The phone was silent for a moment.
“I see,” she finally said.
“I’d like to return to our original scope and have the house furnished. Though,” I added, thinking back to Merrie’s comments about Hensley’s furniture choices, “maybe find pieces, drapes, and paint colors that are more appropriate for the historic home. I trust your professional judgment.”
“Of course,” Olivia said. “And the deadline?”
“Can you meet the same one?” I asked.
I heard Olivia flip through her planner.
“The original completion date was for the twenty-third, though you did say if there were outstanding items, we could work on it while you were on your honeymoon.”
“Yes, I think that still works.”
She paused again. “You’re still going on your honeymoon,” she said slowly.
El knocked on the wall of my office and mouthed,We have a meeting.
“Yes,” I said, waving him away, “but I’ll only be gone a few days, not the full two weeks. Also,” I added, “can you please have it decorated for Christmas inside and outside with lights and decorations in the landscape? I want the property to look like a Christmas wonderland.”
“We’ll have everything ready for you,” Olivia said, sounding slightly faint.
69
Merrie
“Ithink I’m overdressed.”
I felt a little nauseated when Matt and I walked into his parents’ home. The house was nice. Even nicer than my father and Tatiana’s house. This house was a huge white colonial-style home with impeccable wood detailing. The large, high-ceilinged foyer held a fifteen-foot Christmas tree decorated with silver and powder blue ornaments that was flanked by a curved staircase in a rich, dark wood.
Well-dressed people mingled in the foyer. Several women with perfectly straight hair and sleek black dresses and heels greeted Matt like a long-lost friend and offered hugs and air kisses.
The only thing brighter than my red dress was the red front door we had just walked through. I was hyper-aware of my poofy hair, which I thought I had done a fairly good job of taming. At least I had opted for flats because I was concerned the dress might be a lot.
Should have done the opposite, I berated myself.You should have chosen the black dress and heels. You can never go wrong with a black dress and heels.
I clutched the box with the Christmas tree éclairs.
“And here’s our son,” Matt’s mother declared. She hugged Matt, who stiffened.
His father was close behind, and Matt shook his hand formally.
“Merrie,” he said, introducing me. “Dr. David Frost and Dr. Diane Frost.”
“You have a lovely home,” I said, hoping I didn’t sound as awkward as I felt. “I brought some dessert.”
Diane’s eyebrows raised. “Dessert,” she said like I had offered a half-dead possum.
I pulled the top off the box. “Ta-da! It’s éclairs but in the shape of a Christmas tree.”
Do I sound desperate? Because I think I sound desperate.
“How enterprising,” David said after an awkward pause.
Diana sniffed. “Your mother named you Merrie? Like ‘Merry Christmas’?”
“Just short for Meredith,” I explained.
