by Ashlee Price
Carefully, we navigate the street, then the lobby as we take the elevator to the venue with the boxes of china cups in our arms.
When we reach the reception area, which is already styled and decorated, I head over to Lauren, another person on my staff, and say, “Good job getting this finished on time.” I wave a hand at all the screens we’ve had to set up between the tea stands. “There are more boxes of china downstairs. Could you grab William and bring them up?”
“Sure thing, Grazia.”
Lauren takes off with William and disappears into the elevator as I start to unpack the china cups onto the red tea stand.
We’ve created seven pathways, each one to be chosen at the drinker’s will, which lead to the center of the room. Things are a little less formal there, until you see the back of the room where there are more rushes and a more intricate layout of the tea service. That’s where the bride intends to sit, in front of all the guests, as she brews tea for her family.
I know for a fact she’s incredibly nervous about the whole thing, and it begs the question why she’s going to the effort when her family doesn’t seem all that aware of their Chinese heritage.
But, mine isn’t to question why. I just do what needs to be done to make sure the clients are happy.
The next hour passes in a blur as we finish setting up within the nick of time. The bride appears twenty minutes before the doors open, wandering amid the setup, making sure everything is how she envisioned it and how we planned it.
I look to her before I open the doors to let the guests filter in. As her husband comes up behind her, pressing a hand to her lower back, she shoots me a thumbs-up and a big smile… if that smile is tinged with nerves, who can blame her?
She’s going to be undertaking the intricacies of a high-culture ceremony for the first time and in front of a couple of hundred guests!
Thanking Christ the catering is being handled by the family and I’m just there to coordinate and don’t have to worry about the menu, I open the doors and immediately disappear into the background.
The actors got to work on the ceremony, brewing the different varieties of tea seven times as per tradition.
I have to admit that the entire process is fascinating. The way the leaves have to be ‘awoken’ before the tea can be brewed is a quaint notion. I had to watch the technique several times to get the knack of it. It’s not that it’s complicated—boiling water is added and then discarded from the teapot—but there’s a movement with the hands, a smooth elegance that comes from being at ease with the tradition.
It truly is a beautiful ceremony.
As I dive headlong into my job, sorting out a little argument among the waiters, who are about to come to blows over when they should be serving the canapés, I ignore the arrival of the guests.
It takes about an hour for them all to arrive, and whenever I look at the bride, she appears distinctly green around the edges as the major ceremony approaches. Faintly amused, I aim to make the rest of her day easy.
It’s a complete surprise when a hand comes to rest on my lower back as I’m talking to one of the actors about brewing more black tea.
Before I can even stiffen, I relax as I realize who’s behind me.
The ease I have with Marshall astonishes me. It truly does. I’ve never known anything like it.
Letting down walls has never been so simple or so complicated.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, turning to him with a smile. It’s hard to be annoyed when he’s grinning, proud at having sneaked up on me. “You weren’t on the guest list.”
He grins. “Top secret thing with Garrett.” Garrett was the groom.
“You know him?”
“Yep. He works on my product development team. He invited me, and I won’t lie, I was going to decline until I saw his party on your schedule and couldn’t resist.”
“What are you doing looking at my schedule?” I ask, though there’s no heat to my voice. I cock an eyebrow at him when he sheepishly wrinkles his nose. “I told you not to do that, didn’t I?”
“Well, it was purely accidental.”
“What? You accidentally opened my binder?”
“No. It was open, actually. On the kitchen counter. I was eating cereal and was in dire need of reading material.”
As an excuse, it was pathetic, but I’ve come to know his habits well. When he sits still for more than a handful of moments, he has to read something. He’s incapable of just doing nothing. And to him, eating means doing nothing.
If he doesn’t occupy his mind, he starts fidgeting like crazy.
“Don’t do it again,” I reprimand. Then, realizing he can’t always help it, I amend, “Well, at least, try to read something else.”
He salutes me. “Scout’s honor.”
“You weren’t even a scout.”
“Was so.”
My eyebrows soar in surprise. “Really?”
He grins. “No. But I got you thinking I was, didn’t I?”
“Liar.”
He shrugs that off. “Not much call for scouts in housing projects,” he tells me. “I’d have done it, though. Anything to get out of the house.”
Unconsciously, I reach for his hand and squeeze it. He reciprocates. “I can’t imagine you as a scout. You’re far too much the computer nerd to like the outdoors.”
“Shows how much you know. I have a cabin in Montana. Deep in the heart of nowhere. It’s perfect.” He rubs his hands together. “We’ll have to visit.” Marshall narrows his eyes. “Let Miranda know your schedule and she’ll arrange something.”
That has me groaning. “Do I really have to talk to her?”
“She still giving you problems?”
I hate feeling like a tattle-tail, but Miranda is the biggest bitch in Christendom and I’m really tired of dealing with her attitude whenever I call her. “A little.”
He grimaces, reaching up to tug at his collar.
“She has a crush on you.”
“I know,” he admits with a sigh. “Was hoping you didn’t know it too.”
My lips twitch. “I can’t exactly blame her, can I? Not when you drive me crazy too.”
