Beau woofed his accusation from a pile on the floor.
“I am not lying.”
Dev barely tilted his chin in her direction, creaking one eye open. “How do you know them? That’s not even your kind of music.”
“Are you kidding? Everyone knows them.”
Roark had heard of them too, he’d been proud to say. They were a sort of alt rock, indie group out of Georgia, who’d hit it big because one of their songs got picked up for a movie soundtrack. “The even bigger news is, we’re going to get publicity from it, after the fact. I’m hoping something like People. Honeywilde is going to get some serious promotion.”
Sophie bounced up and down on her end of the sofa, taking little note of what he’d said. “Their song was everywhere this summer. I think they’re on tour right now. I didn’t even know those two were dating.”
“Most people don’t know, and everything is hush-hush, for now. We can’t go blabbing to anyone about it. It’s on a need-to-know basis until it’s all over.”
Sophie’s smile went from ear to ear. “I can’t believe Jack Winter, lead guitarist of RLH, is going to be staying here.”
Dev leaned down the couch toward her. “To get married.”
“I know.” She smacked his arm with the back of her hand. “But he’s still hot. I love the lead singer, Whitney, too. She’s so cute. I can’t believe they’re getting married. And they’re doing it here.”
“It’s way too early in the morning for your level of enthusiasm.” His brother turned into his arm to yawn.
“But this is so exciting!” She bounced again.
Roark appreciated Sophie’s enthusiasm, always, but he believed in celebrating after they’d executed everything perfectly. “It won’t be exciting until we pull it off, it’s a huge success, and we can get our name out there.”
Sophie leveled a look at him. “It’s exciting now and the excitement only grows from here.”
“All that we have to get done grows from here. We don’t have a lot of time and a lot of the details will be on you.”
Sophie waved off the pressure, like she always did. “I know Trev isn’t here, but I’ll get someone else on my team to step up. It’s fine.”
“Don’t talk to me about Trevor.”
“Of course. I wouldn’t dare.” She patted his arm.
His little sister helped keep the place running and, equally important, kept the Bradley brothers from killing one another. She wasn’t only operations manager; she handled the overflow from Roark’s mile-long to-do lists. She deserved help. She deserved a brother here helping them, like he’d promised.
Devlin sniffed, making sure to give Roark his most exasperated look. “This is good news, Roark. Don’t be a buzzkill.”
A ripple of warmth rolled down Roark’s neck. If he were a dog, his hackles would be on their way up. “You were just yawning over this entire conversation. You don’t give a rip about the wedding; you just like taking sides against me.”
“I’m taking sides against you because you’ve got a giant stick up your ass.”
“Boys.” Sophie glared at them.
Roark saved his scowl for Dev. “This buzzkill closed a huge deal for us last night.”
Sophie leaned over and gripped Roark’s hand. “Exactly. So you can be a little happy about that success. You’re not going to jinx it. Enjoy it. We can start the worrying later.”
Maybe she had a point. “You’re right. Yay.” Roark put one hand in the air and wiggled his fingers in imitation of her.
“That’s more like it.”
“Now, we’ve got to come up with a game plan.” He pulled out his phone and scrolled to his notes.
Devlin groaned and slumped as Sophie whined, “Not the phone. Let the coffee kick in first. We don’t have to start planning now.”
“I’d like to have some ideas ready before Madison comes down.”
Sophie held both hands up, a look on her face as though Roark had said their rock-star bride and groom were here now. “Wait. Comes down? Did she stay here last night?”
“She checked in because it’s time to start planning. The wedding is in three weeks.”
“Three weeks?” Sophie’s voice went up an octave.
“A little less than three, technically. I was getting to that part next. We’re under a time crunch. That’s why we need a game plan now.”
“That’s insane. It’s impossible. You’re both insane.”
Dev leaned toward her again. “You get to meet Jack Winter,” he whispered.
Sophie grinned. “I mean, I’m in. But it’s still insane.”
