“Yeah, but you lost me at the word ‘algorithm.’” She wiped her mouth with the cloth napkin. “You really had my hopes up for a minute there.”
“Sorry, tech talk. I own a company that provides software for cyber security. A program like this really isn’t that difficult. Let me see your computer after dinner and I’ll do it for you. It’ll take me less than an hour.”
This man was tempting her left and right. She weighed the hours she’d save against the confidentiality agreement she’d signed and sadly shook her head.
“Thank you for offering but I can’t. This is a special event. I’m not allowed to share information with anyone except my staff, designated officials and pre-approved vendors.”
“This is for the royal wedding of Prince Antonio of Halencia, right?”
Her eyes popped wide. How could he know that?
“Come on, it’s not hard to guess. The wedding dress, the seating chart. We’re on a flight to Florence. And I know they have an American event planner. Hang on, I’ll take care of this.”
He pulled out his cell phone and hit a couple of buttons.
“What?” she challenged. “You’re calling the palace in Halencia? Uh, huh. I don’t think so. You can hang up now.”
“Hey, Tony.” He raised a dark eyebrow as he spoke into the phone.
Tony? As in Antonio? Yeah, right.
“I got your text. Don’t worry about it. I’m here for a month. I’ll see you next week.” He listened for a moment. “Yes, I had dinner with them. They were thrilled with the invitation. Hey, listen, the wedding planner is on my flight and she needs some programming to help her with the seating chart. She’s bound by the confidentiality agreement from letting me help her. Can you give her authorization? Great, I’m going to put her on.”
He held the phone out to Lindsay. “It’s Prince Antonio.”
LINDSAY ROLLED HER eyes at the man across the way, wondering how far he meant to take this joke and what he hoped to achieve.
“Hello?”
“Buona sera, Ms. Reeves. I hope you are having a nice flight.”
“Uh, yes, I am.” The voice was male, pleasant and slightly accented. And could be anyone. Except how had he known her name? Sullivan hadn’t mentioned it.
“Christina is thrilled to have your services for the wedding. You have my full support to make this il matrimonio dei suoi sogni—the wedding of her dreams.”
“I’ll do my best.” Could this actually be the prince?
“Duty demands my presence at the palace but I look forward to meeting you at the rehearsal. Zach is my best man. He will be my advocate in Monte Calanetti for the next month. He is available to assist you in any way necessary.”
She turned to look at the man across the aisle and quirked a brow at his evil smirk. “Zach... Sullivan?”
“Yes. We went to college together. He’s like a brother to me. If he can assist with the meal plan—”
“The seating chart.” She squeezed her eyes closed. OMG, I just interrupted the royal prince.
“Of course. The seating chart. If Zach can help, you must allow him to be of service. He is quite handy with a computer.”
“Yes. I will. Thank you.”
“It is I who thanks you. You do us an honor by coming to Halencia. If I can be of further assistance, you have access to me through Zach. Buona notte, Ms. Reeves.”
“Good night.” Instead of giving the phone back to Sullivan she checked the call history and saw she’d spoken to Tony de l’Accardi. She slowly turned her head to meet chocolate-brown eyes. “You know the Prince of Halencia.”
“I wouldn’t take on the best man gig for anyone else.”
The flight attendant appeared with the cart to collect his meal and sweetly inquire if he’d like dessert.
Lindsay rolled her eyes, barely completing the action before the blonde turned to her.
“Are you done, ma’am?”
Ma’am again? Lindsay’s eyes narrowed in a bland stare.
Her displeasure must have registered because the woman rushed on. “For dessert we have crème brûlée, strawberry cheesecake or a chocolate mousse.”
Lindsay handed off her empty plate and, looking the woman straight in the eye, declared, “I’ll have one of each.”
“Of course, ma... Ms. Reeves.” She hurriedly stashed the plate and rolled the cart away.
Lindsay slowly turned her head until Sullivan’s intent regard came into view. Okay, first things first. “I’m only twenty-nine. Way too young to be ma’am.”
He cocked his head.
She handed him his phone. “Why didn’t you tell me you were the best man?”
He lifted one dark eyebrow. “Would you have believed me?”
She contemplated him. “Probably. I have a file on you.”
His slanted eyebrow seemed to dip even further. “Then I’m surprised you didn’t recognize me. You probably have profiles on the entire wedding party in that tablet of yours.”
She lifted one shoulder in a half shrug of acknowledgment. “I’ve learned it’s wise to know who I’ll be working with. I didn’t recognize you because it’s out of context. Plus, you don’t have an eight-o’clock shadow in your company photo in which you’re wearing glasses.”
“Huh.” He ran the backs of his fingers over his jaw. “I’ll have to get that picture updated. I had Lasik eye surgery over a year ago. Regardless, I didn’t know you were involved in the wedding until you started talking about the meal arrangements.”
“Seating arrangements,” she corrected automatically.
“Right.”
The flight attendant arrived with dessert. She handed Zach a crystal dish of chocolate mousse and set a small tray with all three desserts artfully displayed in front of Lindsay.
“Enjoy,” she said and retreated down the aisle.
“Mmm.” Lindsay picked up a spoon and broke into the hard shell of crystalized sugar topping the crème brûlée. “Mmm.” This time it was a moan. “Oh, that’s good.”
“Careful, Ms. Reeves, you’re going to get me worked up if you continue.” Zach gestured at her
