He whipped around in time to catch the petite blonde who threw herself at him. His mouth opened and closed several times before he set the woman back. “What are you doing here?”
“Um... I’m the bride?” Jenna answered, laughter making her eyes sparkle.
“You’re earlier than I expected.”
“Liam.”
The deep voice drew his attention to the man standing several paces away, arms crossed over his chest.
“Mike,” he returned.
“Nice place,” the groom said, looking around.
“It’s perfect!” Jenna chirped. “I love it. It’s exactly what I wanted. And everyone is so friendly.” She stepped out of Liam’s embrace only to slide an arm around his waist and snuggle into his side.
He instinctively settled an arm around her shoulders as he looked down. “I’m confused, Jenna. Your flight left New York yesterday with a long layover in Paris. I wasn’t expecting you until tomorrow.”
“Nope. We got to Paris so early that we were able to get seats on an earlier flight.”
“The guy at the airline desk was a huge fan,” Mike said, smiling down at his bride-to-be.
Liam tried to think, tried to put things in order, but his mind had blitzed out. Jenna was early, and Ella was going to flip out.
Ella.
Again, her name whispered through his mind like an invocation, his heart beating faster and breath coming a bit short.
“Liam?” Jenna asked as she wiggled in his embrace. “I mean, I know you’re glad to see me and all, but you’re going to bruise me if you clutch me any tighter.”
“Apologies.” He forced himself to relax and take a deep breath. Ella was going to flip her shit when she found out Jenna and Mike had arrived a day early.
“Mr. Baggett?”
The young lady from the concierge’s desk held out a cordless phone. “I have Arvin on the line for you, sir.”
“Thank you—” he glanced at her name tag “—Becky.” Taking the phone, he stepped away from Jenna and Mike. “Arvin.”
“What may I do for you, Mr. Baggett?”
Liam lowered his voice. “Arvin, my sister and her groom have arrived a day early. I need to know where you’re at on the task I gave you yesterday.”
Arvin swallowed so loud Liam heard it. “It’s done, sir. It wasn’t easy, but I do think you’ll be pleased with the...results.”
Stomach clenching hard, Liam lowered his voice further still. “I’m not certain it will be in the bride’s best interest to have it done as I requested.”
“I—I’m sorry, sir? Are you asking me to undo it?”
“Yes. That’s exactly what I’m asking.”
“It’s temporary color, sir, but it won’t wear off for several days.”
Damn it.
“I’ll figure something out, Arvin. Thank you.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll be back this afternoon and—”
“I’ll see you then.” Liam hastily disconnected as Jenna bounced over to him.