Emily was rushing. She was trying to put in her earrings and put on her shoes at the same time. It definitely was not working. She lost her balance and fell against the wall, banging her funny bone in the process on the corner.

"Ow, ow, ow," she hissed, hopping around. Her fingers were still working on the earring. When she got it in, she surveyed the damage to her elbow. No visible bruise, so that was good. There was nothing like showing up for a wedding and looking like you'd been in a fight. People start asking questions.

She answered her phone while stuffing extra tissues into her purse. People always needed them and never had them at a wedding. Emily never understood what there was to cry about. A wedding was a happy event, for the most part. She would know all about the bad parts of it.

"Yes?" she said, tucking her phone into the crook of her neck as she slipped her shoes on safely.

"Where are you?" Nigel asked.

"I'm coming," she answered. "I had a bit of a makeup disaster happen."

"The bride has jitters," Nigel went on. "She's already called me three times this morning." Emily groaned inwardly. She disliked jittery brides. It meant spending an hour talking them down from a hypothetical tree/ledge to get them sorted and down the aisle and off into the sunset for their happy-ever-after.

"You want me to handle it," she said, knowing that's what he was getting at.

"Thanks so much," Nigel said back, hanging up on her. She stuffed her phone into her purse next. Then she was out the door and hailing a cab. She almost wished she had taken up on Jane's offer to do this wedding, but she had spent too long organizing it to not see how it went down. She would happily hand over Bella's file, though, in a heartbeat. No one seemed to want it.

She rested her head on the headrest of the backseat. There was something about a wedding that caused something inside of her to flare up, and she didn't know how to describe it or what to even call it. Images went through her mind, and before she started to cry, she forced herself to think of something else.

How bad was Lee going to screw up tonight? That was worrying her a lot. Would he say something offensive to a guest? Would he mess up a drink? Would he be a rude smartass? All sorts of scenarios went through her mind now. She was trying to come up with solutions for each one in case they actually did happen so she would know what to do. The last thing she wanted was bad press about a grumpy bartender.

They hit traffic, which made her panic slightly and look at her watch. She tapped her fingers on her leg. She had to be there in twenty minutes. She hated that she had cut it so close, but she really did have issues with her make up.

"Sorry, love," the cab driver said, looking back at her in the mirror. "Looks like it's going to be a bit."

"I think I'd be faster to walk then," she said, handing him cash. "Thanks anyway."

"Good luck."

She got out and started hurrying down the sidewalk. She was about five blocks away. She could do this.

...

Jane was surprised to see Andrea coming into the office on a Saturday afternoon. Then again, she was there herself. It was refreshing having a team member who did overtime like she did. Nigel and Emily seemed to do a lot of overtime too. Jane just knew she'd fit right in here.

"Oh, hey!" Andrea said, waving at her. "I didn't think you'd be here." She came into Jane's office and sat in the chair on the other side of the desk.

"Kevin's working, so I thought I would too."

"What's it like being married to the guy who writes amazing pieces on love and weddings?" Andy asked, leaning her chin on her left hand. Her elbow was resting on the desk. Jane smiled.

"I didn't like him when I first met him," she offered.

"Really?!"

"Well, he didn't tell me he was Malcolm Doyle until later, and he published an article about me without my knowledge."

"The 27 dresses. Yes. It really was a good piece, but I did feel bad for you," Andy said with a wince.

"I was in love with my boss, but I discovered we weren't right for each other, and I realized I loved Kevin. I found him on a yacht for a job, and I told him how I felt. It kind of went from there."

"That's so romantic," Andy sighed happily.

"What about you? Any prospects on the horizon?" Jane asked.

"No, not really. I miss Nate, but it got hard doing the long distance, and I didn't want to drag things out when I wasn't ready to leave the city and join him where he was."

"I'm sorry."

"Me too."

They were quiet for a moment, and then Andy tapped her fingers on Jane's desk once, twice.

"What do you think about Lee Hendricks?" she asked. Jane raised a brow.

"What do you mean?"

"Well...I've noticed the way he looks at Emily. Do you think he likes her?"

"He shouldn't. He's marrying someone else."

"I know, but I don't think he's happy."

"How do you know?"

"It's in his eyes. There's a sadness to them...a pain. I can't explain it, but it's there," Andy finished.

"Hmmm," Jane said, tapping her pen against her lips. "I should pay more attention." Her phone dinged, and she lifted to see that it was a client, a rather panicked sounding client at that.

"I should get this," she said.

"Okay. Coffee later?"

"Sounds great."

Jane went back to replying to her client as Andy got up and left. She pondered on the whole Lee/Emily situation after that for a moment. If Andy was picking up on it, was Emily?

It made her feel very curious.

...

