Translation: Egret, Brendin, and Saren threw an obscene amount of money at them.
“Thank you.” I slip into professional mode. “I’ll need to review the event spaces as soon as possible.”
“Of course. After you’re settled, I can?—”
“Now would be preferable.” I check my watch. “Guests start arriving tomorrow, so I need to finalize the setup today.”
Irwan blinks, clearly not used to guests prioritizing work over welcome massages. “As you wish. Your luggage will be delivered to your accommodations.”
Josie loops her arm through mine. “Trin, you just got here. Can’t you relax for five minutes?”
“This is your wedding, pussycat. I need to make sure everything’s perfect.”
“But you look so stressed already.”
I force my shoulders to relax. “I’m fine. Just excited to get started.”
A lie. What I actually feel is pure, unadulterated panic. I’ve planned hundreds of events, but never one where I had to simultaneously coordinate a wedding, pretend to be happily mated to four men I barely know, and face three exes who dumped me and are now marrying my sister.
Irwan leads us along a winding path. “Your sister’s alphas have arranged a special villa for you, Ms. Jones—the Orchid Villa. It’s one of our premium accommodations for larger parties.”
My steps falter. “Larger parties?”
“For you and your pack, of course.” He smilespleasantly. “The alphas were quite specific that you should have adequate space.”
Of course they were. They’re probably hoping I’ll have a meltdown when my pack doesn’t arrive and I have to explain why I’m taking up an extra-large villa all by myself.
Josie squeezes my arm. “That’s so thoughtful of them! When are your alphas arriving, Trin?”
“Later today.” At least, I hope so. I haven’t actually confirmed their arrival time.
In fact, the final contract still hasn’t shown up in my inbox. I know we were waiting on the last member of their pack to get back into town to sign, but that still hasn’t happened.
And I’m not nervous about that at all. Checking my email regularly is just a habit. I didn’t pay $29.99 plus tax for Wi-Fi on our overnight flight just because I was hoping to see an email from Elite Comfort Services in my inbox.
I’m fine. This is all fine.
We reach a sprawling open-air pavilion overlooking the ocean. “This is our main event space,” Irwan explains. “It can be configured for both the ceremony and reception.”
The venue is stunning—bamboo columns draped with sheer white fabric, panoramic ocean views, and a polished hardwood floor. Under different circumstances, I’d be thrilled.
Instead, I pull out my tablet and start taking notes, measuring the space with quick steps. “We’ll need to reconfigure these tables for the welcome dinner tomorrow. And the floral arrangements should complement the natural setting, nothing too structured.”
“Actually, the welcome dinner needs to be tonight.”
I whip around to face Josie, my tablet nearly slipping from my grip. “I’m sorry, what did you just say?”
“The welcome dinner is tonight.” Josie’s smile is radiant, oblivious to my internal meltdown. “Egret texted me just before we left. They finished their business trip early and caught an earlier flight. Isn’t that great?”
My heart hammers against my ribs. “Tonight? As in...tonighttonight?”
“Seven o’clock! I already confirmed with Mom and Dad that they could make it early too.” She clasps her hands together. “Everyone’s going to be here in just a few hours!”
I force my face into what I hope resembles a smile rather than a grimace. “And you didn’t think to tell me that earlier?”
“With everything going on, I guess I just forgot. And you already said your pack will be here soon, right? It only makes sense to move up all the wedding festivities since we’ll all be here. That’s not a problem, right Irwan?”
Irwan—obsequious little toad that he is clearly paid well to be—hastily assures her there are no problems at all.
