Unexpectedly You

by Josephs, Mia

  I feign innocence, gawking at him like I would never do such a thing. “I wasn’t even thinking about th—”

  “Those are the same shoes you wore on your interview here.”

  My brows pull together and I examine the heel in my hand. Crap, I think he’s right.

  I growl and place it back on my left foot. “Well, damn it.”

  He laughs, sitting upright and slowly tilting his screen down. “We don’t have time anyway. We have a few phone calls to catch up on. Mom left the list in there.” He jabs his thumb over his shoulder to her office.

  But wait… “There’s more?”

  “Huh?”

  “I took care of those calls this morning.” I swear I did. I yank out my phone and pull out my cute checked off morning list.

  He presses the lid to his laptop all the way down, cocking an eyebrow at me. “The Albert wedding…”

  “Needed to change their cake from white with chocolate filling, to chocolate with raspberry filling. And the blue frosting roses are now yellow lilies.”

  “And Mr. Haverman…”

  “Needed his tux resized. I booked an appointment for him this afternoon and the tux will be ready by Thursday morning.”

  “The Fox wedding…” He looks amused now, and I sit up straight staring him dead on.

  “The MOH got her nipples pierced last weekend, and you can see it through the gown. I’ve scheduled an emergency padding.” And because I know he’s going to ask, I go through my checklist, feeling kickass as I read each one off. “Gunderson wedding wants another venue for nighttime stargazing. Rivera’s want a local band, so I ordered tickets for several in-city concerts for them to check out this week. They’ll get back to us next Tuesday. Our Timothy bride got cold feet, called crying her eyes out, but I calmed her down and scheduled a date night for her and her fiancé for tonight far away from wedding plans. And your mom asked me to make sure you ate your vegetables for lunch.” I gesture to his empty plate. “Good thing I challenged you on who could eat more asparagus without it coming back up. You kicked my ass.”

  He watches as I give him the most arrogant look I possess. I rocked it. Just tell me I rocked it, and maybe I can make that phone call to my mom about how I’m finally on top of things. After what happened at my first wedding, I really didn’t know if I’d ever get to make that call.

  “You look very proud of yourself,” he teases.

  “I am.” I slip out of my heels and plop a foot on his lap. “So, we have time now.”

  I bat my eyes and grin, and he laughs, shaking his head at my dainty foot I got all cute and pedicured for him. But the main phone rings and it jolts us both so much I kick a little too hard and he moves a little too much to the right, and WAM! Perfect nut shot.

  “Ughnn…” he groans, shoving my leg off him and curling over.

  “Crap, Nate… I’m so sorry.”

  “Yeah,” he grunts up at my stifled laughter. “You sure look it.”

  “Do you want me to get that?” I point at the phone, and he gives me a look like he’s in no condition to talk to anyone right now. So I jump up and answer before they hang up.

  “Marks Weddings and Events. This is Brooke, how may I help you?”

  “Yes, I’ve got them on the phone right now,” a rushed female voice peppers through. “Sorry, yes, I’d like Ms. Marks to plan my daughter’s wedding.”

  “Sure.” I slide my laptop across the table, my stomach dancing because I’ve taken care of the small stuff, like cakes and tuxes and panicky brides, but I’ve never booked a wedding on my own. Nate is still inhaling and exhaling like I chopped off his manhood. “We’re booked out for several mo—”

  “I’m well aware of that, but I’m willing to get the platinum event. And I’ll pay double if you can get us in October sixteenth.” Something muffles over the other end of the line and she screams back. “I can’t talk venues yet until I book our planner! Calm down, Lily.”

  I clear my throat and bring up our October schedule, which is jam-packed. Luckily no actual wedding that weekend, but we’ve got days and days I need to rearrange to make it work.

  I blink over to Nate, and he’s sitting upright at least, gesturing to the phone, mouthing, “Do you need me to take it?”

  My heart thumps unevenly because I don’t want to mess this up, but I also want to do this on my own. I want that big smile from Ms. Marks, the satisfied wedding party on the line, I want to call my mom and tell her just how big a deal this is. That I did something really good for this job.

