The rest of the day goes by rather quickly. I research some reception ideas that Madison sent me. She has sent me about ten a day since her engagement, none of which I have had time to check out. She has some fun ideas, so I forward them to Craig to start working on. Her soon-to-be in-laws are throwing them a small engagement party this Sunday. They are the nicest people, and they absolutely adore Madison. Cole’s family is a traditional, white picket fence family, very different from Luke’s family. I keep forgetting to remind Luke about the party. I’m hoping he will be able to come with me. I add that to my list.
I call Craig into my office and tell him to close the door.
“OK, let’s talk launch party. I am giving you complete creative control, so what are you thinking so far?” I ask curiously.
“Do you still want to do silver linens? I have been in touch with the wholesaler, and she says she will give us the best prices. Also, it doesn’t hurt that she hates Carrie with a passion,” he adds with a huge smile. “You know what I was thinking when I was going through the client lists? Do you realize how many people can’t stand Carrie? I actually feel sorry for her.”
Sadly, he’s right. People know when they are important or not, and this business is about building relationships. Our clients trust us to plan and be a main part of the biggest events and moments in their lives. They want to feel like they matter, like we are taking special care of them and their loved ones. Carrie has never made that effort unless it was with her very small, select group of friends. I think that’s why she has kept me here; I’m the one who builds these relationships, and I’m the one who really cares. At least it seems that way to me. Craig and I discuss some more ideas for the party. I also send Mr. Canton an email update and add that I want to meet with him after Faith, Fashion, and Hope to discuss the launch party if his offer still stands. I figure I might as well remind him even though I’m sure I will need to again.
When I arrive home, Madison is cleaning out her closet. I know she’s starting to prepare for her move, and she really does need to start now. The girl has more stuff than anyone I’ve ever met.
“Hey. What are you doing?” I flop down on her bed.
“I figure I better start this sooner rather than later. How did I get so much crap? I don’t remember buying half this stuff. How was your day?” she asks.
“Other than a $200 speeding ticket, it was pretty good.” I go on to tell her all about my day conveniently leaving out my conversation with Luke. I don’t see a point in even telling her about it. It will not change anything.
The next day can’t go fast enough. I am so anxious to see Luke. I feel like I am going out on a first date. I pick up some dessert on my way to Luke’s. When I arrive, I can tell that he has just gotten home. It is also very obvious how stressed out he is; he looks exhausted and un-shaven.
“What is this?” I say as I rub his cheek. I’m not a fan of facial hair, and he knows that.
“I know you hate it. I just haven’t had a chance to shave. I promise I will tonight.”
“So, I had some big plans to make you dinner tonight, but I got home too late. I’m really sorry. Do you want to get takeout or go somewhere?” he asks as he opens the fridge. I can tell without even looking that he has nothing here to prepare a meal. I sit there a few minutes quietly. I’m not really sure what comes over me, but I feel my frustration building until I just can’t hold back anymore.
“I’m not surprised you didn’t plan anything for dinner. Why did you even bother to invite me over? I’m busy, too, but at least I stopped to pick up some dessert on my way. That’s called being considerate,” I continue on as he stands there in shock.
“I think I’m just going to leave. Why don’t you give me a call when you have time for me?” I grab my bag and walk to the door.
“Sienna, wait! Don’t go,” he yells and blocks the door. “I’m sorry. I’m just tired, and I should have planned something. Please let me take you to dinner, just me and you, no work and no phones. Please?” he begs.
I don’t respond for a minute. I want to make him suffer and say no. But, I have missed him, so I agree to go to dinner and then go home. Before I leave, I tell him he needs some rest and that things have to change. He agrees with me, but when I leave, I still feel uneasy.
The next few days are extremely busy with preparations for the charity event. Carrie even comes into the office two days to review some last minute plans and give some suggestions. I have a strong feeling she is planning to take full credit for this event, and that’s why she’s showing up as if she has had a hand in the entire planning process. On another note, Luke has called me at least three or four times every day. At least he’s making an effort, which is more than he has done in months. He will be out of town the next few days, but he has promised to be back on Sunday morning to attend Madison and Cole’s engagement party in the afternoon.
Speaking of the engagement party, I got an email this morning from Cole’s mom asking me to email her pictures of the happy couple so she can make a slide show. She is the sweetest lady, but she expects me to drop everything to do this and have them to her by tomorrow. This is just one more thing to add to my already overflowing plate. Is she kidding? Nothing irritates me more than people waiting until the last minute to do things, and then she just expects me to drop everything to do it. This woman clearly has no idea that I am one week out from an event with 600 guests. I told her I would try my best to send her a few, but my schedule is extremely full this week. I am absolutely fuming when I read her response.
“Well, dear, I would think you should make the time for your best friend.”
She will be lucky if I don’t strangle her with her pearls on Sunday.
I hear my phone ringing from somewhere on my desk. I shift some stuff to find it and see it’s Carrie calling me.
“Hello?”
“Sienna, I sent over the remainder of the paperwork I needed to sign. I will be away for the next few days and unreachable. I also wanted to tell you that I am very impressed with how well you have handled this event.”
