Page 111 of Unmasking Mr. Crown

"Here at DePaul."

"So, you're somewhat of a Chicago girl at heart, too?"

"My older sister attended art school here. I fell in love with Chicago the minute I stepped into the city. I got a business degree, then fell in with some crazy people who convinced me to move to London with them and start our own event planning business. That was a colossal failure. I ended up going to work for one of the biggest event planning companies in the UK, but I really wanted to come back to Chicago. I was offered a job with Soiree about a year ago and here I am."

"Congratulations." Miranda raised her glass in approval.

Miranda continued to press for personal details. Not in a rude or overbearing way, but it kept Natalie on her toes, constantly working to keep their business dinner on track. As soon as their plates were cleared, Natalie excused herself to the ladies' room, wondering when pleasure would cease and business would begin. They'd spent two hours together and had yet to discuss a single party detail. When she returned, she found Miranda busy sending a text. She'd ordered them matching desserts: slices of triple-chocolate layer cake.

It's gonna be midnight before I get out of here.

Miranda put her phone down and smiled warmly. "Now then, let's talk about this engagement party."

“Oh, it’s an engagement party. That’s so exciting.”

“Well, they’re not engaged yet … but it could happen at any moment. Might even happen at the party.”

Natalie pulled her leather notebook from her tote bag, ready to jot down her client’s every request. "I'm ready. How about we start with your son? Can you tell me a little bit about him?"

"My Thom, spelled with an h, he’s somewhat of a sly fox. And I have a small confession to make. Thom isn't my son, not by birth anyway. My real son, Eli, passed away. Thom lost his mother when he was in high school. Fate decided we were supposed to be family, so here I am, playing Mother of the future Groom."

"Oh, Mrs. Everett, I am so very sorry about your son."

"Thank you, hon. I miss him every day. He was a beautiful boy."

"Tell me about Thom and his one-day-bride-to-be. What is her name?"

Miranda took a sip of her drink. "Amy. Her name is Amy."

"Thom and Amy." Natalie made a notation. "How long have they been together?"

"Well, let me think. They met about nine months ago, so this is a bit of a whirlwind. According to Thom, it was fireworks from the word go. No, that's not true. It was more like a five-alarm fire. This woman lit him up and he's been on fire ever since. The sad thing is that, because of their demanding careers, they don't get to spend much actual time together. They live in separate states in fact. It's been hard on both of them, so it's important to me that this party is perfect. And I'd like to make it happen next week, if that's possible."

"This coming week?" Natalie asked, convinced she’d misheard.

"I realize it's short notice. If that means a fee or two in the way of rush delivery, it's no problem. We’re willing to do whatever it takes."

Natalie pulled up the calendar on her phone. Next week? Who does she think I am? Some Las Vegas magician? There’s no way.

"Our biggest obstacle will be the venue. A three-month booking window is about as narrow as it gets right now."

"Three months? Honey, the world could end in three months. And you're not giving yourself nearly enough credit. I bet you can whip this thing up in record time."

"I can see if there are any venues who’ve had a last-minute cancellation. There’s a secret network of event designers I’m in a group-text with. Let me put out an all-call.”

“Isn’t that resourceful? My goodness, you are a clever rabbit, aren’t you?”

Like fresh aloe vera on a sunburn, her compliment cooled the wounds left from the showcase. Natalie sat up a little straighter in her chair.

“How many guests did you have in mind? We may be able to try a private room at a restaurant too. I have a plan in mind actually.”

"Don't take this the wrong way, but I was hoping for something a little more grandiose than a banquet room at a local restaurant."

"Oh, grandiose can be done. I designed a lovely wedding reception at one a few months ago for about a hundred and twenty-five. I've got some pictures of it." Natalie held out her phone. "Take a minute to scroll through the gallery and let me know what you think."

"This looks stunning. The space is gorgeous!" Miranda squealed as she examined each photo.

"Isn't it? Rooftop venues are magical, especially ones surrounded with glass."