by Susan Harper
“Well, it was an easy one to start on,” Jefferson admitted. “Dawn just wanted me to ensure that it was something Monte would like, and, well, the guy is pretty easy. He likes baseball and music. Dawn picked out the location, so I decided to lean more toward the music theme. The hardest thing was designing that cake for the baker. She wanted all of those themes on there, but it actually looks coherent.”
“Ooh, Felicity is going to be so proud of you!” Autumn said, doing a twirl in her little black dress—spinning so that she could take in the entirety of the scene. “Just got a text from Veronica; she says they’re coming through Fayetteville now.”
“Is she texting and driving again?” Jack snarled.
“Easy there, Officer,” Autumn said. “Felicity and Brian are with her—for all you know, she has one of them texting for her.”
Both Jefferson and Jack cringed. “Oh, so I guess Brian’s coming,” Jack muttered.
Autumn rolled her eyes. “Okay, spill the beans, boys. Why don’t you two like Brian?”
Both men shrugged. Jefferson kept quiet, but Jack was more vocal than him. “He’s just smug,” Jack said.
“So what you mean is he’s confident,” Autumn corrected.
“Old-fashioned,” Jack said.
“A gentleman.”
“Uppity.”
“Rich.”
This went on for several minutes. Jefferson finally nudged Jack and shook his head. Autumn crossed her arms and shook her head to convey her disappointment. “Face it, you two. Felicity found a catch, and you both know it. He’s smart, funny, well-to-do, and whether you want to admit it or not, Felicity deserves someone like that. Just admit you’re both really jealous and feeling stupid because you didn’t make a move sooner.”
“I will not,” Jack hissed.
“I will,” Jefferson said. “I’m jealous. No sense in denying it when everyone around us sees it plain as day, and so are you, Jack.”
“Whatever,” Jack snarled and headed over to the buffet table, pretending to straighten things up.
Jefferson headed back to the car to grab some additional decorations, sighing slightly to himself. He was quite jealous, and he wasn’t afraid to admit it to himself. Brian seemed perfect for Felicity; unlike Jack, Jefferson was far from in denial about this fact. He felt very sad thinking about the past few days; Felicity had forwarded his phone calls to her voicemail, and he never received a call back. Clearly, she had been having a lot of fun meeting Brian’s entire extended family. They’re moving fast, he thought. He glanced down the grassy hill toward the covered picnic area; the event was going to look amazing. He never would have guessed that he would have so much fun doing party planning. Jefferson had only gotten into the business so that he could spend time with Felicity, but now he felt a bit foolish for doing it. Jack was right when he told me that Felicity won’t ever think of me as anything more than a little brother, he moaned to himself. Maybe I should just quit trying to impress Felicity with this stupid stuff and just do it for me.
A car whooshed down into the ballpark, pulling up right next to Jefferson. His heart jumped slightly, feeling as though the car stopped at the last possible second before hitting him. Veronica, he thought, shaking his head. Veronica hopped out first as Jack was making his way up the hill toward them. “You guys!” Veronica practically screamed. “This looks incredible!”
“Thanks,” Jefferson said as Felicity and Brian stepped out of the car. Jefferson felt his cheeks become warm to see Felicity in a stunning black dress covered in detailed sequins. “Whoa,” he said quietly. “You look great, Felicity.”
Felicity blushed. Before she could offer him thanks, Brian threw his arm over her shoulder and laughed. “I’d have to agree with you there.”
“Jefferson, you’ve done an amazing job putting this party together,” Felicity said, gazing toward the decorated area. “Dawn and Monte are going to love this.”
“We have a few more decorations to put up,” Jack said, avoiding all eye contact with Brian.
“Oh, I’ll help you out,” Felicity said.
“Why don’t you go down to the picnic tables, Felicity, and check out Jefferson’s work?” Brian suggested. “I’ll help Jack and Jefferson carry the boxes down.”
Jefferson instinctively frowned. Felicity perked up. “Okay! I honestly really want to see it all close up.”
Veronica and Felicity hooked arms, and the two of them strolled down the grassy hill toward Autumn. They could hear the three women laughing and talking about the decorations from the short distance away.
