“You were taking too long and blocking my way to the pot.” She shrugged, but her eyes were amused. Which was very wrong considering that she had just woken up and had only a little coffee. I must have looked like a real idiot.
“Whatever keeps you from killing everyone with your grumpy face.” I shrugged and walked over to the sink. When had I become so incredibly clumsy? And since when did I rub all over men in Sam’s kitchen? What was wrong with me?
“We’re going to need more coffee if we’re avoiding death glares.” Sam scooted between us and filled a new mug with coffee. “We’ve got a lot to do.”
“I’m going to change.” David jerked his head toward the door. “Do you have a little time to talk before you go?”
“Sure.” Sam answered. “After coffee.”
“Got it.” David smiled at us. “See you around, Cathy.”
“Bye.” I smiled at him awkwardly. As soon as he walked out of the door, Sam burst out laughing. “What?”
“You sure are determined to get his clothes off.” She shook her head.
“I am not!” My words were a little too loud. Great. I sounded guilty. “It was an accident.”
“Right.” She sat down on one of the stools. “That’s why you were busy stroking his chest a few minutes ago.”
“I was not
stroking
anything. Oh God, I had stroked his chest. I was making sure I hadn’t hurt him.”
“Uh-huh. Sure.” Sam rolled her eyes. “There was definitely no stroking going on in my kitchen just a few minutes ago. Nope. Not at all. And certainly no sexual tension or gooey puppy-dog eyes.”
“Shut up and drink your coffee.” I glared at her. “I did not give him puppy-dog eyes.”
“Whatever you say.” She hummed to herself as she poured more creamer in her cup.
My phone beeped and I picked it up. Selene, my assistant, had sent a text to let me know a car was on the way. I had to get back to the palace for a meeting and to check some of the last-minute wedding plans.
“I’ve got to go.” I stood up and stretched. “I’ll see you tonight?”
“You know, you really didn’t have to do as much for the wedding as you have.” Sam frowned.
“Hush. I like doing it.” I smiled. “It’s fun to see all of the little details come together.”
She looked up at me and smiled. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” I rinsed my cup out and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. “I need to go. My car should be here any minute.”
“Go. I’ll see you later.” Sam made shooing motions toward the door. “And I won’t tell David you think he’s hot.”
It wasn’t very ladylike, but I shot her the bird. If there was one thing I had learned about Sam and Jess over the last year, it was that they loved to see me squirm.
“Love you too,” she hollered after me as I pushed through the door. I just laughed. My brother had done well for himself.
P
ICKING UP THE
flowers, I frowned. They were the wrong color. Again. Selene had even taken pictures to the florist to show them what we were looking for and they still used the wrong flowers.
“Was there a problem getting the ones the duchess requested?” I looked at the woman across the counter from me.
“We couldn’t order enough and thought this would be a good alternative.” She twisted the paper in her hands.
“You’ve had the flower order for months.” I smiled. Mother had taught me you could get away with a lot more by smiling when you said it, and this woman was already a nervous wreck.
“Yes, ma’am. But there was a problem with the delivery truck and the shipment arrived in poor condition. We were able to receive these on short notice.”
“Ah.” I nodded my head like I wasn’t frustrated. “Well, in that case, they will work just fine.” It wasn’t that I was mad. I just wanted everything to be perfect. The last thing I wanted was for Sam to see her flowers and be upset that they weren’t what she picked out.
The rest of the appointment went well. The centerpieces were being made and stored in one of the large walk-in refrigerators. Food was being prepared and the bakers had begun working on the cake and cupcakes. I shook my head as I looked at the cupcakes that covered a worktable. Alex and Sam hadn’t been able to decide on a cake flavor, so had opted for several different types of cupcakes. It had actually been an ingenious idea, because it meant we could also make separate trays for guests with food allergies.
“The tailor delivered the dresses last night.” Selene looked at her clipboard as we walked through the palace. I had tried to get her to use a tablet, but she didn’t care for electronics. Of course, she was older than my mother, so it shouldn’t surprise me.
“Were there any problems?”
