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’ll give you a ride,” Van said, reaching out to grab my arm and drag me behind him as he turned to walk away.


I dug in my heels instead. “No, thanks. I have my own. Appreciate you relaying the message, and stop treating me like a rag doll.”


I removed his hand from my arm, turned, and ran around the corner to where I’d parked my car. I sped off to the reception hall to setup the music. Van was acting weird, and it was freaking me out.


I had music playing by the time the guests arrived, and it was another hour before the musicians themselves turned up, profuse with apologies for reasons I didn’t hear since I didn’t care about anything else but them being in place, right this second.


Once they were settled, I was able to take a breather and had a glass of white wine as I sat near the back door. This way, the caterer or whoever could find me as needed. Viola had arrived with the musicians, and I could see her wandering through the crowd.


Chapter 5