Brian turned toward Jefferson and Jack, all smiles. “You guys did a great job! This looks amazing, Jefferson. I can tell Felicity is really impressed.”
Jefferson forced a smile. “Thanks, Brian.”
“Yeah,” Jack added and turned toward the back of the event van to grab one of the boxes.
“Oh!” Brian said suddenly and went digging through his suit jacket. He pulled out a rolled up newspaper. “Got this from the airport. Jack, did you know you made it in the Atlanta paper this morning? I grabbed a few copies for you in case you didn’t get one.”
Jack turned, looking quite surprised. “I’m in the paper?”
“Yeah, man!” Brian said, still grinning as he handed it to Jack. “You’re on the front page!”
“For what?” Jefferson asked.
“Oh, you know, an off-duty officer just hanging out in Atlanta knocked out a mugger who went after these two women. Held him down until Atlanta authorities arrived. Awesome, man!” Brian spoke excitedly.
“How come we haven’t been told this story, Jack?” Jefferson asked.
“It wasn’t that big of a deal. I didn’t even speak to a reporter about it. They probably couldn’t get in contact with me. I don’t know.” Jack smiled slightly and put the paper into Jefferson’s car. “Thanks for that,” he told Brian.
Great, now Jack is falling for Brian’s charm too, Jefferson thought to himself with discontent. Jefferson couldn’t deny that Brian was a nice, charming person. It made it harder to dislike him. The three of them wound up wrapped up in conversation about Jack’s heroic moment in Atlanta a few days before as they carried boxes back down to the picnic area. Jefferson divided up the decorations to the group, and everyone got to work putting up the finishing touches. He glanced across the way to where Felicity and Brian were admiring the cake, and Brian was saying something to make her giggle.
“Does it drive you nuts how nice he is?” Jack whispered as the two of them put up center pieces together.
“So much,” Jefferson moaned. “Glad I’m not alone in that.”
The two of them continued putting up center pieces, eventually winding up next to Brian and Felicity again. “Hey, these lights are falling!” Autumn moaned, getting out the stepladder again. “Felicity, Veronica, will you two help me?”
And once again, Jefferson and Jack found themselves standing alone next to Brian. “What were you saying to Felicity that had her cracking up a minute ago?” Jack asked; he seemed sincere about his question—like he was trying to honestly have a conversation with the guy.
“Oh,” Brian said uncomfortably. “I was telling her about this case I worked last week. It was a Senoia-based case.”
“Oh?” Jack asked. “What was it?”
“Just this guy who, um,” Brian spoke erratically. Then his expression suddenly changed from anxious to outright smug. Jefferson and Jack exchanged glances, both obviously noticing the change in demeanor as Brian’s confidence suddenly built. “Well, you see, this local cop failed to follow protocol when arresting my client. Failed to read him his Miranda rights, used excessive force, that type of thing. I was telling Felicity that the cop is going to get a subpoena this weekend to show up in court next week and that I can’t wait to see the cop’s face when he realizes the judge is going to throw the whole case out.”
“And who is your client?” Jack asked.
“Donnie Williams,” Brian said with a smile.
Jefferson noticed Jack’s shoulders tense. An unsettling feeling passed over Jefferson as Jack’s fists clenched at his side. “You think that’s funny, Brian?” Jack asked, and Jefferson felt as though he was missing something.
Brian winked at Jack and pushed by them both. “I’ll see you in court next week, Jack,” he mocked.
“Hold up!” Jack said, spinning around and grabbing Brian by the arm so that he couldn’t walk off. “First of all, I’m sure you didn’t tell Felicity the cop you were making fun of was me, you jerk. Second, Williams is an ongoing domestic abuse problem in Senoia. His wife is in hiding. I responded to one of his kid’s calls after he beat the crap out of his daughter when he spotted her on the street—he wanted to know where her mother was. And you’re telling me you’re going to be able to get the whole thing thrown out because I failed to read the man his rights! That guy assaulted his grown daughter in public and gave her a black eye, and I chased him all over town on foot!”