  This is a scheduling issue. I can do this.

  I shake my head at Nate, and stare at the week of the sixteenth. “Can I get your name, please?”

  “It’s Tabitha Greenwood.”

  “Ms. Greenwood, the week of the sixteenth is dedicated to another wedding party, but if you are willing to pay double, I will rearrange to make your daughter’s wedding our top priority that weekend, and the future weekends you’ll require for the other wedding planning events.”

  I’m already copy/pasting a dozen things, moving all appointments I have on the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth to earlier dates, setting reminders to call those wedding parties with updates on those, and shooting over to our special offers to give them for rescheduling. Ten percent off for the Parker wedding if they’re willing to move their rehearsal dinner to the eighth. Five percent off the Zundel wedding if they’re willing to reschedule bridal photos to the fifth. I rearrange, set up reminders, and talk to Ms. Greenwood about our package details all at once, ignoring Nate as he moves from his seat and into the one next to mine.

  “Ms. Marks likes to do the venues herself, but if you have something specific in mind I can—”

  “Bellagio. Has to be the Bellagio.”

  I click over to the saved bookmark on our internet tab and put us on the waiting list with lightning speed, using the dollar signs to indicate these people are willing to pay to get this date.

  “I’ve just put your party on the waiting list, and when Ms. Marks takes you through the hotel, you can negotiate monetary terms there. How is next Wednesday at four o’clock? That is Ms. Marks next available venue appointment.”

  “Yes, yes, we will be there.”

  “Great. Let me put you on hold for a moment while I discuss things with my assistant…” I give Nate a sly smile, but he’s squinting at my computer screen with a tight expression. Crap, I hope I was okay to do this.

  When I press hold, I don’t even talk to him because I’m afraid he’s going to tell me to tell Ms. Greenwood to forget it, I’m new and I just messed everything up. Instead I call the Parkers and the Zundels, patting myself on the shoulder that I got a hold of both of them and they were stoked with the discounts I offered. Even with those discounts, we’re making it up and more with what the Greenwood wedding will get us.

  I turn the tentative changes into permanent ones, click back over to Ms. Greenwood, and say, “Sorry about that wait. October sixteenth is all yours, as long as Bellagio pulls through. We require fifty percent payment upfront, the other fifty after the honeymo—”

  “Do you take American Express?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Great, the number is…”

  I’m so glad I have the computer up because she rattles it off so fast I’d never get it in my phone or written down in time.

  “This should charge to your card today. Once it approves, I’ll send you the itinerary for your daughter’s wedding events. Congratulations to you and the happy couple.”

  “Thank you so much for your help, Brooke.”

  I smile that she remembered my name, because I hope it bodes well for me, and I thank her and hang up, a big rush of breath whooshing out of me.

  “Ho-lee shit.” Nate’s rubs a hand over his forehead, and I panic, because crap, crap, crap. Did I do everything wrong there? Should I have asked Ms. Marks before I rearranged things like this? Offered discounts? Even talked to Ms. Greenwood?

  He looks at me, and I wa
it for it. Maybe he’ll just fire me and get it over with, but he has his mouth slightly open and shakes his head. “Do you realize you probably just made us close to fifty thousand after expenses in twenty minutes?”

  I look at the clock, the panic starting to seep out because maybe I didn’t botch this. “Actually… it’s been thirty-two minutes.”

  He laughs, and my panic turns into something else altogether. The feeling I get when I check something off in my phone. That accomplishment, but ten times stronger.

  He picks up the main line, dialing out then handing it over to me. “Tell my mom how kickass you are, then we’re going out.”

  “What?”

  He nods toward the phone, and I slide it to my ear.

  “Trust me…once she hears what you just did, she’s going to take you out. Better clear another schedule.”

  I smile like a giddy schoolgirl as I listen to the phone ring in my ear. I can’t wait to put a checkmark next to this one.

  Make someone proud!

  Chapter Ten

  Nate

  Mom’s still primping for dinner, but it takes me like ten minutes to get ready so I’m sitting in front of my computer, torturing myself with Facebook. I told myself I was just catching up with friends, but really I’m checking up on Viv. Again.

