The Wedding Snafu: Springwood, #4

By Aliyah Burke

***This was originally published in Lucy Kevin's Four Weddings Kindleworld. All her elements have been removed.***

Donal O'Keefe is aware that although he's the best man at his friend's wedding, in truth this is more of a dry run for his wedding, if the mother of the bride has anything to say about it. He's the CFO for a gaming company and has little time to think of marriage, much less to a woman he barely dates. A call from another groomsman has him waiting for the little sister of the man who will be running late. She's filling in for her brother until he arrives.
Mindy Watkins isn't quite sure how she got into this situation. A trip to visit her brother has turned into a snafu. Now she has to hang out with the groomsmen until he arrives. What she doesn't count on is falling for the best man. Determined not to ruin anything she fights the attraction best she can. However, weddings are magical times and although it may not seem like it at the time, things happen for a reason.
With his spiteful ex-girlfriend, snobbish parents, and her overprotective older brother, will these two ever be able to find their own happily ever after?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sensual Romance Publishing
• Release date: Jun 11, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393308522

Aliyah Burke

USA Today bestselling author Aliyah Burke is an avid reader and is never far from pen and paper (or the computer). She is happily married to a career military man. They are owned by six Borzoi. She spends her days at the day job, writing, and working with her dogs.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Donal O’Keefe tugged on the sleeve of his suit coat as he waited for two of his fellow groomsmen to step from the idling town car. As they stumbled out, he gazed around April’s, technically called April’s Promises, the venue was incredible with its beautiful hanging gardens year-round. Stunning facility—he could easily understand why the location was so requested and sought after. And, he’d not even been inside, yet. It wasn’t huge, but there was a definite elegance many places didn’t have, anymore. This was an elegance that, for most things, had faded into the past. Hard to tell you were in the middle of San Diego.

Tim Kane and Roland Driver joined him. Tim whistled. This place is incredible. It was definitely not Todd’s idea to get married here. He doesn’t have the sense. You know Tiffany is going to want this place for you two.

Donal’s skin bristled. We’re not engaged. And, I believe it was Todd’s mother who picked it out.

Your mother-to-be, Roland teased.

Tiffany’s mother. He strode for the door.

Your future mother-in-law, Roland stated again.

Was it bad manners to kill one of the groomsmen? Probably. Donal waited for them to come along and thought about it. Todd Larkin, the groom and one of their best friends, was Tiffany’s brother. Donal and Tiffany dated. She was under the impression it was something more, but he was too focused on business to be more than that. However, his friends were right. She would be thinking more for her own wedding after being here.

Sure, he remarked dismissively. He ran over the files he’d left in his office needing his attention. Come on. I have an appointment to keep then I have to get back to the office.

Why are we here instead of Todd? Or Tiffany? I mean, one of us, maybe, but all three?

He shot Tim a frustrated look. "Tiffany is in Paris for the final fitting of her bridesmaid dress. Her mother couldn’t make it, and Todd is at a meeting with his father. As for the other, we were at lunch when the call came in."

His friends grunted, and he ignored it. They all knew the reason he was being pulled into this. Todd’s father owned a huge software company, and with them being the founders and owners of DKO Gaming, they were assuming a marriage and a merger were in the immediate future.

Is Tiffany going to be around for any of the week-long festivities?

Course she will; her mother won’t allow her to miss any press ops, Roland. You know that.

So, both women are in Paris. The groom is absent. Anyone seen the bride? Tim asked with laughter in his voice.

A woman made her way toward them over the reception area, her blonde hair coiffed perfectly, and her dress seemed to fit her perfectly in both style and coloring. Donal discreetly checked his watch. Hopefully, this would be wrapped up in no time, for it was money wasted while not in his office.

Mr. O’Keefe, I’m April, owner of April’s Promises. We just have a few final things to go over before the actual ceremony. She glanced at the other two men briefly. "I realize you’re just stepping in for the bride and groom today.

Nice to meet you, ma’am. Thank you for making time. These are two more of the groomsmen. Tim Kane and Roland Driver.

Lovely to meet both of you. Shall we, Mr. O’Keefe?

After you. He gave them a look and trailed the woman to her office.

Three hours later, he climbed in the back of the town car with the other two.

How was it? Roland asked.

I learned more about this wedding in the three hours there than I did the eighteen months they’ve been planning it. I don’t care about cake type, flowers, or if it’s lace or organza. Pretty sure Todd doesn’t, but I guess this is best man duties. Still think they should’ve sent the maid of honor. Porscha would have known.

We’re the men; we’re not supposed to know that.

Donal shook his head at Tim’s comment as the car began moving. No wonder they get coined bridezillas. It’s insane. Not that I see Bianca acting in such a way, but Tiffany? Absolutely.

This is sobering. Roland gave an impromptu shiver. When does Kurt arrive? Don’t the planned festivities begin tonight?

He groaned. Tiffany’s mom loved attention and being society’s darling. With this union, she was pushing the family’s exposure, and he could only imagine what it would be like for his and Tiffany’s wedding. Why did that pop into my head? I’m not marrying her.

Stop thinking about your wedding you’re pretending isn’t going to happen. You know they want the merger between the two companies, and it’s just that it’s going to come with a ball and chain for you.

No need to sound so smug about that, Tim, he growled. As for Kurt, he’s on his way. Asked if he could bring Mindy since she was visiting him.

Why would he ask to bring a date? Don’t we all get a plus one? Tim asked.

It’s not his date, Tim. Mindy is his sister.

So, the gay guy brings a chick? Todd’s parents’ idea to not raise an issue in the wedding photos?

Kurt’s not gay. And, I dare you to call him that to his face. He rolled his eyes trying to avoid the desire to punch Tim. We’ve been friends since I was the skinny nerd boy and he the token black kid at school. He liked me before we made millions, and Todd has met him many times when he would visit over the years. They are good friends, too. He’s not changed with our success.

So, why didn’t you invite Mindy if you’re so close? Roland fixed himself a drink.

I’m not close to her; she was eight years younger. Barely remember her aside from him leaving college when their parents died. He left to raise her.

Donal accepted a bottle of water from Roland and tried to remember Kurt’s sister. He drew a blank.

Guess he wanted to make sure it was okay.

Does he like to party? Tim, again.

Does she? Roland waggled his brows.

Didn’t I just get done saying I don’t remember her? Donal pointed at them. I know you’ve not met them but…

Thankfully, they both nodded their understanding.

Remind me again what’s happening this week? Roland requested.

Cracking the lid, Donal sighed. The itinerary is on my phone. Right now, all I know is it begins in less than two hours.

"What about the test we have for Myst of Death 3?" Tim sat forward.

Exactly why I wasn’t pleased about being ordered to this. He drank. Donal stared at his friends. "Look, we all know why they sent me. But, we also know Tiffany and I are dating. Occasionally sleeping together, but it’s not serious. I’m serious about this merger, but I really can’t promise I’ll go through on the stipulation of having to marry Tiffany. I don’t see her as wife material. I don’t see her as my wife material. To be fair, I don’t have any woman in that category."

He leaned back and stretched out his legs. "My dad told me to think of it as a business transaction as if I were marrying in Vegas. I tried, but I can’t. I don’t have time for a wife, now. We’re all just getting this rolling, we’ve made money and, god willing, will continue to do