A few minutes later, their meals arrived, and they were quiet for a bit. The food was excellent, as usual. Paula’s pasta was rich, and she only ate half of it and saved the rest to take home. David cleaned his plate.

Stacy came to check on them and asked if they wanted dessert.

“What do you think? Do you want anything?” David asked.

“I’d love dessert, but I’m too full. You should get something, though. The tiramisu here is amazing.”

“Really? That’s one of my favorites. If I get one, will you at least have a bite?”

Paula laughed. “Of course.”

A few minutes later, Stacy returned with the dessert and two forks. Paula took two small bites and let David enjoy the rest. As he was finishing up, Mandy came over to their table.

“So, I talked with Emma and Paul and they both love the Taste of the Town idea. So, Mimi’s Place is in!”

“Oh, thank you. That’s great!” Paula was thrilled. Now they could mention that they already had Mimi’s Place confirmed when they spoke to the other restaurants.

Stacy brought the check and David immediately reached for his wallet, but Paula stopped him and put down her American Express card. “This was a business lunch, so it’s on The Whitley,” she said.

David put his wallet back in his pocket. “All right, then. Thank you. I’d say it was a productive lunch. And a delicious one.”

As they drove back to The Whitley, Paula’s phone buzzed with a text message from her cousin, Hallie.

Where are you? Please come find me when you get back. Davina’s here and I want to kill her right now.

“Ugh. Our bride from hell is displeased about something, again.”

“The one you mentioned at lunch? Danielle?”

“Davina. Yes, that’s the one. We get our share of diva brides, but she is high on the list.”

“What’s her issue?”

“I don’t know. Hallie’s dealing with her now and I’ll go find out when we get back. She’s pretty much had issues with everything so far.”

David chuckled. “Have fun with that.”

* * *

When they reached the hotel, Paula headed to Hallie’s office. She and Mia were there with Davina and all three women looked miserable.

“Paula, come on in,” Hallie said. “I was just telling Davina that you were on your way. Davina, Paula is our general manager.”

Paula smiled. “Hi, Davina. I hear you’re having your wedding with us.”

“Well, I was planning on it. But I’m having second thoughts now. I just didn’t think this would be so difficult.”

“What’s going on? How can I help?”

“Davina wants The Whitley to only rent rooms on the Saturday of her wedding to people in her wedding party,” Mia said.