Free One-Off by Lynn Galli Page A

don’t want to go through with it?”
    “The way they’re fighting, I honestly don’t know.”
    I shook my head and sighed. This wasn’t their first field reporting trip together, but it was certainly the most stressful. That it kept them from planning the finer details of their own wedding probably wasn’t helping. “Let me talk to them, please.”
    He left the screen and came back a minute later with Dallas first. Her face lit up when she saw me. That was one thing about Dallas. There was no confusing how much she cared when she liked someone.
    “Hi, bestie,” she crooned at the webcam. “I’m so happy to see your pretty freckled face.”
    “How’re you, Dallas?”
    “It’s hard. We’re doing what we need to do, but it’s still really hard. Colin’s beyond stressed, and he’s being a butt about it.”
    “Van said you guys aren’t really clicking. Is everything okay? Do you still want to go through with it?”
    “With what?” Her face showed her confusion. “The project? Yes. It’s going to be amazing, Skye.”
    “No.” I hesitated but decided I had to ask about the wedding. “What we’re planning for you.”
    “Oh, God, yes, yes, it’s just a thing we’re having right now. It’s tough right now. He’s not in control, and I can’t be part of the planning with you, but we need to keep the date.”
    I sat back and breathed out. I wasn’t sure which answer I wanted her to give me. It would be easier if we didn’t have to keep planning this wedding, but it would be a rash decision. Almost as rash as their plan to get married after dating two months and the decision to wed only a month after getting engaged.
    “How’s it going? Did you get everything on Gary’s list?”
    “So far, yes. The first caterer was a disaster and the florist didn’t have what you needed.”
    Her eyes rounded. “What?”
    “Don’t worry. We’re using Morgan for flowers and the second caterer. Did you see the menu we sent over?”
    “Yeah, it sounds good. I didn’t recognize some of the dishes, but Colin says they’re Scottish favorites.”
    “I think it’s good to have a little of both, don’t you?”
    “I guess. Right now I’m not sure the big butt deserves it, but it’s just food.”
    I chuckled. “Very big of you.”
    “Are you sure Morgan can handle that many flowers?”
    “She’s getting her mom to take over the store for a couple days so she can concentrate on your order. You know how good she is.”
    Her head nodded. I couldn’t blame her concern since we’d heard Morgan tell us many times why she didn’t do wedding flowers. “Why don’t you grab Colin and we’ll all talk.”
    I went to the door and spotted Ainsley with her head close to Tori chatting about something. If I had to guess it was related to me and what a horror I was as a roommate.
    “Ainsley,” I called. “Colin will be on the line in a second.”
    She nodded and winked at Tori before following me into my office. I gestured for her to take my seat as I knelt next to her. Dallas’s eyes widened when she saw Ainsley.
    “Cuz!” Colin’s voice hit us before we saw him crowd into Dallas’s screen space. “It’s so great to see you. I feel like it’s been months instead of a week.”
    “I’m so happy to see you. Are you safe?”
    “We’re good, Ains. Don’t worry. We’ll be home soon.”
    “How’s the planning going?” Dallas asked for both our sakes.
    Ainsley glanced briefly at me. “Fine. There’s been a lot to decide. We hope we’re getting what you want.”
    “You’ll be great,” Colin encouraged. “You know what I like better than I do.”
    “But it’s not always what Dallas likes or so Skye keeps telling me.”
    He grimaced and looked at Dallas. If he thought she’d give in, he was sadly mistaken. “Unless it’s something you know I’ll object to, take Skye’s recommendations.”
    “Oh, baby!” Dallas shrieked and slung her arms around Colin’s shoulders to plant a loud kiss on his