CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
May 28th
In the next week, I find myself calling florists, talking to contractors, and, of course, buying lots of lattes.
Today I arrive at the Harbinger, my hands full with two coffee carriers and bags of gold balloons, metallic ribbon, and stacks of various-sized silver card stock stars.
“Lauren,” Carla calls from inside the ballroom. “Over here.”
I try not to gawk at the huge area and tall vaulted ceilings. There’s a spiral staircase in front of me, leading up to a second loft-style level. Already tables and chairs are being brought in for Harrison’s firm’s event on Saturday.
“It’s a great space, isn’t it?” Carla looks around in appreciation and then says to me, “We do a lot of events for Rogers, Fredmont, and Claude.” She turns to the man next to her. “But I think this is my favorite of your buildings so far.”
The man smiles, looking genuinely friendly. He extends his hand, relieving me of the coffees, which are shifting precariously in my hands. “I’m Albert Fredmont.”
It’s Harrison’s boss. For some reason, the thought makes me horribly nervous.
“Lauren Alderman, sir.”
He turns to Carla. “Your new assistant?”
“That’s right. Your Harrison recommended her, in fact.”
“He did, did he?” Mr. Fredmont smiles. “Well, then I’m sure she is a good choice.”
I feel a flush of pride for Harrison.
“He was here, somewhere, but I think he went back to the office.” Mr. Fredmont pauses. “Lauren, you said, right?”
I freeze. “Yes, sir.”
“Lauren who’s graduating Tuesday?”
Gulping, I nod.
“He asked for the day off to go to your graduation. Congratulations.”
“Oh, thank you.”
I didn’t know Harrison was going to take off for the ceremony. A blush rises to my cheeks, and I try not to smile like an idiot.
Mr. Fredmont discusses a few more things with Carla, and then he excuses himself.
“Set the stars over on that table,” Carla says. “And any other supplies I have you bring. We’ll begin set up on Friday morning. You called the florist?”
“Yes, the bouquets will be ready to pick up at eleven.”
“I’ll leave you in charge of those. You can take the van.” Carla looks at her clipboard. “Did you call the caterer?”
I nod. “They are completely peanut free, and the vegetarian dishes are prepared in coconut oil, not lard or any other kind of animal fat.”
“Thank you for thinking to check on that.”
She sets her clipboard aside and takes a sip of her latte. She closes her eyes in appreciation. “That other one is for you,” she says, motioning to the last drink.
The others were swooped up almost as soon as Mr. Fredmont set them down.
“Oh, I don’t…” I force myself to smile and pick up the cardboard cup. “Thank you.”
She wraps me in a one-armed hug. “It’s the least I can do when I plan to work you to death the same week you graduate.”
Then she spots one of the hotel staff attempting to move one of her tables, and she’s off, clicking across the marble floor in her less than sensible heels.
Laughing, I take a tentative sip of my drink. It’s sweet—very sweet. And there’s coffee in there, I’m pretty sure, but it’s fairly well covered up by the sugar.
Truthfully, it’s not bad. I take another tiny taste.
“Looks like they’re making a grown-up out of you,” a voice whispers in my ear.
I pause mid-sip. Just hearing Harrison’s voice makes me fluttery. I turn slowly, trying to school my expression so I don’t look like a starstruck architect groupie…if there is such a thing.
Harrison’s dressed for work in a suit. He’s pressed and perfect, and I want to loosen his tie, mess up his hair.
Without asking permission, he takes a sip of my coffee. “Wow, that’s…sugary.”
“It hides the coffee flavor.”
He gives me a lopsided smile that lights his eyes. “I see.”
“I met Mr. Fredmont,” I say. “You seem to have pulled the wool over his eyes.”
Handing my coffee back, Harrison says, “Why’s that?”
I shrug. “He actually likes you, so he obviously doesn’t know you that well.”
Harrison leans against the wall. “You know me very well, and you like me.”
“Like you? I do not.” I raise my eyebrows, a smile on my lips.
“Liar.” He whispers the word, and a thrill runs through me, straight to my toes.
I bite the inside of my cheek so I won’t grin at him. “I have to get back to work.”
“Run off Laura-Lou.” He raises his eyebrows slowly. “I’ll see you at home.”
There’s something so domestic about it, so insanely delicious, that this time, I can’t hold back my grin.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
May 31st
Brandon sticks his head in my room. “Mom says we need to leave in five minutes.”
I adjust my graduation cap, trying to get it to sit right. No matter what I do with my hair, it looks awful.
“All right.” I sigh.
It’s as good as it’s going to get.
My parents and Harrison wait for me in the kitchen.
“I look ridiculous,” I say as I enter the room.
“You do not look ridiculous.” Mom steps forward to fuss with my cap. When she steps back, she blinks a few times, overcome. “You’re all grown up.”
If Grant were here, I’d be mortified, but for some reason, it doesn’t bother me to have Harrison see my parents all weepy and sentimental. Like Dad said when he moved in, he practically grew up here. My family is as much his as they are mine.
The thought makes me warm, and I have to look away.
“You ready to graduate?” Dad asks.
