“Oh,” he intoned in agreement, bobbing his head. “France and Germany are going to subjugate us if we’re not careful.”
While Harper didn’t believe things were quite as dire as her friend, on the surface of things, she understood what he was saying. “How do you suggest we handle this problem?”
“There’s only one way.” Zander’s eyes were dark as they darted toward Jared. “We have to blow up France.”
Harper rolled her eyes and shifted as her phone started ringing in her pocket. The sound jolted her, but she was relieved to have a distraction. “I’m surprised we’re even getting service out here.”
“I’m surprised that anyone is calling you. I’m the only person who calls you.”
Harper wrinkled her nose. “I’ll have you know that I’m very popular.”
“Right.”
Harper pressed the phone to her ear before checking to see who was calling. “Hello?” She was almost hoping for a work emergency — her employees Eric Tyler and Molly Parker remained at the office holding the fort in their absence — so she would have an excuse to return to the real world if something terrible had happened in the city, like a caved-in roof … or a perverted ghost with wandering hands. She wasn’t that lucky, however.
“Harper? It’s your mother.”
Harper stilled, internally cursing herself for not checking the incoming call readout before answering. If she’d been home, she never would’ve made such a rookie mistake. “I recognize your voice, Mother,” Harper drawled. “It’s lovely to hear from you.” She didn’t mean it. Her mother had been the source of constant headaches over the past few weeks and Harper had intended the trip as a way to distance herself from the constant complaints. “Do you need something particular?”
“I do.” Gloria Harlow was all business on the other end of the call. “I need a guest list for the wedding.”
Whatever Harper was expecting, it wasn’t that. “Um ... a guest list.” She glanced up and found Jared watching her with overt curiosity. He was obviously aware of just who was calling. “I don’t think I understand.”
“A guest list,” Gloria repeated, agitation on full display. “I need to know who you’re inviting to the wedding.”
Panic licked Harper’s heart. “What wedding?”
“Oh, don’t play coy with me.” Harper could practically see her mother’s dour expression through the phone. “Your wedding. It’s not that far away.”
“It’s not,” Harper agreed, searching for the right words. “I’m curious why you need a guest list from me, though. I thought we agreed that I would be taking care of that.”
“I don’t recall agreeing to that.”
“Well, you did.”
“No, definitely not.” Gloria had one of those clipped tones that usually had people backing off when it came to an argument. Since Harper was used to her mother’s antics, she had no intention of ceding a conversation, even if she had other things on her mind. “I’ve been talking to Luigi’s restaurant,” she started.
Harper immediately started shaking her head. “No, we’re not having the reception at Luigi’s. I know that’s your favorite restaurant but ... no.”
“Of course you’re not having the reception at Luigi’s. Don’t be an idiot.” Gloria sounded as if she was chastising an eight-year-old with attitude rather than her grown daughter, who was more mature on a bad day that Gloria could lay claim to on a good day. “We’re going to have the reception at Blossom Heath.”
The statement meant absolutely nothing to Harper. “What is Blossom Heath?”
Zander stirred next to her. “It’s a reception hall in St. Clair Shores. It’s absolutely beautiful ... and pricey. It’s right on the water.” His eyes narrowed. “Why is your mother mentioning Blossom Heath?”
That was a good question, and Harper was determined to get answers. “Mother, I already told you that Jared and I plan to have the reception for our wedding on the beach by the lake.”
“I know what you told me.”
“Well, that’s still the plan.”
There was silence on the other end of the call for a beat and Harper knew her mother was regrouping so she braced herself for a strategically placed missile.
“Except I don’t think you’ve taken everything into account,” Gloria pressed.
“We have.”
“What if it rains?”
“Then Jason Thurman has agreed to let us use his restaurant for the reception. We’ve already talked about it.”
“That place is lovely for a meal, but it’s not big enough for a reception,” Gloria argued.
And that, Harper realized, was the true problem as far as her mother was concerned. In Gloria’s mind, Harper should be embracing a big wedding ... which was the absolute last thing she wanted.
“Mother, we’re keeping the wedding small.” Harper was firm, annoyance rearing up to grab her by the throat. “I know that’s not your idea of a good time, but it’s what’s happening.”
“No, you said you wanted an intimate wedding,” Gloria countered. “Intimate does not have to mean small.”
“It does in my world.” This was one argument Harper refused to cede to her overbearing mother. “I’m sorry if you’re upset, Mom. I’m sorry if this isn’t the wedding you envisioned. It’s my wedding, though, and Jared and I want to keep it small.” She glanced up to find her fiancé watching her, overt sympathy rolling off him in waves.
It should’ve been enough to end the conversation. Gloria wasn’t known for giving up, though. “Big weddings are fun.”
“That’s not what we want.”
“Why? Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t have the people I want at your wedding.”
“Because it’s not about you.” Harper was firm. “Mother, if you want a big wedding, maybe you and Dad should renew your vows. Then you can have the wedding to end all weddings.”
Gloria balked. “I want you to have a big wedding. Your father and I already had a big wedding. We’re good. Besides, he’s bugging me. I don’t want to marry him again.”
Harper was amused despite herself. “I hate to break it to you, but you’re already married to him. There is no ‘again’ in there. A nice vow renewal might be good for the two of you, though. You’re starting over,