  She’s tagged in one of her girlfriend’s pictures, dark hair hanging to her waist, mouth open in laughter. I don’t even know if it hurts any less now than it did. Thinking about Viv makes me think about Darrian. Did she ever tell her boyfriend? Or am I something she’ll keep to herself until...who knows when.

  A message from Celeste pops up. I pause and stare at her photo because she is exactly my type. Tall, long dark hair, gorgeous eyes…

  Lunch was nice. Thanks again.

  Lunch was nice, but that’s all it was. I guess that’s the purpose of date one.

  Yep. Sorry I can’t chat. On the run.

  I can’t be pulled into a Facebook message marathon right now. Viv has added a load of new pictures.

  “Oh, honey.” Mom kisses her fingers and pats my head. “Stop. Please. Stop.”

  I slap my laptop closed. “Just checking up on the gang.” Only “gang” is a word I’d never use, and I hate that I was just caught.

  “Let’s go celebrate.”

  “Yeah. Ready.”

  I stand up to see Morsten, in his custom tailored suit, smiling widely at Mom. I think this marriage will stick because that man worships her.

  The only good thing about the night is Brooke getting some recognition for the kickass job she does, and my classic Impala. Well… Mom’s since she bought it from me so I could move to New York, but still. I did the work on the car so she’s mine.

  It feels like seconds of me being buried in my own thoughts before we’re sitting at the restaurant, Brooke looking every bit as smooth and polished as I expected. She probably did some Google research on what to wear on a dinner out with your boss. And she did perfect—simple little black dress that’s snug enough to be sexy but covers enough to… Actually, she just looks pretty damn sexy.

  “I invited your brother to join us,” Mom says as she flicks a page in her leather bound menu.

  Big dinners out aren’t my thing. I get it, and Brooke’s taking in the restaurant with big eyes, so that’s good. I want her to enjoy it.

  And then Xavier comes around the corner with his dyed black hair spiked around his head and a red tuxedo jacket over a T-shirt and too skinny tux pants. He’s such a show-off prick. Has to make sure people know who he is, and by the blond on each arm, he’s playing it up a little too hard tonight.

  He pauses at our table as a waiter scrambles to get another chair (seriously, he said he was bringing a date, not dates) and looks down on us.

  I give him a thin smile but I’m sort of pissed. Tonight was supposed to be about Brooke, not about him. The only reason Mom invited him is because he’s enough of an ass to never drop in to see her. Morsten shifts in his seat and smoothes a hand over his bald head.

  “You brought your assistants,” I say.

  “We’re not his assistants, silly.” A blond waves me off, her boobs half falling out of the top of her dress.

  “Oh, sorry. My mistake.” I manage to hold in my eye roll.

  Brooke looks both slightly star struck and disgusted at the same time so I pull out my phone to snap a quick picture of her, and because she’s still staring I capture her expression perfectly. I’m still watching her raised brow and tiny mouth on my phone when Xavier clears his throat.

  “I met them after my show.” Xavier sits, letting the girls pull their own chairs. Serious ass.

  “Wow.” I fold my hands on the table. “Such an unusual way for you to meet girls.”

  Both Mom and Brooke tap a leg under the table and shoot me a look. Oh. Great. Next time I’ll make sure I’m not sitting between these two.

  I take a glance at Brooke, who’s holding in a laugh or probably a snort, and then at Mom, who’s frowning. At least Brooke thinks I’m funny.

  Two courses in and Xavier hasn’t shut up about how the Discovery Channel is going to do a show on him if TLC can’t come up with a good counter-offer.

  Mom interrupts a few times to talk about her and Morsten and their upcoming wedding. I don’t think she’d have given him a second glance if it weren’t for his money, but I also know it turned into more than that fast. He only takes a hand off her to eat. It would be sweet if it weren’t so sickening, but I’m happy for her just the same.

  Brooke smiles and eats and takes it all in like this dinner turned out the way it was supposed to—as a big thank you to Brooke instead of a Xavier show-off party.

