“Mmmhmm,” I murmured, not really listening.
“Is that a problem with the Barker wedding?” Ginny asked.
I looked up at her, lost. “Um, no, there shouldn’t be any problem,” I said. Maybe she was asking me if it was getting to be too hard, planning two weddings. “I can do both,” I assured her.
“Good,” she said, and I turned my full attention back to the screen, already thinking of my response to Kiki. “October twenty-third it is then. I can’t wait!”
Chapter Twelve
‘One fun pre-wedding activity you may want to consider is an engagement party. This is a great way to formally share your news with your friends and family. An engagement party can be whatever scope you’re comfortable with—anything from drinks with a small circle of friends to a grand sit-down dinner with your extended family. The options are unlimited—just have fun and celebrate!’—The Bride’s Guide to a Fabulous Wedding.
“Well,” I sighed, stretching my arms over my head. “I think that’s it.”
“You have the set-up crew arranged?” Jason asked, looking uncharacteristically bleary and ruffled across the table from me in the conference room.
“Yeah, all taken care of.” I yawned and rubbed my eyes.
It was after ten already, but Jason and I were still holed up in the conference room at NoLimits, going over the last-minute details for the engagement party the following night. We’d been at it for hours, and I was exhausted, but also fairly confident we had planned a kick-ass party.
“Alright,” he said. “We should probably both go get some rest. Tomorrow will be a busy day.”
I stretched again, then stood, carefully packing my files and notebooks and shutting down my laptop.
“When are you planning on getting to the site?” Jason asked, removing his suit jacket from behind his chair and putting it on.
“Probably around ten,” I said, stifling another yawn as I put my laptop back in my case. “That’s when the flowers should arrive and I want to oversee the setup.”
Jason nodded. “I have some work to do early, but I should be there around three. You can call me if you have any problems before that.”
“Sounds good.”
We walked to the door and Jason turned out the lights behind us. Walking through the hallways was kind of eerie—we were the only people left in the building, even the cleaning staff had left a few hours ago.
“Oh, you got my email that I’ll be leaving the ballroom around five to go help Kiki upstairs, right?” I asked Jason, wrinkling my forehead, suddenly unable to remember if we had discussed this or not. My brain felt foggy and way oversaturated with information. Not a good sign.
“Yeah, what does Kiki want you to do?”
“She wants me there when her make-up artist and hairstylist arrive to oversee things,” I said, unable to keep myself from rolling my eyes.
Jason chuckled. “Sounds pretty intense. Sure you can handle it?”
“She just wants everything to be perfect,” I replied, shrugging.
“It will be perfect,” Jason said, looking down at me. We had reached the elevator and I hit the call button.
“I mean it, Jen. Everything is going to be perfect tomorrow. You’ve done a great job.”
Jason was looking at me intently, his eyes boring into mine in a way that made me distinctly uncomfortable. I was relieved when the elevator arrived and we were able to step on board.
Jason and I had been putting in long hours, mostly together, over the last two weeks in preparation for this, the first major event of the Barker wedding. He had become slightly more bearable lately, but not much. He had actually apologized for his outburst after the venue selection day—though he had prefaced his apology by saying he understood the importance of praising a subordinate when they did a good job. Ass.
At any rate, I would be happy when this party was over and things would calm down a little bit—at least until the shower in August.
“Hey,” Jason said, shaking me from my thoughts. “I know you’re tired, but would you care to stop somewhere for a drink?”
“With you?” I blurted, before I could stop myself.
“That was the idea,” he said, his tone slightly peeved.
“Sorry, I just meant…it’s late, like you said, I’m really tired. I think I’d rather just go home.” I felt flustered and off-kilter. Why the hell was Jason asking me to go for drinks?
He looked at me intently, a smile playing about his lips. “Well, maybe another time. In fact, I insist.”
“Um, okay?” I said.
We reached the main level and Jason insisted on walking me to my car, another first. As I opened the door and prepared to climb in, I felt his hand on my arm, squeezing fleetingly before releasing me. “See you tomorrow, Jen.”
It wasn’t until after I drove away that I realized that Jason had just come onto me.
***
“Kiki, you look perfect. Seriously. Now we really need to get going,” I said, trying hard to sound sweet and firm at the same time.
“Oh, Jen, are you sure? I feel like maybe we went for totally the wrong look here. Should I have my hair up?”
I stifled a scream. Kiki’s engagement party was scheduled to start down in the ballroom in exactly five minutes, and we were still upstairs in her room at the hotel getting ready.
The engagement party was being held at one of David Barker’s many hotels downtown. The site was perfect—I had been there all day making sure of that. Jason and I had arranged a lengthy cocktail hour, complete with live band, before everyone would be seated for a formal dinner. It was going to be wonderful—if only I could get Kiki downstairs.
“No, Kiki, I’m sorry, but I think you’re wrong,” I told her, racking my brain for an argument that would appeal to her. “Your hair is going to be up for the wedding—it’s going to be the ultimate in elegance. You don’t want to diminish any of that impact. For the engagement party you should be going for fun, kind of sexy. And that is exactly how you look.”