Lee stood next to Nigel as Emily huffed and puffed towards them. Her face was red too.

"What happened?" Nigel asked.

"Traffic," she answered, wheezing. "So I walked."

"In those?!" Nigel exclaimed, looking at her heels.

"I know," Emily said, wincing. "But I couldn't bloody well go barefoot could I? It's freezing out." She didn't complain that her feet were killing her, though. She ran her fingers through her hair, missing a piece on her cheek. Lee resisted reaching to fix it for her. Nigel did it instead.

"Everything seems to be in order. We just have the jitters down the hall there," he said, guiding Emily by the elbow towards the room where the bride was sitting. Lee was unsure of what to do, so he stayed put. Nigel had told him to look out for Al, who would get him situated at the bar. After a moment, he decided to go outside and wait. He wandered around the gardens until he came across a woman sitting alone and looking at the pond.

"Oh," Lee said. "Sorry. I won't disturb you."

"It's okay," she answered. "Actually, I kind of need a male perspective, if you don't mind?"

"Um, sure," he agreed. "For what?"

"Do you believe in marriage?" she asked.

"Kind of," he chuckled. "I'm having one in the spring."

"Would you say you'd make every effort to keep things good between you and her?" the woman asked. "Or him?"

"Her. And yes," Lee answered.

"Do you guys fake listen when we talk?"

"Depends what the topic is," he answered honestly. "Just tell us to pay attention, and we will."

"You make it sound so easy," she said with a laugh.

"Well, we are pretty simple most of the time." He smiled.

"Do you worry about losing the spark? Losing your friendship? Losing that thing that attracted you to each other in the first place?"

"These are some deep questions," Lee joked, but inside he felt slightly rattled. These were questions he asked himself all the time. How was he supposed to answer them for her? He sat down next to her now and thought for a moment, rubbing his hands together as if that could buy him some time. Then he spoke freely. "I think we're going to grow and change as time goes on, but I think that original bond that started it all will always be there. Don't forget you're growing together not separately."

"That's true," she agreed, nodding. "What if you wake up one day and don't love her anymore?"

"What if I don't?" he countered.

"You're sneaky," she said with a small laugh. "Come on, answer the question."

"Then I think I would figure out why and see if I could get it back," he reasoned. "I'd be honest and talk it out. I wouldn't just up and leave. If it's able to be salvaged, I'd want to try."

"You're a good guy," she said after a moment, looking at him. "I think you just restored my faith in men a little, so thanks."

"No problem."

She got up and started to head for the building. Nigel greeted her at the door, looking immensely relieved, and she was nodding and smiling and went in with him. Emily spied Lee, and a look of panic went over her face.

"Lee!" she exclaimed, rushing to him as he walked over. "What did you say to her?!"

"To who?"

"The bride!"

"That was the bride?" he said, surprised.

"Yes!"

"Oh. I didn't know."

"What did you say to her?" Emily asked again.

"I just answered her questions honestly," he replied. "She seemed happy with what I said."

"We're all good here," Nigel said, interrupting. "She's good to go." He gave Emily a pat on the shoulder and left again. Lee felt her staring at him, and he resisted smirking. So he'd saved the wedding. Who knew?

"Don't gloat," Emily warned, pointing a finger at him.

"What? Are you mad that I managed to convince her to go through with the wedding?" Lee asked, incredulous.

"No. I'm annoyed that you're acting so smug about it."

He resisted sticking his tongue out at her. He looked at her with her hands on her hips and her eyes flashing. He found himself enjoying her sassiness. She was so easy to irritate that he couldn't help himself but to rile her up.

"There you are!" Al exclaimed, finding them. "Come on, Lee, we gotta get working now before we have a mutiny on our hands."

"All right," Lee said, following Al back inside. He looked over his shoulder at Emily, who was still watching him. If he didn't know any better, he'd say her face went red before she looked away.

...

Vivian Brooks looked stunning as she walked down the aisle. Emily released the air she had been holding and looked over at Nigel, who was smiling proudly.

"They're like our little chicks," he murmured to her. "They fly from the nest so soon."

"You're so weird," Emily teased, twisting her face into a sort of smile as she gave him a nudge. She caught sight of Lee standing by the back door watching. He was standing with his hands folded behind his back. She noticed something on his face, but she couldn't describe it. Then, he looked right at her, and she felt her stomach flop as he held her gaze. Neither of them were looking away until Nigel leaned into her and whispered that he was going to wrangle the flask off of the brother-in-law because he was starting to get too rowdy. Emily barely heard him, but when she looked back at Lee, he was gone.

She felt confused inside. Why was he looking at her like that when he was getting married? Or was she misreading it completely? It just felt...intimate. She didn't like it, and yet she liked it a little. What the hell was wrong with her?

