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sunny smile.
 No problem at all, she assured him.  Roxanne and I were simply coming to a long-overdue
understanding.
He folded his arms across his chest.  That explains the tears.
 Exactly, she stated serenely.  Tears of joy. We re both all choked up with emotion.
 Uh-huh. So I see. She wished she could read his expression, but he d assumed the
indecipherable mask he wore during his most intense business negotiations.  Roxanne? Anything
to add?
His assistant ground her teeth in frustration, but managed a hard, cold smile.  Not a thing. At
least, not yet.
 Excellent. He inclined his head toward the elevators.  Ready, Catherine?
 As ready as I ll ever be.
 Then off we go before you cause any more tears of joy.
Seven
C atherine gave Gabe directions to the little café just north of the city, where arrangements had
been made to meet with the bride-to-be. Annie Collington, a bubbly redhead with a smattering of
freckles across the bridge of her upturned nose, appeared tense and unhappy.
Introductions were made, and Annie smiled at Gabe with only a hint of her customary zest.  I
recognize you, of course. I think your photo is on everything from the society page to the
business section to the gossip magazines.
 I wouldn t believe a word of anything except the gossip magazines.
She twinkled briefly before she caught Catherine s eye and her amusement faded.  Do we really
have to do this? she asked miserably.  I ve fired you, now that s the end of it. Nothing you say
is going to change my mind.
Before Catherine could respond, Gabe stepped in smoothly.  Why don t we sit down and have a
cup of coffee and a bite to eat while we figure out how best to settle this?
 Please, Annie. Catherine added gentle pressure.  Your wedding is only eight days away. You
have such a beautiful day planned. You don t want to make any rash decisions that might
jeopardize it.
 That s precisely what I m trying to prevent, Annie insisted.  I heard about the Marconi party.
It was a disaster. I can t have that happen at my wedding.
 And it won t, Gabe assured her. Without even seeming to do so, he guided them to the table
the hostess had waiting for them, seated them, and ordered coffee and a platter of house specialty
sandwiches.  May I make a proposal that might help with your decision? he asked Annie.
 Gabe  Catherine began.
 No, it s okay, Annie interrupted.  He can try.
Catherine fell silent, struggling to suppress an irrational annoyance. After all, Gabe was just
trying to help, even if it did feel as if he d swooped in and taken command of her meeting. Still,
she didn t appreciate him seizing control like& well, like a damn pirate.
 How about this, Annie? Gabe was saying.  If you agree to continue to use Catherine and
Elegant Events as your wedding planner, I will personally guarantee that your wedding goes off
without a hitch.
 You can t do that, Catherine instantly protested.
 You can do that? Annie asked at the same time.
 I can, absolutely.
The coffee arrived in a slender, wafer-thin porcelain urn hand-painted with an intricate pattern of
wild red strawberries and crisp green leaves. After aiming a dazzling smile of dismissal in the
direction of their waitress, Gabe took over the chore of pouring fragrant cups for the three of
them. The delicate bits of china should have looked small and clumsy in his large hands. But
instead he manipulated the coffee service with an impressive dexterity that made him appear all
the more powerful and male. He made short work of the chore, and Catherine could see that she
wasn t the only one dazzled by the way his raw masculinity dominated and subdued the fussy bit
of femininity.
 Let s see if this offer doesn t appeal, he said as he handed Annie her cup.  If you re not one
hundred percent satisfied with your wedding, I ll personally see to it that you re refunded every
penny.
She accepted the coffee with a smile.  That doesn t exactly guarantee that it ll go off without a
hitch, she pointed out with impressive logic. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]