Xander’s eyebrows went up. “Did I just get an apology?”
Grace offered him her most winning smile. “Even princesses make mistakes.”
Jack sidled up to them then. “Hey, Grace, how are you?”
“Great,” she said. “Look at this place. You’re pretty packed for a random Wednesday.”
Jack grinned. “I’d love to take credit, but it was all Emerson. Just wait until Saturday, when we have our Oktoberfest extravaganza. Are you going to stop by?”
“Of course. I wouldn’t miss it.”
“Great. What can I get you to drink?”
“A glass of that house red I like, please.”
Jack reached for a wineglass. He jutted his chin in Xander’s direction. “Need a refill?”
“Nah, I’m good. I just want to get to planning this superfun party.”
Grace didn’t get it. The last time they’d been together they’d gotten along. Maybe not at first, but eventually. She didn’t really want to plan the shower with him, but she was hopeful they would at least get along. Instead, she heard the sarcasm in his voice. Heck, the people playing darts in the corner could probably hear it. Grace decided to take advantage.
“If you’d rather not plan the shower, I’m perfectly willing to do it all by myself.” She crossed her fingers under the bar, hoping he’d take the bait.
Xander eyed her suspiciously, but after a blatant don’t-even-think-about-it look from Jack, he backed down.
“After all, this is my job. And I’m getting paid to do this,” she added.
A wrinkle formed on Xander’s forehead. “Hey, that’s right. I’m not getting paid.”
Jack poured Grace’s wine and then punched Xander in the arm. “Have you ever paid for a drink here? Not to mention all the food I give you.”
Xander raised his glass in toast to his friend. “Touché.”
“That’s what I thought. I’ll just leave you to it, then.”
Jack moved down the bar, taking orders and starting tabs. Grace took a fortifying sip of wine and then faced Xander.
“So,” Xander said. “Where do we start?”
She flipped open her notebook. “I’ve already talked to Emerson. She gave me a bunch of dates that will work.”
She showed Xander the list and the two of them consulted with their own planners and schedules. Ten minutes later they had a date. Progress.
“We know they want to have the party here,” she said. Grace had been in this bar plenty of times, but she still took a moment to look around the space and visualize possible ideas.
“Awesome,” Xander said. “So we can use the food they already serve here. Chicken fingers, burgers, poppers...” Xander trailed off as she sighed loudly. “What’s wrong with french fries and wings?”
“Nothing, when you’re watching the game,” she said.
“I don’t get it,” he said, frowning. “They want to have the party here in this bar. Doesn’t that lead you to believe they want the food, too?”
“This location means something to the two of them,” Grace said, with little patience. “They met right out back.”
Judging by his confused expression, Xander wasn’t following. She’d need to break it down. “This is more than a wedding shower. It’s an engagement party and shower and celebration of Em and Jack’s upcoming nuptials all rolled into one. We have to keep that in mind. We also need to remember that her parents will be attending, as well as many elderly guests. That means we need to create a party that is fit for someone in their twenties, as well as an octogenarian.”
He nodded slowly. “So no burgers?”
She laughed lightly. “We also have to keep the couple in mind.”
“Jack and Emerson like burgers.”
She waved her pen at him. “Exactly. That’s why we have to compromise.”
He straightened in the high-back bar chair. “Pigs in a blanket. You can’t go wrong with pigs in a blanket.”
She stared at him for a long moment.
“Let me guess. Pigs in a blanket aren’t fancy enough for you.”
Grace rolled her eyes. “Actually, I’ve had pigs in a blanket at many events. However, Emerson hates hot dogs.”
“Ah.” Xander actually looked sheepish. “Sorry. I thought you were going to have something disparaging to say about pigs in a blanket.”
She sighed. Loudly. “You’re not getting it. This isn’t about me.”
Xander gave her a look that screamed he wasn’t buying it.
Was he really under the impression that she planned weddings for herself? That every event reflected her wants and needs? She rolled her shoulders in annoyance.
“Seriously, Xander, do you honestly think I would let my personal opinions and preferences interfere with planning an event for someone else? That would be incredibly selfish.”
Jack paused in front of them. “How’s it going?”
“Great,” Xander said.
It was clear he meant it. Xander thought this conversation was going well. He didn’t get that he’d actually just offended her.
“I wouldn’t go with ‘great,’” she said.
Confusion flashed in his eyes. “Why not?”
“Um, pigs in a blanket?” She didn’t notice any recognition in Xander’s eyes. “Insulting me?”
“When did I insult you?”
She let out a sound that could only be called a guffaw. “Um, just now.”
Jack grinned. “Well, sounds like everything is moving along.” Then he hightailed it to a group of new customers in need of drinks.
“How did I insult you?” Xander repeated.
She shook her head, hoping the motion would ease the headache that was starting. It didn’t.
“Forget it.”
Xander shifted in his chair to face her. When he did, his leg brushed hers. Grace immediately felt a rush of electricity.
“No way,” he said. “If I hurt your feelings, I want to know why, and how. Because that wasn’t my intent.”
