Chapter Seven

Logan

I walk into the lobby and see Alex relaxed in a chair with his phone out. I know he runs his own business, but I'm not sure if he's a workaholic or if he's playing solitaire. He looks up and puts his phone away as I get closer.

"Sorry, I was trying to track down my assistant who is also my best man. He seems to have disappeared."

"The girls couldn't find Liz either. Could they be together?" I ask, wondering if they are working on something wedding-related.

"Damn. I didn't see it until just now." Alex laughs.

I'm not following, and he must be able to tell from my face.

"I think they are hooking up." He gives me a pointed look. "Seems to be a popular occurrence at my wedding."

Holding up my hands I sit down in the chair across from his. "I thought this is probably what you wanted to talk about."

"Rosie and I saw what you and Phoebe were up to in the hallway. I covered Rosie's eyes, but we saw more than I ever wanted to before we turned around. What are your intentions with Phoebe?"

"My intentions? Have we traveled to the past and you are taking the role of family patriarch?"

"Absolutely." Alex grins, but something is menacing about it. "Rosie and I've been together for over two years. From almost the beginning Phoebe and Maggie became my little sisters. There were a few bumpy patches at the start of our relationship, and they helped us through them. I love those girls."

"I'm glad they have you," I say, and mean it.

"If I had known the truth about that Trent asshole I would have ruined him— financially, socially, and physically. No one messed with my family. I never would have agreed to let him photograph one of the most important days of my life."

"I want to hunt the bastard down and make him pay. Some of the things that Maggie said and the way I heard him talk to Phoebe make me see red." I admit. "He hurt her so deeply that she doesn't think she's worth sticking around. The most amazing, kind, beautiful woman doubts herself because of that asshole."

"That's why I asked your intentions." He sighs. "I dropped the ball when I came to Trent. I can't let that happen again. I need to protect her, especially when she's fragile. I can tell that she means something to you, but are you just wanting to sleep with a pop star for a weekend?"

"Fuck you," slips from my lips before I can get myself in check.

Alex laughs. "That tells me everything I need to know."

I let out a sigh of relief. I couldn't care less about messing up this booking for the winery, but upsetting Alex would have had consequences in my pursuit of Phoebe. Would it have stopped me? No, but it would have made things harder.

My phone buzzes and I read the series of texts from my manager. The caterer has arrived and is setting up. Everything is going as planned there. The minister is ten minutes out.

There's also a text from Sherry telling me she's on her way with a kiss emoji. I hope this doesn't become an issue. I'm going to be firm when she gets here and tell her I'm involved with someone, so she'll leave me alone and stop with the flirting. I should probably warn Phoebe about her too, but I don't want to upset her.

"The minister is almost here. Do you want to meet him and I'll have staff show you to his room?" I ask Alex.

"Yes." He looks at his watch. "There're a few hours until the rehearsal. I'm sure the girls are going to hang out together for most of that. I'm going to take a nap and then get ready. If you need my help for anything, send me a text."

"Thanks, Alex and thank you for watching out for my girl." I shake his hand.

"She's special, they all three are, and I will take you out if you hurt her."

He says it with a smile and walks off, but I don't think there was an ounce of humor in his statement. He would absolutely kill for those three women. I feel that way about my sisters and I'm happy that the Stone sisters have him in their lives. They will have me too once I convince Phoebe I'm not going anywhere.

I'm getting paperwork ready in my office when I hear a knock on the door. I look up to find Sherry standing there wearing a ridiculously low-cut shirt and tight jeans. She's leaning against my doorframe in a way to enhance her breasts and I'm sure some men would find her very sexy. Hell, I might if I wasn't half in love with Phoebe.

"Hey there," she says in a husky voice. A voice she didn't have before.

"Hi, Sherry. I have your paperwork here. If you'll have a seat, we can go over it and then I can introduce you to your client."

"Why so businessy?" she asks as she takes her seat. "We have time to chat first."

"I don't. I need to make sure everything is on schedule. That includes making sure the client and photographer are on the same page. First, here is the NDA. It's pretty standard. Then we will go over their expectations."

