Chapter 3
Chapter Three
A s she talked to the engaged men, a tall figure loomed in her peripheral vision. Mary s heart thudded in her chest. Not because of Alex s glossy dark hair and sharp brown eyes or the way he moved like a desert wolf, silent and powerful. It was because she was on his turf.
Back in high school, they were friends. Then they were enemies. Worse than enemies, they were strangers for the four years she was away at college. Then she discovered what her brothers had done. She tried to make up for it with kindness, but he was so closed-off now they d never regained their old closeness. Now they met occasionally as acquaintances. As colleagues in the Vegas tourism industry. When La Villa needed to arrange transportation for their guests, Forza Elite Motors was the first company they called. Mary tried to return the favor by recommending La Villa when a party asked for a casino recommendation, but she knew her brothers often drove the guests to one of Alex s competitors.
There was nothing like an Italian-American grudge.
And there was nothing like Alex s dark gaze that seemed to see right into her soul. Their history, combined with his keen intuition, meant he knew all her hopes and dreams. Why she had a booth in the wedding expo he hosted.
She wished she understood him half as well. Maybe then she d have known he d break her trust.
She rubbed the twinge at her breastbone, just under the buttons of her black golf shirt. Why was he even down here? He should be up in his office in the tower, making deals with Japanese billionaires or whatever hotel magnates did. She d hoped to keep her side hustle on the down-low a little longer, until Cierra s wedding was over and she could upload the photos to her website portfolio. She prayed every night for one successful event that would give her the credentials she needed to grow a successful business. One that would ease the financial pressures on her family.
Mary had always been the one who had it all together, who helped others. Not the one coated in nervous sweat, offering steep discounts in exchange for a review on The Knot. Never the one who needed help. Especially not in front of Alex Villa.
The shorter fiancé cleared his throat, and that s when Mary realized she d been deep in her own head and hadn t heard what her potential client had asked.
I m sorry, it s so loud in here. The event was packed, and the brides-to-be filled the room with boisterous chatter. Could you say that again?
I asked about your experience. His downturned lip told Mary he questioned her intelligence, too.
Alex raised an eyebrow and curled up one side of his mouth into that smirk that said, Yeah, I d like to hear this, too.
Screw him. She stood up straighter. I have twenty years experience in the wedding industry. Since I was fifteen, I ve worked at my family s limousine business, where I ve handled transportation for all kinds of events, from bachelor parties to formal weddings. Going beyond transportation, I ve consulted with brides and grooms, arranging reservations for restaurants and activities. We have a four-point-eight rating on Yelp. People love us because we treat everyone like family.
But you haven t actually planned any weddings, the taller fiancé finally spoke up.
Mary tried to keep the wince off her face. I m working on one right now. But because my business is new, I can offer?—
You won t find a more detail-oriented planner. Alex stepped forward. Mary knows every vendor and every venue in Las Vegas. And she drives a hard bargain. She ll get you more than you expect for your budget.
Mary forced her smile wider. Who was he to swoop in here and try to rescue her? She could take care of herself. Her family, too. She d been doing it since she was tall enough to reach the stovetop controls. She needed to do a better job of marketing her business. Like Alex. Even though La Villa was far from the action at the heart of the Strip, it was busy all the time. His dad, also a casino owner, must have taught him all his tricks.
We ll think about it, the first man said.
Take my card. Mary handed it to him. Instead of the white tiger they used in the car business, the logo on the dove-gray cards was a blue-eyed panther wearing a flower crown.
Don t think too long. Alex rested his arm across her shoulders. Mary s schedule books up fast.
As the couple walked away, Mary allowed herself a single sniff of Alex s expensive cologne before she ducked out from under his arm. I didn t need that. I can take care of myself.
I know you can. His brows scrunched together the same way they used to in math class. The grooves between them were deeper now. But I thought you could use the assist. I d have done it for any other friend.
Would he? Since graduation, he d cultivated a reputation as a businessman with a relentless focus on success. She nodded at his much fancier booth in the middle of the room, staffed by Evie McAlister, his very capable wedding planner. She had screens and screens of photos in the gallery on La Villa s website. I m the competition now, you know.
