My calendar was suddenly empty.
“Wait a minute.” I shook my head. “Are you sure?”
“No. Let’s make it five times the rate.” She smiled. “Chris can afford it.”
“I still need to check and make sure I’m giving my all to the people I have before confirming.” I grabbed a binder and flipped it open. “There are two rockstar wedding planners that I highly recommend, if you want to interview with them in the meantime.”
“I want you, Katie,” she said. “All you talked about in college was weddings and romance, and I’m blown away by all you’ve done since… I’ve been following your page for years and secretly dreaming of the day I’d be able to book you. Please?”
“Um…” I tapped my screen and opened my calendar. “What dates are you thinking?”
“A full week or so in April. We’ll have it etched in concrete soon.”
I held back a sigh.
Her proposed dates fell during my annual work-ation time when I didn’t book any weddings.
And she had to know that.
She’s paying five times your rate, Katie. Five times your rate…
“I can try to make something work,” I said. “But I need exact dates as soon as possible.”
“Oh my god, YES!” She jumped up from her seat. “I would also like you to be one of my bridesmaids.”
“What?” I had whiplash. “Why?”
“Because although we don’t hang out as much as we used to, we still talk…” She placed her hands on my shoulders. “And we were damn near like sisters in college. You were the best part of my undergraduate life, and I hope you know that.”
I smiled, feeling tears prick my eyes. “I’d be honored to be in your wedding.”
“Thank you. We’re hosting a get-together just for the wedding party this weekend at Chris’s condo. Promise you’ll stop by for a few minutes?”
“I will,” I said. “What exactly does your fiancé do for a living again?”
“He’s the CEO of TechShark. They’re a huge deal.”
“Good for him.” I nodded, having no idea what that company was.
“He’s also sexy as shit.” She pulled out her phone. “Here. Let me show you.”
She tapped her screen, and a cute guy in all white appeared next to her under a pink sunset.
He looked extremely familiar, but I couldn’t place where we’d ever met.
“He’s even hotter in person.” She winked. “I’ll send you an e-invite for the party, and I’ll see you this weekend.”
“See you this weekend.”
Four
PRESENT DAY
KATIE
Unknown Number
For the record, I know YOU were the mastermind fucking up my cars this weekend…
