“Of course I can,” I said. “I’m a pathological control freak. And I happen to be great at my job. But before we discuss this any further, why don’t you come to my studio and —”

“You’re hired,” he said abruptly.

I responded with a startled laugh. “I’m sure you’ll want to run it by Bethany first.”

Ryan shook his head. “I’ll stipulate that hiring you is a requirement for the engagement. She won’t say a word about it.”

“Usually the procedure for this starts with a studio visit. We look at a portfolio and discuss ideas and possibilities —”

“I don’t want to drag this out any longer than necessary. I’ve already decided to give the job to you.”

Before I could reply, Joe intervened with a flicker of amusement in his eyes. “Rye, I don’t think the question is whether you want to hire Avery. I think she’s trying to figure out if she wants to take you on.”

“Why wouldn’t she?” Ryan’s perplexed gaze arrowed to mine.

While I was busy trying to come up with a diplomatic reply, we were interrupted by Jack’s return. “Hey, Rye.” He had arrived with Ella’s champagne in time to overhear the last of the conversation. “What are you hiring Avery for?”

“Wedding planning,” Ryan said. “Bethany’s pregnant.”

Jack stared at him blankly. “Damn, son,” he said after a moment. “There are precautions for that.”

Ryan’s eyes narrowed. “No method’s a hundred percent except abstinence. Explain that word to him, Ella – God knows he’s never heard it before.”

Jack grinned briefly. “She knows me well enough not to bother.”

Privately, I reflected that beneath Ryan’s high-handed manner, he had to be feeling what any man would in this situation: anxiety, frustration, and a tremendous need to obtain control over something. “Ryan,” I said gently, “I understand your desire to start making decisions right away, but this isn’t the way to pick a wedding planner. If you’re interested in hiring me, come to my studio at your earliest convenience and we’ll talk.” As I spoke, I fished a business card from my clutch and gave it to him.

Frowning, Ryan tucked the card into his pocket. “Monday morning?”

“That works fine for me.”

“Avery,” Ella said, “may I have a card too? I need your help.”

Jack gave her a quizzical glance. “We’re already married.”

“Not for that, it’s for Haven’s baby shower.” Ella took the card I gave her and gave me an imploring look. “How good are you at salvaging a disaster in the making? I had to arrange a baby shower for my sister-in-law Haven, because our other sister-in-law is swamped with a salon opening – she’s starting her own business – and I’m a terrible procrastinator, so I put it off for way too long. And Haven just told me that she’d rather not have a traditional girly shower, she’d rather it be appropriate for families. The whole thing is only half-planned, and it’s a mess.”

“When is it?” I asked.

“Next weekend,” Ella said sheepishly.

“I’ll do the best I can. I can’t promise miracles, but —”

“Thank you, what a relief! Anything you can do will be great. If you want to —”

“Wait a minute,” Ryan interrupted. “Why does Ella get an instant ‘yes’ and I don’t?”

“She needs the help more,” Joe said, perfectly deadpan. “Have you been to one of Ella’s parties?”

Ella gave him a warning glance, although her eyes sparkled with laughter. “Careful, you.”

Joe grinned at her before turning his attention to Ryan. “Let’s catch a game on Sunday,” he said.

“Sounds good.” Ryan paused before asking with a subtle smile, “Does Jack have to come along this time?”

“You’d better hope I do,” Jack said. “I’m the only one who ever pays for the damn beer.”

Joe took my elbow. “We’ll see y’all in a bit,” he said easily. “I want Avery’s opinion on some paintings I might bid on.”

Ella winked at me as Joe drew me away.

“Do you think your cousin is really going to go through with it?” I asked Joe in a low tone. “If he takes some time to think it through —”

“Rye won’t change his mind,” Joe said. “His dad died when he was ten. Trust me, he’d never let a kid of his grow up fatherless.”

We stepped into the elevator. “But it doesn’t sound as if he’s considered all his options.”

“There are no options. If I were in his place, I’d do the same thing.”

“You’d propose to a woman you’d accidentally gotten pregnant, even if you didn’t love her?”

“Of course I would. Why do you look surprised?”

“It’s just… an old-fashioned notion, that’s all.”

“It’s the right thing to do.”

“I don’t necessarily agree. The chances of divorce are very high when a marriage starts out that way.”

“In my family, if you get a woman pregnant, you take responsibility.”

“What about what Bethany wants?”

“She wants to marry a man with money. And she’s not too particular about who it is, as long as he can afford her.”