He flashed that secret smile they used to share. I m proud of you for striking out on your own. Following your dream.
But what about?—
Vegas is a big town, he said. There s plenty of business for both of us. Besides, everything I said was true. You ll be amazing at whatever you set your mind to do. As long as you don t undervalue yourself.
Undervalue myself?
I heard you, about to offer those guys a steep discount. People don t want a cut-rate wedding. They want value. Which you can deliver at full price.
She gritted her teeth. Had she been that obvious? It s a catch-22. Customers want experience, which I don t have.
Yet. He flashed her that confident smile, the one he d always used on her before they had to give a presentation in school. Customers will come, don t worry.
She wished she felt that certain. She d stepped into the family business after it was established. Starting new was unfamiliar territory. Alex had done it with his piano bar. Then, instead of taking the safe route by taking over his father s casino, he d bought that old motel he turned into La Villa. She supposed she could take his advice. They could be friendly competitors. But she d stop there. Older and wiser now than she was when she d given him her heart, she knew better than to trust him.
She took a step toward her other booth, where a thirtysomething Southeast Asian woman lingered in front of the poster that showed their limousines. Where was Rafe? He d said he d be right back.
Sorry, I have to… She tipped her head at the potential customer.
Of course. He nodded but stayed where he was, surrounded by the dove gray, petal pink, and hydrangea blue of her booth.
As she talked to the woman about limousine options for a girls weekend, she wondered again where Rafe had gone. He was supposed to be handling the car booth. With his adorable cleft chin, he could charm women without even trying. In fact, before he d wandered off, his splinted finger had seemed like a draw for them. Everyone wanted to talk to the cute guy with a visible injury, especially when they found out how shy he was. It seemed the fewer words Rafe said, the more business he brought in.
Mary never had a problem talking to people. Fifteen minutes later, the woman walked away, having booked Nick Cage. (The stretch convertible was every woman s favorite.) Mary knew the names of everyone in the group and which ones were most likely to get out of control. She noted them in the file so Rafe, whose finger should be fully recovered in time to chauffeur them, could keep his eye on party-girl Samira.
She glanced at her party planning booth and was shocked to find Alex still there. He was using that damned grin on a beautiful Black woman. Mary huffed. Really, the man had no shame, flirting with someone in her booth. He was probably keeping actual customers away. Mary strode over to shoo him off.
…can offer you a full service, from invitations to honeymoon planning. Mary is committed to quality. Plus, you d be hard-pressed to find a better negotiator in the city. You won t be disappointed.
She stopped so suddenly her shoe caught on the carpet, and she had to windmill her arms to stay upright. Alex was selling her unproven business? What was his angle? Once she regained her balance, she hurried over.
Hi. She stuck out her hand. Mary Forza, president of Forza Events.
Hello. I m Rochelle Richardson.
Nice to meet you, Rochelle.
Rochelle is Ray Richardson s daughter, Alex said. The words were heavy with meaning.
Mary blinked. Ray Richardson owned several high-end restaurants in town and was the president of the gaming commission. He was one of the most well-connected people in town. His daughter s wedding would be a who s who of Las Vegas VIPs. Whoever secured that wedding would be at the tip of everyone s tongue for wedding planner recommendations.
No pressure. T-tell me more about your vision for your wedding.
At this point, I m just hoping not to have to get married at the drive-through chapel. Though I guess —she tittered nervously— that s one benefit to coming home to Vegas to get married. I, um, thought I had more time, but, well… She put a hand on her flat belly. The universe gave us a sign to move things along. I want to get married before I start showing so I don t look like the Luxor in my wedding photos.
Congratulations! Mary clapped her hands. Believe me, you won t be the first bride in this town who needs a little give in her gown. I know a boutique with beautiful designs for every body shape. How much time do we have?
We want to get married by the end of July.
Less than two months? That was going to be tighter than Rochelle s wedding gown.
How many guests are you inviting? Mary asked.
Not too many. About five hundred?
Five…hundred? While summer s heat made it the least popular time to get married in Vegas, pulling off something that size, even in sizzling July, would be daunting.
Rochelle s smile faded. You don t think you can do it?
Of course I can do it, Mary said. We can do it. But you re sure you don t want to wait until after the baby s born?