I think I’m hallucinating again. First of all, she seems a teeny, tiny bit interested in this event, and secondly, she gave me a compliment. I now have no doubts that she is up to something. I’m about to say something but she continues.
“I also saw that Mr. Eckelund and his firm are listed as a sponsor. No doubt you had something to do with that. I’m sure you were extremely persuasive in securing that, and I have to say WELL DONE. I suppose I have taught you a lot.”
Wait, what? Is she implying what I think she is?
“Carrie, I can assure you that there was no persuasion involved in that sponsorship. I had simply mentioned the event in passing, and he scheduled a meeting with Mr. Canton. To be honest, I am offended you even suggested that.”
“Come now, love, don’t be coy. It was just an observation from the other evening. That is a very good relationship to build, professionally of course. I’m very aware of who he is and his connections. Surely, we can add him to our clientele. Next time you see him you should mention that. Will you be seeing him again soon?”
She is such a bitch. At that moment, every feeling of guilt about leaving completely vanishes. I can’t wait to tell her where she can take this job. My blood pressure must be through the roof right now.
“No plans to see him any time soon,” I reply calmly. “I’m sure I will at the event, of course. Perhaps you can speak to him that night and set up a meeting. I really don’t know him very well.”
“Of course you don’t,” she adds sarcastically.
“Well, let’s try to schedule something the following week. I will check back in a few days, love. Ciao.”
After I hang up the phone, I sit there for what feels like hours. She just accused me of sleeping with Ace to secure a sponsorship. Is she insane? Is she looking in a mirror at herself fifty years ago? I am so mad I turn to my computer and start typing my resignation letter.
Dear Carrie,<
br />
This letter will serve as my official resignation from Carrie’s Classic Events and More. I appreciate the time I have worked for this company and for all the experience I have gained. At this time, I feel it is in my best interest to move in my own direction.
I get a really good start until Craig comes barging in my office and sits down.
“What?” I say as I look up from my typing.
“What is your relationship with Ace Eckelund?” he says firmly. “For real. No more BS. Carrie asked Nicole to find out what was REALLY going on with you two. She seems to think there is more than you are letting on.”
“I know she does. You will not believe what she just said to me.” I decided to tell Craig about the conversation I just had with her and about Ace’s email from the other night.
“She is so paranoid that you are leaving that she is making up crap in her head,” Craig says emphatically. “That’s why she wants you to set up a meeting with him so he will do business with us. Wait until she finds out we already have. She is going to go postal, and she may even have to take extra doses of her anti-psychotic meds,” he adds, laughing.
“Did you say anything to Nicole about him? Does she know anything?”
“Not at all. She is so over Carrie right now that I don’t even think she cares anymore. It came up earlier, and she just blew it off. Which is good because the old Nicole would have ran to Carrie with all the info just to score brownie points.”
Craig leaves a few minutes later, and I decide that I need to talk to Ace. Carrie and her friends gossip a lot, and I don’t want him to get blindsided by false rumors, especially while he is trying to build up his company here. I leave a message for Ace asking him to call me when he gets a chance.
My phone rings a few minutes later, and I jump thinking it’s Ace calling back. It’s Abby calling. I have been so busy that I forgot she was having her ultrasound today.
“Is it a boy or is it a girl?” I say immediately when I pick up the phone.
“Hi, it’s great to talk to you, too,” she says, laughing. “Go ahead and guess?”
“It’s a girl!” I scream in excitement.
“Nope! It’s a sweet, baby boy. We got to see our little Ace today.” Ugh, I rub my forehead. I really need to convince her to name him something else. It’s going to drive me crazy every time I see this sweet, little baby and have to say his name.
“That’s so exciting. I can’t wait to see the pictures.”
“Can you stop by tonight after work? Or are you busy with Luke?” she asks.
“No, Luke is out of town for a few days again. But he will be back for the engagement party on Sunday. I will stop by on my way home.” We talk for a few more minutes, and I tell her about the email from Cole’s mother. I keep forgetting that I need to try to find a few pictures to send her. I add it to my list for later.
I get another call coming in and see that it is Ace. I tell Abby that I have to grab the other phone call, and I switch over.
“Hi, stranger. I got your message. Is everything alright?” he says cheerfully.
He is always so upbeat when I talk to him. I wonder if he is ever in a bad mood. I mean, he has to have a bad day once in a while. Everyone does.
“Can I ask you a question?”
“Of course,” he replies.
“Do you ever have a bad day? Since I met you, I have never seen you in a bad mood. I’m starting to wonder if you’re human.
He starts to laugh. “Of course I do, but I just try to be positive most of the time. It’s probably all of the motivation seminars I have attended over the years. Or maybe I am just happy that you called me?”
“Hmmm . . . Um, thanks.” I am so glad he’s not here to see me blushing. “That’s a really good idea. I probably need to go to one of those sometime and walk over the fire or coals or whatever crazy things they do. “
“Anyway, I do have some exciting news, Abby just called. She’s having a little boy, and she says they are still planning to name him Ace. So I guess you will have a namesake,” I add, laughing.
“That is fantastic news. Thank you for calling to tell me.”
