Page 56 of Love…It's Complicated

“This bad boy is my most precious work possession. It has every emergency item I could need when in a bind. As I’ll be decorating a wedding with one hundred guests by myself, I’d say I’ll be in a few binds today.”

I roll the suitcase over my toe and yelp. I might even release an expletive or two.

“What kind of help do you need?” Will asks.

Hobbling on one foot, I pull the suitcase toward the stairs. “An assistant. A second set of hands. There’re twelve tables that have to be dressed, vendors that need to be met, furniture to be delivered, lighting to be set, plus whateveroh shitmoments that arise as we dress the room. Honestly, this is a three-man job. Jillian was going to work today since she had helped me plan the logistics for the setup. Now, she’s in Maine for a family thing, and we only booked the one assistant without a backup planned. If you ask me, that was a big mistake, but I digress.”

Lugging the suitcase down the stairs, I continue, “I thought it was fine. I mean, I have everything planned. I’m crazy organized, but now, I’m wondering if I’m just plain crazy because I’m about to go to this event solo. Planes run on autopilot, but you need a pilot at the helm. What if the pilot passes out and the autopilot fails and you need to land the damn thing? There has to be a copilot around to grab the wheel and get everyone to land safely.”

Will chuckles on the other end.

“I’m sorry, what about this is funny?”

He doesn’t let the amused tone in his voice subside. “Your analogy.”

“Pardon me for being frazzled. I can’t talk right now. I have to get these bins to the truck and to the venue, or I’ll never get this event ready for the first-look pictures at five o’clock.” I open the back of the Lavish Events truck and hoist the suitcase inside.

“What do I need to wear?”

My breath is a bit winded. “Wear for what? And why are you calling?”

“I was calling to set up a time to come by and practice with Hunter. I hadn’t heard from you.”

“Yeah, sorry. It’s been a long week.” I leave the back of the truck open and start walking back upstairs.

“Looks like I called at the right time. You said you called everyone you know, but you forgot one person.”

I nearly trip and right myself. “You?”

“I don’t work Saturday nights, so all I need to know is what to wear.”

“Something simple. Black. Dressy. Not sweats or anything. Or jeans. Oh God, no, wait. You can’t help me. This is something for someone who knows how to decorate.”

“Was every person you called a decorator?”

“Well … no. Even still, you work Friday nights, and you haven’t slept and—”

“Melissa?” His voice is so soothing, like a weighted blanket on a cold day.

I actually stop my frantic moving and listen.

“I have to shower, but I can meet you at the mansion in an hour. Are you okay with getting whatever you need there?”

“Yes.”

“See you there.”

He hangs up before I can tell him this is ridiculous. It is, and yet it’s not. He’s a physically capable human being. At least, as capable as my nail girl. The jitters in my belly are pushed aside because, well, there’s no time to overthink this one.

I text Jillian and then ignore her incessant calls because I have to get my things downstairs and into the truck.

I’ve designed many weddings before. I shouldn’t be this nervous to arrive at a venue. My vendors are all confirmed and on their way. I have checked in with the bride and groom, and my assistant is on his way.

My assistant …

I have to turn the air on in my truck.

I’m at the mansion, and I have the bins in the center of the dance floor. The florist is unloading the centerpieces, and the cleaning crew is vacuuming. The bride has checked into the adjacent hotel and is enjoying champagne while she awaits the hair and makeup team to arrive. The groom is at a nearby golf course for eighteen holes with his dad and brother. This means my countdown clock has begun.

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