Page 22 of A Little Bit Engaged
Cara cleared her throat. “I’m Cara O’Neal, and this is my, um, fiancé.”
Her tongue stumbled on the last word. This was her first time in front of the curtain, so to speak. Her legs shook, matching her insides. Weird given she’d spoken to filled auditoriums at library conferences, but there, she’d known what she was doing.
“I’m Brody Simmons. I spoke to someone earlier when I made the appointment.” After he removed his cap and sunglasses, he extended his arm to shake Sariah’s hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Sariah’s lips parted slightly but only for a second. If she was charmed, as most women were in his presence, she didn’t let on. Knowing the Bay View House’s reputation, Cara doubted Brody was their first high-profile groom.
“The pleasure’s mine.” Sariah’s gaze didn’t linger on Brody but traveled to Cara. “Congratulations on your engagement.”
Her cheeks burned.
Standing there like a blushing schoolgirl wouldn’t do. She needed to be Brody’s bride-to-be.
Cara opened her mouth. A strangled squeak emerged.
“Thanks.” As Brody pulled her closer, she leaned against him to keep her weak knees from giving out on her. “We’re very excited.”
His body heat wrapped around her like an electric blanket set on high. His scent made her lightheaded. She needed to breathe before she passed out.
“I surprised Cara last night with a visit,” he continued.
Sariah’s face lit up. “How wonderful to have time together.”
“Yes. My schedule keeps us apart too much.” His voice flowed easily as if he were filming a scene after several rehearsals. He sounded believable, and Cara’s wariness about him and the kind of person he’d become quadrupled. “We decided to get married sooner rather than later. In a couple of weeks, if that’s possible?”
Say what? Cara’s knees nearly buckled, and she extended her arms to maintain her balance. She thought they would set a wedding date far off in the future. What was Brody thinking? He needed to slow down, not react at the speed of light. She tried to catch Brody’s attention, but he was focused on Sariah.
“Our weekends are booked,” Sariah said. “But if you wouldn’t mind a weekday…”
“We don’t mind if you feel you can work within that short time frame.”
“The time frame won’t be a problem.” Sariah spoke with confidence.
“Great.” Brody’s take-charge demeanor took some of the edge off.
Cara knew he would try to manage the situation because that was what he’d done in the past. But two weeks to plan a wedding, even a make-believe one? That didn’t make sense.
Not that any part of this situation did.
“We hope you understand the need for discretion with our plans,” Brody added.
Cara nodded, not trusting her voice. She’d been in L.A. at the beginning of Caitlin and Brody’s rise to fame and understood how this worked. Most rumors didn’t just happen. Leaks—and there would be some in their case—were planned and executed with precision.
Care had to be taken. Brody had the most to lose after Caitlin, but librarian and scandal did not go well together, especially when Cara wanted to be hired by a prestigious university or museum and continue working with children.
“Of course, we understand. No request is too big for our couples.” Sariah’s smile didn’t waver. Planning weddings must be fun—or lucrative—given how happy she seemed. “Why don’t we take a tour, and we can talk about what you have in mind for your special day?”
What? Cara’s hands trembled. Things were moving too fast. She and Brody hadn’t even joked about planning a wedding, let alone discussed details.
He kept his arm around her. “Sounds great.”
Her muscles tightened more. The only thing she could manage was another nod.
Maybe she could get through the meeting without saying anything else. Silence would be better than screwing up. Having Brody so close and touching her made thinking straight impossible, but she didn’t know why that was happening.
Cara was overwhelmed. She’d gone from single and a nobody to engaged and gossip fodder because of her sister’s lies in less than twenty-four hours. That had to be the reason.
Sariah led them into an expansive room with elaborate chandeliers hanging from the fresco-covered ceiling. “This is our main ballroom. As you can see, the space offers many possibilities. We’ve done everything from traditional weddings and receptions to themed ones ranging from Gone with the Wind to Dr. Who.”