Brian grabbed Jack’s hand and pushed him back. “Don’t touch me, Jack. And don’t get so defensive. You failed to do your job, and now you’ve got to pay the consequences. Understand?” He smiled at them both. “Relax, fellas. It’s a party, right?”
Jefferson felt angry on Jack’s behalf. “Wow,” Jefferson said, keeping his voice calm. “You’re a tool, Brian.”
“No, I’m a good lawyer—one who thinks that cops need to be held accountable just as much as the criminals they’re pursuing,” Brian said. He then pointed a finger in Jack’s face. “Touch me like that again, Jack, and I promise you’ll regret it.” He then turned his back to them and headed back toward Felicity.
Jefferson stood with his mouth hanging open. “What just happened?” Jack muttered.
Jefferson shook his head. They didn’t have much time to contemplate on the true colors Brian had just revealed; Dawn and Monte had just arrived, and they were both fawning over Jefferson for what a beautiful event he had created for their engagement party. “I can’t wait to see what you and Felicity pull off for the wedding!” Dawn cried.
“So you’re going to hire us?” Jefferson asked.
“Well, it’s not official yet,” Monte said with a wink. “But you can probably count on that.”
As the party got underway and guests started to arrive, Felicity approached Jefferson with a smile on her face. “Jefferson, this is amazing! I mean, really! I’m so proud of you!” she said.
He smiled at her. “Thanks.”
“Now we have to get the ball rolling on the Light Up Senoia event. Ugh, we’ve waited until the last minute to get going on that one. I probably shouldn’t have left for D.C. so close to such a big event,” she said, taking a sip of champagne.
Jefferson smiled. “Oh, ye of little faith,” he said. “You really think I haven’t started on that yet?” He then went into detail about what all he had already pulled together, and he loved the way Felicity’s face lit up.
“Jefferson, you’re a saint,” she told him and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. “Thank you so much. I was really stressing out about that.”
Jefferson spotted Brian looking at him with a smug grin from across the picnic area. The man shook his head and laughed. Jefferson frowned and then looked at Felicity. “Hey, Felicity, would you mind closing this party up tonight? I know you just got in from the airport and are probably exhausted, but Jack and I are both coming down with something. Jack especially, and I’m his ride. Mind if we split early?”
Felicity smiled. “I knew something was wrong with Jack. Of course. You two go get some rest. I’ll handle clean up. I’m sure Brian wouldn’t mind hanging around to help.”
“I’m sure he wouldn’t,” Jefferson said and waved Jack down. Jack seemed just as relieved as Jefferson when Jefferson told him he managed to give Felicity an excuse to get the two of them out of there and away from Brian.
Chapter 3
A few weeks later…
Felicity could hardly contain her excitement. The Light Up Senoia event was an incredible success, and it was just starting. The feeling of Christmas was in the air, even though it was still a good twenty or so days away. She locked up the Overton’s Event shop before stepping out into the street full of people. There were lights everywhere, and a line stretching the entire length of Main Street had already started to form in preparation for the arrival of Santa.
“Beautiful,” she muttered under her breath as she gazed at the beautiful lights—more lights than they had ever had during the event.
“Very beautiful,” a familiar voice tickled her ear, and she turned to her right to see Brian smiling back at her, holding some white and red flowers.
She smiled. “Are those for me?”
“Of course,” he said as they went back into the shop to put the flowers on some water. “This event is amazing,” he told her. “And you look adorable.”
Felicity blushed; the elf costume had been Jefferson’s idea. “Oh, really? I hate it! I’m so embarrassed.”
“No, you look really cute,” he told her. “And the elf ears are a nice touch.”
“Oh, shut up,” she said. The door to her shop opened, and Jefferson entered.
“Who’s manning the shop?” Jefferson asked as he entered, not realizing they weren’t alone. He frowned when he saw Brian, and Felicity didn’t fail to notice.
“I think that’ll be you,” Felicity said and then crossed her arms. “I thought you were going to dress up as an elf too!”
Jefferson laughed. “Did you? What gave you that idea?”
“Oh, you’re such a jerk, Jeffrey!” she exclaimed, but she laughed.
Brian laughed. “Wow, good one, Jefferson.”
