Free Billionaire's Second Chance (sam, bella and Kate Book 2) by Marie Kelly Page B

wedding planning business and most of her time was filled with making the correct contacts and setting up deals with bridal stores and caterers to ensure they recommended her services.  Bella however, was very choosy about who she worked with, so her base of contacts was narrow, resulting in less business.  While she knew that once she managed some bigger weddings the work would pour in, at that moment in time she was not exactly rushed off her feet.  With a wry smile she again found herself mulling over the words of her ex-employer, that she would always be welcome back with them, sighing softly that she would even be contemplating it.
    Picking up the ringing phone she gave a cheery greeting.  “Bella?”  The voice on the other end, male with a slight tinge of an accent , seemed familiar, Bella trying to place it as she confirmed it was she.  “It is Dante Durant”,  the voice stated, Bella gasping with surprise.
    “Dante... Oh, it is wonderful to hear from you.”  Her mind grasped for any reason why he should be calling her, panicking thinking that there was something wrong with Philippe.
    “Have you spoken with Samantha?”
    With a more cautious tone to her voice she responded nervously, “Not recently Dante and I really can’t talk…”  His soft laugh stopped her as she paused nervously, not knowing what to say.  It had only been four months earlier that Kate had married.  Bella still remembered Samantha’s reaction to once more seeing Dante there, the intensity of her hatred for him shocking to her.  In all her life Samantha had been the one calming influence within their small group, never having a bad word to say about anybody, but her refusal to even be near him worried Bella.
    “Bella, Samantha and I are getting married .”  The shocking statement caused her mouth to drop open with disbelief, her hand clenching the phone tightly.  “Are you there?”  His concerned voice brought her around as the happy laugh bubbled up within her.
    “Oh my God Dante.   I am so happy for you.  I... I don’t know what to say.”
    His voice seemed full of relief and warmth, “Thank you Bella .”
    Still laughing, she congratulated him again, struggling to speak, “When ? How?  I mean at Kate’s wedding...”
    His soft throaty laugh halted the tirade of questions tumbling from her mouth, his voice gentle, “I guess that seeing each other again... It opened up all the old feelings”, another chuckle leaving him, “Not all good... But deep down we both knew then that we were meant to be together... Older and wiser.”
    With a gasp she realised that it was Dante not Samantha talking to her, her eyebrows knitted together cautiously, “Why have I not heard from Sam?”, surprise on her voice, as he gave a low laugh.
    “Well , she only just accepted last night, and we plan on being married within three weeks.”
    Bella gasped. “Three weeks!”, the shock in her voice clear.
    Dante continued, “I think Samantha is still a little shell-shocked.   We are planning on ring shopping today, but I wanted to do something that I know will mean everything to her.  I want you to be the wedding planner.”
    Shock slammed into Bella . “M...me?”, she stammered as he described the wedding he had in mind, her eyes growing wider and wider.  “You want a New York society wedding... In less than three weeks!”, her voice incredulous as he laughed.
    “Well , if it helps, the venue is booked.  It has been since the moment I saw her again at Kate’s wedding”, a softer tone coming to his voice, “I knew then she was the only woman for me.”
    Bella felt tears rise to her eyes, the “aww” escaping her lips before she could stop it, reaching down to her desk for a handkerchief from the box she knew to be there.  As he outlined the budget for the wedding, even Bella – used to expensive weddings – gave a low whistle.  When he specified her fee she tried to say no, that she would do it for nothing, Dante