She wrinkles her nose and tightens her ponytail. “What happened?”
I debate how much to get into it. I knowsomethings, but I think those things are meant to be held tightly to the chest. It may be over, but it’s not like we’re enemies, and I’m not really the type to burn bridges.
“We grew apart. I didn’t feel like he supported my dreams anymore while I continued to give things up to support his.” I shrug. “You know, that sort of thing.” The answer sounds rote even to me, but it’s sort of what Ihaveto say, isn’t it?
I can’t exactly go around telling people that I asked my long-term boyfriend if I could talk to his brother, who heads the family’s real estate development company, about my plans of creating a destination wedding brand and his answer was a clear, resounding, nearly angryno.
It was final. Decisive. Like us. It’s what spelled the end, anyway.
I wasn’t asking because I wanted to use him for his connections. I was just thinking of who I respect and trust in the industry—someone I’dwantto give my business to.
I guess it won’t be the Bradleys.
“I want you to stay far away from my family.” Those were his words. He stayed far away, too, until he didn’t. Until he signed some papers for his father, and now he’s under investigation.
He didn’t share much about the paperwork, but it doesn’t take a genius to put two and two together. His father opened a lounge here in Vegas that was a front for something illegal.
I get it. But his father’s name is off the Bradley Group now, so I don’t see why I can’t work with Madden, his oldest brother, on developing venues. I want to start with Vegas, obviously. I’m also considering Chicago, San Diego, andHawaii. Vegas and Chicago because they’re home, San Diego since Madden is there and it’s where he’s operating his business, and it’s also a gorgeous backdrop for weddings. Hawaii because—duh—nearly everyone who has thought about a destination considers it.
Eventually I want to take it to the Caribbean for the same reason. Maybe Florida for a more affordable wedding. Depending on how it goes, maybe someday there will be a Tatum Barker venue in every state and in countries across the world.
If it’s not clear yet, I’m a dreamer, and I dream big. What’s the sense in dreaming if it isn’t big? And I work my ass off to see those big dreams come true.
“Anyway, now I’m looking at places to rent and debating if I even want to stay in Vegas,” I finish.
“Stop it,” she says. “Listen to me, you’re staying in Vegas, and you’re staying with me until you figure it out.”
I tilt my head. “That’s really sweet, Kenz. I couldn’t possibly—”
She holds up a hand. “You didn’t ask, I’m offering, and I mean it.”
“I wasn’t going to say that I couldn’t possibly ask you that. I was going to say I couldn’t possibly stay with you when you have two kids whose combined ages total five.”
She laughs. “You know our guest room is the casita, right?”
I’ve been to their house, and they have a little pseudo-apartment attached at the front of their house that has a completely separate entrance from the main house.
“Then you have yourself a deal. I need to wrap up some details on the Brown-Mayfair wedding and then I’m heading out of town for a few days. Is it okay if I start hauling stuff over this evening and stay until I leave for my trip?”
“Absolutely.” She nods resolutely.
“Don’t you need to check in with Cody?” I ask, referring to her husband.
She shakes her head. “He once invited his brother to stay with us for a couple months without running it by me. Said brother listened to death metal on full blast at three in the morning when I had a newborn. It may be soundproof, but it’s not idiot-proof.”
I giggle. “I promise to keep my death metal at a reasonable volume after eight PM.”
“Seven,” she says, pursing her lips.
“Deal. And can you handle things here while I’m out of town?”
“Of course. Whatever you need, you know I’m on it.”
I know she is. She’s the best, and she could run Barker Weddings on her own at this point.
“Thanks,” I murmur.
She nods. “I need to go get dinner started, but just text me when you’re on your way, and we can talk more tonight, okay?”
