The Interview: New York & Los Angeles Part 2

by Sandi Lynn

  As soon as he walked out of my office, I grabbed my phone and my purse and stopped by Eric’s office.

  “Hey, Eric. I’m going to head home. I’m not feeling good.”

  His eye narrowed at me.

  “Are you pregnant?”

  “No.” I smiled. “I’m not pregnant. I just have a really bad headache and I feel exhausted.”

  “Feel better, Laurel. If you need anything, let me know.”

  I hailed a cab, and as I was sitting in the back of it, I sent Wyatt a text message, even though I knew he was in a meeting.

  “Hey, handsome. Just wanted to let you know that I’m heading home. I have a really bad headache and I need to lie down. I love you.”

  Instantly, a reply from him came through.

  “I’ll be home as soon as this meeting is over. Did you take something?”

  “Yes, and so far, it doesn’t seem to be helping. I think I just need to sleep it off.”

  “Okay. I’ll see you soon. I love you too.”

  As soon as I arrived home, I went upstairs, slipped into my nightshirt, and climbed under the covers. The moment my head hit the pillow, I was out.

  Chapter Six

  Wyatt

  “I’m leaving for the day, Tamara. Laurel isn’t feeling well,” I spoke as I stepped out of my office with my briefcase in hand.

  “Okay, Wyatt. Tell Laurel I hope she feels better.”

  “Thanks. Will do.” I gave her a smile.

  I had Ryan drop me off at the florist on the way home so I could pick up some roses for Laurel. It wasn’t like her to leave work in the middle of the day to go home and lie down.

  “Hey, Wyatt,” George spoke as he placed his hand on my shoulder.

  “George. How are you?”

  “Good. Picking up some flowers for Laurel?” He smiled.

  “I am. And you?”

  “Picking up some for Veronica. She just got a promotion at work.”

  “That’s great. Tell her I said congratulations.”

  “I will. Let me know later how Laurel is feeling. She looked pretty bad. Don’t tell her I said that.”

  “I won’t.” I chuckled. “Hopefully when she wakes up, she’ll feel better.”

  When I arrived home, I put the roses in a vase of water and took them upstairs with me to check on Laurel. Upon entering the bedroom, I found she was sound asleep in bed. I set the roses on her nightstand so she’d see them when she woke up, lightly kissed her head, and went downstairs to do some work in my office.

  I was outside on the patio grilling some hamburgers when I felt two arms wrap around me from behind.

  “I sure hope you’re my fiancée, because if you aren’t, I have some serious explaining to do to her.”

  Laurel lightly laughed as I felt her head press against my back. Setting down the spatula, I turned around and took her in my arms.

  “How are you feeling?” I asked as I stared into her tired eyes.

  “A little better. You’re cooking burgers?”

  “Yes. They’ll be done in a few minutes.” I kissed her lips. “Don’t they smell good? I made them just the way you like them.”

  “I really don’t smell them. Thank you for the roses. They’re beautiful.” She smiled, and her eyes lit up.

  “You’re welcome. Can you do me a favor and get me a plate, so I can take these burgers off the grill?”

  “Of course.”

  I put the burgers on the table while Laurel put out the pasta salad I had delivered from the deli around the corner.

  “So, I was thinking that we should hire a wedding planner,” she spoke as she bit into her burger.

  “Good idea. I told you, anything you want. Do you have someone in mind already?”

  “Rori LeMay. She’s supposed to be the best in New York.”

  “We’re getting married in nine months. Do you think she’ll be available if she’s the best?”

  “I guess the only way to find out is to call her, which I will do tomorrow morning.”

  “If you need my help, let me know,” I spoke.

  “Are you saying that I’m incapable of contacting a wedding planner for our wedding?” she spoke with an attitude.

  “No, sweetheart, I’m not saying that at all.” I looked at her in confusion.

  She placed her hand on her forehead. “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s okay.”

  I got up from my chair, walked over to her, and kneeled down on the floor, taking her hands in mine.

  “I know you’re stressed out about your parents’ divorce. You don’t have to pretend with me.”