She watched the rest of the ceremony. Nigel yanked the flask out of the brother-in-law's hand and scurried away with it. The man had the sense not to make a scene in the middle of the ceremony, but Emily knew Nigel was going to hear about it later. When it was over, the bride and groom walked past them and out to the reception area. Everyone else started to trickle out after. Nigel simply held out the flask as the brother-in-law walked by. He took it without even looking at Nigel. Hopefully, it meant he wouldn't complain later since he got it back.

"Well," Nigel said when they were alone. "Another job well done."

"We're not finished yet," Emily warned. There were still things that could go wrong at the reception.

"I know, but they're in newlywed bliss right now. They won't care if something gets messed up now," Nigel laughed.

"I'll care."

"Oh, so serious, Em! Come on, let's go supervise the photoshoot." He looped an arm around her neck and pulled her away with him. She started to laugh at his silliness, and she soon forgot all about Lee Hendricks.

...

People watching was one of Lee's favorite things to do. He got a front row seat as a bartender, and it was hard not to laugh at some people. He figured some had come already buzzed and were getting plastered. There were the ones who nursed a drink all night long. Then there were ones who thought the bartender was their own personal therapist.

Olive was one such person.

She identified herself as the aunt of the bride, and she went on and on about Vivian and how she practically raised her. It made Lee feel bad for the mother of the bride, who he noticed had a close bond with her daughter just from watching them interact. He assumed Olive was jealous of this relationship and had to make it about her. Then after she was done bragging about her upbringing skills, she shared stories about people that Lee had no desire to know about. He tried to look busy, but she didn't care. She kept talking even when someone else came to put in a drink order. Lee was growing exasperated when Nigel finally caught on and came to escort Olive to where the bouquet was going to be tossed. Finally getting a moment to breathe, Lee rested his forearms on the countertop and surveyed the crowd. He caught sight of Emily sitting alone at a table, and he noticed the sadness in her face. He wondered who had hurt her in the past.

He felt his phone vibrate and pulled it out to look at it.

How's it going? Lacy asked.

Good. Full house.

That's great. I'll see you soon. Hoping to be home by ten.

Lee sighed as he hovered over the keys, unsure of how to respond. In the end, he played it safe.

Okay.

I love you.

Love you too.

He snapped his phone shut and put it away as a fresh batch of guests came for a new drink. He did his best not to stress about Lacy's late work hours. He was confident she wouldn't cheat on him again. They'd worked through that, and he was honest with her now about his old job. He wasn't going to be going away for months at a time anymore since he'd quit. There should be no reason for her to wander.

Still.

He couldn't stop thinking about it. What boss worked their assistant this hard? Surely she wasn't off screwing some mail boy somewhere? He forced himself to smile at people and not grit his teeth. He didn't want to have to check up on her. He wanted to trust her. It shouldn't be this hard to trust someone. He looked at Emily again. She seemed like someone who would be faithful. He could just tell.

"Doing great, Lee," Nigel said, pulling his attention back. He flashed Lee a smile.

"Thanks," Lee replied, smiling back. He moved quickly and got the guests on their way. He was almost sad thinking this night was going to end soon. He wasn't looking forward to being alone again in that apartment.

...

Emily approached the bar for some water. She did not drink on the job, even though many people handed her a drink all night long. She simply passed them on or dumped them out.

"Hey," she said to Lee. He was down to his white dress shirt. The top button was undone, and his sleeves were rolled up. He looked incredibly handsome. She noticed the tattoo of the raven sitting on a skull on the inside of his right arm. She resisted telling him to cover it up. At this point, no one was sober enough to notice or care.

"More water?" he asked, pulling up a bottle. She nodded, and he handed it to her.

"Thanks," she said, taking a long swig. It felt so good going down her throat. She nodded her head at the word on his arm above the raven's head. "Expendable?"

"Yup," he answered.

"Do I want to know why?"

"Only if you care."

Emily made a "pfft" noise with her lips. She didn't care. Not really. She sipped her water more, trying not to ask about it.

"You wanna tell me why you looked like you were reliving something after almost getting hit by the car the other day?" he asked casually.

"Only if you care," she said, echoing him.

"I do."

This surprised her. She swallowed her next sip of water and lowered the bottle. Really, what would it hurt to tell him? It was no big deal.

"Alright," she said. "A few years ago, I wasn't paying attention when I crossed the road as I was on my phone dealing with work, and I got hit by a cab. I broke my leg and had a cast for a while. No big deal."

"No big deal?" he repeated. "Seems like a little bit of a deal to me."

