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“Maryanne? It’s Megan Kinkaid. Hi there. I’m here with Lourdes in her office. I heard you’re having a rough day.”

Maryanne seemed to perk up at the mention of Megan’s name. “Oh, thank God it’s you. Yes, all the details are wrong, and I don’t know what I’m going to do about it. Lourdes has been a great planner, and I need to apologize for any names I’ve called her, especially the overly positive mynah bird, but I feel like eloping at this point.”

Megan took a moment to laugh in order to lighten the mood. “You wouldn’t be the first bride who felt like escaping. But listen to me. We’re not doing that, okay? I’ve gone over your portfolio of choices for your big day, and I have to say I’m impressed.”

“I don’t see how. It’s all wrong. I can see the truth of that now, but the wedding’s in days, and there’s nothing I can do about it. Nothing!”she wailed. This had taken quite a turn, and Megan could hear her gulping for air. Fantastic.

She made eye contact with Lourdes as if to say,And here it comes. “Maryanne. I need you to stop that immediately. We’re not doing this.” Tough love in session. She put her game face on and leaned close to the phone on speaker. “But I’ll tell you what youaregoing to do because it’s in the best interest of your wedding. You’re going to stop second-guessing yourself and enjoy the days leading up to what is going to be a gorgeous event. No more crying. No more overthinking. And definitely no melting down or name-calling. You’re stronger than that.”

A pause. “Okay,” she said in a much meeker voice.

“I’m a professional, and everything I see here is absolutely gorgeous. Do you think I’m bad at my job?”

“No. Not at all.” She sounded a little more put together now, rushing to reassure Megan.

“Good. Because I worked really hard for my reputation, and I wouldn’t put Soiree’s name on a wedding I thought was anything close to problematic. I’d fix it first, and I don’t see anything here to fix. That says a lot about your good taste.”

“Oh. Thank you,” Maryanne said. “I’m already starting to feel better just hearing that.”

Lourdes sat back at her desk with a smile. Held up both hands as if to say,How do you do it?

Megan silently raised a shoulder and returned her attention to the call. “And if you start to feel yourself going downhill again, you just remember what I said. You know what you’re doing. I know what I’m doing. And Lourdes definitely knows what she’s doing. I would trust her with my own wedding in a heartbeat. No question.”

“Okay, thank you. I will do that.” It sounded like the tears had perhaps been dabbed away, and new strength had settled. “I appreciate you taking the time to talk me down.” She added a laugh.

“Maryanne. Anytime. I mean that. My door is always open to you. That’s what I’m here for.”

They concluded the call, and Megan stood. “Let me know if you have any more trouble. I think the event is going to go smoothly. Great venue, great list of vendors, and she really does have a good eye. She’s just lost her mind. Too common.”

“But it’s you who has the charmed touch with these brides. I don’t know what it is. When you speak, they just latch on.”

“Wedding magic.” She offered a wink and sashayed her way back down the office halls to a series of playful catcalls from her friends and loved every second of it.

After work that night, she met Kelsey at Shakers, where they stole two seats at a table near the bar. Kelsey was there first and had a couple of martinis ready to go. Dirty for Kelsey. Mango for Megan.

“You don’t waste time,” Megan said.

“Not when there’s dish.” She slid a martini closer to Megan. “Drink. Discuss. I’m antsy.”

She took a sip and let the citrusy drink envelop her. “The highlight reel is this. I ran into Allison Hale at the Cramer wedding. The one I worked with Cade.”

“Gasp. Drama.”

Megan held up a finger. “The Carmichael wedding, the one we lost, is off.”

“Shut up. Why isn’t this news everywhere?” Kelsey looked around like there should be banners posted in the bar.

“I think the Carmichael side believes it’s going to be short-lived and is therefore keeping the news to themselves. Riding out the hiccup.”

“And what do you think?”

“I think there’s been indication on my end that that may not be the case.”

“Hold on. I’m gonna need this.” Kelsey lifted her glass and took a long, sustained drink. At the same time, she made agive me moregesture.

“She came over to my place. I’ve been to her place. I cameather place, and that’s where we are.” She smiled at the joke she’d borrowed from Ally.

Kelsey set down her drink, choking on the liquid she’d consumed and reaching for a napkin. Megan handed her one calmly. Once Kelsey recovered, she turned her focus to Megan. “You cannot just blurt something like that out, but God, I love that you did.”