My fiancé s family is pretty conservative. We think they can overlook the math if we re married before the baby comes. And after, I imagine I ll be too tired to want a big party.
I understand. And what did you have in mind as far as the ceremony and reception? Mary pulled a notepad from the pocket of her khakis and jotted down the notes.
My fiancé and I are lawyers in LA. We don t have time for a lot of fussy planning, so I want it all done for us. I was thinking something all-inclusive, you know? A big block of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests and anyone who doesn t want to drive home after. His family might not be big drinkers, but my family? We party hard. She chuckled.
And a wedding might be a celebration of love, Mary said, but it s also about merging two families. Establishing relationships for the years ahead. Does your mother have opinions we should consider?
Rochelle s lips thinned. My mother died when I was little. Breast cancer. It s just Daddy and me.
I m so sorry. I lost my mother when I was a girl, too. Mary blinked to keep her tears in check. This conversation wasn t about how much she wished her mother were still around to see what she d made of her life and to stand beside her at her wedding someday.
What about your dad? she asked. Does he have opinions?
Always. Rochelle smirked. But in the end, he wants me to be happy. So we re doing it my way.
Mary heard the subtext: Rochelle was just as much of a force as her father.
If money isn t a consideration and you re looking for something all-inclusive and easy, I think you d be better off going with one of the major hotels. Like La Villa. Reluctantly, she gestured at Alex. They ll provide rooms for your guests, plus they can host both the ceremony and the reception in one of the large ballrooms, assuming there s availability. Their food is to die for. Alex lured the chef away from a Michelin-starred restaurant in New York. Plus, they have an onsite wedding planner to make everything go flawlessly. And if you re looking for Las Vegas bling, this is the place to be. As if to prove her point, one of La Villa s buff waiters meandered by in his short leather centurion costume and offered them bottled water.
Busy admiring his thickly muscled thighs, Rochelle fumbled her bottle of water. I see what you mean.
Alex picked up smoothly, We d be happy to host your wedding, Rochelle. I can arrange availability on the day of your choice.
If Mary knew Alex, he d boot a President to make space for the Richardson wedding. He relied on the favor of the gaming commission for his business. Especially after the shenanigans he d pulled when he opened the casino.
I couldn t work with you both? Rochelle glanced between them. I just assumed you worked together, since…
We re old friends, Mary interjected. We help each other out. But I can assure you, La Villa is a fantastic choice for your wedding.
The hotel isn t what I was expecting, not after all the griping Daddy did when you opened it. Rochelle glanced at the tray ceilings, frescoed in the style of the Sistine Chapel. It s beautiful. But I d love to work with you too, Mary. I feel like you get me.
Mary shot her a rueful smile. I do. That s why I can tell you La Villa is the best choice. Alex s planner, Evie, will take care of you. She s been doing it longer than I have, and they can offer the full service you re looking for.
Of course, Alex said. I ll personally see to it that every one of your needs is met. That your wedding is unforgettable.
Unforgettable, huh? She pursed her lips. Okay. I ll talk to your planner. She flashed Mary a regretful smile. It was nice meeting you, Mary.
If you need transportation —Mary waved at her other booth, where Rafe still hadn t returned— Evie knows where to find me.
I ll give you a call. Rochelle tipped her head toward La Villa s booth. Shall we?
I ll be right there, Alex said.
Rochelle nodded and headed to the center booth.
Don t you want to be sure she doesn t get pulled off course before she gets to Evie? Mary propped her hands on her hips.
Don t be that way. We could ve partnered on this wedding. Why did you insist on giving it to me?
Partnered? Mary dipped her chin. You have a wedding planner. You don t need me. Besides, we both know we aren t the best of partners.
He laid his hand over his heart. Someday you ll forgive me for my youthful indiscretions.
Nope. Especially if you try that fake flirting bullshit on me. Save it for someone who doesn t know you like I do.
His full lips twitched downward. After all these years, Mary still didn t know how to interpret that expression. It looked like pain or regret, but she knew better than to think Alex Villa ever experienced either of those emotions. He only inspired them in others.
He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. You break my heart, Mary Theresa Forza.
You broke mine first.