“Hey, Banannie! You did so good! I’m so proud of you. Made your old man tear up,” Dad said.
I smiled. “Thanks, Dad.” I leaned in to wave at his wife. “Hi, Sandy! Glad y’all could come.”
“We wouldn’t miss it. Your dad adores Kitty.”
“Did your boyfriend not make it?” Dad asked.
“No, he, um.” Fuck, I didn’t want this to be my reaction. I wanted to be able to make a little white lie, but my dad made me weak. When you’ve weathered as much shit as we have, it’s easy for him to see through me and get me to fold.
“Oh, Annie. I’m sorry,” Dad said, understanding in an instant. He put his arm around my shoulders and kissed my cheek. “It’s his loss, kiddo. He doesn’t know what he missed.”
I nodded, pulling myself together. “Y’all gonna dance? Will I see you out there?”
“You’d better save me one,” Dad said. “Chin up, kiddo. We’ll get that Markham smile back on you. There’ll be someone else.”
I squeezed his shoulder as I stood, heading to get a cup of coffee. It was hot out, but a long night was ahead and Diet Coke alone wasn’t going to cut it. Who knew what other maid of honor duties I’d be needed for?
As I poured cream in my cup, a voice came from beside me.
“Beautiful speech!”
I turned, meeting some warm brown eyes and a big smile. “I’m Marcie, Guy’s agent. Did I catch that you’re a sports agent?”
I grabbed a saucer for my coffee cup and stepped so we could hear each other. “I am! So nice to meet you. I’m Annie Markham.”
“Where are you based, Annie?”
“I’m in Nashville. I’m on the team to rep some Titans and Preds and consult on some of the legal stuff for other clients.”
“Pity,” she said. “I’m going to be out on maternity leave in a fewmonths.” She patted her belly.
“Oh, congratulations!”
“Thanks! Guy mentioned that you’re a smart cookie, and I’ve been hoping to find someone to fill my role while I’m gone.”
The implication took a second to set in. “Oh, yeah. I’m barred in Tennessee, and I’m just in my first few months of practice. Are you in Los Angeles?”
“I am, but you wouldn’t have to be barred at our firm. Your law degree and status in another state is good enough for us. And I’d mentor you.” She touched my forearm. “Not that I’d expect you to up and move or anything. I guess I’d just rather a woman held down the fort while I was gone than split it between my male colleagues.”
I raised my eyebrows. “That’s fair.”
“And who knows? If you liked it, maybe we could make room for another partner.”
My head swam as I took a sip of coffee. “I . . . I don’t know if I could leave Nashville,” I said, fully knowing that I very well could leave Nashville for the right opportunity. And with the garbage fire I’d be walking back into at the firm, it’d be nice to have an exit plan.
“I’m sure. Anyway, humor me. Come with me and take my card so you can think about it.”
I walked with Marcie back to her table where she fished in her purse. “I’m a big believer in signs, Annie. I’m planning to take a year off when the baby comes. I’ve been trying to find my replacement, and here you are, making this precious toast at Guy’s wedding. You’d also get to be close to your best friend.” She pressed her card into my hand. “Give it some thought and send me your resume. I’ll be waiting for your call.”
I stood, stunned and freaking out a little, but strangely encouraged. I rushed back to stuff her card in my purse, then reported to the dance floor where things were heating up.
I danced with everyone I knew: random friends from highschool, Kitty’s cousins, the other bridesmaids. Frank wiggled his way over to me at one point, and we yelled over the music.
“Hey, hope I didn’t make you feel weird with the high school crush remark,” I said.
He waved it off. “I’m flattered. I don’t know what I was thinking, not going for it back then.”
I cackled. “Kitty would have had a fit.”
