Chapter 2
The wedding planner’s office was downtown.
I’d made an appointment for three that afternoon to confirm the final details.
The receptionist greeted me with a smile.
“Ms. Bennett, Mr. Hayes was just here the day before yesterday. He already approved everything. Are you here for another review?”
I stopped.
“He was here?”
“Twice. Last time he changed the flowers and lighting. This time he changed the entire color scheme.”
She handed me the design booklet.
I opened the cover.
Champagne gold had become pale pink.
White calla lilies had become pink hydrangeas.
The font on the place cards was different. So was the pattern on the tablecloths.
I’d never seen this design before.
“Who approved this?”
The receptionist hesitated.
“Mr. Hayes and the friend he brought with him… the very slim young woman. He said she was helping him decide.”
I closed the booklet.
“Change it back.”
“But Ms. Bennett, the suppliers have already received the orders. Making changes now will mean an additional—”
“Change it. I’ll pay.”
I called Ethan.
He answered after four rings. In the background, Ava was talking about some kind of fabric.
“What’s up? I’m out shopping with Ava.”
“You changed the wedding design?”
A pause.
“A few things. Pink looks better. Ava thinks it’s more festive, too.”
“This is my wedding.”
“It’s not just yours.” He sounded irritated. “You wouldn’t come look at it. Someone had to keep an eye on things. You’re always busy, busy, busy. Ava was nice enough to help. What’s wrong with that?”
“When did I say I was busy? Did you ask me even once?”
Ava’s soft voice cut in.
“Ethan, don’t fight with Paige. Just change it back. It was only a suggestion. Please don’t be upset, Paige.”
Ethan’s voice softened immediately.
“You didn’t do anything wrong. She’s the one making a fuss.”
Then he turned back to me.
“Fine. Change it back. Happy now? You always find a way to blame Ava.”
I hung up.
The planner came out of her office.
Seeing me still at the reception desk, she led me into the lounge.
“Ms. Bennett, there’s something I didn’t want to say in front of the receptionist.”
She poured me a glass of water.
“Ms. Morgan came with Mr. Hayes both times. She chose the flowers. She decided on the lighting. Every song suggestion came from her. She had input on every detail, and Mr. Hayes accepted almost all of it.”
She chose her next words carefully.
“If we hadn’t seen the signatures on the contract, our entire team would have assumed… she was the bride.”
I held the glass without drinking.
The water was so still it reflected the ceiling lights.
“Print me a copy of the change log.”
After the planner left, I sat alone for half an hour.
A message from Ava appeared.
【I’m sorry, Paige. I shouldn’t have made suggestions. Ethan told me off. I won’t get involved in your wedding again.】
Ten seconds later, another.
【But the pink design really is gorgeous. Keep it for inspiration! You might change it back and realize you want the pink after all~】
A smiley face at the end.
The planner returned with the printed records.
I flipped through them.
Ava’s name appeared beside Ethan’s on the sign-in sheets for both visits.
Under “Relationship,” someone had written: Friend of the bride.
I put the papers in my bag and stood.
The planner followed me.
“Ms. Bennett, restoring the original design will take three to five days.”
“Don’t bother.”
She froze.
“Then we’re keeping the pink?”
“Cancel everything. There won’t be a wedding.”