  “Seriously, Wyatt, I’m not. I’ve been waiting for this for years.”

  “I know you have, baby, but waiting for it and then it actually happening is different. No child wants to see their parents split up. I’m going to get the bath started for you. You need to relax.”

  The corners of her mouth curved into a beautiful smile as she placed her hand on my cheek.

  “Thank you. I think a bath would help, but only if you join me.”

  “Of course I’ll join you.” I kissed her forehead.

  We walked upstairs, and as Laurel twisted up her hair, I started the bath and poured in some of the lavender bubble bath she loved. She was having an off day and I understood. All I wanted to do was help her feel better.

  The next morning, Laurel was back to her old self and feeling much better. So much better that we had incredible sex before we got out of bed and started our day.

  “I’m happy you’re feeling better.” I smiled as I wrapped my arms around her and kissed her goodbye.

  “Me too. Have a good day at the office. I love you, Mr. Coleman.”

  “I love you too, future Mrs. Coleman.”

  ****

  Laurel

  “Good morning, loves,” I happily spoke as I walked into Eric’s office and took a seat next to George.

  “Good morning.” Eric smiled. “Feeling better?”

  “I am. I think I had a bug or something.”

  “Glad you’re feeling better.” George smiled as he reached over and grabbed my hand.

  “Laurel, I got to thinking about some fresh subjects for articles for the magazine and I think you should write one on your experience at that monastery in Thailand you went to,” Eric spoke. “I think it would make for a good read.”

  “Sure. I can do that.” I smiled. “But first, I have to call Rori LeMay.”

  “Who’s that?” Eric asked.

  “A wedding planner I want to hire.”

  “OH!” He pointed at me. “I just had a brilliant idea. Let’s dedicate a wedding section to the magazine. Your wedding. Women will love it because they love you.”

  “Do you mean like a blog?” I arched my brow at him.

  “Sure. We can do a weekly blog and call it Everything Wedding by Laurel.” He grinned.

  I shrugged my shoulder. “Okay. If that’s what you want. Are we done here? I need to call my wedding planner.”

  “And what are you going to do if she’s not available?” George asked.

  “She will be.” I smirked.

  I got up from my seat and walked into my office. Taking my phone from my purse, I dialed the number that was on Rori LeMay’s website.

  “Rori LeMay Wedding Consultant. This is Claire, how can I help you?”

  “Hello, Claire. My name is Laurel Holloway and I was hoping to speak with Rori.”

  “Are you a client? Your name doesn’t sound familiar.”

  “Not yet I’m not. But I will be.”

  “What date is your wedding? I’ll check to see if we’re already booked.”

  “June 8th of next year.”

  “Wow, Miss Holloway. You have impeccable timing. A couple called and canceled their wedding for that date just last night. According to the bride, her fiancé is a cheating bastard.”

  “Perfect and lucky for me he is. When can my fiancé and I meet with her?”

  “We just had a spot open up
tonight at five p.m. Can you and your fiancé come to our office?”

  “Five will be fine. Is it the address listed on the website?”

  “Yes, it is.”

  “Perfect. We’ll see you tonight.”

  After ending the call, I facetimed Wyatt.

  “Hello, beautiful.” He smiled as his gorgeous face appeared on my screen.

  “Hello, my sexy man. Tell me you are available tonight at five o’clock to meet with Rori LeMay at her office?”

  “I am now.” He grinned. “So she had the date available?”

  “Yes, but only because the couple who already had that date cancelled their wedding.”

  “I wonder why,” he spoke.

  “Apparently, the groom is a cheating bastard. Isn’t that wonderful?” I grinned.

  “What? That he’s a cheating bastard?” His brow arched in the sexy way it always did.

  “Yes. If he wouldn’t have cheated, then we wouldn’t be able to book her for our wedding.”

  “So, you’re taking pleasure in the poor woman who got her heart broken?”

  “No. I’m just happy Rori has the date available.” I smirked. “Of course I feel bad for the poor girl, but it’s better she found out now.”