I nod, suddenly nervous. Everything’s different after this. There are no more classes, no more dances or plays.
We arrive at the stadium with seven minutes to spare. Riley’s already here, and she bounces over when she sees me.
“We’re graduating!” With one hand on her cap, she twirls.
I laugh at her. “You say it like you were worried.”
In all the years we’ve known each other, neither of us has ever failed a class, never even gotten close.
“Of course not.” She sets her hands on her hips, cheer-style. “But it’s still a big deal, don’t you think?”
Big deal? It’s monumental. After today, I’ll no longer be a high school student. The moment I accept my diploma, that wall keeping Harrison and me apart is going to crumble.
After today, he’s fair game.
As I look at my classmates hugging and high-fiving, I chew my lip. Harrison hasn’t mentioned it, though. He hasn’t even hinted that things will change between us. He still flirts and teases, but he always did that.
“Hey, Lauren,” Grant says from behind me.
We haven’t talked much since we broke up, nothing more than a quick exchange of friendly greetings in the halls.
“Hi, Grant.”
There’s a dull ache in my heart, even a bit of regret, but mostly I’m just happy he’s still speaking with me—happy that he doesn’t hate me.
“Congratulations.” He stands, stiff and awkward, and then his expression softens, and he pulls me in a hug. “You look beautiful.”
I hug him back. “You too. But, you know, handsome.”
He pulls back and smiles. “Are you still sticking around here after graduation?”
I nod. “I’m going to go to the university. What about you? Still heading to Missoula?”
“Yeah.”
Just another reason we wouldn’t have worked.
Grants eyes are a little sad. “Goodbye, Lauren.”
“Goodbye, Grant.”
“It’s time!” Riley grabs my arm and drags me to the front of the line
, thinking that if she doesn’t deposit me, I’ll somehow wander off, lost.
I’m second in line, right after Kevin Aarons. Riley sifts through the others to find her place in the middle.
With Kevin in front of me, we step into the stadium. The sun is hot today, and the smell of freshly-cut grass is in the air. Families and friends sit in the bleachers, watching us trail like ants to our seats.
The folding chair is hot. For the first time today, I’m glad for the graduation gown and the extra layer of protection from the scorching metal.
We finally begin, and about fifteen minutes into the speeches, my attention wanders. I remember sitting in the stadium several years ago, watching Brandon in this same chair. He was second in line, too.
The following summer was the same, but in the autumn, he left for college. I went from being a baby sister to an only child.
I wonder how different my life will be next fall.
After what seems like forever with the late May sunshine beating down on us, we begin our walk to the front.
“Lauren Alderman,” the principal announces.
I accept my diploma, smile for the camera, and march through the middle of the aisle to meager applause. It seems to take forever for the rest of my class to accept their diplomas. Riley walks up the constructed stage, proud and pretty in her cap and gown, and the crowd goes wild when she accepts it. I cheer right along with them.
Finally, the ceremony is finished. The principal announces us, the graduating class, and we toss our caps into the air.
And then it’s over.
I’m an adult.
I pick my way through a crowd of my exuberant classmates. My heels make it tricky to navigate in the grass, and I’m watching my footing more than I’m watching my back. Suddenly I’m grabbed around the middle and lifted into the air.
“Brandon!” I squeal. “Put me down!”
My brother laughs and deposits me back on the ground. Just as soon as my feet touch, I’m assaulted again, this time by Riley. She hugs me tight, laughing.
Then she bursts into tears.
“Riley!” I teeter, trying to keep my balance. “Why are you crying?”
“Because it’s over,” she sniffs. “I won’t see you every day! We won’t have classes together.”
I laugh and pat her back. “Of course we’ll still see each other. It’s not like we’re going to different colleges.”
She lets me go and dabs her eyes with her finger, trying to be careful not to smear her eye makeup. “It’s not the same.”
Once Riley finally composes herself, Mom steps over and hugs me. She, too, starts to get a little weepy, and I soothe her as well. Dad waits his turn, and thank goodness he’s composed, or I might start to get misty myself.
Then there’s Harrison. He stands, his hands in his pockets, his eyes on me. The world fades; he’s all I see. All I want to see.
He steps forward and opens his arms to me. I step into them, and time stands still. He smells as he always does, of light aftershave and deodorant and guy. I breathe him in, wishing I could stay here for the rest of the day.
Too soon, he releases me and steps back.
I watch him, waiting for some sign that things will be different between us now. Hoping something has changed. But there’s nothing in his gaze that wasn’t there this morning. No hint, no promise.
Somewhat disappointed, I let out a subtle exhale and turn back to my family.
“We’re going to lunch,” Mom announces. “I’m starving. Riley, go ask your family to join us.”
Obedient, she runs off. Soon she, her parents, and her seven-year-old twin brothers join us. Brandon asks where Harper is, but Riley informs him she’s off talking. He looks disappointed and scans the crowd, looking for her. After a little discussion, we decide on a chain restaurant outside the mall.
As soon as we reach the car, I take off my graduation gown. The cheap material was hot and it itched, and I’m happy to be free of it. After tossing it in the back, I slip into my seat. Brandon and Harrison are riding in the back, so we’re not all squished in here like we were the night Riley joined us for dinner.