Grace sat back and sipped her wine. Maybe she was just being too sensitive.
On the surface, she knew she put her all into each and every wedding she planned. No matter what, she would go the extra mile for her brides.
But, there was always something in the back of her mind. A seedling of doubt that she wasn’t, well, good enough.
When she looked over and saw the concern on Xander’s face, she felt a little embarrassed.
“You know what?” she said. “I’ve had quite the day. I think I just overreacted to something you said. We have a lot to cover tonight. Let’s get back to it.”
He didn’t say anything for a few moments. Finally, he said, “If you’re sure.”
“Of course. Now, as I was saying, this party is about Jack and Emerson, who both happen to favor comfort foods. That’s why I was thinking we could have a mashed-potato bar.”
“What’s that?” She saw the flash of interest in his eyes.
“A bar with mashed potatoes and all the fixings. Bacon bits, sour cream, chives, cheese. You know, the stuff you put on top of mashed potatoes. Maybe we could even do something fancy, like truffle oil. For protein, I was thinking sliders.”
“I thought you nixed the burgers.”
“I nixed the idea of bar burgers. Sliders are fancier. They’re also easier to eat in a cocktail-party setting. We could do beef and chicken. Oh, maybe a prime rib option.”
“What about vegetarians? I know Jack’s cousin is one, and a friend of ours from high school is vegan. We should offer cauliflower steaks, or something like that.”
She was impressed he thought of that. “Good idea.”
He seemed pleased with the praise. “Thank you.”
She continued. “And for entertainment—”
Xander snapped his fingers
in front of her face. Grace sat up straight.
“A hypnotist. Wouldn’t that be awesome?” He beamed.
“Why would we have a hypnotist at a wedding shower?”
“Why not?” he asked, seemingly truly perplexed.
“Because it’s weird.”
“Would you rather have a stripper?”
Grace clamped down on the urge to roll her eyes. “I’m sure Emerson’s mom would really love watching a stripper.” She finished the last gulp of wine.
Xander started laughing.
“What’s so funny?”
“I was just thinking about Emerson’s parents watching a stripper. You gotta admit that would be worth the entrance price.”
“Are you going to take any of this seriously?”
“I am taking it seriously. The problem is that you’re no fun. Just because you’ve planned dozens of these—”
“Exactly.” She pointed at him. “This is my job. You might want to follow my lead.”
“And you might want to stop being so bossy. Just because you’re a phenomenal wedding planner doesn’t mean you can do and say whatever you want.” He cocked his head at her, almost in challenge.
Grace had a retort all ready to go. Instead of spitting it at him, she froze.
Xander said she was phenomenal at her job?
“I thought you didn’t really get what I do. How do you know if I’m good at it or not?”
He shrugged. “I’m learning more each time I’m with you. From everything I’ve gathered so far, you really know your stuff.”
Her heart melted a bit. His compliment meant the world to her. In fact, being praised for her work actually made her happier than being told she was beautiful or hot.
For years, men always seemed to focus on her appearance. But knowing that Xander wouldn’t say something if he didn’t mean it, well, that went a long way.
She tried to say something, but her mouth was suddenly dry. Xander, on the other hand, didn’t seem to have the same problem.
“Our friends wanted us to work together, so you might as well get used to me. And it wouldn’t kill you to use one or two of my ideas. Like the hypnotist. Maybe you could just trust me on that? I promise I wouldn’t suggest something that would ruin my best friend’s shower, Grace. In spite of what you might think of me, I do give a damn about Jack’s happiness.”
“You think I’m good at my job?” She knew she sounded dumbfounded, as if no one had ever complimented her before.
“Uh, yeah. You’re great. You’re also funny when you’re not yelling at me. And you’re beautiful, too.”
Just like that, her excitement came to an abrupt end. Beautiful. Yuck.
He paused, his eyes defiant. “Yes, beautiful. For the record, I think that’s what you are. Take a moment to digest that.”
* * *
When he was around Grace, he completely lost...well, everything. His rationality, his good sense and apparently his inhibitions.
Despite the empty chair between them, they were both leaning forward, almost nose-to-nose. The night had been a ping-pong game of emotions. They argued, they agreed. It was getting to be exhausting.
He knew he probably shouldn’t have called her beautiful. But, come on. Her smile, her hair, that heart-shaped face and lush body. Who in the hell wouldn’t call her beautiful? He bet everyone did.
Yet, something had changed. She’d seemed so excited when he told her she was a phenomenal wedding planner. Then he’d called her beautiful and her face fell. He saw what he thought was hurt flash. Some emotion he couldn’t quite identify had filled her eyes, making them seem even more mysterious. Her face was awash with vulnerability. Xander didn’t get it, though.
He was in trouble. Yep, he was smitten with Grace. And Xander didn’t use the word smitten. He needed to win back the upper hand.
“Don’t go thinking anything because I said you’re beautiful, by the way.” He knew he should stop, but found that he just couldn’t. “I’ve dated a lot of beautiful women, you know. Not that we’re dating,” he added hastily.
