Unexpectedly You Read Online Free PDF Page A

Both weddings the weekend she wants are a full five stars, so there’s no way we can help her that weekend.”
    “How much is that?” she asks. “I mean, what are people spending on a wedding with five stars?”
    “Six figures.”
    Brooke coughs.
    “I know.” I widen my eyes. “And in a town where Elvis can marry you in your car for a hundred bucks.”
    “Romantic.” She rolls her eyes.
    “It has nothing to do with the money and everything to do with the feeling between the couple.” I snap my mouth shut as soon as the words are out. Working with her is one thing, letting her in on anything personal is not going to happen.
    Her green eyes float over my face for a moment before she picks the phone up and starts in again with her chipper professional voice. I already know she’ll be sort of perfect for this job, but she’s too easy to be around. I don’t need anyone else giving me the pity face.
    She hangs up the phone with a smile and two pages of notes on an iPad I didn’t see her take out of her bag. “So. Do you show me around now, or…?”
    I glance at my phone. “Nope. Our ten o’clock will be here any minute.”
    “A client?” A brief wave of fear passes through her eyes but is quickly replaced by determination. “Yes. Of course. I’m fine. Good. Best way to learn is by doing. Right?”
    “It’s not a six-figure wedding, but it is a big deal.”
    “I’ll just follow your lead then.”
    I smooth down my tie, even though my shirt isn’t buttoned to the top. I can’t breathe when I’m buttoned all the way up. “Sounds good.”
    I pull out the laptop and go to Mom’s PowerPoint of themed ideas. Mom’s been doing this for as long as I can remember. It started with my friends’ birthday parties and bah mitzvahs and then engagement parties, bridal showers, big anniversaries and a few scattered weddings, which turned into more, which turned into more…
    The biggest thing I learned is that flattery will make a bigger sale almost every. Single. Time.
    The door opens to reveal a medium build blond next to a goddess-like brunette. Drop-dead gorgeous—tall, lithe, toned without being too muscular. Small nose, bright blue eyes. Dressed well, but not too high-maintenance because her nails aren’t done. She looks so much like Viv that I stop for a moment before taking a breath. This is the kind of girl I should be hanging out with, not the practical teenagers from the other night.
    Please let her be the bridesmaid, please let her be the bridesmaid, please let her be the bridesmaid…
    “I’m Chantele.” The blond sticks out her hand, which I shake. “And this is my maid of honor, Darrian.”
    Yes . “I’m Nathaniel Marks and this is my assistant …” I even hold in my smirk. “…Brooke.”
    “Nathaniel,” Darrian says. “That’s nice.”
    “Thanks.”
    Brooke gives me a sideways glance at the way I let my whole name slide, which I ignore.
    “So, t his is what Ms. Marks has set up for you so far.” I spin my laptop around for the girls to scroll through the different ideas for the garden-land-gag-me-flowery thing that Chantele is after. The two ooo and aah as Brooke types up a few notes as to favorites and possible adjustments.
    “So, Nathaniel.” Darrian’s blue eyes find mine. “How did you get into wedding planning?”
    “I’m a photographer, actually.” I rest my elbows on the table, inching just a little closer to her. “NYU. I’m back here for a while helping out my mother for a semester.” Or until I figure out how to live in the same city as the girl who broke my heart, which may be never. New York isn’t big enough for both of us. Not yet.
    “Wow.” She leans forward , resting her arms on the table between us as well. I’m not sure if Brooke and Chantele are chatting or watching, and it doesn’t much matter in this moment.
    “Always been my thing.”
    Brooke clears her throat softly, which is such a twitch of hers I almost comment, but don’t move because