The Wedding Truce

by Kerri Carpenter

  Contracts and clauses he could help with. Accent colors gave him hives.

  “Did you see the Pinterest board I sent you?”

  “You do realize I’m a guy, right? And I’m your boss.”

  This statement was met with zero remorse that she was clearly on social media during the workday. Honestly, Xander couldn’t care less since Rachel always got her work done. Not to mention that he was probably way more intimidated by her than she would ever be of him.

  “Also, I’m not on Pinterest,” he told her for the hundredth time.

  Rachel flung her head onto her desk. “I’m drowning here.” She looked up again. “I’m swimming in a sea of tulle and centerpieces and engagement photos and wedding cakes. Help me!”

  Xander smiled and sat down in the extra chair next to Rachel’s desk. “It’s going to be fine. I promise.”

  Rachel wasn’t convinced. “How can you promise that?”

  “Breathe,” Xander instructed. “We’re going to get through this.”

  “How?”

  “I was going to get you something from your registry as a wedding gift. Since I like you and basically couldn’t exist in this professional world without your assistance, I was thinking something good. Not your ordinary place setting.”

  “The KitchenAid mixer I’m going to register for?” Rachel’s eyes practically sparkled at the suggestion.

  Xander nodded emphatically. “Top-of-the-line. In any color you want.”

  “Best. Boss. Ever.”

  “However, I’ve changed my mind,” he said. Rachel’s smile faded. “Instead, I’m giving you the gift of sanity.”

  “Please don’t say you’re sending me to a mental institution. Although, a spa package would be warmly received.”

  “This is even better. Now, it’s not wrapped, but I think that’s okay. I am giving you the gift of a wedding planner.”

  Rachel froze and Xander counted the seconds passing in the completely silent room. Finally, she blinked—once, twice—before her eyes widened and filled with tears.

  Ughhh. “Nope. Stop that. Don’t do it.” He jumped up and pointed at her face. “I can’t take tears. Especially not from someone as strong and bossy as you.”

  “You’re getting me a wedding planner?” Rachel stood, as well.

  “I know a woman. She’s pretty amazing.”

  Amazing was only the tip of the iceberg when describing Grace. He hadn’t seen her since their trip to Hart of the Hills. Even though he’d been swamped at work, he’d found himself thinking about her more often than not. He wondered what she was up to and how the wedding planning was going. Multiple times he’d picked up his cell to text her but he wasn’t sure they were on a texting basis yet.

  “I—I don’t know what to... Oh, my god.” With that, Rachel wrapped him in the biggest hug. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

  After giving Rachel Grace’s info and instructing her to have Grace bill him for everything, he sent his now happy and relieved assistant home. Xander then returned to his office, went through his emails a final time, gave a contract a final scan and closed everything down for the night. He waved goodbye to some of his colleagues still in their offices.

  As he left, he meant to turn left and head toward his condo. Instead, he found himself veering to the right. There was no reason to walk in this direction. None at all. This path wouldn’t take him home or to Jack’s bar, where he often found himself after work.

  But it would take him to Grace’s house. He decided he was going that way because he should tell her about the arrangement he’d just made with Rachel. But deep down, he knew that wasn’t the real reason. Obviously, since he could have simply called her.

  As he walked up the steps to the front door of the town house she shared with Emerson, he actually saw her through the large picture window to the right. Her head was bent over her laptop and she was tapping a pen against lips that were painted a bright pink.

  He checked his watch and realized that Grace’s official office hours were over so he pressed the buzzer that was next to the door. Grace’s voice came through the intercom.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey, Grace, it’s, uh, Xander.”

  There was a long pause.

  He leaned toward the window and waved at her. She was now standing behind her desk staring at him.

  “Can I come in?” he asked.

  “Oh, um, yeah, of course.”

  A loud buzz sounded and he opened the door. He entered a fancy-looking foyer decorated in tasteful gray and pink tones. A staircase led upstairs to the other levels. There were doors to the right and left, leading to Emerson’s office on one side and Grace’s on the other. A round pedestal table sat in the middle of the space with a large bouquet of fresh flowers on it. Their scent filled the space.

  Grace was standing at her door. She wore a black dress with long sleeves and a necklace with bright pink stones that matched her lipstick. Her feet were bare and the sight of her in that sophisticated dress without shoes was insanely appealing.

  Xander let his eyes roam from her toes up to her face. It was then that he noticed the dark circles under her eyes. Sure, she’d attempted to cover them with makeup, but when he peered closely he couldn’t miss them.

  “What are you doing here?” she asked. She stepped back so he could enter her office.

  Another stylishly decorated room. He liked the crown molding and built-in bookshelves. But then he eyed the antique desk and two delicate-looking chairs in front of it that looked like a strong wind could blow them over. He opted to stand.

  “Is everything okay?” she asked, worry causing a wrinkle to form in the middle of her forehead.

  “Uh, yeah. I didn’t mean to worry you. I was just...” What was he? Why was he here? “I was in the neighborhood.”

  “Oh.” She leaned back against her desk. “You know, someone from your office called me ten minutes ago. Rachel Lemont.”