He wanted to punch himself. But any pain only lasted for a moment. Then that fighting sparkle returned to her eyes and Grace looked angry. “There’s a lot more to a woman than the way she looks. Playboys like you usually don’t get that.”
Playboy? He didn’t think so. “I am not a playboy. I know there’s more to a person than their appearance. I happen to treat the women I date like gold.”
She snorted. “I’m sure you do. Right before you dump them after the fifth date.” She sat back and tapped a manicured finger against her lips. “Or do you even give them the courtesy of a breakup? I bet you just ghost them.”
That was simply insulting. “Listen, I have never—”
“Xander, Grace,” Jack said suddenly and firmly.
They both turned and shouted at him. “What?”
Jack did not seem pleased. “Guys, as much as I’ve enjoyed this little preschool pissing match, do you think you can tone it down? You’re starting to drive away paying customers.”
Xander nodded toward Grace. “If someone would stop making assumptions—”
Grace slapped her hand on the bar. “If someone would stop making juvenile comments—”
“Enough,” Jack interrupted. He pointed toward the back of the bar.
“What?” Xander asked. “Are you sending us to time-out in the corner?”
Jack rubbed a hand over his face. “No, I’m sending you to my office. At least we won’t be able to hear you arguing from back there. Now go.”
Grace opened and closed her mouth, clearly shocked that she was being punished. She was probably that little girl who never once got reprimanded in school. If Xander wasn’t so annoyed, he’d have laughed.
She grabbed her ridiculously large tote, plus all of the wedding-related books and magazines she’d brought and the two of them headed toward the door in the back corner with the antique sign that read Office.
Jack’s office wasn’t very large. There was enough room for a wooden desk and chair, a filing cabinet, a coat stand and one other black metal chair that looked incredibly uncomfortable. The windowless room had a musty smell that reminded him of a cross between a library book and a sewer.
“I can’t believe he sent us back here.” Xander threw his arm out to indicate the room.
Grace dumped her purse and supplies on Jack’s desk. “If you would have just come to my office like I suggested, we wouldn’t have to be in this stuffy room.”
“Are you telling me that you would rather sit at the desk in your office than come to this fun bar and have a drink and some mozzarella sticks?”
She made a big show of searching the tiny space. “I’m sorry. I’m not seeing any drinks back here, let alone any appetizers.”
He clapped his hands together slowly. “Aren’t you hilarious?”
“I don’t know why you’re so annoyed with me. This is all your fault.”
He stepped toward her. “How is this my fault? We were both fighting out there. I should add that I’m not even really sure what we were fighting about.”
She closed the distance between them and crossed her arms over her chest. “You started it. You were purposely goading me.”
“No, I wasn’t. You’ve made up your mind where I’m concerned and you’re not interested in anything I have to say.”
She gasped and he could tell his words struck a nerve with her. “Would you stop fighting with me? Please, Xander? I don’t want to argue with you, really.”
“You want to stop fighting?” he asked as he jutted his chin in the air in challenge.
“Yes.”
“Fine. You got it.”
He grabbed her upper arms, pulled her to him and crushed his mouth down to hers. She gasped and pulled back. There was a moment—a long, heated moment—whe
re they simply stared at each other. And then she threw herself back at him and their lips sealed together again.
God, she felt good. She melted into his arms and he was only too happy to gather her even closer to him.
Her lips were soft and he could taste the red wine she’d had earlier. He moved his hands to frame her face so he could deepen the kiss. She sighed deeply and he took advantage of the gesture to slip his tongue into her mouth.
Finally, after all that fighting, the two of them were in sync. In fact, they couldn’t get enough of each other.
He hadn’t made out like this since he was a teenager. Their mouths were greedy and their hands moved everywhere. He wanted to feel as much of her as he could. He ripped his lips from hers so he could go on a tour of her jaw, her chin and down the column of her neck. She moaned as he nipped her earlobe and then fisted her hands in his shirt to bring him even closer.
He returned to her mouth and once again they kissed each other as if they were the last two people on a planet that was about to explode.
This wasn’t supposed to happen between the two of them. Yet, being like this with Grace felt more right than anything had in a long, long time.
Xander had no idea how long the kiss lasted. Nor did he have any inkling as to why they both seemed to end the kiss at the same time. They stared at each other, twin expressions of shock and awe. Her arms were wound around his neck and his were holding her tight. They were both breathing heavily.
He struggled for something to say. But before he could get the words together, Grace jumped back as if she’d been burned. Unfortunately, her bracelet caught in his shirt and as she went backward, so did he. They crashed into Jack’s coatrack, causing it to fall to the floor as they lurched into the wall.
Grace cursed, a surprise coming from her. Xander stifled a laugh. He pushed off the wall, bringing her with him. Then she worked on getting her bracelet untangled from his shirt. Finally, they were able to separate.
She touched a hand to her lips and he attempted to straighten out his now-wrinkled shirt.
“You kissed me,” she said. Her eyes held an accusatory gleam that he didn’t care for.
The Wedding Truce Page 7