Dev propped his feet up on the bottom rung of the coffee table and leaned back. “You’re all certifiable, but that isn’t news. I’m on board.”
Good. They were all on board, and enthusiastic in their own way, but where was Madison? If she wanted to take the lead on logistics, then they needed to start immediately. Early mornings were the time for Bradley meetings, mainly because once guests got up and the restaurant opened, they’d have no time to meet.
Roark was about to ring the cell phone number Madison gave him last night when Sophie popped up from her seat.
He turned to find Madison standing behind him.
She looked at each of them, her gaze hanging on his before it caught the coffee trolley against the wall.
Roark rose to his feet as well. “Madison. Good morning. You’ve already met Devlin and this is my sister, Sophie.”
The greetings and handshakes were made when Sophie blurted out, “How do you look like a crisp million bucks this early?”
“Soph,” he muttered, but she was right. Madison looked as good as she had the day before, maybe even better. More casual today, she wore beige slacks and a black blouse. Her hair was smoothed back into a clip, drawing attention to her high cheekbones and wry mouth.
As if more of his attention needed to be drawn.
Sophie got up to refill her coffee. “What time did you get up to look so put together?”
Roark cut his eyes at his sister, but she wasn’t paying him a bit of attention.
“I wake up at six or so every day, but I’m a morning person.”
“I’m a morning person too,” Sophie argued, “and all I’ve managed to do is brush my teeth and put my hair in a bun.”
Madison smiled, that little curl of her lips, before she poured herself a cup of coffee and sat in the chair next to Roark’s. “But it seems I’m the one late to the meeting.”
She crossed her legs toward him, watching him as she sipped her coffee. “No cookie cologne today?”
“Not today.” He grinned.
“Sorry I’m late.”
“I forgot to mention that if we meet, we meet in the morning.”
“Yes. Welcome to the obnoxiously early Bradley-family meetings.” Dev spread his arm out wide.
Roark bit back a retort. “We like to meet before the majority of the guests are up and about. Since we’re a vacation resort, that’s usually not until eight or later. A few hikers might be up earlier, but that’s rare.”
“Good to know.” Madison tapped her foot in the air, the gold medallion on her black flats shining, her legs long enough that her calf came half an inch from brushing his with every tap. Mesmerizing.
“And who is this?” she asked, just as Beau rose from his napping spot by the fireplace to greet her.
“This is Beau,” he answered. “Currently the family dog.”
“You’re pet friendly? That’s a nice perk for your guests.”
Satisfied with her scratch behind his ears, Beau flopped back down in his usual spot.
“He’s not a fan of Roark’s morning meetings either,” Dev added, grinning at him.
Good thing he loved his younger brother. That was the only thing that kept him from throttling Dev on a daily basis.
Roark turned to Madison. “I’ve told Sophie and Dev that the wedding is in just under three weeks. I thought we could tell you what people have done for events
here in the past, things that did and didn’t work.”
Sophie smacked the couch cushion between her and Dev. “You mean like that time the reunion party wanted the buffet line outside?”
Dev chuckled. “And later, when they were inside dancing, a couple of raccoons figured they were invited and tried to nab some appetizers to go?”
They both laughed, but Roark never had found it funny. That guest had raised holy hell about the vermin problem, when Roark had specifically told her that leaving the buffet up until late at night was a bad idea. He’d had to refund part of their deposit to keep the peace.
“Oh, come on, Roark. It’s funny.” Dev raised his mug in salute. “Those were the happiest raccoons you’d ever seen.”
Sophie nodded. “They looked like little burglars who’d hit the jackpot. Black masks and all.”
Madison shook her head, her chin dipped to hide her grin. “There will be no uninvited guests at this event. Two-legged, four-legged, or otherwise.”
“You think that’ll be an issue?” Roark asked her.
