Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 121898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
All I knew without a sliver of doubt was that this was my favourite wedding I’d ever planned. Not just because it was my sister’s, but because Castleton Manor truly was the dreamiest venue in the world. Everything had ended up so perfectly that I was sure I was dreaming.
Who could blame me, after all the drama that had befallen us up until this point?
The rest of the speeches went down well with everyone present, and like the rest of the day, dinner was drama-free and easy going. I slipped away when the food was done to quickly meet with the band and DJ for one last run-through of the evening’s plans. That was followed by a quick chinwag with Emily and Heath since tables had to be cleared in the ballroom, and once we’d gone over those plans one final time, I was about to scoot off somewhere else when Emily shoved a glass of something in my hand and told me to sit down.
I did as I was told.
Julian’s dad tapped the top of a microphone and stood up. “Ladies and gents, thank you all for coming this evening. Meals are being cleared away momentarily, then we’d like to ask you all to please vacate your tables for a short period while the wonderful staff here at Castleton Manor reorganise the room for the evening’s festivities. On your entry to the ballroom before dinner, you were all given a small envelope containing two tickets for free alcoholic drinks, and we encourage you to redeem your first one from the bars set up over there.” He motioned to the temporary bars that had been set up. “After your tickets are used, they will be cash bars. Don’t look at me like that, Aunt Hilda—I’ve seen how some of you drink!”
Yes.
I’d been warned about her.
Apparently, Aunt Hilda was quite the dancer.
“The bride and groom will now retire while we set up for the evening, so don’t go thinking they’ve ditched us. They’ve still got a very long night ahead of them dancing with you miserable lot.” Steve grinned. “Just before they go, I’d like to express my most heartfelt thanks to a very special lady, without whom, this wedding would not be happening right now.” He looked over at me and smiled warmly. “Sylvie Harding, my wonderful daughter-in-law’s older sister, maid of honour, and wedding planner. It’s no secret that the last few weeks have been disaster after disaster, and I know I speak for us all today when I assure you everything would have fallen apart without her. From minor crises to major disasters, she’s navigated them all without complaint and with true professionalism. That is to say, if you’re getting married, you should absolutely hire her.”
My cheeks flamed, and I touched my hand to one side of my face as everyone laughed, and a few cheers were sent in my direction.
Steve smiled, raising his glass. “Thank you for making their dreams come true, Sylvie.”
Ahh.
I was never very good at this part.
Still, I stood and accepted the toast, tilting my own glass in the direction of the top table. Taking credit for it all seemed wrong—it wasn’t as if I’d pulled miracles out of my arse, nor was I solely responsible for making sure today was as successful as it had been so far.
I’d had help.
A lot of it.
Especially from the one man who would never, ever admit he was behind it all.
Hazel appeared at my side and kissed my cheek. “He’s in the corner. Staring at you. Like he has been all night.”
My breath caught, and I snapped my gaze towards her. “What are you—”
She squeezed my hand. “You’ve given me everything I ever wanted, Syl. Now choose you.”
“But, I—”
“You’re off-duty, sis.” Julian grinned, wrapping his arm around Hazel’s waist. “Everything is done, and Heath can more than handle all this. Enjoy yourself for once.”
“After the first dance,” I said quickly. “Then, I promise I’ll put down my clipboard and have fun.”
“You better.” He glanced across the room. “Because I know there’s someone hoping to dance with you tonight.”
My cheeks flushed with heat once again, and I turned my face away from them. “Aren’t you two supposed to be resting? Stop teasing me, or I’ll have the DJ play Ms Carey’s greatest hits.”
Hazel gasped. “Don’t you dare!”
“Then take your husband before he makes me do it.”
“We’re leaving!” She grabbed Julian’s tie and yanked.
He coughed, making her loosen her hold. “She wouldn’t do it.”
“She would!” Hazel grabbed his sleeve instead. “She so would!”
***
“You did good, birdie,” Gramps whispered, leaning into me and wrapping his arm around my shoulders as we watched Hazel and Julian laugh their way through their first dance together.
“Thanks, Gramps.” I smiled, settling into his gentle embrace. “Bloody glad it’s over, though.”
He chuckled. “You and me both.”