Read Online Only You by Denise Grover Swank - Free Book Online Page B

understand, I’ve spent too much time neglecting my daughter for my career and now that we’re close again, I don’t want to destroy that. Our reconciliation is too fragile.”
    “So you need someone to be the bad guy.”
    “Yes.”
    Holly released a short laugh as she rubbed her forehead. “I’m not sure why you think I can perform that role. I assure you that I make a terrible bad guy.”
    “No, you set Coraline straight this morning and you were absolutely right. Then you stated your opinion moments ago.”
    “Moments ago, I spoke without thinking. It was incredibly rude.”
    “Yet it was absolutely correct.”
    “Miranda, your daughter made it clear she didn’t want me. And if Tender Moments wowed her, there’s not a chance this will work.”
    “It’s my money paying for the wedding. It’s my decision.”
    “But my job is to wow the bride, even when the mother is paying for it. I need to know that Coraline is happy with me.”
    “She will be once you present your plans to her. She loved every wedding photo she saw in your portfolio.”
    “What if she fires me?”
    “She can’t. I’ll draw up a contract that states once I sign on the dotted line, termination is impossible.”
    Holly paused, actually considering it. Maybe her grandmother’s dementia was contagious.
    “But termination will be impossible on both sides.”
    So there was a catch. She was stuck with them until the end. “I understand how this could benefit you , but how would this be in my best interest?”
    “I’m willing to pay more than Nicole had mentioned when we first spoke.”
    “Miranda, I’m going to be honest, which is probably incredibly stupid in this situation, but I have no idea what figure Nicole mentioned. She’s been very guarded about everything regarding your meeting.”
    “But you said you knew about her ideas.”
    “I had no idea what she had planned, but I knew she’d walk in prepared. She wants your wedding. She’ll be furious if you offer it to me. So if I accept, I’ll be dealing with an angry boss, an ungrateful, demanding bride, and ulcer-inducing time constraints to pull off a three-hundred-guest wedding that is worthy of the New York Times . What could possibly entice me to say yes?”
    “A ten-page spread in Modern Bride magazine.”
    That could do it.
    Miranda lowered her voice. “Between you and me, I fired the last planner. She’d catered to every one of Coraline’s crazy ideas. I found out about the spread last week and I knew her Victorian cowboy theme would sink my career. I need someone who can not only pull this off, but make it the wedding of the year.”
    A spread in Modern Bride ? The talk shows often pulled planners who had been featured in the magazine to host segments. The more exposure Distinctive Events got, the better chance they had to get higher-profile clients. Nicole would be thrilled.
    Who was she kidding? Nicole would be furious, but she wouldn’t dare fire her over this. She couldn’t afford to, but that still wouldn’t stop her from making Holly miserable. “What kind of budget am I looking at? I’ll need to pay extra to make things happen this close to the wedding.”
    “An obscene amount. I need this spread for my own business. They’ll be featuring Coraline’s dress as well as the bridesmaids’ gowns.”
    “I thought the bridal party didn’t have dresses.”
    “They don’t, but once we lock down a theme, I’ll make the dresses accordingly. So what do you say?”
    She was insane to consider it. This was going to be a three-week-long nightmare. Still, it was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up. “I’ll do it. I’m up for a good challenge.”
    “Perfect. I’ll have my attorney draw up a contract and e-mail it to you tomorrow morning. You can bring it with you to my home tomorrow afternoon to discuss ideas with Coraline.”
    “I look forward to it.”
    Miranda laughed. “You might think so now, but you’ll earn every penny I’m paying, and even