“It’s okay. I’m over Celia.” He didn’t want his sister worrying about him, and he rarely gave that bitch a thought anymore.
But Jade… He couldn’t deny he was looking forward to seeing her again, though he’d never admit that to Holly, who tended to be a little too interested in his love life.
“Good. I’m glad seeing Jade won’t be awkward for you. Because she’s the event coordinator at the Meridian Hotel and I’m dying to get married there. I thought it would be better to see her in person instead of picking up the phone and saying, Hi, this is Holly Matthews, your cheating ex-fiancé’s sister.” Holly shuddered. “Now, that would be uncomfortable.” She wrinkled her nose in disgust. “But I always got along with Jade, so hopefully an in-person meeting will work out.”
The line inched forward again, and they moved along with the crowd.
“There’s no reason to worry,” Knox assured her. “I’m sure Jade’s a professional. I doubt she’ll hold Theo’s behavior against you.”
Finally, almost twenty minutes later, they reached the registration booth, where they were handed their badges and information packets. Holly was a little wedding obsessed, and she’d brought a huge tote bag to fill with samples and brochures. Knox had a hunch, by the end of the day, he’d be carrying a heavy bag.
She took a few minutes to scan the map and mark her targets before she grasped his arm and they were on their way. After an hour, he had to admit she knew what she was doing. She navigated the massive event hall like a pro, pausing at already crowded tables to pick up brochures, enter giveaways, and take business cards. The vendors she had real interest in, she paused to introduce herself, talk, and make an impression. He knew she’d been accumulating a mental list of who she wanted to follow up with. Hopefully, her fiancé would be the one to tag along to those upcoming meetings.
“This is Jade’s booth,” Holly said, pausing.
The corner location had no long table blocking it off from the people walking by. Instead, the entire space was open and carpeted, allowing for meet-and-greet conversations and making it extremely welcoming. High-top tables were strategically placed with brochures and bottles of water on each, providing a place for visitors to rest, and a young girl was busy replacing drinks and pamphlets on the tables after people left. Knox couldn’t help but be impressed. Jade obviously had good business sense.
“I love the tulle backdrop with the fairy lights,” Holly said, her brown eyes sparkling.
“It’s beautiful.” And so was the woman talking to clients.
Her pale blond hair was pulled into a loose braid that hung down her back, and the delicate features he remembered drew him in. As she talked, her hands waved expressively in the air, causing him to grin. Whatever they were discussing, it was obvious she loved her job.
Holly nudged his side. “It’s good to see you smile.”
He’d been thinking the same thing about Jade. She looked good. Happy. And he was glad.
“I told you that you liked her.”
He rolled his eyes. “What are you, ten?”
Holly perched her hands on her hips. “Is it so bad that I want to see you happy?”
“No, but I know that gleam in your eye. You want to matchmake and that’s where I draw the line.”
“Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say,” she muttered. But he knew nothing he said would deter Holly when she was on a mission.
He could handle his life, his choices, his women. If he decided to make a move on Jade, he didn’t need his sister arranging things to his advantage.
“Do you want to go talk to her?” he asked.
Holly shook her head. “Not yet. I’ll let her finish with those people first.”
Knox nodded. Having Jade’s full attention? He couldn’t argue with that.
***
Jade Dare wrappedup her conversation with a woman she felt sure would become a Bridezilla if she booked the Meridian’s services. Still, she’d managed to keep a forced smile pasted on her face until the woman walked away.
As soon as the woman and her meek fiancé were out of sight, Jade turned to Lauren Connelly, her personal assistant and best friend. “No, I will not work with her. One of the perks of my family owning this hotel is that I can turn down people I don’t want to deal with. Life’s too short. So, when she calls, say we’re booked. Forever if need be.”
Lauren tipped her head and laughed, her chic long bob swaying around her face. “Twenty bridesmaids and don’t worry about the budget. I’ll work on my father?” she said in a perfect imitation of the woman, even down to the hair flip. “Can’t say I blame you.” She shuddered just as Jade had. “And that poor man. He needs to grow a backbone or his life is going to be hell.”
“Amen,” Jade muttered. In her business, she met all kinds of people, male and female alike. “He’s never going to be happy.” That much she could confidently predict.
Lauren glanced around their assigned venue space with a quick and experienced eye, then spoke to the girl who was helping them out. “Layla, can you put some more water on the tables?” Stepping toward Jade, Lauren said under her breath, “I think Bridezilla’s friends snagged all the waters from every table.”
“No problem,” Layla said, putting down the book she’d been reading. Jade’s fourteen-year-old sister hopped off the stool she’d been sitting on and walked to the hidden area behind a curtain where they kept the extra supplies.