Page 5 of I Found Love

The smell of freshly ground coffee penetrated my nose as soon as I stepped inside of The Daily Grind, a coffee shop in downtown Atlyn City. I glanced around the room until my eyes landed on Zara, the wedding planner, who was seated near the back scrolling on her iPad and sipping from her coffee.

I smiled and headed in her direction. When I approached the table she glanced up at me and smiled. I pulled my chair out and eased into it, placing my purse in the chair next to me.

“Kenya.Almost Mrs.,” she cheerfully began. “What’s the countdown now—three weeks?”

I sighed dramatically then grinned. “Seventeen days. Not that I’m obsessively checking or anything.”

“You should be.” She laughed. “This isyourmoment, girl.”

“I know. I know. I think it’s just nerves. I want everything to be perfect.”

“With me, the planner and coordinator, it will be. Trust me.”

I nodded. “I do. I promise.”

“Okay, today is just about final touches. You ready?”

“Yes.”

“Alright, first things first, final headcount?”

“One hundred and twenty. I got confirmations from the stragglers this morning. No-shows will face consequences.” Her brows lifted. “Probably passive, aggressive text.”

“Love that,” she laughed. “Okay, that locks down the seating chart. Now… florals. Your still good with roses, eucalyptus, and the white calla lilies for the altar?” She glanced up at me and I nodded.

“Yes, but I was thinking—what if we added some green in there? I changed the colors of the brides maids dresses when we were at the fitting last week so maybe to my bouquet if nothing else? Just to make it pop a little. If we can’t…”

“We can,” she cut in with a smile. “Again this isyourmoment,” she tapped around on the screen on her iPad. “Just texted the florist.” She flashed her screen then we moved on. “Next is music. We’re still going with your friend Jay Money?”

“Yes, for the reception, but I want the string quartet for the ceremony. Andpleaseremind them to play the acoustic version ofSpend My Life With Youwhen I walk in.”

“Noted.” She tapped around on the screen again. “Now cake. We’re still doing three tier – vanilla, lemon, and almond champagne layer?”

“Girl, yes.” I groaned. “I dreamt about that damn cake. Don’t change a thing.”

She laughed as she typed again. “Perfect. Last thing—your emergency bridal kit: tissues, stain remover, pain meds, mints, needle and thread, double sided tape…”

“Ugh, you’re a godsend.” I sighed in relief.

“I try to be.” She smiled. “Anything else I need to add or subtract?”

I shook my head. “I just want it to feel like us,” I admitted. “Not too formal, not too trendy. Just real… and beautiful.”

“And that’s what it will be,” she assured me. “I got you girl.”

We wrapped our meeting up and I got a refresher before leaving and heading to my salon. I had a full day which is why I had Sanchez take Nairobi to work with him. She was usually good for us both when she came into work with us, but nobody would be able to stop and tend to her at the shop if I brought her with me today.

When I got in, I put my things away, fed Viper then went onto the floor to take my first client. Sam had already washed her hair and had her in the chair when I got up there, so I was able to get to work on her silk press right away.

I got through the first few clients quickly because they just got simple blow outs, but my new client bought some of my bundles that she wanted colored at the last minute so hers took a little longer. Usually I would decline last minute changes, but since she agreed to go lastandallowed me to do my next two wig installs while Sam did the color, I agreed.

She was talking on the phone for most of her appointment which I appreciated because I didn’t want to talk much anyway. I could tell just by listening to her that she wasn’t really the kind of girl that I would mesh with anyway. She was loud and obnoxious as hell.

“Girl, you’re saving me,” she said after ending her call. “I originally asked my neighbor to do my hair, but she found out some… news about me and cancelled my appointment at the last minute.”

“Oh. Well, I’m glad I could help.”

“I’m new to town and met her boyfriend at Kiss.” She continued. “That’s where I dance by the way,” she clarified as if I asked her that. “But yes girl, I met him there, we exchanged numbers and what not. He got a room, we did our thing, he paid me and I thought that would be the end. Bitch, why was he my new neighbor too?!” She laughed loudly.

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