I steal a peek at Harrison, but he’s talking to Brandon, not paying me any attention.
The minute we get to the restaurant, Brandon turns to goo when he sees Harper stepping out of Riley’s car. He strides to her, trying to act cool, but it’s so apparent he’s in love with her.
Riley steps next to me and stares at the pair, doe-eyed. Then her brothers squeal, and one darts away from the car. Riley runs into the parking lot, grabbing him just before their mother reaches him.
“We need to talk,” Harrison says from my shoulder. His voice is quiet, insistent.
A riot of butterflies explodes in my belly, making me feel light and giddy.
“We do?” I ask, nonchalant.
Neither of us looks at each other. We’re just standing side by side, waiting to go in the restaurant.
“We do. After lunch?”
I shiver, excitement building in my muscles. After lunch?
After lunch?
How am I supposed to wait that long?
“That’s fine,” I answer.
Finally, our group is intact and we head inside. The air is thick with the smell of hamburgers, pizza, and French fries. My stomach growls in anticipation.
Somehow I make it through the entire meal with a calm and collected appearance. On the inside, I’m a chaotic flurry of nerves.
We split up with Riley’s family after the meal is over, and both her mom and mine coo over the two of us, telling us how proud they are.
Finally, we’re back home. I slide out of the car, unsure where to stand. Should I go in? Should I wait for him here?
The decision is made for me when he joins my side. Brandon and my parents head to the house, but we hang behind.
I cross my arms, not wanting him to see how exhilarated I am.
“Are you going to be working the party on Saturday?” he asks.
My spirits fall only a little. “No, Carla said only she needs to be there. I think she was doing me a favor not making me work it.”
He crosses his arms, mimicking me. “I have an extra ticket. You can come if you want. Technically, it’s a ‘plus’ one on my ticket, but it doesn’t have to be a date.”
Is he saying that he doesn’t want it to be a date? Or that it’s not a date unless I want it to be?
I hesitate. This conversation isn’t going at all the way I’d hoped.
“I’d like to see it,” I finally answer. “So, thank you.”
A smile shines in his eyes. “You’ll come?”
I nod, feeling the butterflies take flight again. “Yes, I’ll come.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
June 4th
On the morning of the big night, I’m put in charge of filling the balloons with helium from the huge tank. After I knot the ends, I attach a long piece of ribbon and tie a star at the bottom. When I release them, the balloons bob to the ceiling, and the metallic stars hang from their long tails.
I’ve already done hundreds of them. They’re the coolest thing I’ve ever seen.
“How’s it going, Lauren?” Carla asks as she wanders over.
She and her clipboard have been everywhere this morning, supervising. The hotel staff doesn’t seem to like her very much, but the ballroom has been transformed.
The tables are set with crisp red linens, and on them sit real white porcelain plates and gleaming silverware. The centerpieces are simple white roses arranged in small silver bowls.
Besides the stars, there are subtle metallic accents everywhere—the threads stitched into the napkins, the platters that are ready for the dessert table.
“I’m almost done here.” I fill up another balloon and then nod to the center of the room. “And then I’ll hunt down someone to remove that ladder. It’s been bugging me all morning.”
“Good girl.” Carla puts her checklist down. “You checked that the deliveri
es were signed for?”
“Yes, everything is here.”
She nods, writing things down, and then pauses before she walks away. “You’re going to the local university, right?”
As I tie on a string, I nod.
“What are you going to be studying?”
The knot keeps slipping from my fingers, and I scowl at it. “I’m not sure yet.”
“You’re good at this,” Carla says. “And it seems like you enjoy it. Have you thought of being an event coordinator?”
I never had before, but in the last few weeks, it’s certainly been on my mind.
“How about you look into getting a business degree to begin with, and if you’re interested, we might just keep you on even after Natalia gets back from maternity leave.”
The knot finally tightens over the balloon, and I look up. “Really?”
“Yes. If you want it, you have a position.”
And just like that, I have a permanent job.
“Thank you!”
My boss gives me a warm smile, and then she’s off to another task.
“Carla?”
She glances back.
“If I’m invited to one of our events as a guest, it’s all right to go, isn’t it?”
Her face is open in pleasant surprise. “Who are you going with?”
“Harrison,” I say, and my ears feel hot.
“Of course it’s all right. Have a good time.” Carla smiles and tilts her head. “And if there’s some emergency, it’s good to know I’ll have an extra hand.”
Her words sound ominous, but I’m glad to hear her say there are event emergencies.
I knew there were.
I’ll be sure to inform Harrison.
The day goes by in a blur of one task followed by another. There are people everywhere: hotel staff, our team, uppity hotel types, and even one of the partners from Harrison’s firm I haven’t met yet. A band has been brought in for the event, and they’re setting up next to the piano, doing sound checks and scurrying about, looking for extension cords.
It’s nearing late afternoon, and we’re just wrapping up here. My hair appointment is in thirty minutes. I’m cutting it close, but the salon isn’t far from here.
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