Page 9 of Don't Call Me Sweetheart (Something Borrowed 1)

“Well, from what I’ve seen in the magazines, I can imagine why.”

Kelly gave her a Cheshire cat smile. “Which is why she’s hiring a professional. Someone who has the patience of Job and the organizational skills to help this wedding go off without a hitch on August 8.”

Marley’s stomach sank. “You’ve got to be kidding. Two months? You want me to organize her wedding in two months? Has she done anything?”

“She has the wedding venue, but besides that, nothing.”

And yet, Kelly had taken her on, which meant Something Borrowed had gotten a substantial bonus.

“How much did she give you?” Marley wasn’t worried about Kelly taking offense. There was a reason she’d chosen Marley; she lacked pretense and didn’t pussyfoot around.

“She didn’t. Her parents did. Apparently, Sonora’s finances took a bit of a hit the last few years, so they will be handling all the expenses.”

“What about her fiancée ? If he’s loaded, why doesn’t he pay for some of it?”

“Another reason she wants a professional. Sonora’s fiancée isn’t aware of her struggle and she’d prefer to keep it that way.”

Marley wrinkled her nose in distaste. “That’s unethical.”

“It’s a good thing we aren’t the moral police then.” Kelly held out two checks to her with a grin. “The first one is your commission and the second is a bonus.”

Marley studied the checks, and as she counted the zeros she gasped. They totaled $20,000. She was scheduled on three other weddings this summer and this one paid more than those combined. She’d have more than enough to live on if she needed to supplement her income.

“I can’t…I can’t believe this.” Then a terrible thought crossed her mind as she stared at the checks with only Sonora Star’s name on them. “Are we sure it will go through?”

“She assured me we could deposit them immediately, as long as you would meet her for dinner tonight. She wants to get to know you and see if the two of you will suit.”

Marley had her doubts, but it still didn’t damper the hope that refused to abate. Life had dealt her and her family too many blows.

There was a chance that things could be turning around, right?

“I’ll do it.”

* * * *

Luke got to the Sweetheart Café first, and took a booth at the back, facing the door. He hadn’t talked to Brent since yesterday’s awkward breakfast, and had spent the afternoon driving around the area, checking out the river and a few other places that Rose from the diner had suggested.

But it was thinking about this lunch with Marley that had kept him up half the night.

It wasn’t like he didn’t have a healthy dating life in L.A. In fact, he’d gone out with a woman who he’d seriously thought about seeing again; she was nice, local, and hadn’t minded that he was a cop.

Then he’d seen Marley. Her gray stormy eyes and blonde hair, her skin caramelized, as if she spent a lot of time outdoors. It had been an instant zing when he’d touched her, and he’d wanted to feel that again, preferably with his mouth on hers.

She walked through the door, scanning the restaurant until her gaze fell on him. A smile spread across her pretty face and she walked toward him, that soft-looking dress swirling around her long tan legs.

He stood up and held his hand out. “I worried you might not show.”

“Sorry, I got caught up at work.”

They both sat down, and Rose came over to their booth. To Luke’s surprise, Rose leaned over and kissed the top of Marley’s head.

“Afternoon, sweetheart.”

“Hi, Mom,” Marley said.

“Want a water? Iced tea?”

“How about coffee?”