  “That was fast. I gave her your phone number just a little while ago. Allow me to apologize for any craziness, mass hysterics or crying.”

  Grace smiled kindly and all of those lines of stress and exhaustion melted away. “She was the typical bride. Nothing out of the ordinary.”

  He stared at her. Damn. This was what she dealt with on a daily basis? He recalled his conversation with Rachel from earlier and couldn’t help but wince.

  “Well, as her boss, I’m thrilled that you’re able to take her on.”

  “Especially a boss who is paying the bill.” She raised an eyebrow.

  “She deserves it. She’s an amazing employee. Plus, she put herself through school and I know she’s still paying off her loans. Not to mention—”

  “I think you’re wonderful,” Grace interrupted. Her face immediately blushed. “I mean, it’s wonderful. What you’re doing for her.”

  He shrugged. “No biggie. I’d be lost without her.”

  “Keep this up and pretty soon I’m going to think you actually like the institution of marriage.” She narrowed her eyes playfully. “Or maybe you just want a job in the wedding industry.”

  “Busted.”

  She moved behind her desk and began shuffling papers around, replacing caps on pens, and then shut down her laptop. “What are you really doing here, Xander? Did Em send you?”

  “No.” He walked to one of the chairs and once again doubted its ability to hold his weight. He placed his hands on the back instead.

  “Jack?”

  “No,” he repeated.

  “So then... Why the visit?” she asked.

  “First, I wanted to tell you about Rachel, but she beat me to it. Also, I came to check on you.”

  “Oh. Seriously?” She bit her lip.

  He nodded. “I threw a three-week wedding at you. I had to make sure you weren’t drowning.”


  She smiled and it lit up her whole face. “Ye of little faith. I’m fine.”

  “Grace?” he asked.

  “I am fine.”

  He crossed his arms over his chest and hit her with a hard look.

  “Okay, I’m a bit tired, but that’s to be expected.”

  “How much sleep did you get last night?”

  “I don’t know. A couple hours.”

  Just as he thought. “How about the night before?”

  She half laughed, half sighed. “Xander, I’m in the middle of three weddings. One happened over the weekend and thank God that’s over. But I had to do all the postwedding work and I still have planning for my other two. It’s not a big deal.”

  It was a big deal. She was taking care of the details for everyone else, but who was taking care of her?

  He grabbed her hand. “Come on.”

  “Where are we going?”

  “You need to eat something. I bet you haven’t done that in a while, either.”

  “You’re being ridiculous. I ate at... Well, what time is it now?”

  “Eight o’clock.” He lifted an eyebrow in challenge.

  “I ate at...” She concentrated, the line reforming on her forehead. “Honestly, I have no idea. But, Xander, I don’t feel like going out to eat. All I really want to do is take off this dress.”

  That comment caused an image to slam into the forefront of his mind. A very wonderful image of a very naked Grace.

  Then he noticed her sagging shoulders and tired eyes. He checked his libido. This so wasn’t the time for that.

  “Let’s go upstairs,” he said, gesturing for her to lead the way. “I’m going to order you dinner and you can change out of your dress. Although, it is a beautiful dress.”

  “Thank you.”

  He suspected that she didn’t have the energy to argue with him. They walked upstairs. He carried her large tote bag while pink high heels dangled from her fingers. When they reached the living room, Grace asked if he wanted anything to drink.

  Xander shook his head. “I’ll get it. You go change.”

  “Oh, okay, thanks. The glasses are in the cabinet next to the—”

  “Don’t worry.” Xander smiled. “I can find my way around the kitchen. Are you hungry for anything specific?”

  “Not really. Just hungry.” As if emphasizing the point, Grace’s stomach growled loudly.

  “How does Thai sound?”

  “Perfect. Please order me pad see ew with beef.”

  “You got it.”

  He watched her continue up to the third level. Then he pulled out his phone and searched his Uber Eats app, happy to see that his favorite Thai restaurant was listed. He ordered for Grace and got himself a spicy Thai basil chicken. Then he made himself comfortable in the kitchen. He saw a half-filled bottle of red wine from Hart of the Hills. He poured half a glass for her and a full glass for himself, as well as a large glass of water. Then he settled in the living room.

  When Grace returned, she’d changed into yoga pants and an oversize cotton shirt. Her face had been scrubbed free of makeup, which made her look younger.

  “Better?” he asked.

  “Much. Is that for me?” She gestured to the wineglass. He nodded and she took a sip. “This might knock me out.”

  “That’s why you only got half a glass. Here’s some water.”

  She put some music on as they enjoyed their wine. The food didn’t take long to arrive and they both attacked their orders.

  “This is my absolute favorite,” she said on a satiated sigh. “You didn’t have to do this, but I’m glad you did. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  While they ate, they talked about movies and television shows, finding they actually watched a lot of the same things.

  “I would have guessed you were more of a reality TV fan,” Xander teased.

  “Oh, I am. Give me some Real Housewives or Top Chef any day of the week. But I also happen to love anything with zombies.”