“No. Everything was as it should be.” She marked something on her papers before pointing at the main entrance. “Chadwick has requested that we have an extra guard at the front gate. He’s worried about the guests’ arrival.”
“I think Alex already took care of that. Would you double-check for me?”
“Of course.” The scribble of her pencil made me smile. Selene had been with me from the time I was old enough to start attending official functions—before my father had passed away.
One of Selene’s junior secretaries stopped me with a folder of papers. I flipped through them quickly. Tabitha was a small, petite woman, and while she was thorough, something about her screamed power hungry. It was in the little things, the sharp look in her eyes, the constant volunteering, the way she tried to fit into my schedule. Selene felt that she would make a good replacement for her one day, but I had serious doubts.
“The list is fine, except for this name.” I tapped the name of a reporter from America. “He ran a very unflattering piece on the duchess a couple of months ago and I’m not going to let him rip apart their wedding day just for kicks.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll make a note of it.” Tabitha bobbed her head and hurried on down the hallway in a different direction.
“It seems like most everything has been taken care of,” I said.
“You’ve done an excellent job of seeing to everything.” Selene smiled at me.
“Oh! What about the ring bearer and flower girl? Did their gifts come in? Sam wants to give them to the children at the rehearsal dinner.” I flipped through my e-mail on my phone, looking for a confirmation of delivery.
“They are wrapped and in the duchess’s room.”
Samantha hardly ever used her room at the palace. If she was staying overnight you would find her in Alex’s room, even if he wasn’t. I’d say it was disgusting the way they loved each other, but to be honest that would just be jealousy talking. I wanted something like what they had but knew better than to think it would really happen to me.
“Excellent. She will be able to use her room? We haven’t put everything on the bed, right?” Sam might not agree with me, but she wasn’t spending the night with Alex right before they got married. I’d sleep in front of her door if I had to. I wanted him to see her walking down the aisle in her wedding gown and feel the full impact. Most people didn’t find true love; they had been lucky. Far luckier than I was likely to be. I’d never be able to trust that someone wanted me for me, not just what I could get them.
“Of course not. She will be able to get in her own bed.” Selene cracked a smile. “If you can keep her there.” The staff at the palace thought it was funny that Sam snuck into Alex’s room and vice versa. Eventually it became a loud secret. No one openly talked about it, but they all knew. Now Sam didn’t even try to hide it. She just came and went as she wanted, though the palace’s official stance was that they had separate rooms when the media asked.
“I’ve already bought the super glue and extra door lock.” I laughed. Sam had given me an evil look when I told her she had to stay in her room the night before the wedding. I knew it was an old tradition, but it was something we had upheld in our family. Plus, I was a romantic. They’d thank me later.
“Oh, your mother would like to see you tonight before dinner.”
“That’s fine. I think we can work in a little additional time.” Several of the visiting royals and dignitaries would be here soon and a welcome dinner had been set up. We rounded a corner and passed several of the rooms allocated for guests. “Oh, do we have any extra rooms available?”
“I’ll have to check. Have we forgotten someone?” She flipped through the pages.
“Sort of. Samantha has a houseguest and he’s coming to the wedding.” I thought over the floor plan. “If we don’t have any guest rooms left, put him in the family wing. David Rhodes.”
“He is a close friend of the duchess?” Selene made notes.
“Yes. They went to college together and he will be managing the hands-on portion of the FBT while Alex and Sam are gone.” When we got to the small room I used as my office, I kicked my shoes off. I should have worn flats, but sometimes appearances really did matter. At least when I needed to make a good impression. Walking over to the small fridge behind my desk I grabbed another bottle of water. I had already drained the first one. My head was pounding and all I wanted to do was take a nap. “Do we have any aspirin?”
“I’ll go get some for you.” She set her clipboard down on her desk. “Do you need anything else?”
“Maybe a snack.” A little food might help settle my stomach as well. “Nothing heavy, please.”
“I’ll be right back.” She closed the door behind her and I fell into my seat with a sigh. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Why had I drunk so much last night? Rubbing at my temples, I closed my eyes and tried to will the queasy feeling away.
