Page 90 of The Player + The Pact = I Do

I don’t know how to respond. Why does Leo need therapy? He’s buried his past with Caroline. Maybe he just wants to manage his day-to-day stress.

An awkward silence passes between us. Leo checks his watch and says, “I need to get to my next meeting, but good work on this. Everything’s coming together perfectly.”

I smile, but nothing feels perfect. “Thank you.”

“I’ll see you soon,” he replies, then he pauses as if he’s going to say something else. But he doesn’t, and turns for the exit.

I watch him leave, his words about seeing me soon echoing in my ears. I should be celebrating this moment, and I will, at some point. Right now, all I can think about is how much I’ve lost.

THIRTY

Jules

The sales launch of the rooftop wedding space opens today. We haven’t started construction because we’re still waiting for some permits to clear, but at least I can show everyone the incredible view.

The entire roof is covered in pink and white flowers and we have five rows of chairs set out opposite a small podium, so people get a feel for what the space will be like when everything’s complete. I’ve also created a makeshift bar with tall tables so people can see how much room there is for their cocktail reception and their ceremony. The banqueting will all take place in the ballroom, but we’re offering the entire city as a backdrop for their vows.

“It looks impressive,” Joan says from beside me.

“You think? We’re asking people to use their imaginations quite a bit.”

“Everyone will be looking at the view. Or thinking about the gift bag.”

That’s my hope. I’ve gone all out on the gift bags. They speak to luxury and contain everything needed to relax after a stressful day of wedding planning. From luxurious bath products to designer linens and a bottle of vintage champagne. If the view doesn’t make us memorable, I hope the gift bags do.

“How long have we got until people start to arrive?”

“About thirty seconds,” she says.

The door is propped open and I tuck my blouse into my pencil skirt just as the first guest arrives. Most of the people we invited today are wedding planners and event organizers. But a few are bringing couples along with them, to see if the space works for their wedding. The website with the renderings and pictures of the view just went live and our calendar is open, ready to accept bookings as soon as they come in.

Joan’s cell rings as I step forward to greet our first guest.

“Nancy Franco?” I ask as a woman in her late forties wearing a canary-yellow dress and Chanel jacket comes through the door. I’ve done my research on this woman. She’s one of the most powerful event planners in New York. The Clintons, the Hiltons, and the Gettys have all used her. If I need to impress anyone today, it’s her.

We shake hands and I introduce myself just as a waiter bearing a tray of champagne appears beside us. We both take a glass.

“So thrilled you could join us for our launch.”

“You have the perfect day for it,” she says.

“We absolutely do. But when we start hosting weddings, we won’t need to worry about that because of the incredible retractable gazebo we’re installing. Can I show you the video?”

Just before I press play on the screen behind me, Joan reappears.

“We just got our first booking,” she says, beaming at me.

“We did?” I ask. I was hoping for a few tentative inquiries today, but Nancy’s the only person to arrive. “Who from?”

“Margaret Taylor,” Joan replies. Margaret Taylor is the second-most powerful event planner in Manhattan. To get a booking from her so quickly is astonishing.

I register the surprise in Nancy’s expression. Given she’s here so early, I get the impression she likes to have the scoop on opportunities like this. I don’t want to offend her by thinking we’ve given someone else priority access. “So she’s booked it sight unseen,” I remark. “How wonderful. Is she coming today?”

“She’s downstairs, checking out the ballroom with the team down there. She’s on her way up.”

I nod, then turn my full attention back to Nancy. If I can get two of the most powerful women in New York event planning on board today, I’ll have earned my keep here at The Mayfair. “Let me show you this gazebo,” I say to Nancy, “before anyone else can catch a glimpse.”

The video plays and I explain how easy it will be to set up. She asks a few questions and then gets pulled away by another event planner she clearly wants to catch up with.

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