Always The Wedding Planner, Never The Bride Part 17

"We had about five really good minutes. But I kind of . . . lose my ability to speak like a normal human when I'm around him."

Sherilyn piled her belongings into a stack on the laptop, and she clutched them to her as she smiled. "I had no idea."

"What? About what?"

"That you had a lovesick teenager inside you, Fiona." Fee's grin beamed as she made her way to the door. "I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna ask him out. Wish me well!" As she turned, she rammed right into the doorjamb with a thump.

"Oh!" Sherilyn exclaimed as Fee rubbed her forehead. "Be-" And Fee was gone. "-careful."

Australian Pavlova Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

4 egg whites 1 cup granulated sugar 1 tablespoon cornstarch teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup whipping cream, beaten until thick 2 pa.s.sion fruit, sliced 3 kiwis, sliced 1 cup strawberries, sliced 2 bananas, sliced Beat the egg whites until peaks begin to form.

Beat in the sugar gradually until dissolved and the mixture becomes thick.

Fold in cornstarch and vanilla.

Spoon the mixture into a baking pan.

Reduce oven to 300 degrees and bake for one hour.

Remove from oven and let stand for approximately ten minutes, then turn out onto a serving plate.

Allow to cool thoroughly. Ice with whipped cream and decorate with sliced fruit.

11.

Sherilyn latched the consultation room door behind her and headed through the lobby just as Andy sauntered into the lobby from outside.

"You're early," she said, and she planted a kiss on his cheek. "Oh. Or am I late?"

"I'm early. I thought we might have some lunch together before we meet Lola for the closing."

She thought it over for a moment. "Yeah, I could do that. I just have to stop in my office first. But I could use an escort."

He returned her smile and took the stack from her arms and carried it for her.

"I can't believe we're about to get the keys to our house," she said excitedly, and she squealed. "I'm so happy, Andy." His eyes didn't quite match up with his nod of agreement. "What is it?"

"Do you have your heart set on moving in?"

A noisy thud! sounded from somewhere deep within her.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I was thinking. You shouldn't be stuck with Henry over there at the new house, and I'm not entirely content living under the same roof with my mother again . . ."

"Oh!" Relief washed over her like a sudden summer downpour. "You mean you want to move in first?"

"I could get Henry trained and used to the place. I'm sure they'd let you stay here at the hotel until the wedding, don't you think?"

"Yes. Are you sure? I thought it was a good opportunity for you to spend some bonding time with your mom after being gone for so long."

"I'll take her to lunch for bonding," he stated. "I don't want to live with her anymore."

"Did something happen?"

"Henry doesn't want to be there either."

Sherilyn smiled as the elevator doors slipped open and they stepped in. "Told you that, did he?"

He didn't even glance at her as he replied, "In so many barks, yes."

"Well, all right then. If it will make both you and Henry happy, who am I to say no to a boy and his dog?"

Andy turned toward her and moved close. "I love you," he said, and one corner of his mouth tilted upward.

"I love you too, Timmy. Let's not forget a doggie bag for La.s.sie at lunch."

Once they reached Sherilyn's office, Andy sat down in one of the two chairs flanking her desk while she unloaded her paperwork to the desk and checked her voice mail. Cecily had already called her. The lovebirds were back in.

Andy flipped over a couple of pages from the floral catalog sitting in front of him. When he noticed he had her attention, he tapped the bright orange Bird of Paradise bouquet on the page and nodded.

"Just stunning," he whispered, and Sherilyn giggled at his silliness as she erased the last message.

They headed for the door, stopping in their tracks as Fee flew around the corner and screeched to a halt in the doorway.

"So?" Sherilyn asked, and Fee squealed, shaking her head emphatically. "Yes? He said yes?"

"He said yes!" And she was off again. As the thump of her shoes trailed off down the hall, Fee called back to them. "Hi, Andy." He started to reply, then just waved his hand and laughed.

"Who said yes?"

"Sean."

"Sean . . . Sean?"

"Yep. Apparently he's magNIFicent."

"Isn't Fee involved with that photographer?" Andy asked.

"Was."

"Was."