“God, Jen, you’re totally right. Like usual.” She stood up from the dressing table and gave me a huge hug. “Man, what would I do without you? I mean, you like totally save me a hundred times a day.”
“I’m just doing my job,” I assured her, lightly steering her toward the door. “Do you have everything you need? Eric and your parents are already downstairs. I think you really should be there before the guests start arriving.”
“Oh God, yeah, you’re right. Oh! Where’s my purse? And my shoes!”
“I have them both right here. We’re all set.” Again, I tried to usher her towards the door.
“You really think of everything, don’t you?” she said, stopping where she stood and putting her hands on her hips.
“Kiki, really, let’s go.”
“Yup, yup, all set.”
Finally we were leaving the room—or, more accurately, the penthouse suite, which David had reserved for his daughter’s use tonight.
“How does it look down there?” Kiki asked anxiously as we boarded the elevator.
“It was just about perfect the last time I checked,” I told her. I was beginning to feel a rush of adrenaline. This would be the biggest event that I had a hand in so far. I was so anxious for Kiki and her family to like it. Under the adrenaline was pure exhaustion. I had been going non-stop for the last few days—I could only hope I could hold it together until the end of the night.
Just a few more hours, I reminded myself. A few hours and then you’ll be home with Annie, Ginny, and Danny. I had already taken Monday off as a reward for all the work that had gone into tonight, which meant if I could get through this party I would have two full days off. And the following Saturday we would be celebrating Danny’s first birthday. I just had to get through tonight and things would look up.
“I’m so excited, Jen,” Kiki squealed, grabbing my hand.
“Me too,” I murmured honestly. “Here goes…”
The elevator doors ope
ned and we stepped out into the lobby. There were already a dozen or so people milling around as I led Kiki through to the ballroom. “You ready?”
Kiki nodded, squeezing my hand, and I threw open the ballroom doors.
The room was perfect, absolutely perfect. It looked just the way I had envisioned it for all these weeks of planning.
We had closed the room off into two sections, wanting to create separate spaces for the cocktail hour and the dinner. To do so, we had brought in whitewashed trellises to create a wall across the width of the room, which we then covered completely in vines, flowers, and twinkly lights. The same flowers were stationed in large pots throughout the room and, in smaller vases, on the cocktail tables. The twinkly lights were strung throughout the room as well, wrapping around the tables, the length of the walls, and twisted into the pots and vases of flowers.
It was as if we had walked into an enchanted garden—exactly the type of place where fairies might live. It was breathtaking, if I did say so myself.
Next to me, Kiki burst into tears.
“Kiki!” I cried, dismayed. “What’s wrong? Don’t…don’t you like it?”
“Oh, Jen,” she sobbed. “This is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen!” And with that she wrapped her arms around me and sobbed noisily into my shoulder.
“Well done, Jen,” Mr. Barker said, patting my arm as he and Mrs. Barker joined us.
“It’s absolutely gorgeous,” Mrs. Barker said, nodding at me. “Thank you so much.”
“It was my pleasure,” I said, patting Kiki, who was still crying, awkwardly on the back.
To my relief, Eric appeared at my side and pulled Kiki away. “This is awesome, Jen,” he said, wrapping his arm around his sniffling fiancée. “Thanks so much.”
“It’s perfect!” Kiki said, wiping under her eyes, carful not smudge her mascara.
“I’m so glad you all like it,” I said. “Jason really did a wonderful job.”
“Hmph,” Kiki said. “He’s not the one who’s been on the phone with me at all hours for the last few weeks.”
I bowed my head slightly, unsure how to respond. “Actually, I should probably do a lap of the room, check with the vendors. I hope you all have a lovely evening.”
“Thanks, Jen!” Kiki cried as I walked away, her parents and Eric echoing her sentiments.
I quickly made my way around the room, double- checking the flower arrangements. I stopped at the bar and conferred with the three bartenders, making sure they were well-stocked and knew where to get extra bottles if needed.
I headed off in search of the maître d’, hoping to remind him of my expectations for the wait staff and the order of service. As I walked, I kept an eye out for Jason, whom I hadn’t seen since leaving the ballroom for Kiki’s suite a few hours ago.
The room was beginning to fill up, and I heard many appreciative murmurs as the guests took in the décor. I stopped at a large flower pot where several twinkle lights appeared to have gone out. Methodically, I began turning the small bulbs until I found the loose one. The dark bulbs around it immediately came to life, and I smiled.
“Impressive,” said a voice behind me. I turned and saw Matt, looking at me appraisingly.
“It’s all part of the job,” I said.
“Hmm. I don’t see your associate anywhere tightening light bulbs.”
“Jason?” I asked, looking around for him. “I’m sure he’s busy somewhere, I haven’t seen him for a while.”
Matt didn’t say anything, but he also didn’t make any move to walk away. I started to feel slightly flustered.
“So,” I said. “What do you think?”
Matt looked around. “It’s very…overwhelming.”
I don’t know why I felt disappointed. What had I expected? He had made his feelings about this kind of stuff well-known to me.
“Well, the bride and groom think it’s perfect.” I could hear the defensiveness in my voice, but I couldn’t hide it.