She quickly reads over the form and signs it. "So who are these people who need this much fanfare." There's a bite to her voice that doesn't sit well with me.

"Did you read the penalty clause carefully? You will be in serious trouble if you violate the terms."

"I know how an NDA works." She rolls her eyes.

"Okay, Gibson Winery is hosting the wedding of Rosie Stone and Alex Young this weekend. The photographs will be used in a magazine that has already been negotiated to raise money for a charity. You will be paid for your services, of course, but you cannot sell the photos."

"Is that that pop singer?" Sherry looks less than impressed by the idea of Rosie, so maybe she doesn't realize just how popular the band has become in the last few years. Most magazines would shell out a lot of money to publish these photos first.

"Yes, Rosie and her sisters are The Pandemonium Pixies. It's a small, intimate wedding of only twenty or so guests. The rehearsal tonight is only for the wedding party and so is the dinner. We need pictures tonight of the rehearsal and the dinner. In the morning pictures of the bride and her sisters before the wedding, the wedding itself, pictures of the whole wedding party after, and the reception. Rosie and Alex will retain all rights to the photos."

"Um, okay. I can't use them at all? Even in my portfolio?" Sherry asks, finally realizing just what the job entails.

"They may permit you, but that's something you'll have to work out with them. Of course, you will get credit for the photos in the magazine spread and any time the photos are printed."

She signs the rest of the paperwork and asks to be taken to her room before seeing the couple.

"I'll have someone show you to your room and arrange for Rosie and Alex to meet you for a drink in thirty minutes." I stand and make my way out of my office. "Is that okay?"

"Can't you just show me to my room?" she whines.

"Sorry, I have to check on my sisters. They are with the Stone sisters and I want to make sure they aren't in the way."

I know they aren't, but I want to see Phoebe and the twins are a good excuse.

"You're letting those children bother famous people?" she asks, sounding disgusted.

This is why, even if I thought she was the sexiest woman on the planet, I would never want to be with Sherry. Anyone who wouldn't embrace my sisters and know how special they are to me would never be someone I could spend time with.

"We've been having a lot of fun with the girls." A voice says from behind me.

I turn with a smile on my face. "Hi, Phoebe."

"Hi." A blush spreads across her cheeks and I wish we were alone. "I was coming to ask you if it's okay if the girls get dressed up and come to the rehearsal tonight. They look so pretty and Rosie wants them there."

I feel myself getting choked up. "If it's what the bride wants, then of course they can."

"Will you come too?" she asks quietly.

"Does Rosie want me there?" I step closer to her and clasp her hand in mine.

"No— I mean, she does —but I'm the one asking. I want you there with me."

"Then I'll be there." I'm about the lean over and kiss her when there is a rude cough from my office door. Shit, I forgot completely about Sherry.

From the look of surprise on Phoebe's face she had too. She mouths the word sorry, but the sparkle in her eye doesn't look contrite at all.

"I thought this was a small gathering. Will I have to avoid taking pictures of certain people since you don't know them? Your sister won't want strangers in the photos."

"Um, you're the photographer?" Phoebe asks.

"Obviously." Sherry rolls her eyes. "Logan called me because whoever was supposed to be here canceled. We're really good friends. He knows I would do anything for him."

Phoebe looks at me with questions in her eyes. I know how Sherry is making it sound, but it couldn't be further from the truth.

"We knew each other in high school. Sherry is a good photographer and the only one I know. I wanted to solve the problem for you. I hated seeing you sad."

"Thank you, Logan." She turns to Sherry, squaring her shoulders. "As far as we are concerned, and yes, I speak for my sister, every photo can have June and Ruby in them. Those little girls are so full of sparkles and fun. They would improve any photograph."

She turns to go back to her room without a backward glance. I want to run after her, but I still need to make sure Sherry gets taken to her room and set up her meeting with Rosie and Alex.

Soon, I'm going to get Phoebe alone and make her realize how much she means to me and how every little thing she does makes me love her more and more.