  “I love you, but I have to get to a meeting. I’ll pick you up at your office at four thirty.”

  “I love you too.” I kissed the screen.

  Chapter Seven

  Laurel

  It was four thirty when I stepped out of the building and saw Ryan standing next to the limo with the door open.

  “Good day, Laurel.” He smiled.

  “Hi, Ryan. Thank you,” I spoke as I climbed inside and saw Wyatt sitting there tapping away at his phone.

  I reached over and kissed his cheek.

  “I missed you,” he spoke, still tapping away at his phone.

  “I missed you too.”

  He finished what he was doing and placed his phone in his pocket. Grabbing my hand, he brought it up to his lips.

  “How are you feeling?”

  “I’m feeling good and excited to meet Rori.”

  We reached her office, which was located in Greenwich Village, a quaint little corner spot with a wedding dress displayed in the window along with various other wedding items. Her name, Rori LeMay, Wedding Consultant, was proudly displayed on the door.

  “Hello, you must be Laurel,” a tall brunette wearing a designer suit, stiletto heels, and bright pink lipstick that you could see for miles spoke.

  “Yes, I’m Laurel, and this is my fiancé, Wyatt.”

  “It’s nice to meet both of you. I’m Claire. I’ll go alert Miss LeMay that you’re here. Please, have a seat right over there.” She gestured.

  Wyatt took hold of my hand as we walked over to the white leather plush couch and took a seat.

  “Hello, I’m Rori LeMay.” She stopped dead in her tracks a few feet from the couch we were sitting on.

  “Shit,” I heard him mumble under his breath.

  “Hello, Wyatt,” she spoke, deadpan.

  “Hello, Christina,” he nervously spoke as he stood up.

  “Wait, what? I thought your name was Rori?” I asked.

  “That’s my designer name.”

  “And how do the two of you know each other?” I glared up at Wyatt.

  He didn’t say anything, so Rori decided to tell me herself.

  “Wyatt and I met at a nightclub about five years ago. We went out for a couple of months and then he just stopped calling me out of the blue. No matter how many times I called or texted him, they always went unanswered. He totally ghosted me.” She stood there and tapped her foot with her arms folded and a scorned look across her face.

  Shit. This seriously is not happening. I’ll deal with him later.

  “Well,” I waved my hand in front of my face, “that’s all in the past now. Shall we sit down and discuss our wedding?” I smiled.

  “He broke my heart,” she spoke. “I really thought we had something special. It took me two years to get over him and to get my self-esteem back.”

  Wyatt stood there in awkward silence.

  “Well, now you’re over him.” I grinned. “So, shall we sit down and discuss our wedding?”

  “Why, Wyatt?” She cocked her head.

  “Answer her!” I spoke through gritted teeth at him.

  “I—Oh holy hell. Christina, you knew I wasn’t looking to get into a relationship. I was very upfront with you from the beginning and you said you were fine with it. Then you started getting clingy and demanding more of my time.”

  “Because I fell in love with you!” she shouted.

  He took in a long breath. “I’m sorry that you fell in love, but you knew how I was.”

  “So you think it’s okay just to ghost someone you’d been dating for two months without any explanation?”

  “Listen, Christina, I’m sorry. I’m sorry that I hurt you.”

  “Okay. You got your apology. Now can we discuss our wedding?” I pleaded.

  She laughed. “You honestly think that I would help you plan your wedding after what he did to me? And what is it about her, Wyatt? Why is she so special? I can tell you that I’m a hell of a lot prettier than her.”

  Whoa. Okay. She crossed the line.

  “Listen here, Christina, Rori, or whatever the hell your name is. Don’t go insulting me, someone you don’t even know, because of him.”

  “I don’t have to know you. All I have to do is look at you.” She arched her brow. “Seriously, Wyatt, you downgraded.”

  I went to lunge at her and Wyatt grabbed me.

  “Let’s go, Laurel. She’s not worth it.”

  I stood there and stared into her salty eyes.

