“Then—That must be the clients,” Parker said as the bell rang. “Crap, I lost track. Emma, get rid of those boxes. Laurel, you’re wearing your kitchen shoes.”

“Damn it. Be right back.” She sprinted out of the parlor, with Emma behind her with the empty boxes.

Parker tugged down her suit jacket. “You didn’t say much.” “Because I’ve been behind that glass wall,” Mac told her. “I know how she felt. It takes some time and effort to smash it down, but she will.”

“I don’t want there to be any sort of wall between us.”

“Never between us, Parks. Not the four of us. It’s different for her with Del, but she’ll crack it.”

“All right. You’ll tell me if you think she’s feeling that way.”

“Promise.”

“All right,” she said again. “Show time.” She hurried out to answer the door.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

LATER IN THE WEEK, AND WITH CONSIDERABLE PLEASURE, LAUREL sat down with Carter’s sister and her fiance. Sherry Maguire bubbled like the champagne Laurel kept chilled, and was just as delightful.

From their first event meeting—the day Carter had filled in for Nick, and reconnected with Mac—the key word for the fall wedding had been fun.

Laurel planned to make sure the fun extended to the cake.

“I’m so excited.” Sherry danced in her seat. “Everything’s just coming together so well. I don’t know what I’d do without Parker. Well, without all of you. Probably drive Nick crazy”

“Er,” he said and grinned at her. “Crazier.”

She laughed and poked him. “I don’t talk about the wedding more than a hundred times a day. Oh, my mom got her dress. It’s so pretty! I pooh-poohed every boring mother-of-the-bride type suit she tried on until she finally gave up.” Sherry let out her infectious laugh again. “It’s red. I mean serious, kick-your-ass red with glittery shoulder straps and a swingy skirt that’ll look great on the dance floor. Because, baby, my mom can dance. I’m going with Nick’s mom tomorrow to find hers. And she will not settle for fade-into-the-background matronly. I can’t wait to bend her to my will.”

Charmed, Laurel shook her head. “And some brides worry about being upstaged.”

Sherry dismissed the idea with a flick of her hand. “Everybody at our wedding’s going to look awesome. I’ll just make sure I look the most awesome.”

“No chance of otherwise.”

Sherry turned to Nick. “Any wonder I’m nuts about him?”

“None. How about a glass of champagne?” Laurel offered.

“Can’t, but thanks,” Nick said. “I’m working tonight.”

“The ER frowns on doctors with a champagne buzz.” But Sherry wiggled in anticipation. “But I’m not working tonight, or driving, since Nick’s dropping me off on his way to the hospital.”

Laurel poured a glass. “Coffee?” she asked Nick.

“Perfect.”