“Um, yeah,” Jefferson muttered; he didn’t care for how friendly Brian decided to be toward him whenever Felicity was around.
The door opened, and a perky looking Jack came fumbling in, dressed in uniform. “Hey, guys!” he said. “Felicity, this is the most crowded I’ve ever seen this event. And the extra lights really added a nice touch.”
“Thanks, Jack! You’re working tonight?” Felicity asked, and he nodded. “Well, same here!” She laughed and then hooked arms with Brian. “But I think I’ve got a minute. I want to introduce you to some people. Come on! You got the shop, Jefferson?”
“Got it,” Jefferson said.
“Great! I’m sure I’ll see you around, Jack,” Felicity said and escorted Brian out.
They emerged into a crowded street, and Felicity got right to work introducing Brian to half of the town. Dawn, Monte, and Autumn were all hanging out outside of the local café where the two of them stopped for a moment to get themselves some minty hot chocolate. When their drinks were ready, Felicity and Brian slipped back outside where her friends were seated. Once the making fun of her costume was out of the way, Felicity asked where Veronica was that evening. “Veronica is really bummed she had to miss this one,” Autumn said. “You know how she likes to party.”
“Believe me,” Felicity said, “I know. Sometimes I think that woman never left college.”
“Oh, she left college. It just never left her,” Monte said.
“Aren’t you a DJ, man?” Brian asked with a slight chuckle.
“Nurse by day—DJ by night,” Monte said proudly. “At least for right now. Eventually, I’m going to be leaving the nursing game.”
“Is there a lot of money in the DJ business?” Brian asked.
“Not for someone just getting going,” Monte admitted. “But I’m tired of being in a career that my folks pretty much pressured me into. They wanted me to be a doctor. I’m doing what I want now, and I’m happy.”
Felicity smiled at Monte and then looked at Brian, speaking proudly of her friends, “And Dawn is studying to teach. They’re both doing a change in career path. Kind of crazy, but I’m really proud of them! Okay, we have to get a move on. I need to check on the vendors and call the backup Santa.”
“Backup Santa?” Autumn asked.
“The usua
l Mr. and Mrs. Clause bailed on us this year,” Felicity said. “But thankfully, they let us use their little horse-drawn carriage, and Jefferson was able to find some replacements who are just wonderful. Okay, I’ll see you guys around! Come on, Brian.”
The two of them headed up the street, speaking with visitors and vendors along the way. “So Dawn and Monte are both abruptly changing careers, huh?” Brian questioned. “To go teach and to DJ? Right before they’re getting married? I imagine they’re going to have a pretty big pay decrease.”
“Yes,” Felicity said, “but they’re happy.” She didn’t care for the way Brian rolled his eyes slightly, but she decided to let it go for the time being.
Felicity introduced Brian to a number of shop owners including the owners of the Irish pub, Family and Friends and Bobby, the owner of the insurance agency. Bobby took some time to tell Brian all about how Felicity had cleared his name from the Charles Jones case she had worked –her very first case. And finally, Felicity introduced Brian to Wanda Monroe, the soon-to-be retired event coordinator of the city of Senoia. “Felicity!” Wanda exclaimed happily as they stood outside of the Senoia welcome center. “I cannot believe what all you have done with this event, and below budget too! The city is going to be very impressed.”
Felicity smiled. “Thanks, Wanda. To be honest, though, Jefferson handled a good bit of this one.”
“I’d keep that kid around,” Wanda said with a wink and then stuck out her hand to Brian. “So you must be the boyfriend half the town is whispering about.”
Brian laughed and shook Wanda’s hand. “I suppose that would be me. Brian Studford.”
“As in Studford Law Firm of Atlanta?” Wanda asked curiously.
Brian laughed. “I wish. That would be my father.”
“You don’t work for your father’s firm?” Wanda asked.
Brian chuckled. “As my father put it—newbies don’t get invited to his firm. I may be his son, but I’ve got to earn that title. Although, I think come this time next year, he’s going to be begging me to come to his firm, and I’m going to have to think about it with the offers coming in. My record is better than most of his lawyers.”
