Magnolia Bride. Tara Randel

know planning two parties is unusual and it has taken its toll, but I want to thank you with all my heart, Juliet.”

      He took her hand in his, glanced over his shoulder and nodded. On cue, music blared from the speakers and two dozen strangers ran onto the dance floor, grooving to a popular dance song Nealy recognized from online wedding videos. Chaos ensued around the bride and groom as the dancers made multiple circuits to keep the crazy number going.

      Nealy took in the entire spectacle, stunned. A flash mob? Right in the middle of her sister’s lovely party? Someone bumped into her and knocked her back to her senses. No, this was not happening. Not on her watch. All the hours of discussing and...

      Oh, no! Juliet. Where was her sister?

      Between the shaking bodies and thumping beat, Nealy sought her out. Through the frenzied crowd, she spotted Brandon trying to drag Juliet into the mob with him. Juliet fought him, her face stricken. The hours spent carefully planning this gathering had turned into a frat party. Music continued full blast while the dancers tried to encourage guests to get up and join them, including her grandmother, who danced right into the crowd with a big smile on her face, her hands up in the air swaying to the beat.

      The elder Masons stood off to the side, disapproving expressions on their faces. This was more of a disaster than Nealy first feared.

      Once the shock abated, Nealy stepped into the throng to aid her sister. A guy grabbed her arm and motioned for her to dance. She shook her head, but the guy didn’t release her, pulling her into the frenzy. When she tried to step away again, he squeezed her arm to keep her with him. To her great relief, Dane cut in, glaring at Nealy’s dance partner. The guy took the hint, releasing her arm, and moved on. Dane leaned close, lowering his mouth to her ear.

      “You okay?” he yelled over the blaring music.

      “Yes.” She scanned the area. “Where’s Juliet?”

      “I don’t know.”

      “How could this happen?”

      “I’d take a wild guess and say Brandon made prior arrangements.” Dane slipped his hand into hers and she followed as he led her out of the chaos. The jolt of pleasure at holding Dane’s hand went beyond being grateful for his rescue. She held on as he maneuvered toward the sidelines. He was only being protective, right? So why did the connection feel so good? As soon as they cleared the crowd, Dane tugged her closer and, much to her surprise, she let him. He spoke to the man tending to the music and after a few terse words, the rowdy song abruptly ended with as much shock value as when it started.

      He turned to her. “This is a disaster.”

      She couldn’t argue. Juliet’s party had been reduced to a manic free-for-all.

      He tightened his grip on her hand and a memory flashed of the day they’d gone to the courthouse to get married. He’d held her hand just as tightly then. The promise of a future together had made her giddy and she stuttered when it came time to say “I do.”

      Standing next to Dane now, so close that she could feel his heat, made her heart race. She couldn’t let Dane get to her. They’d had their moment and blew it. She would not let these jumbled feelings for him ruin years of healing the wound he’d inflicted on her heart.

      She removed her hand from his. “Let’s find my sister,” she told him. They were no longer in the crowd; she didn’t need his protection. Or the disturbingly warm, reassuring sensation of Dane’s hand pressed to hers.

      He looked worried and dropped his hand to his side. “I’ve got to do damage control. Now,” he said.

      She cringed. With one last fleeting look at Dane, she hurried inside. Sure enough, she found Juliet, surrounded by their family as they assured her they knew nothing about the flash mob. Nealy put an arm around her sister’s shoulders as she wiped her wet eyes.

      “What was that all about?”

      Juliet’s voice hitched as she looked at Nealy. “I don’t know. Brandon loves to make every occasion memorable, but this? He knew I wanted tonight to be low-key.”

      “This is unacceptable,” their mother announced.

      Brandon rushed toward them. “Juliet, I’ve been looking all over for you.” He stood before her. “We were... Are you crying? You’re upset?”

      He only noticed now? Nealy wanted to strangle him.

      “What’s wrong?” he asked.

      “How can you ask me after that, after that mess you created out there?”

      Brandon shrugged. “I wanted to surprise you. Kick it up a little tonight. I can’t do it tomorrow night with my parents’ guests here.”

      Juliet’s mouth flapped open.

      “What?” Brandon asked.

      Juliet’s face turned red. “So it’s okay to embarrass my family?”

      “No, sweetie. We were having fun.”

      Juliet’s eyes went wide. She reached for Nealy, and grabbed hold of her arm, manicured nails pressing into Nealy’s flesh.

      “Brandon,” Nealy said. “Why don’t you go tell everyone we’ll be right out.”

      “Sure.” Uncertain, as if noticing the tension in the room for the first time, he kissed his fiancée on the cheek and hurried off.

      Juliet sniffed. “I can’t believe he would do this tonight.”

      “Apparently he wanted to have fun,” Nealy repeated.

      “I can be fun. Hmm, maybe not like that kind of fun.”

      Nealy understood. She’d dealt with enough self-indulgent clients to recognize somebody who wanted things their own way and would have them, even though they’d been told no. What she really didn’t like was the resulting pain she’d glimpsed in her sister’s eyes when she reached the same conclusion.

      “Let’s get back to the party,” Nealy suggested, expertly herding everyone into the banquet room. “Let’s hope Brandon doesn’t have any more surprises for us.”

      Juliet’s eyes went dark. “He’d better not.”

      At her sister’s furious expression, Nealy’s concern eased.

      After Brandon’s impromptu flash mob, the remainder of the evening continued without a hitch. Once the party wound down, Nealy located her grandmother to drive her home. Before they could leave, Dane cornered her.

      He ran a hand through his short hair. “I’m sorry this happened. I spoke to the DJ. He was sworn to secrecy and only carried out his client’s wishes.”

      Dorinda reached up to pat Dane’s shoulder. “It’s over, Dane. Don’t dwell on it.”

      His gaze tangled with Nealy’s. “I don’t run a slipshod hotel.”

      Nealy blinked, surprised at his vehemence. “I’m sure you don’t.”

      “I didn’t think there’d be any problems this evening,” Dane said in a distracted tone.

      “Welcome to the world of event planning. No matter how much preparation, there’s always the possibility that something will go wrong. The secret is taking care of the incident as efficiently as possible and moving on. By tomorrow, Juliet will be worried about the next party.”

      He watched her, his expression wary. “You don’t believe that, do you?”

      She snorted. “No, I don’t. Does Brandon even know my sister?”

      A brief flash of uneasiness passed over Dane’s face.

      “Never mind. Let’s hope there are no other surprises tomorrow.”

      His eyes narrowed. “The next party will run like clockwork.”

      “I’m