The Prince and the Wedding Planner
And the next thing she knew Gia pulled both her and a reluctant Enzo into a group hug. The closeness didn’t last all that long, but it was enough to assure them that they could face these challenges and get through them together.
When they pulled apart, Bianca regretted having to leave, but she’d already given her word and signed a contract. “I can’t miss my flight. But I’ll be back soon.”
“Aren’t you flying on a private jet?” Enzo asked.
“The prince’s jet?” Gia’s eyes were wide with amazement.
A smiled pulled at Bianca’s lips as she nodded. And then she was out the door, promising to keep Gia informed about the upcoming royal wedding.
CHAPTER FOUR
HE’D AGREED.
Inwardly, she squealed with delight.
She’d asked for the moon and she’d been given not only it but the stars too.
Bianca sat in the leather seat of the prince’s jet as they neared Patazonia. She couldn’t believe she was about to become the prince’s wedding planner. He’d still not told her the details of his upcoming nuptials. Since she’d boarded the plane, he’d been busy either on the phone or working with his assistant on what she surmised was a very big export deal.
It gave her time to update her day planner as well as make phone calls. Even if she was out of town, it didn’t mean she couldn’t book weddings at the Tuscany estate. The truth of the matter was she didn’t have any other weddings booked, just a handful of people making inquiries.
The reason she’d landed Camilla and Benito’s posh wedding had been a fluke. The original wedding planner was pregnant and when complications ensued, she was ordered on bedrest for the remainder of her pregnancy. And taking an immediate liking to Bianca when their paths had crossed in Venice, she’d recommended her services.
Bianca was anxious to get to work on the royal wedding, but the prince kept putting her off. She’d already made an extensive list of questions for him.
As she stared out the window at a passing white puffy cloud, she recalled their dance at the wedding. There had been some sort of connection between them. She’d felt it in his touch and the way his gaze had lingered on her longer than necessary.
Was it wrong that she wanted the prince to notice her as a woman as well as a wedding planner? After all, she was here to plan his wedding—his wedding. Her shoulders sank. Here she was worrying over a man who was taken. What was wrong with her?
Those moments on the dance floor, they must have all been in her imagination. After all, he was so invested in his wedding that he’d taken it upon himself to go out and find a wedding planner instead of leaving all the details up to the bride.
Just then the pilot came over the intercom to let everyone know they would soon be on the ground of Patazonia. It was a small kingdom just off the French border.
In the time since the prince had proposed the job to her, Bianca had been online researching customs and weddings within this foreign land. The problem was there wasn’t much detailed information about Patazonian matrimonial traditions.
“See anything you like?”
She turned to find prince Leo now in the seat next to hers. “I was thinking the land looks so lush. I’m hoping to have a chance to explore the area just a little.” And then realizing how that sounded, she rushed to say, “But not before I have all of the wedding preparations in place. Don’t worry. The wedding will be my top priority.”
?
?I have no doubt or I would not have hired you. This wedding must go off without a hitch. I am counting on you.”
“And the bride, she’ll be meeting with us when we land?” She pulled out her notebook. “I have a whole list of questions for her.”
The hint of a smile played at his lips. “I doubt she’ll meet us at the airport, but she’ll be at the palace.”
“Good. Good.” Nervous energy flooded Bianca’s system. She felt like an athlete preparing for their biggest event. She was ready to spring out of the gate and get as much done as fast as she could—all the while paying attention to the details. Because like it or not, as her mentor used to say, the devil is in the details.
“You seem anxious to get started.”
“I am.”
“I didn’t anticipate you would want to start today after traveling.”
“There’s no time to waste. The wedding will be here in no time.” And she’d never done a royal wedding. It would be daunting compared to the garden wedding where she’d met the prince.
Her stomach churned with nerves. What if she had taken on too big of a task? She should have hired an assistant. Maybe she could hire one in Patazonia. In fact, that might work out better. This person would have a full working knowledge of the local traditions.