"Good thing too. The minute she laid eyes on Sean, she lost her mind."

They stepped out into the corridor, and Sherilyn pulled the door shut.

"Sean. Really."

"Yep," she answered. "She thinks he looks like LL Cool J. Oh, and Montel."

"Who's Montel?"

"Williams. The talk show host."

Andy turned toward her and asked, "Do you think Sean is magnificent?"

Sherilyn shrugged her shoulders and smiled. "He's a goodlooking man. Did you want to look in on Russell before he leaves today?"

"Do we have time?" he asked and checked his watch. "Yeah, we've got time. Do you mind?"

Magnificent Sean sat perched on the chair angled into the corner in front of Russell's room, and Sherilyn looked at him through new, curious eyes. Dark caramel skin, deeply set brown eyes, impeccable wardrobe from the navy blue rollneck pullover and jeans to the black suede MacAlister boots. He looked like a J. Crew ad, only better.

"Magnificent?" Andy muttered as they approached.

"I'm thinking yes."

"Hey, Doc," Sean said, and he smacked Andy's bicep. "Russell asked if he'd see you before he left." After a pause, he corrected, "Well. He really asked about seeing Miss Caine."

Sherilyn felt a blush of heat rise over her face.

"Did he now?"

Russell stood at the window, his back to them as Andy rapped twice and entered. When he turned back toward them, Sherilyn took note of her own teenaged version of Magnificent. Russell wore a loose-fitting white gauze smock and tight black jeans, his s.h.a.ggy hair pulled back into a short ponytail. He grinned at the sight of her.

"Glad you made it by," he said, extending his hand toward Andy, but his eyes locked on Sherilyn for a few solid seconds. "I want to thank you for everything, Doc."

"Good luck to you, Russell."

He smiled at Sherilyn and asked, "Say a few more for me?"

"Count on it."

"You're a lucky man, Doc."

"Don't I know it. Want me to check the dressing on your leg?"

"Nah, Sean changed it for me earlier," he replied in his thick Australian accent.

"Doctor Sean?"

"Yeah," he answered with a hearty laugh. "It's all good."

Andy placed his hand on the small of Sherilyn's back and guided her toward the door. When they reached it, she turned back to Russell. In a spontaneous move, she stepped forward, placed a hand on his shoulder, and planted a kiss on his stubbly cheek.

"Make us proud," she said softly. "I have faith in you."

"Well, there's your first mistake, little lady."

"Nope," she said, shaking her head a.s.suredly. "You can do it."

Russell's eyes glistened as he looked at her. He blinked and pulled his gaze away. Turning to Andy, he said, "You'll be there to pick up the pieces when I utterly disappoint?"

Andy chuckled, and he swatted Russell on the forearm.

"Good luck to you."

"Thanks again, mate."

When the door closed between them, the s.p.a.ce beneath Sherilyn's heart felt hollow for a moment. It was an odd sort of friends.h.i.+p she'd struck up with Russell Walker, but she ached a little for him.

"Take care of him, Sean," she said.

"Oh, I'm not going with him," he replied. "Mr. Burkus will take it from here. I've just been on Russell's team while he was filming here in the area."

"You're from Atlanta then," Andy surmised.

"Born and bred," he answered. "Yessir."

"Well, it was a pleasure," Andy said, shaking his hand.

"Oh, this isn't good-bye," Sean pointed out. "I'll be seeing you all this weekend."

"This weekend?" Andy repeated.

"I'll be accompanying Fiona to the Pediatric AIDS fundraiser."

Andy and Sherilyn exchanged glances, and they both nodded, wordlessly.

"I'll . . . I guess I'll see you then."

Sherilyn slipped her arm through Andy's and nodded. "See you Sat.u.r.day, Sean."

They were silent on the elevator ride to the lobby and all the way out the front door.

"Where do you want to have lunch?" Andy asked her as he held the car door for her.

"Somewhere fast," she replied. "We have to be at the closing in less than two hours."

More silence out to the main road and down to the light. Suddenly, Andy looked over at her, his expression fraught with . . . something. But she didn't know what. "Andy?"