“Actually, that’s not what I called you about. I wanted to ask you about your conversation with my boss. Thank you for your email by the way. I’m not sure what she’s thinking, but she asked me about it again today.” I explain the whole story to Ace, and he just listens. He told me all about her approaching him and asking about me. He said she also was flirting with him and basically told him that she would be available anytime to meet with him.
I have to admit I felt a tiny bit jealous when he told me about that part. Just the fact that she was flirting with him makes me mad even though Carrie flirts with almost everyone.
“I really just wanted to give you a heads up. I’m sure you don’t want any negative publicity, and Carrie’s friends do have a tendency to churn up gossip. Although most people don’t believe their gossip.”
“No worries. I was clear to her that you and I were friends and that your boyfriend was an even closer friend of mine. I don’t care if she believed me or not. I just don’t want there to be trouble for you with Luke. How is he by the way?”
“Gone on business again.”
“Again? That explains him not returning my calls,” he replies. “Anyway, thank you for the warning about everything, and please give my best to Abby.”
I want to stay on the phone with him. He is so nice to talk to. It’s especially refreshing to talk to someone who is so relaxed and upbeat. I need to pull myself together. There’s an awkward silence between us.
“Of course,” I say quickly. “So, I will see you at Faith, Fashion, and Hope next week? After that, we will move forward with plans for your party.”
“Yes. I am looking forward to it. Good night, Sienna.”
“Good night.” I hang up the phone and drop my head on my desk.
A few hours later, I’m on my way to Abby’s. I’m still feeling unsettled about my conversation with Ace. I have always been someone who follows my intuition, but I am really confused about this. Every time I think I have put my feelings to rest, something clouds my judgment again.
When I get to Abby’s house, she opens the door and I can’t believe how much her baby bump has grown in just a week or so. She looks great. She gives me a big hug. I can smell her mom’s famous chili cooking. Abby’s home is so adorable and welcoming. I always feel so comfortable when I’m here. I sit down on her big, cozy couch, cross my legs, and she shows me the ultrasound pictures.
“I just can’t believe this baby is in your tummy,” I say as I flip through the pictures.
“That’s what I keep saying too. Matt was so funny today, he kept repeating ‘it’s a boy’ over and over,” she says, giggling.
“Little Ace is a lucky boy.” Wow, I actually called him that for the first time. I guess I’ll get used to it over time. I still need to try to talk her out of it.
“So, have you guys thought of any other names? Maybe we should get you one of those baby name books?” I plead.
“Funny and NO. His name is Ace Matthew, and we are sure. Why do you have such an issue with that?” she asks.
“I don’t have an issue,” I trail off. “It’s just . . . it will always be a reminder.”
“A reminder of what?” I can tell she is concerned, but I just don’t know how to explain it to her when I can’t even figure it out myself.
“A reminder of Ace. I think I like him, and I know I shouldn’t because I have a boyfriend whom I do love. But he has been so emotionally unavailable lately that I don’t feel like I’m important to him at all. When I talk to Ace, I feel like he wants to talk to me. I feel like I’m important to him.” I stop and wait for her to say something. “I know what you’re thinking. I can tell by the way you’re looking at me. You think I have completely lost my mind, right?” I wait for Abby’s response. She is quiet for a few minutes.
“Say something!” I beg.
“Sienn
a, does Luke make you happy? I mean, really happy? My mom always used to tell me that there is more than one person for everybody. She said that it was possible to find happiness with different people. I believe that to a point. Do you remember when I dated Joey for a few years?” I nod my head. Joey was Abby’s first boyfriend. We all thought they would get married and live happily ever after.
“At one time, I thought we would be together forever. Things didn’t work out, but IF they had, I am sure I would have been happy and had a wonderful life. Then I met Matt, and I couldn’t imagine sharing my life with anyone else. He is my soul mate.”
She takes my hand and holds it tight. “My point is that I’m sure you and Luke would have a wonderful and happy life. Just make sure there’s not something even more amazing out there.” She gives me a big smile. I know she’s right. Once I get through next weekend, I need to sit down with Luke and sort things out.
“So, are you going to offer me some chili or let me starve?” I say, changing the subject.
“Of course,” she says, laughing. “Come on.”
“Can I ask you a question?” Abby says when we sit down to eat. “Has any of this ever come up in conversation with Ace? I mean, I’m sure the thought has crossed his mind as well.”
“Yes, one time, and we both agreed that we were attracted to each other but that nothing would ever come of it. Ace is Luke’s friend, and after what happened when they were younger, I know he would never let anything progress between us. So, I guess it really doesn’t matter what my feelings are.”
Abby and I talk for a while and eat way too much. It feels good to be able to talk about how I have been feeling.
When I get home, I try calling Luke but just get his voice mail. I leave him a message. I follow up on a few emails and make some notes for the next day. For the first time in a few weeks, I feel like everything is going to be OK one way or another.
CHAPTER 10
I wake up feeling well rested. No bad dreams, no insomnia, and I make it to my morning spinning class. I feel like today is going to be a great day. I’m also very careful not to speed on my way to work.
An Event to Remember. . .or Forget (Event to Remember Series Book 1) Page 11
