Page 1 of Tempt
CHAPTER1
MILLIE
SEPTEMBER
“It’s official,” I said to my sister over the phone. “I’m cursed.”
Winnie laughed. “You’re not cursed.”
“Oh no?” I walked over to my hotel room window and peeked out at the city lights, blurred by sheets of rain. Manhattan was under siege. “Let’s add things up. A hurricane pummels the East Coast the day I’m supposed to fly home, and my flight is canceled.”
“Lots of flights were canceled, not just yours.”
“I had to spend a lot of money to stay one more night in this expensive hotel.”
“One more night at a four-star hotel is not a curse, it’s an unexpected gift. And you can write it off—you’re in New York on business. I want to hear how it went today, by the way.”
“It was fine,” I said grudgingly. “The usual wedding planner expo—noise and chaos. But I did get a few new ideas. Cottagecore weddings are supposedly going to be the trend for a while, and that’s a vibe that suits Cloverleigh Farms.” I frowned. “But the fashion show bothered me, it was not size-inclusive at all.”
“Seriously?”
“Same old, same old. The models were beautiful, but they didn’t look like any of the real brides I’ve ever worked with. Why can’t there be some curvy girls in these shows, or short girls, or top-heavy girls, or brides with bigger butts?”
“I don’t know.”
“I do. Because archaic beauty standards still abound in fashion, and the wedding industry is no exception.”
“So do something about it.”
“I would, but I’m very busy explaining to you why I’m cursed.”
My sister sighed loudly.
“My ex-boyfriend is getting married next month, andIhad to plan the wedding.”
“You introduced them!”
“Iknow, but it’s still sort of humiliating.”
“Think of it as a compliment, Mills.” Winnie could always find a bright side when I saw doom and gloom. “Even though they knew it might be slightly awkward, they still chose you.”
“They choseCloverleigh Farmsbecause the bride works at the winery and got a discount,” I corrected. “I just happened to be the event planner there. They couldn’t have one without the other.”
“Still, discount or not, a lot of brides would have gone with another venue altogether rather than let her fiancé’s ex-girlfriend handle the most important day of her life. I think the trust she placed in you is a testament to your professional reputation.”
“I guess.” I turned away from the window and sprawled across the bed on my belly. “But this is thethirdex of mine who’s gone on to propose to the very next girl he dated after me. Thethird, Winnie.”
“So you’re a good luck charm, not a curse!”
“A good luck charm forthem. What am I doing wrong?”
“Nothing! Be honest, Millie. Did you really want to be Mrs. Mason Holt?”
“No,” I admitted. “He’s cute, but he was too young for me. I didn’t think the four-year age gap would matter that much, but after a few weeks, I knew it was never going to work.”
“You knew after a few weeks? You dated Mason for months!”
“I know, but the spark wore off fast. Our relationship was strictly platonic by the end.”
