Page 62 of Off-Limits Bosses
He sighed and relaxed his shoulders, before shaking his head. “Okay, hit me with it. What’s going on?”
“Bryant told me he’s in love with me,” I answered, knowing that there was no beating around the bush with this one. We simply didn’t have the time.
Nolan pulled a nonchalant face. “That’s not a surprise. I’m in love with you, too. You make it easy. You make me feel in control of my inner chaos. And if I have to share that with Landon and Bryant, I will. I don’t want to lose you.”
I stared at him, struggling to believe that he’d said it all so matter-of-factly, like it was something I should have known from the beginning. I had expected him to be upset, or to react more intensely. I did not expect him to simply accept the whole situation for what it was.
I wondered if Landon would have the same kind of reaction. Would he be calm and honest? I did think that he would be, even if it wasn’t quite as direct as Nolan was being.
Maybe Nolan was trying to save time by getting everything out into the open at once. That made sense, given that lunch was about to happen and he still needed to get started on the menu for the rehearsal dinner itself. Nevermind the rest of the food for other guests at the hotel.
I nodded slowly, processing all of it, and realizing that he was waiting for me to answer.
“Well, I’m in love with Bryant,” I said. “And I’m in love with Landon.”
Nolan peered at me, waiting for that next confession.
“And I’m in love with you, too.”
“You had me worried there for a second,” he laughed, before putting his hands on either side of my face and pulling me in for a kiss.
29
Adriana
“Okay, rehearsal dinner is starting soon,” I announced to the room full of staff. “Everyone knows exactly where their station is, right?”
They all nodded.
“No questions?” I said, staring them down, daring them to say something that they should have known already. Nobody asked anything. “Good. Then let’s get moving, and make this the best night of Dahlia and Forrest’s lives. Remember, the press is all over the place. No mistakes.”
People rushed out into the hallways, each heading to the exact place that they were assigned to. I made my way to the ballroom where the dinner was being held, taking my own position by the door to welcome people as they arrived. Landon stood on the other side of the door.
Bryant was one of the first people to arrive. “Looks like it’s all good so far.”
“Yeah,” I smiled, feeling the warmth in my chest from our earlier conversation. “You’ll be seated at table two. Don’t worry, everyone around you will be interesting.”
“I’d expect nothing less,” he said, walking through the doors.
The line started growing, filling with people in extravagant gowns and suits and draped in jewelry that cost more than the average house in an upscale neighborhood. Each one was assigned their seats, and left their assistants behind at the door with a whole list of instructions.
There were several camera flashes going on at all times, and throughout it all, I pretended as if all of this was completely normal.
I had an earbud in one ear with a connected microphone for the coordination on this one, rather than using my usual tablet. It was something to get used to, but far more efficient and professional-looking. I could hear people confirming and checking in constantly, and it was a bit difficult to focus on what was going on right in front of me.
“Security check, lower left west wing, complete.”
“Bringing up champagne, water. Check in north staff entrance.”
“Petals placed around main table.”
I did my best to tune most of it out as Landon and I continued to get all of the guests inside and seated. There was a schedule to keep to, and we were already about three minutes behind. I would have to find a place to drag that time back.
“Course one ready for transport from kitchen.” It was Nolan’s voice that made me focus on the earbuds again. “Please confirm preparation.”
The first course was the hors d’oeuvres meant to keep people from getting hungry before the main events began. They needed to be delivered before all of the guests were accounted for. But the north entrance would be overcrowded. I needed to find an alternative route.
“I’ll be back,” I said to Landon, who offered me a smile and a nod before I rushed down the hallway and started speaking into my microphone. “Kitchen, please await further instruction. Do not transport.”
