know if I need to dress up or wear something casual.”
“I told you that you would have the time of your life when you went out with me. I want you to dress up, and not like you’re going to church, either.”
They both chuckled.
Ivy had to admit, Jonathan could always make her laugh.
“Okay, I’ll be ready.”
* * *
The next day, Ivy received a phone call from Sally Carter, the reality show producer. She told her that Adrianne and Robert had broken off their engagement, so they would be shooting the premiere episode with the second couple, Marsha Anderson and Blake Moore. Because of the short timeline, they would messenger their information to her to study for the shoot, which would start at seven o’clock on Monday morning.
Frustrated and amazed at how quickly the television execs switched the couples around like pieces on a checker board, Ivy jotted down as much information as she could pry from Sally in order to get a head start.
She was also saddened when she thought about how Adrianne and Robert must have been feeling. She just knew the two were in love . . . inseparable. Ivy wondered if their being on the show contributed to their ending their engagement. She’d never know.
Being a professional, she would have to roll with the punches.
Trying to put the new turn of events in the back of her mind, she logged on to her computer and opened an e-mail from Lauren. She’d sent the names and addresses of her guests, most of whom lived in the area.
The rest of the plans for Lauren’s wedding were going well. She’d agreed to Ivy’s idea for the perfect stationery and favors. They’d booked the venue, chosen the linens and the menu and ordered the gowns.
She was about to pick up the phone when it rang.
“Yes, Gwen.”
“Randall Holloway is here to see you.”
Her intuition never failed her. Ivy knew she’d see Randall again sooner rather than later. The cold look in his eyes the other day told her that they still had unfinished business, and that he’d be back without his bride.
Balancing the phone on her shoulder, Ivy flipped through the appointments. Was it possible that Randall and Lauren had an appointment? She doubted it. He came to see her.
“We don’t have an appointment scheduled for Lauren today. But send him down.” She didn’t need to tell Gwen that she and Randall had a past.
Ivy met Randall her sophomore year of grad school at Michigan State University. She majored in communications and he was an engineering major. They dated through college and grad school. She thought she’d found her soul mate. They wrote out their goals and plans for their future together, but all that changed one Thursday night ten years ago.
Ivy pressed her back against her high-backed antique chair and folded her hands, resting them on the desk. She took a deep breath as she heard his footsteps on the marble floor in the hallway.
His body filled the doorway, and the determined look on his face confirmed Ivy’s thoughts that he was angry.
“How can I help you, Mr. Holloway?”
Randall stopped when he was directly in front of her desk.
“After all we meant to each other, I’m just Mr. Holloway now?”
“This is a professional establishment and you are one of my clients. What else do you want me to do?” Ivy replied matter-of-factly.
“Don’t act like I’m a stranger.”
Ivy leaned forward. “Randall, what do you want? I know you didn’t come here to talk about us. You’re getting married, remember?”
Randall sighed loudly. “If you hadn’t walked out on me, maybe you and I could have been married.”
Now furious, Ivy pointed at the door. “Get out of my office. You’re marrying Lauren in less than two weeks. I wish you both all the happiness in the world.”
But Randall did not leave; instead he walked around to the other side of the desk and confronted Ivy.
“What happened to my baby?” Randall asked angrily.
Ivy stood up, pushing him back and moving to the other side. His
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