  “So.” Xavier points to Brooke. “Mom doesn’t normally hire girls as hot as you.”

  “Oh.” Brooke flushes bright red.

  I scoff and wish he was close enough for me kick him under the table. “Don’t be a dick, Xavier.”

  “It’s X, and I was just giving her a compliment. Chill, bro. If you were tapping that, you just had to say so.”

  Before I think I’m standing. “Seriously, Xavier. This night isn’t about you. It’s Mom celebrating with Brooke over the massive account Brooke landed today.”

  Xavier leans back knowing it makes me insane when he doesn’t react to me being pissed. “Man. I’m so glad you’re finally getting some. I just… I wish it made you less uptight.”

  Mom grabs one arm and Brooke grabs the other, pulling me back into my seat.

  “It’s fine,” Brooke whispers. “It’s fine. I’m sort of…flattered.”

  “Only because you’re nice.” I give her thigh a squeeze and man her workout schedule has done some nice things to her legs. It takes me a second before I remember this is Brooke, and I should move my hand already.

  Mom pulls my arm next to say something, and Xavier leans back in his chair. “I get it. You’re talking about me.”

  “Stop being a prick for ten seconds, please.” He’s not like this when he’s not with girls, but this side of him comes out in full force when he is. It’s like he follows every douche-bag rule there is.

  Mom taps my leg. “Morsten and I want to catch up with your brother. Why don’t you and Brooke take the car and enjoy yourselves.”

  It takes me about a half second to take Mom’s keys and Brooke’s arm.

  “Sorry we’re leaving before dessert,” I say as she stands.

  “Great to meet you, Xavier.” She nods at him and gives Mom a smile. “And thank you.”

  “Thank you, Brooke,” Mom says with the sincerity that comes so naturally to her. “What you did today was big. You two celebrate, and come in to work tomorrow whenever.”

  Brooke beams and I resist the urge to tug one of X’s spikes on our way out.

  ***

  The second we’re in the old Impala, I pull the top down. “Anywhere you want. Anywhere we can drive. Anything for dessert.” Anything to get away from my brother.

  She laughs as she stretches her arms up an
d tugs on her dress. “I want a Piña Colada Icee from Taco Bell and maybe one of those Caramel Apple Empanadas, and I want you to drive.”

  “You’re a kickass girl, Brooke.” I stare at her for a minute longer, her girlish face in a huge smile as she breathes in the night air and jerks the pins out of her hair letting it fall down in a mess around her ears.

  “I can be.” Her bright eyes meet mine and I hit the gas as we pull out of the parking lot.

  “There’s a great Taco Bell in Mesquite, if you want to go for a drive.”

  “You’d go that far?” Her brows rise. “For me?”

  “You said you wanted to drive somewhere.”

  “I did. Thanks, Nate.”

  “And if you crawl in the back, you can change into your backup outfit.”

  She freezes. “How did you know I—”

  “The size of your bag.”

  She slides between the seats with a grin of pure satisfaction. “I even wore the right bra, so it wouldn’t be weird…”

  I don’t hear any more because I’m laughing too damn hard. This girl…

  “Whew!” She slips back over the seat a few minutes later in shorts and a tank.

  “That’s…” I wrinkle my brow.

  “Every girl needs to be good at the quick change, Nate.” She pokes my shoulder. “Otherwise there would be no point in the extra outfit.”

  “I guess not.” We smile at each other before I look back out at the road.

  There’s an odd relaxation that comes over me as we head out of town. Brooke cranks up the oldies station and sings at the top of her lungs while the wind whips her hair around her face. I’m doing something nice for her, and I get the very distinct feeling that doesn’t happen for Brooke very often. It makes me wonder how anyone could be around her and not want to see her smile.

  “You know what?” she yells over the sound of the music and the wind and the near constant traffic on I-5.

  “What?”

  “Tonight is second-date good without the pressure of a second date.”

  “Good,” I say, even though part of me panics at the idea of being on a date with a friend. She’s not going to think this is a date, is she? This is a work celebration. We’re friends, so it’s a friend/work celebration. That’s not a date.