Page 37 of Single-Minded
“Maybe start with one. Hey, is that Magnolia?” Chloe asked, her attention on two people with umbrellas walking past the side window toward the square. “It is. And Darius.”
“Is she finally doing it?” Rowan asked, sounding excited.
“I haven’t talked to her lately,” Chloe said as she stood.
“Doing what?” I asked. I’d met Magnolia a few times but didn’t know her well.
Chloe went to the door, opened it, and called out to Magnolia as she and Darius finished their conversation. “Hey, you. What’s going on?”
Magnolia came over to the door, her eyes bright. “Hi, girls.”
I smiled and watched as she came inside. I wasn’t sure what to think about this woman with porcelain skin and gorgeous hair. The first time I’d met her was a couple of years ago when Chloe had invited me to girls’ night at the Barn Bar. Magnolia had been rude to Chloe that night and had been mean to her when they were kids, so my natural inclination was to dislike her.
Chloe, however, had forgiven Magnolia for the past. They were friendly now. Apparently Magnolia’d had some kind of shit life growing up, where her parents had controlled her with money—until her dad had cut her off cold turkey. I didn’t know the whole story, but manipulation had been my own dad’s game, so I could at least relate. I just hadn’t decided if that would excuse how she’d acted toward my bestie.
“Am I interrupting?” Magnolia asked as she collapsed her umbrella.
“Not at all,” I said, gesturing to the fourth empty chair.
“Tell us what you’re doing with a real-estate agent,” Rowan said.
“Are you taking the plunge?” Chloe asked.
Magnolia sat on the edge of the patio chair, placed her palms on the table, and inhaled deeply, as if she needed to calm herself. “I think I’m going to do it.”
“Yes!” Rowan said.
“It’s about damn time,” Chloe said, grinning.
“I’m out of the loop,” I said. “Are you leasing one of the spaces in this building?”
“I’m officially starting an event-planning business,” Magnolia said. “I love planning parties and weddings. I’m the planner for Harper and Max’s wedding next weekend.”
“We’ll get to see you in action,” I said. I’d started to get to know Harper and Max before I moved to town. They’d invited me to the wedding, and Chloe had convinced me to go as friends with Kemp Essex, Holden’s business partner, who’d also been planning to go solo.
“You already have,” Chloe said. “She helped with my wedding reception and Rowan and Chance’s gender-reveal party.”
“The pink and blue cocktails were particularly perfect,” I said, having sampled both.
“Thank you,” Magnolia said. “I’m excited. And terrified. I didn’t think it was possible to do this because I don’t have any money to put toward it, but Seth Henry helped me get a small business loan, and then this building opened up, and that space next door is perfect for what I need.”
“It’s a cute space,” I said. “Too small for what I wanted, but you just need an office and a meeting area, really.”
“Exactly,” Magnolia said. Her smile slipped. “I’m not a businessperson. I’m all about colors and decor and party games, so I’m nervous.”
“You’re already doing business stuff when you plan for someone,” Chloe said. “You have to work within their budgets, and you’ve ordered supplies and billed for your services.”
“Harper and Max are my first official paying clients, actually,” Magnolia admitted. “I’ve always done it for fun. I didn’t believe you when you said people would pay me.”
“They should, and they will,” Rowan said. “If you need a testimonial for your website or anything, let me know. I’ll give you one.”
Magnolia smiled in gratitude. “I’d love that. I hadn’t thought about testimonials since my first official event isn’t until next weekend.”
“I’ll give you one for my reception,” Chloe said, “and you’ve helped with Rusty Anchor events. We’ve got photos.”
“We could use those?” Magnolia asked.
“Of course. The photo op setup for my wedding reception was all your idea. So were the progressive tasting stations at the brewery events.” Chloe picked up her phone and searched for relevant photos.
