Page 50 of Among the Stars
Chapter Twelve
Two hours before the wedding,Veronica fought the urge to hurl her cell phone into the Cumberland River. Ash failed to mention that Veronica’s cell number had been included in all of the guest emails. Thanks to the rushed nature of the event, every flipping recipient had a question. Some didn’t understand that the wedding and reception were in the same room. Several failed to read to the end for instructions on how to enter the bar. And others called to ask what they should buy the bride and groom. On the day of the wedding.
As if she had nothing else to do.
Ash was a mess. By noon, he’d sent an SOS message that he was scrapping the song. By two, she’d talk him off that ledge only to have him panic over the vows. The vows he’d written the day before and rewritten that morning. Desperate, Veronica convinced him to do a double shot of whiskey, and then called his mother to come babysit her basket case of a son so she could rush home to shower and dress. Forty-five minutes before showtime, Veronica arrived at the tavern to learn that the maid of honor had faced similar challenges.
Taylor’s afternoon had included ducking a flying cowboy boot (that had been thrown near her, not at her), assuring the bride that her future mother-in-law would not raise her hand when the pastor asked if anyone objected to the marriage, and retrieving a diamond earring from a disgusting drain trap. Big ups to her for having the skill and tools to pull that last one off.
Veronica hadn’t seen Cam since he’d left her place the evening before. The nap had clearly revived him, as he’d proved on the couch, in her bed, and in her shower. By the time he’d left at eight to check in at the bar, she’d been thoroughly scrubbed and satisfied.
“Have you seen Jesse?” Ash asked her as they lingered by the windows that overlooked Broadway. Guests were starting to arrive, though most were lingering by the bar, which would close during the ceremony and reopen afterward.
“She’s down in Cam’s office.” Veronica hadn’t actually laid eyes on the bride, but Taylor had assured her that things were well in hand in that area. Like her counterpart, the maid of honor had provided liquor to soothe her charge, and the photographer was currently taking a bazillion shots of Jesse’s mother helping her add the finishing touches to her ensemble.
“You’re sure she’s here?”
“Where else would she be?” Veronica hissed. If he’d been this nervous on their wedding day, he’d hidden it well. They’d visited the justice of the peace, and then driven in his truck to her parents’ house for the small but intimate reception. No freak-outs. No panic attacks. No annoying toe-tapping. “Will you stop that? You’re driving me nuts, and people are starting to glance around in search of a woodpecker.”
Ash slammed his hands into his pockets. “I can’t help it. I’m nervous. Did you tune the guitar?”
“You’ve asked me that four times. Get a grip before I hurl you out this window.” She may not be cut out for this best woman stuff. To her relief, she spotted Cam enter through the door that led to the elevator. “Do not move from this spot,” she said to Ash. “I’m going to talk to Cam, but I’ll be right back.”
“I’m fine,” he replied, resuming the toe-tapping.
Someday this would all be funny, and Veronica would tease him mercilessly for being a whiny pain in the ass, but right now, she needed a moment of sanity. As she crossed the room, Cam caught sight of her, and to her utter amazement, he smiled. A full, honest-to-goodness smile. In public. She nearly fainted on the spot.
“Hey, sexy,” she muttered, leaning up for a hello kiss. “You look happy to see me.”
Cam obliged, then stepped back to admire her outfit. “I am. A suit looks good on you.”
“Thank you. This is a hundred times more comfortable than a fancy dress.”
“Is everything running smoothly?”
A laughable question. “I’m considering killing the groom, if that tells you anything. I’m pretty sure the maid of honor is having the same thoughts about the bride.”
“I meant with the room. Any problems with the staff?” He may be smiling, but business Cam was never far away.
“The staff has been great.”
Before she could say more, Jesse’s manager, Silas Fillmore, arrived with the beautiful, and much younger, Samantha Walters on his arm. Samantha was a powerhouse in town, and the manager of Jesse’s label-mate Dylan Monroe. She was also ridiculously gorgeous. According to Ash, she and Silas were old friends.
“There’s the prettiest producer in town,” Silas said in greeting before dropping a kiss on Veronica’s cheek. “You’re the best-looking best man I’ve ever seen.”
“Best woman,” she corrected. “Cam, this is Silas Fillmore and Samantha Walters.” She’d produced for three of Silas’ clients over the years, but Veronica had only a passing acquaintance with the other manager.
“Cam,” Samantha said, her tone cold but not unfamiliar.
“You two know each other?” Veronica asked.
“We do,” Cam said, and she could almost hear his armor snapping into place. “You look beautiful, as always.”
“We should sit,” Samantha said without acknowledging the compliment.
“Of course.” Silas shook Cam’s hand. “Thank you for giving my girl a place to get married. No telling where we’d be right now if you hadn’t come through.” He then winked at Veronica. “You, too, young lady.”
The odd couple moved on to their seats, leaving a wake of expensive perfume and silent tension behind.