“Full charm offensive?”
“Is there any other kind?” I grinned.
“Just promise me there won’t be any fires. Or property damage. Or lawsuits.”
“Scout’s honor,” I said, holding up three fingers.
“You got kicked out of Girl Scouts,” Anica reminded me.
“For putting a frog in some bitch’s sleeping bag. She deserved it. She stole my cookies.”
“Just be careful,” Anica said, her expression turning serious. “Remember what we talked about when you took this expansion. No impulsive decisions. Think before you act.”
“When have I ever been impulsive?” I asked with exaggerated innocence. If only she knew that the last impulsive decision I made had led to numerous orgasms and minor arson.
Anica’s withering look was the last thing I saw before the call ended.
I spent the next hour perfecting my presentation for the Royal Gardens. This venue was the crown jewel of Chicago event spaces. It was a converted historic building with soaring ceilings, massive windows, and an actual indoor garden complete with a glass roof. The perfect canvas for the immersive, emotional storytelling that was Knot Your Average Wedding’s hallmark.
My phone pinged with a message from Lia.
Running late. Meet at venue at 2:30 instead of 2?
No problem!
I replied, grateful for the extra time tofinalize my ideas.
I arrived at the Royal Gardens at 2:15, portfolio and tablet in hand, ready to blow their minds with my vision for their wedding. The venue coordinator, a willowy woman named Penelope, greeted me at the entrance, and I introduced myself.
“Ms. Landry, welcome to the Royal Gardens. I have you down for a 2:30 tour with the Kussikov-Martin party.”
“That’s right. I’m a bit early, but I’d love to get set up before they arrive.”
“Of course.” She smiled. “Though I should mention that the other planner is already here.”
My smile froze. “The other planner?”
“Yes, Mr. Gable arrived about twenty minutes ago. He’s in the main hall with the florist.”
The florist? The same florist who was supposed to be across town right now? The florist appointment Hudson was supposed to be at, leaving me free to show the venue to Manny and Lia alone?
I kept my voice eerily calm, which anyone who knew me would recognize as the eye of a hurricane. “Oh, I thought Mr. Gable had a separate appointment.”
Penelope consulted her tablet. “It seems they’ve combined the appointments. The florist is here to discuss how arrangements might work in the space.”
Of course. Of fucking course.
I followed Penelope into the main hall, a breathtaking space with thirty-foot ceilings and wall-to-wall windows. Under different circumstances, I would have been mentally designing the entire event, placing tables and lighting and decor. Instead, all I could focus on was Hudson Gable, standing in the center of the room with a tall man carrying an overflowing portfolio of botanical photographs.
Hudson looked up as I entered, a smirk crossing his face before his expression settled into its usual mask of cool professionalism.
“Ms. Landry,” he said with a nod that was just a fraction too stiff. “I didn’t expect you so soon.”
“Clearly,” I replied through gritted teeth. “I thought you had a florist appointment across town.”
“Plans change. I thought it would be more efficient to have Criss see the space while we discussed options.” Hegestured to the tall man beside him. “Criss is the premier floral designer in Chicago.”
“Actually, I’m the premier floral designer in the Midwest,” Criss corrected, extending a hand to me. “And any friend of Mr. Gable’s is a friend of mine.”
