have an interview with one of them in a few minutes.”
And if I spend another second talking to you, I’m going to throw that stinking cigar in the trash.
“That was quick,” he said. “I’m surprised you got anyone with the holiday season in full swing.”
“It wasn’t easy.” After her conversation with Heather, Victoria had gone through her roster of caterers, to no avail. She’d almost bottomed out when she got a yes.
“Who are you interviewing?”
“Martin Sanchez. From Tres Hermanos.”
“The Mexican place in Escondido? You think Ben’s family will approve? You can’t just serve tacos and call it a day.”
She gritted her teeth. “Tres Hermanos is one of the best Mexican restaurants in San Diego County. I’ve heard nothing but good things about their catering company.”
She’d already called a couple of their clients, who’d given rave reviews.
Her father grunted. “Wouldn’t be my first choice. Or my second. But I guess you’re out of options, aren’t you?”
“I guess so. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll be on my way. I don’t want to be late.” She stood and left her father’s office.
One day, she’d be free. Then she could work for whomever she damn well pleased. Date whomever she wanted. Take back her life.
But today was not that day.
Rafael Sanchez checked the boardroom for a thermostat. One he could adjust, preferably ten degrees lower, because he’d worked up a sweat. The room was far too oppressive with its massive cherrywood table, dark leather chairs, and heavy, crimson drapes. Along one wall, a series of black-and-white photos depicted the early days of Blackwood Cellars, back when it was a humble winery in the Temecula Valley rather than a multimillion-dollar company.
He wiped his forehead and wished, for the tenth time, that one of his older brothers—either Martin or Tony—was here instead of him. Both had far more experience managing high-end catering gigs than he did. Though he’d joined them on dozens of jobs, he’d never overseen an event of this magnitude.
But there weren’t any other options. Both his brothers were unavailable.
“You can do it,” Martin had said. “Turn on that lady-killer charm and you’ll win over Victoria Blackwood.”
“But not too much charm,” Tony said. “Keep it professional.”
“And keep it in your pants,” Martin added.
They needed to stop with the lady-killer shit. Sure, he’d gone through a wild phase when he was younger, but he was over that now. If he wanted to prove himself to his older brothers, he had to seize his chance. Win Victoria Blackwood over. Secure the contract. And deliver an amazing wedding banquet, Sanchez-style.
“If you can pull this off, the word of mouth would be fabulous,” Martin said. “Got it?”
He did. Blackwood Cellars had hosted a lot of high-profile events at their spacious estate, but they’d never called on Tres Hermanos before. Getting in good with them could be huge. Which was why Martin had suggested an in-person meeting rather than a phone interview.
On the table was a pitcher of ice water and a few glasses. Rafael poured himself a glass and cleared his throat. All he had to do at this meeting was show Ms. Blackwood his menus and convince her to bring her clients to Tres Hermanos for a tasting. Once they tried the food, they’d be hooked.
As the door handle turned, he plastered a bright smile on his face, fully prepared to wow Ms. Blackwood with his charm and his brother’s creative menus.
But as soon as she walked in, his goals flew out the window.
Because the last time he’d seen her?
She’d been naked.
And she sure as hell hadn’t called herself Victoria Blackwood.
Chapter 2
Victoria stared at the man standing behind the boardroom table.
What the hell?
As always, she’d done her research. Tres Hermanos was an upscale Mexican restaurant, founded by three brothers, that had been a fixture in Escondido for decades. Six years ago, Martin Sanchez—the oldest son of one of the owners—had expanded the business by starting a catering company affiliated with the restaurant. Victoria had read an interview with him in the San Diego Union-Tribute. He was in his thirties. Married with two kids.
This guy?
Not Martin.
His name was Rafael. By now, he had to be twenty-six or twenty-seven, since he was in his early twenties when she met him in Baja, five years ago.
If anything, he’d only gotten more handsome. Tall, broad-shouldered, and muscular, with light brown skin, searing dark eyes, and thick black hair. Hair that had felt absolutely luscious under her fingers. He was wearing long sleeves, but if he rolled them up, she’d see tattoos up and down his arms. There wasn’t an inch of his body she hadn’t explored.
“You’re Victoria Blackwood?” he said.
She tried to speak, but nothing came out. At the very least, she owed him an apology. An explanation. Something. But she couldn’t form the words. He filled a glass of water from the pitcher on the table and handed it to her. She took a few grateful sips, stalling until she regained her voice. “I…I am. But you’re not Martin Sanchez.”
“I’m his younger brother.” Rafael gestured to the chair opposite him. “You should sit. You look pale.”
She nodded and sat down. She still couldn’t believe she was facing Rafael. “I thought you worked in San Diego. At El Marinero or someplace like that.”
He crossed his arms. “I did. But I came back to Escondido four years ago and started working for my brothers.”
She tried to control the rush of emotions coursing through her. No matter how great her shock, she needed to stay focused and secure a caterer for the wedding. “I don’t understand. What happened to M
artin? His assistant said I’d be meeting with him.”
“Sorry about that. There was a scheduling mix-up with our master calendar, and Martin only found out this morning. Neither of my brothers are available that night. Martin is hosting a private dinner as part of a charity auction, and Tony is tied up with a wedding in San Ysidro. But Tres Hermanos would still love to have your business. That’s why they sent me.”
His voice was calm. Even. How could he act so poised when she could barely contain the memories flooding through her? Nights of tequila and abandon. Swimming nude at a private beach. Long, leisurely sessions in bed.
Damn it, Victoria. Pull yourself together.
She took a deep breath. “Have you ever catered a wedding on your own before?”
“Just one. But it was much smaller.”
“How much smaller?”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “Ah…eighty people, give or take. It was for my cousin. In her parents’ backyard.”
Eighty people? Try as she might, she couldn’t stop her voice from rising. “I’m expecting two hundred people. And they’re expecting…a certain level of service.”
“Our service is excellent. If you need referrals, Martin can provide you with plenty of names.”