When I get home, the penthouse is quiet. Taylor’s keys are in the bowl by the door and her purse is on the hook, so I know she’s already back from Ivory’s, which seems early considering it’s mid-afternoon. I figured she would stay over there all day. Searching her out, I find the door to her bedroom ajar and see her curled up on the bed. My feet move toward the bed without conscious thought.
I slide my shoes off and carefully sit on the bed. When she doesn’t move, I crawl in behind her, pulling her back to my front. All the tension, what ifs, and worries fade away as I breathe in her botanical shampoo. She snuggles back into me and I fade into a dreamless sleep.
When I woke up from my nap and found Grant sleeping peacefully beside me, I should’ve made him leave. Instead, I burrowed in deeper and soaked in the intimacy of a shared nap. He was gone by the time I was ready to get up, but he stuck close to me all weekend. Watching movies while I lounged around. Making sure I ate, drank, and was comfortable. By Monday, I was feeling better and needed to get out of the house. Not only because we were in the final stretch of planning for Bark in the Park, but because I needed space from all the extra attention he was giving me.
I don’t scare easily, but having Grant tend to me and show me with his actions that he still cares for me was too much for me to process, and the feelings I’m not prepared to face rose to the surface.
We need to talk.
I know we need to talk, but first I need to make it through this event, which is why I’m doing everything in my power to stay distracted until it’s over. It’s not hard to do. There’s a lot to get done in a short amount of time.
Mary joins me in the marketing room.
“Should we go over the checklist?” I ask, opening my ever-present planner.
“Yes, let’s do that because I feel like I’m forgetting something and it’s driving me crazy.”
We’ve only had three weeks to plan this event and events of this scale typically take much longer, so I completely understand how Mary’s feeling.
“Deep breaths. You’re doing great.”
She reaches over and clasps my hand. “I really appreciate everything you’re doing to help us. I don’t know how we could’ve pulled this off without you.”
“Happy to help, Mary. Your team is great, and I really enjoy working with everyone here.”
In our friend group, I’m known as the planner. It’s why I planned Ivory’s wedding and why the guys told Chase to come to me to plan this event. If someone needs something done, I handle it with precision. I don’t get to do things like this often, but I love seeing all the pieces come together.
“They love you.” Mary smiles over at me.
Looking down at my planner, I rest my pen beside the first item. “Okay, first things first. Has the grounds crew done whatever protections they need to for the field?”
We’re hosting the event on the field and plan to have the dogs in the outfield in playpens so attendees can play with them before adopting them.
She looks down at her own list. “I believe so. Grant was going to handle that part with them.”
“I can check with him so you can focus on the other things.” Looks like my avoidance tactics are coming to an end today.
“Great. The social media team has been posting about the event and including the guest appearances you’ve arranged.”
Athletes and coaches from the other local Nashville sports teams have agreed to come to the event and spread the word. Many of them also partner with the humane society and local area charities, so it’s a mutually beneficial arrangement. I’ve also talked to some of my personal clients and they’re flying in to support.
I nod. “Perfect. What about the performances?”
Mary flips the page in her notebook. “We’ve got local artistsand then a few of yours lined up. It’ll be a full schedule with music throughout the day. We’re setting that up on the concourse because we don’t want them in the dirt of the infield or the crowd too close to the animals.”
“Smart thinking. Games and attractions are also on the concourse, right?”
“Yep. Bounce house, obstacle course, face painting. We’ll open the other games already in the stadium as well to keep the kids entertained.”
“Concessions?” I ask, moving to the next item on the list.
“Two of the stadium’s concession stands and the convenience store will be open.”
“We’ll have the food trucks line up along the side street and create a food truck park. I’ve been in contact with the police department to block off the road and get the necessary permits.”
I pass Mary the map I’ve drawn up, and she giddily says, “This is so exciting. I can’t wait to see it all come together.”
“Me either. Should we go over the schedule?”