"It was just another reason to leave Runway," Emily said with a shrug. "I came back on crutches, and Miranda didn't even notice or care, not that I expected her to. She had other things to focus on, but after I left, I realized how insensitive it was that she didn't care a little." In fact, Miranda had been pissed off that Emily wasn't fast enough, and she hadn't even held the elevator for her one time, making her wait on her crutches for another to come.

"Lacy's not gonna get hit by a car, is she?" Lee asked, sounding worried.

"Not if she looks both ways before crossing."

He didn't say anything else, and Emily continued to watch everyone laughing and having a good time. She wished she could feel happy inside about it, but she wasn't. Too many things were coming up for her that blocked the happiness. She downed more water, trying to focus on something else.

"Success?" he questioned after a moment, watching the people too.

"Mm, yes," she answered, wiping at her mouth and screwing the cap back on the bottle. "Very. I have to say, I was expecting a few crises in this one."

"Wouldn't be a wedding without at least one, right?"

"Right," she agreed. "You did well."

"Thanks for noticing," he said, smiling. Nigel came with a wad of cash in his hands and handed it to Lee.

"You earned it," Nigel commented.

"Oh, no. It's okay. Really," Lee added.

"A hard working man gets paid," Nigel insisted. He wasn't letting up, so Lee reluctantly took the cash and pocketed it. The clean up crew was starting at this point. Emily was getting ready to go assist, but she hovered, waiting to see what Lee was up to next. She didn't know why she cared.

"Do you need help?" Lee asked, gesturing to the others cleaning up.

"No, no. That's what they're paid for. You're free to go," Nigel answered. "Perhaps we'll use your services again."

"That'd be good," Lee agreed. "Thank you. Beats sitting at home staring at the wall."

Nigel smiled and went to start picking up chairs. Emily gave Lee a tight smile.

"Have a good night," she said.

"Oh, I'm not leaving," he insisted.

"Why not?"

"Because I don't sit around while people are still working," Lee replied, going to grab a chair too. Nigel lifted a brow but didn't argue. Emily knew he was grateful for the extra help too but just wouldn't admit it. She worked by Lee's side until everything was tidied up. It was past eleven now.

"And that's that," Nigel said, dusting off his hands. "Go home, everybody." He saluted them both, and Emily laughed and waved. Lee nodded his head. She turned to look at him after a moment.

"I'll see you soon I imagine," she commented.

"Yea."

"Drive safe," she told him.

"I will."

She turned to leave when he stopped her.

"Hey, Em."

"Yes?" She felt that damn flutter again. She wanted to turn it off.

"This really was a special day thanks to you two," he said. "I know I'm in good hands." He gave her that crooked smile, and she suddenly wished she was anywhere but standing there right in front of him.

"Of course you are," she said in the end. "Good night, Lee."

"Good night, Em."

It took her off guard, him calling her that not once but twice. It wasn't done offhand. It was intentional. She swallowed as he slung his jacket over his shoulder and started to walk away. It had sounded so good coming from his lips. She blinked and shook her head. Never fall for the groom. Never, ever, fall for the damn groom.

But she thought about how he had looked at her, and she wondered if he knew that you never, ever fell for the wedding planner. She gave her head a shake. It was all in her imagination. He was just being nice.

She'd be professional. She could do that. It wasn't hard. If things got more...intense, then she'd give his file to someone else. No problems.

...

Lee got home to find Lacy still not there. He sighed impatiently. It was almost eleven thirty. Where the hell was she?! His red flags and suspicions were jumping up all over the place. How could she do this to him again?

"Hi!" Lacy said, blowing in through the door just then. "Oh my God, you'll never believe the day I had!"

"Why are you working so late, Lace?" he asked, not even waiting to hear about her day. His anger was at the boiling point now. There was no holding back. Lacy deflated slightly as she looked at him.

"Why are you so angry?" she countered, growing defensive.

"It's eleven freaking thirty! What kind of job keeps you out this late at night?!"

"One that is going to help me advance," Lacy answered a little coldly. "For your information, I was helping to put together things for a show. That never happens this quickly in the job, and Miranda trusted me enough to do it. Thanks for your support, Lee." She stalked off to the bathroom and slammed the door. Lee sighed and rubbed a hand over his face. Now they were fighting. Perfect.

Before he could stop himself, he thought about what Emily would be doing right now. Did she live alone? Did she have a boyfriend? He didn't think she did. There was just something about her that said that to him. He didn't think he'd ever find out, but then again, he'd been surprised by people before. He gave himself a mental shake. He shouldn't be thinking about her. He was marrying Lacy. Thinking about her was a distraction, he knew that, but it wasn't fair to Lacy. They were going to get through this and be okay. He had to have faith. He looked at the closed bathroom door and sighed again.

He settled in for a long night of stony silence.