“I’m sure they do,” he said, looking slightly abashed. Perhaps he felt bad for offending me. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s really cool, really…pretty. I just think…”
“What?”
“Well, isn’t it a bit much? I mean, think of how much money this cost. For a party.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Actually, I know exactly how much money it cost, seeing as how I planned it and all.”
He looked sheepish. “No offense. I just…you know, I think of all the other things this money could have been spent on.”
“I get that, I do, but I guess I see it differently. I mean, I arranged for the flowers, and the caterers and the bartenders…a lot of people are going to have a better quarter, or get a better paycheck, because of this party. I hardly see that as a waste.”
“A lot of corporations, you mean,” Matt said, raising his eyebrows.
“You’re wrong. Mr. Barker specifically asked me to use local, independent vendors—and even if he hadn’t, I always make it a practice to do just that. The guy who did these flowers—this single party will pay his employees’ wages for the entire month.”
Matt just looked at me for a moment, not saying anything.
“What?” I finally said, uncomfortable and fidgeting.
“Nothing…you’re just…interesting. That’s all.”
I couldn’t be sure, but it sounded like a compliment. At any rate, I couldn’t stay here talking to Matt all night, even though he provided a heck of a view. I had a job to do.
“I should keep circulating,” I said, running a hand through my hair. “Lots of things to check on.”
“I’ll bet.”
I turned to go, but Matt caught my arm. “Hey, I’ll be sure to tip my independent, local bartender like a Rockefeller.”
A hint of amusement danced around his eyes, and his mouth very nearly formed a smile—or, at least, the closest I had ever seen it come to a smile.
I smiled back in spite of myself. “Be sure that you do.”
***
By the time everyone sat down to eat, I knew that the party was an unqualified success. Everywhere I went I heard people exclaiming about the décor, the jazz band, the cocktails, the hors d'oeuvres. Every time I walked by Kiki and Eric they were surrounded by friends, looking happy and excited. The Barkers too seemed very satisfied, and I saw them pointing me out to friends on more than one occasion.
I barely saw Jason. He checked in with me a few times, but mostly he seemed to be out of the room or circulating with Mr. Barker and his impressive guest list. I was fine with that arrangement. I really did not want to deal with what I thought I detected from him the previous night.
At exactly eight thirty, the band leader directed everyone to please make their way to the dining area. Just as I had orchestrated, a dozen waiters in black ties swept forward to pull the trellises away, revealing the dining room beyond.
The dining area had a more classic, formal feel. We had decided to seat everyone together at a few long tables, rather than at many round tables scattered around the room. I thought it would add an air of intimacy as well as formality. Along the center of the tables were more bouquets of flowers, as well as lines of twinkle lights and black and white photographs of the couple.
I circulated the room as everyone found their seats, anxious that everything go off without a hitch. The waiters appeared and began pouring wine and taking orders. I edged my way toward Mr. Barker, signaling to him that it was time for his toast.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he called out, in a loud and clear voice. “Your attention please. I’m so thrilled you could all join us tonight to celebrate the engagement of our daughter and her wonderful fiancé.”
It was a perfect speech. David was funny, sentimental, gracious. Watching him it was clear to me how he had managed to so thoroughly climb to the top of the corporate ladder—even more, I was struck by his clear devotion to his wife and daughter. It was obvious to anyone that he worshiped them both. By the time he asked everyone to raise
their glasses to Kiki and Eric, he had the entire ballroom in the palm of his hand.
“Not bad, huh?” Jason asked, coming to stand next to me against the wall.
“He’s pretty spectacular,” I agreed.
“He’s my idol,” Jason said seriously. “He’s the consummate businessman, the ultimate success story.”
“Hmm,” I responded, not knowing what else to say. I knew Jason had a point, but I found myself more impressed by Mr. Barker’s obvious devotion to his family. I didn’t tell Jason that, though; I knew he would think I was sentimental and silly.
“We’re like him, Jen,” Jason continued. “We have that focus, that drive. I can tell when I look at you. I wasn’t sure at first, but working on this wedding, I know it’s true. We’re the same, you and me.”
I didn’t like the sound of that one bit. I didn’t want to be like Jason. Uncomfortable, I looked up and saw Matt’s gaze on us. His expression was inscrutable, but it made me feel anxious. I didn’t want him to see me standing next to Jason, didn’t want him associating me with him.
“Um, I need to check in with the wait staff,” I muttered, suddenly desperate to get away. “Talk to you later.”
I walked briskly away from Jason, feeling confused. I should have been pleased with his comment. After all, that was the image I had fought for since the day I had joined the firm, the image my mother had tried to instill in me for years now. It shouldn’t fill me with such dread that Jason had assigned those qualities to me.
And why did I care so much what Matt thought of me? Sure he was gorgeous, but he clearly had no interest in the world I was trying to fit in with. In fact, my mother would have been absolutely horrified if she found out that I was concerning myself with the opinion of a construction worker.
Get a hold of yourself, Campbell, I told myself firmly. You’ve come too far to get off track now.
Setting my shoulders, I hurried off to do my job.
Three Girls And A Wedding Page 7