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

Van smiled. “Great. Walk me to the door?”


I led the way there and opened it. “Thanks for the company, Van. It was nice to see a friendly face across the table in my too-clean kitchen.”


He gently cupped my cheek. “You should never be alone, Paulie. You’re too good a man for that, and I’m sorry for the way I hurt you.” He leaned in to briefly kiss my lips before saying a soft “good night” as he left me standing in the doorway, gaping like an idiot.


My life had done a one-eighty, and I didn’t know which way was up anymore.


Everything fell into place like clockwork. Viola was very supportive and helpful if I needed anything, which was rare behavior for her. I now had daily lunches with Van, at his insistence, as well as dinner if I wasn’t working, which was surreal in and of itself.


We got along so well, it was almost as if we’d never been apart, though we had been. And it was better than before, because sex wasn’t involved, though the tension was definitely there.


Chapter 10