Picture Perfect (Weddings by Design Book #1): A Novel by Janice Thompson

“Sorry.”
    Armando’s eyes narrowed to accusing slits. “You two are a couple?”
    A muscle tensed along the edge of Drew’s jaw. He shrugged, then slipped his arm over my shoulder.
    Armando wandered off, and I could almost feel the anger that coiled inside of him as he muttered, “Someone should’ve told me.”
    I glared at Drew, temper flaring. “What do you think you’re doing?”
    His tightened jaw appeared to relax. “Saving your neck. You can thank me later.”
    “I doubt it. First you interrupt my photo shoot, then you pretend you’re my . . . my . . .” I couldn’t make myself say the word.
    “Your boyfriend?” He gave my shoulder a squeeze as Armando spoke a few words to Bella, and they both looked my way.
    “Drew. Don’t.” I clenched my teeth. “Bella’s going to think—”
    I couldn’t finish the sentence, what with her heading my way, a perplexed look on her face.
    “Um, Hannah?” She glanced at Drew. “Drew? Something you two want to tell us?”
    “No. Definitely not.” I tried to shrug my way out of Drew’s embrace, but he held tight.
    “We’re not ready to talk about it yet,” he said with a smile.
    Armando drew close, his gaze narrowing as he gave me one last glance. Then he turned to Bella. “Tell Rosa I can’t stay for lunch, okay? I’ve got a hot date in Houston tonight and need to get back.” He lit into a detailed conversation about the woman he planned to meet at some bar near downtown, and I suddenly felt a little nauseous.
    In that moment I realized Drew had been right . . . about everything. I couldn’t really fault him for trying to save my neck. He wasn’t kidding when he said he knew Armando, now was he?
    With Drew’s arm still slung over my shoulder, we made our way to the front of the house . . . just in time to see Mama pulling her car into the driveway at Club Wed next door. She got out of the car and came bounding my way. I cringed a little when I noticed she was wearing her favorite Irish Lass T-shirt, circa 1996.
    Mama’s eyes flashed with merriment as she saw Drew’s arm around me. “Well, hello there.” She looked back and forth between us, clearly intrigued.
    “Hi, Mama. I, well . . . we were just finishing.”
    “Finishing what?” She giggled.
    “The photo shoot, of course.” I shrugged off Drew’s arm and cast a warning look at Armando, who took off for his car.“Mama, this is Drew Kincaid.” I fidgeted with my necklace and smiled weakly.
    “Is this the enemy?” Mama whispered in my ear a little too loudly. “The handsome fella who took the pictures at Brock’s wedding?”
    Drew must’ve overheard because he gave me a “why would you call me your enemy?” look. I shrugged, then turned back to Mama and tried to convince her—with my eyes, not my voice—to can it.
    Mama looked away from me and scrutinized Drew, her face lighting in a smile. “Well now . . .”
    Please, Mama, watch what you say.
    She turned back to me and shrugged. “Color me confused.”
    “Beg your pardon?” His brow wrinkled.
    “Oh, just thinking out loud. Nice to meet you, Drew. I’ve heard so much about your work. We’re all fans.”
    I glared at her, in part because I didn’t happen to be a fan, and in part because she shouldn’t be conspiring with the enemy.
    From behind us, Bella’s voice rang out. “Hannah, I know we’d planned to get some shots at Parma John’s, but I don’t think we’ll have time today.”
    “Oh, that’s fine. Really. I have so many great shots already. Plenty to choose from.”
    “I’m sure. Can’t wait to see them. I hope you can stay for lunch. I know Aunt Rosa would love that.”
    Before I could respond, Mama turned to face Bella and began stammering. “Oh! Oh, oh, oh!”
    Time to make introductions. “Bella, this is my mama—”
    “You have to introduce me to your aunt,” my mother interrupted before I could even finish giving her name.
    “My aunt?” Bella shifted the baby to her other hip.