She turned to him. “It might. The bride and groom have hit it big this year. When that happens, you get paparazzi, gossip magazines. We’re keeping their wedding top secret until it’s over, but there could be leaks. We’ll want to get some local security at the inn’s driveway and entrance.”
Roark added that to the list on his phone. “I know of some cops who do security when off duty. They won’t ask who and why, and they understand discretion. I’m happy to contact them and keep the name confidential.”
“That’d be nice. Thank you.” Madison sipped her coffee, looking at him over the rim again. It might be indecently early in the day for some people, but Madison’s gaze was alert, her eyes a sharp green, honed right in on him.
“You’re welcome,” he said, immediately taking a sip of his coffee too.
In his peripheral vision, Devlin and Sophie looked at each other.
“Roark already told you who will be getting married here?” Madison asked them.
Both straightened up like a teacher had suddenly called on them.
“He did. I’m a big fan of theirs actually, but I can keep that to myself,” Sophie said.
Madison waved her hand. “It’s okay to let them know you’re a fan, but we’ll keep it reserved and professional beyond that. The bride and groom, the band, and a small wedding party will arrive the Thursday before.”
Sophie beamed at the prospect.
Madison turned to Roark. “What about you? Are you a fan?”
Devlin snorted. “Ha! Roark only listens to NPR and nineties rock. He wouldn’t know modern music if it bit him.”
“As a matter of fact, I have heard of them.”
“Only because Sophie likes them.”
Roark ignored his brother and focused on Madison. “I wouldn’t say I’m a fan, but I do know who they are.”
She shrugged and set her coffee mug down on the arm of the chair. She wrapped her long fingers around the mug. Her nails were clean and short, with only the gloss of clear polish, and she wore no rings. Madison kept things simple and classic, nothing to draw much attention, but Roark noticed anyway. He’d touched those hands, a couple of times, and knew their soft strength. He tried not to wonder about them beyond a handshake.
“I like their music, but I wouldn’t say I’m a big fan of theirs either,” she said. “It’s just as well. That way we don’t have any distractions from planning.”
No distractions. Right. “So, security for the weekend of the event. What else can we help with up front?”
Madison wiggled her foot again. “Off the top of my head? Things I need to organize ASAP include a florist and a photographer. I have a photographer who can drive in for the event, so let’s pray he’s available. Jack said they have the music covered because two-thirds of the guests are musicians. That covers the most urgent items on the list. For everything else, I’ll need my portfolio, laptop, and something in my stomach.”
He wanted to kick himself. He was acting like the mule-headed taskmaster his family accused him of being. Madison was only halfway into her coffee, it wasn’t even 8:00 a.m., and here he was, already bombarding her with business.
Roark shook off his faux pas. “Of course. Work can wait until after breakfast.”
“The restaurant serves until ten,” Sophie suggested. “You guys could eat in there and go over anything else. I have no doubt Roark will keep us informed of our to-dos.”
He waited for Madison’s answer. She looked at him, indecision shifting through her gaze until finally, “Breakfast sounds good. I need to grab my laptop and portfolio from upstairs.”
“Then breakfast it is. I’ll take that.” He took the empty mug from her hands, their fingers brushing in a brief caress that warmed him faster than any coffee, and had Madison glancing away. Roark didn’t realize he’d stood as well, watching her go, until he turned to sit back down and found Devlin and Sophie grinning.
“What?”
They looked at each other.
“What?”
“I didn’t say a thing. Matter of fact, I have to make a phone call, so . . .” Dev got up to refill his cup before making a quick exit.
As soon as he left, Roark stared holes into his sister. “What was that look about?”
She smiled sweetly, unfolding her legs from beneath her. “Nothing.”
“You’re a bad liar. Always have been.”
“Well, if you insist, Dev and I were silently confirming our shared thought.”
As they so often did. His brother and sister could have entire conversations without ever saying a word. Trevor too. He was the only one left out of the Bradley brain-wave loop.