  “You know what, Miss LeMay? Karma is a real bitch.” I turned on my heels and stomped out of the store.

  Wyatt followed behind as I climbed into the limo first.

  “Laurel.”

  “DON’T!” I snapped at him.

  “How the hell did I know she was a wedding planner? The last time I saw her, she was working at a clothing store. Not to mention she’s operating under a different name.”

  “Gee, Wyatt.” I faced him. “Is this how it’s always going to be? Never being able to get anything or anyone because you slept with half of New York City and left a trail of broken hearts?”

  “No. Don’t be ridiculous.”

  “I’m being ridiculous?” I shouted. “Now I can’t have the best wedding planner in New York because you slept with her and then dumped her without an explanation! God, I really don’t blame her. But she crossed the line when she said she was prettier than me and that you downgraded. Who the fuck does she think she is to throw insults like that? At you, I can understand, but I never did anything to her.”

  “It’s because you have him, and she doesn’t,” Ryan chimed in.

  “Yes, Ryan. I know that,” I spoke.

  “So you’re going to be mad at me? There are hundreds of wedding planners in New York. Pick someone else!” He raised his voice.

  “Yes, I’m mad at you!”

  “Whatever, Laurel. Be pissed off, then. I don’t care!”

  “Fine,” I huffed.

  “Fine!”

  The rest of the way home was silent. After we stepped inside the penthouse, Wyatt walked over to the bar, poured himself a drink, and I went right up to our bedroom. Grabbing my laptop, I climbed on the bed and looked up wedding planners. There was no way I was going to let little Miss Rori LeMay get away with what she said.

  A couple of hours had passed, so I went downstairs and saw Wyatt sitting on the couch with his feet propped up on the coffee table and a drink in his hand. Walking over to him, I sat down and snuggled against him, laying my head on his chest. It took a moment, but he finally put his arm around me and held me tight.

  “I’m sorry,” I spoke.

  “Me too, sweetheart.” He kissed the top of my head.

  “We’ll look for someone else. Like you said, there
are hundreds of wedding planners in New York. She can’t be the only good one.”

  “She isn’t. There are many other qualified wedding planners out there. We’ll find one together.”

  I sat up and kissed Wyatt’s lips. “I’m hungry, and if you ate without me, we’re going to have an issue.” My brow raised.

  “Is that so? And what kind of issue are you talking about?” He began to tickle me.

  “Wyatt, stop!” I shouted in laughter.

  “I’m not stopping until you tell me what kind of issue we’re going to have.”

  He continued to tickle me, and I continued to try and stop him when the doorbell rang.

  “Saved by the bell, Miss Holloway.” He smirked as he got up from the couch.

  A few moments later, he walked back into the living room holding up a large brown bag. A smile graced my face.

  “I took the liberty of ordering us Chinese food. I wasn’t going to eat without you.”

  I jumped off the couch and followed him into the kitchen. Damn it. Had I only waited a while longer, he would have apologized first.

  As Wyatt was getting down the plates, I walked over to the cabinet where we kept our medicines and shook three Motrin into my hand.

  “Do you have a headache again?” he asked.

  “Just a light one. Today was rather stressful hearing another woman tell me that she was in love with you.” I winked before chasing them down with water. “Not to mention that she thought she was prettier than me.”

  Wyatt turned to me, gripped my hips, and then pressed his forehead against mine.

  “You are the most beautiful and sexy woman in the entire universe. Don’t ever forget that.”

  Chapter Eight

  Laurel

  I had just finished setting up all the interviews with potential wedding planners when my phone rang, and my mother was calling.

  “Hey, Mom.”

  “Hello, Laurel. I’m going to be in the city in a couple of days, and me, you, and Bella are going to go wedding dress shopping.”

  “We are?”

  “Yes, and we’re going to Kleinfeld’s. In fact, I already set up an appointment for us for Friday afternoon at one o’clock.”

  I rolled my eyes.

  “Mom, have you forgotten that I work?”

  “No. But you can come and go as you please. Eric won’t mind. After all, your fiancé does own the magazine.”