Roxanne had dealt with every type of client in her event-planning business. She’d been doing it long enough to know not everyone was pleasant to work with. Usually, she had the patience and finesse to get along with everyone, even the most difficult. Butthisbride was especially challenging. How that woman had suckered some poor man into marrying her, she’d never know.
I give it two years.
Roxanne sighed, flicked open her eyes and snapped back to reality. She’d scheduled two other meetings and was checking out a new venue in the afternoon. The best thing she could do was move forward and focus on the positive. Mainly, that shedidn’t have another appointment with that bride for another two weeks. She settled into her seat, locked her seatbelt in place and started the engine. She quickly glanced in the rearview mirror and, before she could catch herself, she gasped, widening her eyes.Oh hell!She leaned closer, inspecting her face. The deep crease on her forehead wasn’t there this morning. This bride had aged her five years in a matter of three hours. She scowled which only magnified the deep indent between her eyebrows.Stop looking!
She slowly reversed out of her spot, cursing the bridezilla who’d taken up her morning. She was there mainly for the venue. The coordinator was running late, so Roxanne had offered to answer questions in her place.Big mistake.
“It’s over now,” she muttered and slowly drove through the marina parking lot. Yacht weddings weren’t common, but they were amazing, and this one would be too. The power of positive thinking. Her gaze scanned the pier, catching sight of the bride-to-be pacing and flailing her arm with the other attached to the phone at her ear. That poor groom-to-be. She was probably in the throes of complaining about every little detail.
Roxanne circled the lot and down the driveway, coming to a stop sign at the exit. She glanced to her right at the oncoming traffic. It was especially light for this time of day. She was about to ease up on her brakes. She never got the chance.
Without warning, a loud crash of metal jolted her body, and she tightened her grip on the steering wheel. There was no time to think or act. The collision came out of nowhere. She slammed against the steering wheel and, for a brief second, the impact knocked the wind out of her. Her chest burned, and though her mouth was wide open, she couldn’t breathe. Panic set in, and her eyes welled from being unable to take in air. She white-knuckled the steering wheel, her right leg locked in place, pressing herfoot against the brake pad. The last thing she needed was to get thrust into the oncoming traffic.
Relax and breathe. Relax and breathe. Fucking breathe!
Finally, her windpipe gave way, and she sucked in a deep breath.Oh, thank God.She pressed her hand against her chest, rubbing the center of her rib cage. Her heart raced, threatening to beat out of her chest. Through shaky hands, she was able to settle slightly; enough to glance at her rearview mirror and see the blue sports car behind her. A figure flashed from the corner of the mirror, seconds before she heard a knock on her window.
“Oh shit, are you okay?”
Roxanne blinked and slowly turned her head. A young guy was crouched down by her door peering in with concern. Was she okay? His car was practically hitching a ride on her trunk.
No, I’m not okay!
Oh, the irony. Not five minutes earlier, she was reciting those famous last words, “it can’t get any worse”.Then BAM!It did. She gazed up at the ceiling of her car and muttered. “Not funny.”
Roxanne moved slowly, putting the car in park and opening her door. The guy, grabbed the handle, widening the door. Roxanne climbed out, surveying her surroundings and gathering herself.
“I’m so sorry, I just … I don’t know, I looked down for a second,” he stammered, his tone slightly panicked. He glanced at his phone in his hand, and she followed his gaze. It didn’t take a genius to figure out he was obviously playing on his phone, most likely texting when he hit her.
She clenched her teeth, yanking her door from his hold and slamming it shut. Accidents happened. However, this one could’ve been avoided. She sent him a scathing glare before heading toward the back of her car to assess the damage. Roxanne stopped mid-step and gasped.
Both brake lights were completely shattered and her trunk caved in. This was not a simple fender-bender. Nor was it an easy fix. It was probably thousands of dollars in repairs, not to mention being without her car for several days. In her line of work, that wasn’t an option.I’ll have to rent a car.
“Dammit!” she groaned, thinking of the massive and costly inconvenience this would be.
“I’ll pay for the damages.”
She slowly craned her neck. He was standing about two feet away.
“Uh yeah, of course, you will.”
Dumbass.She ran her hand through her hair, flipping it over her shoulder. “I did not need this today.”
He snorted. “Yeah, accidents suck, I know.”
For some reason his tone, as if they were in the same boat sharing a moment, struck a nerve. She spun around and stepped forward. He had about six inches on her, but he still heeded her warning and moved back.Smart move.
“Yes, accidents happen, and they do suck. But this?” She pointed to her bumper. “Thiscould’ve been avoided had you put your goddamn phone down,” she shouted the last few words and immediately regretted it when his face paled.
Calm down, Rox.
She grabbed her hips, dropping her chin to her chest and inhaling a breath. Yes, this sucked. Yes, he was at fault.And yes, he apologized. Letting her anger and frustration get the best of her wasn’t in either of their best interests. And it wouldn’t solve anything. She could spend the next thirty minutes ripping this guy a new asshole, but where would that get them? They’d be in the same position. Her car would still be wrecked, and she’d probably wind up feeling guilty for laying into him. It was an accident, plain and simple.
She rolled her shoulders, glancing at him. At least he had the decency to show some semblance of remorse.
It happened, it sucks, move on.
“Alright, well, let’s figure this out.”
