Happy Ever After
Page 32

“I think Marilee’s a lucky one, with her husband and her father-in-law.Would you like to walk some more?”
“No, I think I should go back. Be with my boy.” He smiled at Parker, laid a hand on his heart as she had. “We’ll go be with our boy.”
She took him back, pleased to be able to make him laugh on the way. Then she walked quickly into the happy chaos of the Bride’s Suite.
Women were gowned, men suited. The ring bearer entertained, the flower girl pampered. On the dot of the designated schedule, Parker lined up attendants, helped adjust rose and violet halos, pass out bouquets, dab moist eyes to protect makeup.
“Groom’s in place,” Laurel said through her earbud.
“So are we. Cue music for parents.” After sending the bride’s grandparents down, she turned to Larry, who would escort his own mother down the aisle. “You’re up.” On impulse, she rose to her toes, kissed his cheek. “Good luck. You look beautiful, Mrs. Mansfield. Enjoy the wedding.”
With the clock ticking in her head, she watched them go. “Mother of the bride and son, your turn. After seating your mom, Brent, move up on the left of the best man. And go!”
Lovely, she thought. It all looked lovely, and right on time.“Cue procession music. First attendant . . . Go. Smile! Head up. You look amazing. Second attendant . . . Go. Shoulders back, Rissa! Maid of honor, on the mark.” She didn’t have to remind this one to smile, she noted, as the MOH was already beaming. “And go. Perfect. Okay, Cody, remember your job.” She winked at the little boy who carried a white pillow with mock wedding rings. “Batter up!”
He grinned and strutted out.
“Your turn, Ally.You look like a fairy princess. Sprinkle your petals, and smile. Have fun, then go right to Mommy up front. Good girl.”
“Oh boy, oh boy,” Marilee said with a breathless laugh.
“You’re not only a beautiful bride, but one of the happiest I’ve ever sent down the aisle. Ready for the big moment, Mr. Gregory?”
“She’s not nervous, so I’m nervous for both of us.”
“It doesn’t show.You just look incredibly handsome.Take a few breaths, easy in and out. Cue bride’s music. Here you go.Take that one moment at the entrance to pause. Let everybody get a good view of how amazing you look. And go!”
Parker waited until all attention focused on the bride, until the angle changed so there was no chance she’d come into Mac’s frame.
Then she moved out, and off to the side to be, like her partners, invisible, but ready to address the smallest glitch or biggest problem.
For the next twenty minutes, Parker was pleased not to be needed at all.
“So far, so good,” she murmured into her headset.“And beautifully done.Are we set in the Solarium for guests during photos?”
“Set and double set,” Emma assured her.“And the Grand Hall’s on schedule. I say so far, so excellent.”
“You’d be right. MOH didn’t get all the weepies out. She’s okay, but she’s going to need a touch-up before photos.”
“Makeup’s in the kitchen,” Laurel told her. “Grabbing some food during the break. I’ll send someone out in five.”
“Five works.We’re at ring exchange.”
When the happy couple danced down the aisle—literally, as the groom stopped halfway to lift his laughing bride and swing her in a circle—Parker applauded.
Then got back to work.
With Mac herding the bridal party in one direction, she herded guests in the other. Subcontractors scrambled to rearrange chairs, add tables to the terrace.
After the photo and cocktail break—and only six minutes off schedule—Parker invited the guests into the Grand Hall for brunch.
There were always details that needed attending, adjusting, but watching the dancing during reception, Parker felt everything, onstage and backstage, had run particularly smoothly.
“Parker.” Larry stepped up to her. “I know you’re busy, but I wonder if you could indulge me.”
“Of course.What can I do for you?”
“I wonder if you’d give me a dance.”
Not usual protocol, but she knew when a rule needed to be bent or broken. “I’d be delighted.”
“It’s been a very good day,” he said as they stepped onto the floor.“A joyful one.You helped me get to the point where I could fully enjoy it.”
“I think you’d have gotten there on your own.”
“I hope so, but I didn’t have to. I watched you today, something I’m sure I’d have missed if we hadn’t talked.”
“Oh?”
“You’re very good at your work, and very good at not letting it show it’s work. Your parents would be very proud of you, of what you’ve built here.”
“Thank you.”
“My mother was impressed, and believe me, she doesn’t impress easily. She has a dear old friend whose granddaughter just got engaged. If my mother has her way, and she usually does, you’ll have another client.”
“There’s nothing we like more than a satisfied referral.”
She nearly missed a step as she caught a glimpse of Malcolm—where the hell did he come from?—leaning against the wall, talking to Jack.
And watching her.
He threw her off, she admitted as she ordered herself to tune back in to Larry for the remainder of the dance.That had to stop. But the bottom line was, at the moment, she couldn’t allow herself to be thrown off. She had a schedule to keep, an event to follow through to the end, and another to begin.
When the music ended, she stepped back.
“Thanks for indulging me.” Larry gave her hands a squeeze. “You and your partners put on a beautiful wedding.”
“That’s exactly what we love to hear, and I have to get back to it.”
She signaled the DJ to start the next segment—bouquet toss, garter toss, both of which she organized and supervised. She helped a guest locate a left shoe—a very nice Jimmy Choo—kicked off in the enthusiasm of a dance, and helped another with a quick repair on a hem.
Since Laurel was busy helping the caterers serve cake and coffee, Emma and her team had sectional breakdowns and redressing already underway, and Mac would continue to rove and roam and document the reception, Parker grabbed Del.