Chapter 4 #2
"The flames, yes. The explosion, no," Anna countered.
"There was also that other thing," Drake said with a loud exhale.
"You mean the thing where she locked us in a room together?" Anna asked, pursing her lips and crossing her arms.
"You can't even be mad about that one," Zach said on a huff. "It saved your relationship."
Piper looked between the siblings with a mixture of horror and fascination. "I'm sorry, your grandmother sets things on fire?"
Of the two issues, apparently that one seemed like it was the biggest deal.
"Not intentionally," Zach said at the same time Anna said, "Always."
"Moving on," Tess interrupted. "We need to set a timeline. I'm thinking engagement shoot next week, followed by the wedding in three months."
"Three months?" Piper's eyes widened. "That's... ambitious."
"We need it before training camp," Tess explained. "And before Anna starts showing."
Anna's hand instinctively went to her still-flat stomach.
"Then we better get going," Piper agreed, diving back in.
The meeting finally wrapped up, and Tess was the first to leave, already on another call before she'd even left the room. Drake helped Anna up, his hand protectively at the small of her back.
Anna gave Zach a quick hug on her way out. "Fair warning, Mom's planning to call you tonight about the shop inventory system again."
Zach groaned. "I already told her I don't know anything about florist inventory management."
"You're the tech-savvy one," Anna shrugged. "In her mind, that means you can fix anything that comes with a power button."
Zach lingered after they left as Piper organized her notes and materials. She seemed determined to ignore his presence, though he caught her glancing his way twice.
"So," he finally said. "Weddings? Am-I-Right?"
Her hands stilled. "For reasons that you don't need to worry about, I need this job to go well."
Zach leaned against the conference table, studying her. "I know we barely know each other, but I'm thinking that maybe we can help each other on this one."
"How exactly?" Piper narrowed her eyes, her chin tilting slightly downward as she took a half-step back.
"The way I see it, you need a wedding that makes your boss happy. I want my sister happy."
Piper pressed her lips together, considering.
"I'm suggesting a simple partnership," Zach said. "I know my sister better than nearly anyone, I've got connections throughout the city, and I'm excellent at solving problems."
"And modest, too," Piper muttered, but the corner of her mouth inched upward.
Spending time with Piper wouldn't be a chore, either. But he didn't need to mention that.
"Look, I saw you in there. You care what Anna wants, and you fought for her. She needs that. Which puts you miles ahead of Tess. But you'll still need inside support to navigate the Stallions machine—and my, uh, spirited family."
Piper pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "What do I have to do?"
"It's more about what I have to do. I help you manage my family and provide creative solutions for whatever problems come up. You help create a wedding that satisfies Tess but still feels personal to Anna. We both get what we want."
"And what exactly do you want, Zach?" Her eyes met his, direct and challenging.
"Beyond the obvious business opportunity with the Stallions?" He smiled slightly as he leaned his palms on the table to get closer to her. "Anna deserves a wedding that doesn't make her throw up more than she already is."
Something in Piper's expression gentled. "That's... actually sweet."
"Don't sound so surprised. I have my moments." He straightened up from the table. "So, partners?"
Piper hesitated, clearly weighing her options. "Fine. But I have conditions."
"Name them."
She raised an eyebrow meaningfully. "You don't interfere with my process. You can offer suggestions, and I'll consider them. Consider."
"That's only one condition."
"You also keep your pyromaniac grandmother away from all things wedding planning."
Zach laughed. "One, Babushka is currently on a cruise—much to all of our concern—otherwise she'd be here at this meeting and literally everything else. And two, Babushka isn't a pyromaniac, she's... enthusiastic about dramatic effects. And honestly? I think we're gonna need her," Zach said.
Babushka was the one who could ensure Anna got what she wanted, Tess didn't realize she wasn't getting what she wanted, and the damn wedding got done so he could finally shoot—and land—his shot.
"Fine." Piper caved. "But you're going to keep her in line."
Ha. As if anyone could do that.
Still, he extended his hand and, after a moment's hesitation, Piper shook it. The brief contact sent that same unexpected tingle he'd experienced with her when they were outside.
From her quickly withdrawn hand, he suspected she felt it, too.
"Let me walk you out," he said as she gathered her things.
"I'm perfectly capable of finding the elevator," she replied, but fell into step beside him anyway.
Everything about her was efficient, from her neatly organized binder to her precisely applied lipstick.
"Can I ask you something?" he said as they waited for the elevator.
She gave him a wary side-eye. "Depends on the question."
"Why do you hate weddings so much?"
The elevator doors opened, and for a moment he thought she might step inside without answering. Instead, she turned to face him.
"I don't hate weddings," she said carefully. "I just don't believe in the fairy tale they're selling."
"Because...?" he prompted.
She sighed. "I've seen the reality behind too many 'happily-ever-afters.'"
The answer was evasive but also revealing in its own way. Zach found himself genuinely curious about what experiences had made her so cynical.
"Well, for what it's worth," he said as she stepped into the elevator, "I think Anna and Drake are the real deal."
"That's what they all think," she replied somberly.
Zach made a mental note to text his grandmother later: Met the wedding planner. She hates weddings. This should be fun.