gold plates and silver cutlery, and a gorgeous centerpiece of shells, sand dollars, starfish interspersed with sweet forget-me-nots and spiky fringed sea lilies. Felicity turned a slow circle, feeling a smile spread across her face as she realized she would never have to be ashamed or embarrassed to have her name associated with this wedding.
No matter how crazy Zane’s rock band or possible circus performers turned out to be, everything looked lovely. Every single detail lifted Felicity’s spirits, from the polished parquet dance floor to the complete lack of disco balls, to the incredible view of the sun about to slip below the horizon so the guests could enjoy the sunset during cocktail hour. She spied a passing waitress with a tray full of classic martini glasses brimming with what looked like chocolate liqueur drizzled with something white and creamy.
“Excuse me, what are those?” Felicity asked, unable to restrain her curiosity.
“The wedding’s signature cocktail,” the waitress replied, offering Felicity the tray. “The Winter Beach, a dark chocolate and peppermint martini with sea salt foam. Would you like one?”
“No thanks.” Felicity smiled as she waved the waitress away. She didn’t need alcohol to rev her up right now. Buzzing with a sudden surge of energy, she looked around the tent for someplace to pitch in, but everything looked extremely well organized.
Her gaze landed on the knot of bridesmaids and family members by the entrance, and Felicity squared her shoulders. Here was something she could do—corral the wedding party into a receiving line to say hello to each guest and welcome them to the reception.
Heart beginning to thump, Felicity set off across the tent, her eyes seeking through the small group of laughing, hugging, twirling people for that one, certain tall figure—a man with dark brown hair, killer cheekbones, and eyes the color of the deepest part of the ocean.
“What do you think of my party?”
Zane’s deep, velvety voice stopped her in her tracks just as she reached the center of the dance floor. Whirling to face him, Felicity teetered in her sensible wedges and instinctively reached out to Zane in the instant before she realized how awkward it would be if he stepped back.
But he didn’t. With one smooth step forward, he caught her arm and steadied her, his blue eyes intent and focused on her face.
Tingles of sensation coursed up her arm from their single point of contact, and Felicity could only be glad she was wearing a dove gray pantsuit, complete with long-sleeved jacket. If he’d touched her bare forearm, she might well have swooned—and then she’d have to retire forever from public life to escape the humiliation.
“Okay there?” No amusement curled his lips or lightened his serious expression.
Felicity nodded and made herself stand up straight. “I’m fine. Just a little tired.”
She hadn’t slept well since she’d walked out on Zane, a few hours of light dozing every night, if she was lucky.
Gaze sharpening, Zane said, “Me too.”
For a giddy moment, Felicity thought he was telling her that he, also, had been having trouble sleeping without her. She shook her head to try and snap herself back into reality. “Right, of course. You must be exhausted, after pulling all of this together. It looks beautiful, Zane.”
“You like it.” It didn’t sound like a question, but Zane’s grave gaze scanned her face as if searching for an answer.
Felicity nodded. “It’s amazing. You did a wonderful job, and I know Miles is going to be so touched at all the work you put in. You’re a really good friend.”
A slight frown gathered Zane’s straight dark brows, as if that wasn’t the answer he’d been hoping for. “Let me show you around.”
Every inch of her skin yearned toward him. It was all Felicity could do not to sway into his arms. But this was exactly what she’d wanted to avoid when she walked away the first time. Except that had
No matter how crazy Zane’s rock band or possible circus performers turned out to be, everything looked lovely. Every single detail lifted Felicity’s spirits, from the polished parquet dance floor to the complete lack of disco balls, to the incredible view of the sun about to slip below the horizon so the guests could enjoy the sunset during cocktail hour. She spied a passing waitress with a tray full of classic martini glasses brimming with what looked like chocolate liqueur drizzled with something white and creamy.
“Excuse me, what are those?” Felicity asked, unable to restrain her curiosity.
“The wedding’s signature cocktail,” the waitress replied, offering Felicity the tray. “The Winter Beach, a dark chocolate and peppermint martini with sea salt foam. Would you like one?”
“No thanks.” Felicity smiled as she waved the waitress away. She didn’t need alcohol to rev her up right now. Buzzing with a sudden surge of energy, she looked around the tent for someplace to pitch in, but everything looked extremely well organized.
Her gaze landed on the knot of bridesmaids and family members by the entrance, and Felicity squared her shoulders. Here was something she could do—corral the wedding party into a receiving line to say hello to each guest and welcome them to the reception.
Heart beginning to thump, Felicity set off across the tent, her eyes seeking through the small group of laughing, hugging, twirling people for that one, certain tall figure—a man with dark brown hair, killer cheekbones, and eyes the color of the deepest part of the ocean.
“What do you think of my party?”
Zane’s deep, velvety voice stopped her in her tracks just as she reached the center of the dance floor. Whirling to face him, Felicity teetered in her sensible wedges and instinctively reached out to Zane in the instant before she realized how awkward it would be if he stepped back.
But he didn’t. With one smooth step forward, he caught her arm and steadied her, his blue eyes intent and focused on her face.
Tingles of sensation coursed up her arm from their single point of contact, and Felicity could only be glad she was wearing a dove gray pantsuit, complete with long-sleeved jacket. If he’d touched her bare forearm, she might well have swooned—and then she’d have to retire forever from public life to escape the humiliation.
“Okay there?” No amusement curled his lips or lightened his serious expression.
Felicity nodded and made herself stand up straight. “I’m fine. Just a little tired.”
She hadn’t slept well since she’d walked out on Zane, a few hours of light dozing every night, if she was lucky.
Gaze sharpening, Zane said, “Me too.”
For a giddy moment, Felicity thought he was telling her that he, also, had been having trouble sleeping without her. She shook her head to try and snap herself back into reality. “Right, of course. You must be exhausted, after pulling all of this together. It looks beautiful, Zane.”
“You like it.” It didn’t sound like a question, but Zane’s grave gaze scanned her face as if searching for an answer.
Felicity nodded. “It’s amazing. You did a wonderful job, and I know Miles is going to be so touched at all the work you put in. You’re a really good friend.”
A slight frown gathered Zane’s straight dark brows, as if that wasn’t the answer he’d been hoping for. “Let me show you around.”
Every inch of her skin yearned toward him. It was all Felicity could do not to sway into his arms. But this was exactly what she’d wanted to avoid when she walked away the first time. Except that had
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