“I do, do I?” He slips his hand around my waist and tugs me closer to him.
“You know it. And I’m working.”
He shrugs. “So? No one’s watching. They’re all trying to not laugh at Sue as she botches an ancient ceremony.”
I bite my lip to withhold the smile. “She’s that bad?”
He rolls his eyes. “Worse. I didn’t know it was so hard to pour tea, but she’s already broken one of the pots.”
“Seriously?” I stand on tiptoe to look at the stage, but see nothing thanks to the panels in the way. “I should go and help out.”
“Jessie’s there. She popped up out of nowhere, replaced a couple of the pots and the kettle. If only she could take over the rest of it. It’d be less of a disaster.”
“Poor Sue. It was really important to her, too.”
“She’s too nervous.” He shrugs. “Garrett was helping out when I decided to leave them to it and find you.”
“I wonder what her great-grandmother will think.”
“If she’s the old lady in the wheelchair, I think she was trying not to laugh.”
That has me chuckling. “Well, that’s something, I guess.”
“I doubt it’s what Sue had in mind, but hell, at least she’s been entertaining.”
“Don’t tell Garrett that. You’ll offend him.”
“I’ve told him worse,” he tells me carelessly, peering down at the filled tea cups. He selects one and takes a sip. “At least the rest of the party is going according to plan.”
“It’s barely started,” I protest. “There’s the meal and everything else to go through.”
“God, I hate things like this,” he grimaces. “They bore me shitless.”
“I’d never have guessed,” I tell him, rolling my eyes at him. “You can’t stand it when you’re a
ttention isn’t on business, can you?”
He grunts. “I’m not as bad as you.”
That has me hooting. “Well, that’s okay, then. Because I’m not a control freak. Not one bit.”
Marshall smiles. “Okay, so we’re control freaks together. Like likes like.”
“That’s a lot of liking.”
“I know. What we do best.” He sighs. “When can you leave?”
“When the party’s over, dumbass.”
“Shit,” he grumbles. “I have a present for you.”
“You do?” Despite myself, I perk up. His presents are unusual, and more often than not, I accept them even though I know I shouldn’t. He’s too impossible to say no to.
“I do.”
“Is it here?”
“Nope.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s too big to fit into my pocket,” he retorts with a grin.
“You’re a tease. I have at least another four hours here.”
He taps me on the nose. “You’ll just have to exercise patience then, won’t you?”
A chuckle escapes him as he wanders back to the party, pressing a casual kiss to my forehead as he leaves.
As I watch him leave, I ask myself what it is about him that puts me so at ease while putting me on edge too… A special kind of crazy is all I can think.
Chapter Two – Marshall
The next four hours don’t take too long to pass, actually. I hate these kinds of events and rarely attend unless I have to. It would have been politic and polite of me to come for Garrett’s sake, but I’ve killed two birds with one stone today.
I’m here for Grazia, but Garrett doesn’t have to know that.
Pleased by the duality, I tuck into the surprisingly good Chinese food. It’s the authentic kind, not the American Chinese takeout I was raised on, but still, my more educated palate appreciates the different flavors, as well as the conversation with a web developer from my company at my table.
I doubt the hours pass as quickly for Grazia, but watching her work is always entertaining for me.
There’s a brisk efficiency about her when she’s busy. That’s actually how she caught my eye in the first place. She moves quickly, keeping to the background at all times, and for the most part, she’s difficult to spot. But I saw her because I noticed that briskness and was attracted to it.
The curvy ass and pretty face helped too. Hell, I am a man, after all.
She’s a difficult woman; something else I find attractive about her. Living with her these past few months has been eye opening, mostly because I’ve never done it before.
I could have shunted her off to another of my properties. Unlike most women, I don’t think she’d have been offended by that either. But once I had her in my bed, I didn’t want to move her. The idea of traveling anywhere else when I liked her there seemed pointless, and truth is, I don’t want her to move for a long while yet.
Grazia is… unusual.
Sure, she’s complex and riddled with confusing contradictions that have me scratching my head half the time, but I like how she keeps me on my toes. She gives me no leeway because of my position; she actually expects more of me because of it, not less. I like that. I like the man I am when I’m around her.
My feelings for her have been as complex as the woman herself recently.
You know you’re trapped when you start doing things just to make someone smile, to make them happy.
I’m almost hesitant to think about what that actually means, and when I do think about it, I quickly move on. There’s no point stressing over my feelings and whether they’re reciprocated. There’s no rush, no pressure, something else that’s unusual about Grazia. More to appreciate.
“It’s been lovely,” I tell Sue more so than Garrett. This entire event has her stamp on it; not just because of her heritage, but knowing Garrett as I do, he’d have been happy with a few beers in a bar and not this more formal party. “I really enjoyed it.”
“I’m thrilled you came. I didn’t expect you.” She flushes with pleasure and, I can sense, a little embarrassment. I can understand the latter. I wasn’t officially invited, after all, just popped in. Taking complete and utter advantage of who and what I am to Garrett probably makes me an arrogant bastard. Undoubtedly, Grazia will chide me for it later.