“You and Madison.” Sophie grinned. “There’s sparkizzle.”
“There’s what?”
“You know, spark and sizzle. Sparkizzle. When y’all look at each other. Then you start talking to each other, and only each other, like Dev and I aren’t sitting right there across from you.”
“We didn’t . . .” Roark let the sentence go. They’d done exactly that.
“Uh-huh. Sparkizzle.” Sophie got up and smacked him good-naturedly on the shoulder. “Don’t worry about it. We also silently confirmed that we think it’s a good thing.”
No, not a good thing. He wasn’t going to deny his attraction, but the fact remained, he didn’t have time for any sparkizzle and he sure as hell didn’t need to be sparking and sizzling with their most valuable business partner to date.
“There’s no sparkizzle.” Roark stood, tucking his phone away. “We see eye to eye on how to handle business. That’s all. We’re both organized and . . .”
“Frustrated overachievers? You know what they say is good for frustration?”
“I’m walking away now.” He turned to do exactly that.
“Okay, but I have to meet with the head of housekeeping, so you two can talk business over breakfast alone.”
Roark stopped. If his brother and sister didn’t think he could see straight through their little strategy, they were deluding themselves. “You’re intentionally skipping out on me so Madison and I will have breakfast together.”
“No, I’m not.” Sophie’s voice went up to that octave again that meant she was either fibbing or flabbergasted. “But I am skipping out on Beau. My meeting with Rose is in ten, so you can take care of his morning doggie time. It’s your turn.”
“C’mon, Soph. I don’t have time.”
“Then you better hurry before your breakfast date.”
“It’s not a date.”
But Sophie had already traipsed away, leaving Roark with a not-date and a dog to walk.
Chapter 5
Madison drummed her fingers on her laptop bag, biting at the inside of her cheek as the elevator descended from the third floor. She’d gathered her things from her room, brushed her teeth, and given herself a much needed talking-to.
She was here to work.
With the booking of Honeywilde checked
off her list, now was the time to line up all critical pieces of the wedding puzzle. Her career was everything, the only thing, and this wedding was vital. If the good word spread about her among the who’s who of the highly affluent, she’d be secure for life. No more stressing from month to month. Even though she’d made a name for herself, no jobs were guaranteed. After Charleston, she’d still had to hope the next gig was a good one, and that it’d pay. Luck brought her Whitney, but hard work was going to bring her success.
Which was precisely why she did not need to pause her day to have breakfast with the hot innkeeper.
When it came to Roark Bradley, she would keep it polite and professional. Nothing could distract from this rock-and-roll wedding. Not even a man who oozed competence, confidence, and sex appeal—the combination of all three promising mind-melting bedroom times.
“Nope. Not going there.” She smoothed back her hair. All of that was secondary.
Too much to do and a limited time to do it in. Breakfast with Roark, even a breakfast meeting, was an indulgence she couldn’t enjoy. A protein bar and coffee on the way to visit florists, that’s what she would be doing this morning.
She’d tell Roark to never mind about breakfast. They could meet briefly and then she’d be off to work on her own agenda.
The elevator doors pinged open to reveal Roark standing there, thick red leash in his hand, big, woolly brown dog sitting next to him.
“Oh. Hello again.” She tilted her head at Beau, his hair falling over his eyes. He was adorable, and safer than looking at the man beside him.
“I have to take Beau out really quick, and then we can do breakfast. There’s a table ready in the restaurant. I wanted to let you know in case you were looking for me.”
She should insist that she would not be looking for him, she was fine left to do her own thing, and he could do whatever he needed and didn’t have to let her know anything. In most cases, that’s exactly what she’d say, and this was the perfect opportunity for her to cancel.
But saying that to Roark would be rude. Not that she had any issue being curt and to the point, but he’d been so polite and hospitable. Even if being nice was his job, he seemed sincere.
Fine. She’d have one breakfast with him, and that was it.
A Moment of Bliss Page 5