Paulie Hajek has loved weddings since childhood, so naturally it makes sense that his current job is in the wedding planning business. Unfortunately, that also means he works with Van Tremaine, his boss’s brother and a former bed partner who refused to commit to something permanent, like marriage. Paulie has been heartbroken for a year, but he’s not giving up on happily-ever-after, though the gloss has dimmed somewhat.<br><br>Van has a lot to prove to Paulie, whose love-tinted view of the world once struck fear in his forty-five-year-old heart and made him act like a fool. It doesn’t help that Paulie catches him with an intern in a compromising position, either.<br><br>To prove he’s changed, Van resorts to a bit of trickery which, in the end, may or may not give Paulie what he’s always wanted, if he can forgive Van for being an idiot. Will he say yes?

Paulie and the Wedding Bell Grouch

I snagged a glass of champagne for myself before sitting in one of the chairs against the wall. I watched the grooms grope each other during a slow song on the dance floor while the guests around them attempted to do the same with willing partners. Nothing like a drunken orgy, right?


Still, Viola’s words made me feel out of sorts. It had hurt to see Van fucking someone else, though I knew that was irrational. We were nothing to each other, after all. Never had been, apparently. It had only been wishful thinking on my part, something I could have sworn I’d seen in his eyes whenever we’d made love, though he’d never said anything out loud. Had I been projecting my feelings on him?


Maybe I should finally clue in to the fact that not everyone has a happily-ever-after. It didn’t seem as if I would, at this rate.


Chapter 3