At the end of the meeting, Robért told them he needed a moment with the hostess to schedule their appetizer-tasting appointment for later that week and Vanessa claimed she needed some air. Ever the doting “husband,” Jax followed her out into the sultry late-afternoon heat. As soon as the glass door shut behind them, she let out a huge breath and rolled her head around, trying to work out the tightness in her neck and shoulders.
Since they were still in plain view of Robért, Jackson took the opportunity to move behind her and place his hands on her shoulders. Using his thumbs, he rubbed firm circles between her shoulder blades. Letting her head drop to her chest, she melted under his touch, but not for the reasons he’d like.
“Oh, God, that feels so good.”
“Why so tense, my pupule wahine?”
She shot him a glare from the side. “Don’t try and butter me up with pet names. You know exactly why. Go back on your deals often, Maris?”
“Never.”
“Really? Then what do you call all that unnecessary affection you were laying on me in there?”
Drawing her back against his chest, he moved his thumbs to the base of her neck. “Affection is never unnecessary, V.”
“Ooh, yeah, right there,” she groaned.
Damn, what he wouldn’t give to hear her say that under different, less clothed, circumstances.
“It’s not like I hauled off and kissed you passionately in front of the guy. Besides,” he argued as he turned her to face him, “that’s not what’s really bothering you.” Her stubborn chin raised an inch, but she didn’t contest his observation. “What do your rules say about lying, V?”
For a while, he thought she wouldn’t answer him. That maybe he’d asked for too much. But then she surprised him. “Never indulge in the poison of lies.”
Poison. A person had to have experienced the consequences of some pretty awful lies to consider them poison. And here he was, making her a party in the very thing… He gut twisted. Jax wanted to ask her more, to understand, but over the top of her head he noticed Robért exiting the café.
“Okay, we’re all set to go. Here’s my business card, and I jotted down the date and time for the hors d’oeuvres tasting on the back. If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to call and I’ll be here in a jiffy. Sound good?”
Vanessa smiled and said that it did, while Jax held out his hand. Gripping Robért’s in a less-than-manly shake, he put on his best Happy Groom show. “Thanks so much, Robért. You’ve already been a huge help, and I know you’re going to make my fiancée’s dream wedding come true.”
“Oh, please, no need to thank me, Mr. Andrews. Honestly, I can’t tell you how excited I am to work on this account. It’s so refreshing to work for a couple who is so obviously in love. So many are here just for the glitz and glamour.” He looked around briefly to make sure no one was within earshot, then lowered his voice. “I’ll take clients like you over those arrogant A-listers any day of the week.”
“I understand you have one of those this Saturday.”
“Blech. Don’t remind me. They only arrived yesterday and already the bride has changed her colors six times and the groom demanded we make Italian food for their Hawaiian wedding. Italian!”
Vanessa looked properly horrified for the man. “Oh my gosh, I can’t even imagine. I bet they cause problems right up through the end of the reception.”
“Sweetie, you have no idea.”
Jax slid his arm around Vanessa’s waist. “That’s a shame. Lucie and I would have loved to have you as a guest on our big day.”
Slapping his chest, Robért gasped, making Jackson think they had a cardiac arrest on their hands. “Oh, that is just the sweetest thing! No one ever asks me to attend. They always just expect it because I’m the coordinator.” Waving his hands in front of his face, he blinked back the moisture gathering in his eyes. After a long, awkward few seconds, Robért finally composed himself. “You know what? Screw that other wedding. I’m coming to yours!”
Now it was Jax’s turn to have a heart attack, and next to him he felt Vanessa’s knees give out. If he hadn’t been holding her around her waist, she’d be kissing the paved sidewalk right now. Instantly, they started protesting in the nicest ways possible.
They couldn’t expect him to abandon his other clients.
They didn’t want him to lose his job.
It really wasn’t going to be anything all that spectacular.
The other wedding would look great for his résumé.
But nothing could sway Robért the Sentimental. He had an excuse for everything they’d thrown at him, including informing them that he’d bring in his coordinator friend who “owed him big time” to work the other wedding on Saturday for him.
When there was nothing to do to avoid looking suspicious but pretend to be ecstatic at his change of plans, they said their good-byes and stood in the shade of the café’s awning until Robért rounded the corner with an extra bounce in his step. If that were possible.
Without a word, Vanessa extracted herself from his side, spun on her heel, and stalked in the direction of the bungalow.
Fucking hell. Shit had definitely just hit the fan.