Lucy’s pencil hovered. “So what is the total count?”
Kitty looked down at her clipboard like it might rescue her. “Somewhere between thirty-five and seventy.”
Lucy stared at her. “That is potentially double our wedding guests.”
“I know,” Kitty said softly. “But the groom has cousins. Many cousins.”
“How many?” I asked.
Kitty lifted her shoulders. “Cousin quantity is unknown.”
Lucy wrote, COUSINS: A MENACE, then underlined it.
I could not help it. A small laugh slipped out. Kitty looked relieved, like humor meant she had not failed completely.
Lucy continued. “Is the ceremony indoor or outdoor?”
Kitty brightened. “The bride loves winter weddings. She said she pictured fairy lights and snow falling and everyone looking like a holiday movie.”
Lucy’s expression didn't change. “It’s December.”
“Yes,” Kitty said.
“In Canada,” Lucy added.
Kitty winced. “She might have been imagining a romantic version of December.”
I cleared my throat. “Outdoor ceremonies are not practical at this time of year. Outdoor photos, yes. Ceremony, no.”
Kitty nodded quickly. “Indoor ceremony.”
“Where?” Lucy asked.
Kitty gestured vaguely. “The reception room.”
I looked down at my notes. “That room is scheduled for the rehearsal dinner setup the night before. We need a plan that doesn't involve tearing everything down and rebuilding it within an hour.”
Kitty’s eyes widened. “Oh.”
Lucy’s smile tightened. “Yes. Oh.”
Kitty’s voice turned small. “I thought we could just… rearrange.”
Lucy wrote, REARRANGE: NOT A PLAN.
I took a slow breath. “We need a timeline. Ceremony time. Cocktail hour. Dinner. Dancing.”
Kitty’s shoulders hunched. “I have the ceremony time.”
“Wonderful,” Lucy said. “What is it?”
“Two,” Kitty said.
“Two in the afternoon,” I repeated.
“Yes.”
Lucy looked at me. “So we need lunch for guests before that.”