A knock on my door gave me a start that was quickly followed by irritation. I should have an hour free to catch up on e-mails.
“Come in.” Sitting up straighter I forced a smile.
“I thought you might need this.” Chadwick smiled at me and held up a sports drink. “Electrolytes.”
“I’d kiss you but I might puke if I get up.” Sighing, I leaned back in my chair.
“Please don’t get up then.” He closed the door behind him gently before taking the cap off the drink and handing it to me.
“You’re amazing.” I sipped at the orange-flavored drink and closed my eyes. Selene was amazing and we got along swimmingly, but there was a maternal feel to our relationship. I supposed that was to be expected when she was the one who explained tampons to me.
“I figured you’d been drinking water all day, but needed something a little better.” He sat down in the seat across from me. “You doing okay?”
“Do I look like I’m doing okay?” I frowned.
“Well, you always look marvelous, but to those of us that know you, I can tell you’re not feeling well.” He propped his leg up on his knee and leaned back in his chair. “Do you remember much of last night?”
“Bits and pieces.” I scrunched up my nose. “Very unfortunate pieces.”
“I’m proud of you.”
“Why?” I frowned. Surely he didn’t mean when I asked David to take his clothes off or when I threw up in a potted plant. “I’m computing at half power today.”
“You let yourself have fun last night. I don’t remember the last time I saw you so relaxed.”
“I relax,” I protested. “And really, I’m paying for last night’s fun.”
“Meditating in the garden is not what I mean. You’re twenty-one! You should be having fun.” He laughed at my expression. “Maybe not quite that much fun, but you know what I mean.”
“Chadwick, you know how busy I am.” I started to shake my head but thought better of it. “And I can’t afford to have people see me like I was last night.”
“You can’t afford to not have any fun either.” He frowned at me. “I know how hard you’ve worked on this wedding. I know how hard you work at school. You need to be yourself and not worry about upsetting anyone.”
I sighed. There wasn’t much arguing with him when he decided to turn into a big brother.
“Don’t sigh at me, missy. I’m not telling you to give yourself liver damage. I’m just pointing out that Cathy is just as good as Princess Catherine. You don’t have to be one or the other.”
I looked at him, considering what he was saying. I just didn’t know how to be both. Not anymore.
There was a light tap on the door and Selene came in with a tray and a bottle of aspirin.
“Hello!” She smiled at the redhead sitting across from me.
“How are you, Selene?” Chadwick stood up and moved out of the way so she could set the tray on my desk.
“Very well. I sent you an e-mail this morning with some of the details of next week. Once I have the okay I can send out the schedules.” She uncovered the sandwiches while she talked, and I murmured a quiet thanks.
“I’ll get to it tonight.” Chadwick smiled at her before turning back to me. “I’ll see you later, Catherine.”
“Get out of here.” I hated it when he called me by my whole name. “Thanks for the drink.”
“Any time.” He winked at me as he left and I shook my head.
I opened my laptop and started work. I need to get things done before the dinner tonight. If I could finish early I might be able to squeeze in a quick nap so I’d be more on my game. I’d be sitting next to the younger brother of another royal family and he was handsy.
T
HE THRONGS OF
people outside were astounding. Even though I had expected it, the size of the crowd was staggering. It made me nervous, and I had grown up with the constant watching eye of the media and public. I couldn’t imagine how Sam must feel in this moment. Even Alex looked anxious.
“You look a little pale.” I smiled over at my brother.
“I’m not pale.” He flashed a wobbly smile.
“You don’t look pale, you look like you’re going to hurl.” Max slapped Alex on the back and laughed. “Should I call for a bucket?”
“Shut up.” Alex growled.
“Cold feet?” I turned to look at him.
“Of course not.” He pulled at the sleeves of his tux. “Not mine anyways.”
“You think Sam won’t show up?” I laughed. I couldn’t help it. My cocky brother was worried the love of his life would stand him up at the altar. “Sam isn’t going to leave you hanging.”
“I’m worried about what she’ll do when she sees this crowd.” Alex peeked out the curtain. I squeezed next to him and looked at the masses.