Hiding a smile at the thought, I lean forward and kiss her cheek. “I know, Garrett invited me and I decided to take him up on the offer at the last minute. It’s a good job your planner is so organized,” I say, tongue-in-cheek—might as well talk Grazia up; it’s not like I’m lying, after all. “She helped me find a place at a table without much stress.”
Sue smiles. “I’m glad. Grazia’s been so helpful. Thanks again for coming, Mr. Levitt.”
“Marshall, please.” I wink at her. “I think we’ll be seeing more of each other anyway. Garrett’s going places.” I say that with ease, not only because it’s the truth but because the man in question is talking to another guest.
“Oh!” She flushes again, this time with pride. “That’s wonderful to hear. He really enjoys working for your company.”
I squeeze her hand. “Glad to hear it. Well, I’ll leave you to your guests.” Clapping Garrett on the back while he’s still busy with another attendee, I walk off and head to the chaos of the kitchens and anteroom where Grazia’s stuff is set up.
She’s started to pack some things up, but I know most of it will come down later on tonight. When I spot Jessie, a woman I know only by sight as Grazia won’t introduce us, I catch a hold of her. “Jessie?”
With her head practically buried in a box as she’s arranging something inside it, her voice is muffled as she asks, “Yeah?” Then, something happens, because she pops up, her face pink from being bent over. Her eyes widen at the sight of me and she gawks a little. “Marshall?”
I smile. “That’s me.”
She peers around. “No Grazia?”
“No, she’s outside.”
“I figured as much. I’ve been pestering her to meet you.”
“Likewise.”
“You have?”
“You’re her best friend. Only makes sense that I should know you.”
“And vice versa.” She eyes me cautiously. “Is there something you wanted?”
“Aside from meeting you?”
“No need to charm me,” she replies tartly, folding her arms across her chest. On some, it could be construed as a self-comforting gesture, but in this instance, it seems far more matronly than anything else.
I can tell she won’t accept any of my bullshit.
“Well, I was hoping you’d do me a favor.”
“What kind of favor?”
“I’d like to take Grazia away before the end of the party.”
“Why?”
I frown. “That’s between us.”
“Not when it interferes with business.” She snorts. “You need to figure that out quickly before she gets mad. Nothing gets in the way of business with Grazia.”
That’s one of the reasons why we’re perfect for one another. Although, if there’s anyone I’m willing to miss a few days of work for, it’s Grazia.
Christ, that admission is enough to make me drip with sweat, but I ignore that and say, “I have a surprise for her. It was ready today, and I’d like to show her as soon as I can.”
“What kind of surprise?”
“I’d like her to be the first to know,” I retort, ignoring her suspicious reply. “Only thing is, I know she’ll stay late to take everything down.”
“I can handle things here,” she concedes. “Tell her I can deal with shutting down, getting the others home, and getting the van back to the rental place.” Jessie narrows her eyes at me. “But you owe me one.”
I smile. “Whatever you want, just ask.”
“Well, I don’t want anything yet, but when I do, you’ll be the first to hear about it.”
Amused, I hold out a hand. When she shakes it, I say, “It’s
been a pleasure meeting you.”
“Likewise.” She hesitates a second, then murmurs, “Look, just… don’t hurt her. Please.”
“I have no intention of doing anything of the kind,” I assure her matter-of-factly.
“Men always say that, but still, I had to try.”
“And I appreciate the fact you care, but there’s no need to be concerned.”
She eyes me, and I can tell my words haven’t eased her mind much. “If you say so. Have a nice night.”
I back up a step, nod at her in farewell, then retreat to the banquet hall. Spotting Grazia trying to drag a potted plant across the floor, I come up behind her and tell her, “I’ve managed to get you a reprieve.”
She blows out a breath to waft a piece of hair from out of her eyes. “What kind of reprieve?”
“Jessie says I can whisk you away and she can handle everything here.”
That has her frowning. “That’s not fair. I won’t be here long.”
“I know, and she said you’d argue, but still, I need to take you somewhere.”
She studies me a little suspiciously. “Where?”
“Does it matter? It’s your surprise.”
“I have work to do, Marshall. You know that. Look at how crazy this place is.”
“I know, and it’s not fair. I wouldn’t ask, only it was finished today and I’d like you to see it. Jessie didn’t mind, and she says she’ll get the others home and drop the van off at the rental agency. She can handle it all. Come and play truant with me… just this once,” I plead.
She wrinkles her nose at me, then looks around the room. Blowing out another breath, she grumbles, “Let me just speak with Jessie to tell her what needs doing.”
“I’m sure she already knows.”
“I’m sure she does, but I want to make sure we’re on the same page. I’ll be five minutes.” She looks at me like I’m a nuisance, and I’m hard pressed not to laugh.
It’s not often my exes have looked at me that way when I’m trying to give them a gift.
It’s no wonder my feelings for her are difficult to describe, difficult even to process. She’s tilted my world on its heel, and though I’m glad for it, it’s unsettling to know that someone else has that control over your life.