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Being on television was never the career I expected to have, but I wasn’t complaining. I really loved doing this. But with a packed schedule plus wedding planning, my shoulders strained under the weight of it all.

Her head quirked to the side. “I know Stanley extended your contract for this year. It’d be very difficult to suggest another year to the station’s manager if you don’t cooperate.”

Wow. India revealed her true nature—cutthroat wrapped in a sugary sweet smile. Then she giggled, as if her veiled threat was all a silly joke.

“Listen, it’ll be fun and no big deal. You can handle it, and I have full faith in you to pull this off,” she said.

“India, while I appreciate your idea, I don’t even know if my fiancé would want our wedding day plans broadcast to everyone.”

“Well, ask him. Give it some thought over the weekend. Come back refreshed on Monday, and we’ll get the ball rolling. Okay? Bye-ee.” She dismissed me with a wave and another sickeningly sweet smile laced with poison.

Heading back to my cubicle, I texted Rex how I was looking forward to a night in to cozy up to him with alcohol and ice cream, not necessarily in that order, but Miriam interfered, texting us both.

A week after vacation it became clear: Miriam was the definition of obsessed, complete with thethick wedding planning notebook she now carried with her everywhere like it was a new appendage. Her life mission was assuring her son had the most perfect day ever, while I was the bride she kept way too busy, as if giving me no time to even think about backing out of this extravagant affair.

I wouldn’t anyway, because of my love for Rex. Anytime Miriam’s name popped up on my phone, though, I steadied myself with a breath and tried to remember how hard it must have been on her when Richard’s wedding cancelled.

Miriam: We need to select a cocktail for our wedding theme.

A cocktail? Once again, there’s her use of the wordour.I sighed.

Miriam: I booked us with a cocktail concierge service. Meet me at the Plaza Champagne Bar.

Chelsea: Do we need to do this tonight?

Rex replied quickly, before consulting me.

Rex: We’ll be there.

I almost texted back asking why we couldn’t limit the drinks to wine, beer, and pink champagne, but maybe this was one of those instances where I needed to pick my battles, no matter how tired I was.

To make Miriam happy, I went along with this and mether and Rex there after work. They were already perched at the end of the marble-topped bar, where the crystal chandelier cast light across the elegant gold and ivory decor. All things considered, I knew how lucky I was to have the Plaza as our reception venue, but it was far from the gazebo in the square at Holly Creek.

“Ah. There she is. I had a friend of mine book us this appointment very last minute,” my future mother-in-law air kissed me when I arrived. “I’m glad you two didn’t have any plans this evening.”

I bristled, knowing I could have come up with a million things to do with Rex to fill our plans for the evening.

Rex stood and embraced me, whispering in my ear, “Be a good girl and go along with this. I’ll make it worth your while later.”

He moved over, helping me onto the barstool next to him, while his words traveled down my goose-pimpled skin and lodged right between my legs. His hand settled onto my thigh and I laced fingers with him. Miriam had no idea I sat with my thighs squeezed together because of her sexy son and thoughts of how he’d make this up to me later.

35

COCOA VS. COCKTAILS

CHELSEA

“So, a wedding cocktail? Why?”I inquired, letting my stress overtake my usual filter.

“It’s all the rage right now, having a signature drink the bride and groom especially pick to go along with the wedding theme,” Miriam added aTskand spoke this so matter-of-fact as if some bridal magazine would shame me for not keeping up with the latest nuptial trends.

“I’m thinking something with pink champagne,” she said and pulled out the binder from her bag and opened it on the bar. Now the thick beast appeared complete with color coded tabs, coordinating with same-colored pens.

“As a Christmas wedding, I was thinking of having a fancy hot cocoa bar,” I suggested, but Miriam just laughed in my face. Rex patted my hand like I was being silly. Had New Yorkers never heard of the chocolaty drink?

“I think a cocktail is a fine idea,” Rex sided with his mother. “I’ve been a little jealous of my friend Jameson andhis new wine bar, even labeling his own line of merlot. Wouldn’t mind a custom drink named for us.”

Apparently, his ego showed up for this meeting, too.