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

“Viola wants me to be at the church early for some reason tomorrow. I’ll be so glad when this kooky event is over. It’s the weirdest thing I’ve ever done.”


“Lie down for a bit, hon. Take a nap. You work too hard. I’ll take care of you, promise.”


And for the first time in our up-and-down “relationship,” I believed he would. And, oh, how I wished he meant more than that.


Friday afternoon before I left the office, Viola informed me that the tuxes had been delivered, and the client was ecstatic with all the preparations that had been made.


“Make sure you’re not late this evening. In fact, leave early today and head home to freshen up a bit first. You never know…”


She patted her bun. “Nothing. Just be there on time.”


Viola was acting cagey. In fact, all the staff in the office had been giving me sly smiles for the past week. When I pointed this out to Van, he shrugged it off.


Chapter 11