  “Postapocalyptic stuff is so fascinating,” he said, leaning over to steal one of her noodles.

  After they’d exhausted entertainment options, they both expressed their disappointment that Emerson and Jack had canceled their shower. Jack had called him the day after they’d visited the winery. Xander understood the reasoning, but he was surprised to find he’d actually been kind of sad about it. Maybe he was more of a wedding planner than he thought. Or, maybe he’d just been happy to get to spend time with Grace and get to know her more.

  “I know it would have been a lot of work,” Grace said.

  “But it felt like they were really looking forward to it,” Xander finished.

  When it appeared that Grace was getting full because she’d slowed down, she sat back, took a sip of wine and pinned him with a stare.

  He put down his chopsticks. “What?”

  “I’m wondering about you. We’ve established you do like weddings.”

  “Ye-e-s.” He wasn’t sure where this was going. “I don’t like when people spend more than a down payment on them, but I generally enjoy myself at the party.”

  She curled her legs underneath her and leaned one arm on the back of the couch. “So it’s really marriage that you don’t like.”

  He took one last bite of chicken and then joined her on the couch. “I didn’t grow up with a very positive example of marriage. Most of my friends’ parents were divorced.”

  She didn’t say anything. Just waited patiently.

  He didn’t know what it was about her, but something had him spilling his guts. “Strangely, my parents were the ones who didn’t get divorced.”

  “Why do I get the feeling that bothered you?” she asked, with a questioning look in her eyes.

  “They have a horrible marriage,” Xander said on a long exhale. “There hasn’t been a day that’s gone by when they didn’t fight.”

  “A lot of couples fight.”

  He shook his head. He wished they fought like normal couples. “Not the way my parents do. They play dirty and nasty. They use anything at their convenience. Any weakness they can detect. They even use...me.”

  “Use you?” She looked alarmed. “How?”

  “However they can. They cheat and then flaunt their affairs in the other’s face.”

  “That must have been really hard to be around.”

  “It was. On the surface, we had everything. Everything.” His voice grew raspy. “We had all of this money and nice things. Their house here in Virginia is immaculate. They have a beach house in the Hamptons and one down in Florida. We could go anywhere in the world. My childhood should have been ideal.”

  She reached over and twined her fingers with his.

  “I had so much more than other kids and I felt ungrateful.”

  “Material objects don’t make people happy,” she said wisely. “They never have and they never will. Not long-term, anyway.”

  “Our holidays could have been, and should have been, something out of a Martha Stewart magazine. Instead, they were filled with shouting and accusations. They just...never got along. One of the most memorable times was when my father threw a huge platter of spaghetti into some historic mirror, shattering the glass and leaving a trail of marinara sauce on the wall in the formal dining room.”

  She blew out a long breath, her eyes growing wide and unbelieving. “Wow.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Why did they stay together all this time? For appearances?”

  He ran a hand over his face. “I have no idea. It’s never made any sense.”

  “Is this why you became an attorney?”

  “I had always wanted to go into law. It was fascinating to me.” He grinned at her. “Plus, I’m good at arguing my point.”

  She smiled. “I can attest to that.�
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  “I picked divorce and family law because of my parents. It’s not that I like seeing people separate. It’s that I know from personal experience that those breaks are sometimes needed. Not only for the two people involved.”

  “For their kids, too,” she said, nodding her head slowly.

  He realized she was finally understanding. He didn’t know why, but that made him extremely happy.

  “So do you think I’m some spoiled brat?” he asked.

  “Totally.” She laughed and squeezed his fingers. “No, of course not. I think you had a tough childhood. I think you’re trying to make it right by your choice in professions. And I think you’re incredibly brave.”

  Brave? His head snapped up at that comment. No one had ever called him that before. Why would they? Wasn’t he a poor little rich kid?

  He wasn’t even sure what Grace had been through in her life. All he knew so far was that it hadn’t been idyllic if she was so tight-lipped about her parents, and her grandparents had raised her. Maybe he should ask her about her upbringing. Maybe he—

  His thoughts were cut off when Grace scooted closer to him. Very close. He could feel her breath on his face. She pulled their joined hands up to her mouth and kissed his knuckles. One by one. With her other hand, she pushed back a lock of hair from his forehead and twisted it around her finger. Then those deep, dark eyes met his and he was gone.

  She leaned into him and pressed her sweet lips against his. She cupped his face, with her hands on either cheek, and deepened the kiss, pouring herself into it.

  Then she pulled away slightly.

  “What was that for?”

  “It was for that scared, lost little boy.”

  He touched a finger to her swollen lips, ran his thumb over the bottom lip. They parted for him.

  “I’m not a little boy anymore.” His voice was husky and his heart was beating at a million miles an hour.

  “Then you need another kiss.”

  With that, she kissed him again. He heard a rough, primal sound. It may have come from him. He didn’t know. How could he when her intoxicating scent was swirling around him and clouding his thoughts.

  She pushed him back, his head hitting the throw pillows in the corner of the couch. Before he could do anything, she was straddling him. Not very princess-like, but sexy as hell.