“Welcome everyone,” Zander says. “Tomorrow is the Smith wedding. Let’s discuss the details. First, welcome Summer. She’ll be in the chopper with me tomorrow.”
I blush and give a small wave as people nod or say “Hi.”
Troygoes over what jobs each person will handle tomorrow. The packet is thorough, with names and headshots of the wedding party and family. There’s a picture of the bride’s ex as a person of concern. He’s not happy about the wedding, apparently. A land map and house blueprints with exits and entrances marked is included. There are also green dots showing where members of the team will be situated. It looks like a lot of information to me, but everyone's nodding along as if this is standard for them. The last page contains an NDA that we all need to fill out and sign for the family.
“Is the family clear about our job descriptions now? They understand there will be no more changes tomorrow?” A man inquires from across the table.
“Good question. Yes. There will be no further changes allowed. For anyone unaware, the family has been requesting changes to our security plan nonstop for the past week. Z put his foot down, so to speak. Your jobs and positions are now established. If someone tells you to go somewhere else or perform duties not specified in your job description, get in touch with me or Z right away, alright?” Troy replies. Once the team discusses everything and everyone's questions are answered, they depart.
“So what happened this morning?” Seb asks as we walk towards Zander’s office.
“Ms. Johnson won’t approve the AP Seminar class. I had to choose something else, so I picked regular history.”
“That’s bullshit, Sunshine. Hang on a second, we’ll get this fixed.” We stop walking as he whips out his phone to make a call. “Alex, man, Summer is getting screwed over by Ms. Johnson. You need to help her out,” he says. “Yeah, okay, just a sec.” Seb hands me his phone. “Alex needs to talk to you.”
“Hello?” I answer, taking his phone. At some point, I’ll get used to the hurricane that is Seb.
“Hi Summer. Seb said you had an issue with Ms. Johnson this morning?” Alex’s baritone voice rolls over me.
“Yeah, sorry he called you during your vacation about this. She wouldn’t approve the AP Seminar class you suggested.”
“It is no problem. What was her reasoning?” He asks. I can hear him walking as the background noise decreases. I hope Seb didn’t interrupt something important.
“My grades aren’t high enough.” That’s an embarrassing statement from a normally straight A student. Huh, this is the first time I’ve cared about my grades since before.
“l see. Would you mind taking a screenshot of your transcripts for me, please? I will wait.”
“Sure ok. Just a minute.” I grab my phone and bring up my transcripts and screenshot them, then text them to Alex. “Okay, you should have them,” I say.
“I see them, Summer. Just let me glance at them,” he replies. I hear a door open and close, then silence. “Your grades are fine. It looks like they dropped after the accident, but you are passing everything. I am guessing she was looking for answers as to why there was a change in your grades?”
“Um, yes, but it’s none of her business, so I said nothing.”
“Good, she is a busybody. She is acting unprofessionally by not approving the course. Meet me in the office before classes on Monday, and I will take care of it.”
“Are you sure? Zander was going to talk to the principal on Monday about it.”
“I am sure. Tell him he does not need to interrupt his workday. I will settle it before classes start,” he assures me.
“Thank you, Alex. I appreciate it.” Wow! I don’t understand how a teenager can get my class approved, but okay.
“You are welcome, Summer. Tell Seb I said goodbye.” I hear the click of him hanging up, so I hand Seb his phone back.
“All good?” He asks.
“Alex said he’ll take care of it before classes on Monday. I’m meeting him at the office in the morning. Seb, how is he going to fix it?” I inquire.
“Money talks, Sunshine. His family is ultra-rich. His dad contributed a lot of money to the new school. Plus, Alex is the top student in our class. He’ll probably just go straight to the principal and bypass Ms. Johnson altogether.”
Zander leaves me at home on Saturday morning to fly the helicopter to the venue and meet the bride’s father with Troy for a final check, confirming everything is set up for their security. Seb and Nick are picking me up around noon. Zander told me to wear sunglasses and bring a jacket. I call Sue to check in, then decide to thaw some cookies to bring with me. I’m putting the last few in a container when Seb comes in without knocking. “Sunshine, your chariot awaits,” he hollers as he walks into the kitchen.
I look up to say hi but my mouth goes dry at the sight of Seb in a suit. The black suit, white shirt, and black skinny tie fit him perfectly. His hair is slicked back, and he’s clean-shaven.Damn. “Pretty devastating, huh?” he says as he does a slow turn around for me to get the full effect.
Yes, yes, it is,I think. Is it hot in here? Blushing, I look anywhere but directly at him. “You look good,” I manage to say as I thrust the container towards him.
“Yay cookies! Thanks Sunshine. Ready to go?” He’s already stuffing a whole cookie in his mouth before he finishes talking.
“Yup, let me grab my jacket and sunglasses,” I reply, rushing down the hall to my room. Phew. My reaction to him was strong. Shaking my limbs out, I grab my things. Walking back to thekitchen, I see Seb is gone, as are the cookies. Rolling my eyes, I leave, locking the front door.
