Perfect Little Plan

by Jennifer Miller

  Her words bring Rixton’s face to my mind making me smile, “I really do.”

  “Then you’re doing the right thing. You can never go wrong following your heart.”

  “I hope you’re right.”

  “I am. And since you asked what I’m up to, Luke and I have a cake tasting appointment today, which should be fun. Luke’s pretty excited at least.”

  “A cake tasting appointment? Wow, all of the things I’m learning from you during all this wedding planning are insane. I don’t know how you keep up with it all.”

  “Um, have you seen my wedding magazine collection lately? You’d be afraid. Very, very afraid.” I laugh, having no doubt she’s correct. “So, has Rixton spoken to you yet about the bachelor and bachelorette party?”

  “You mean other than briefly discussing potential venue and food and drink ideas that we were each thinking about? Not really. Only one concrete reservation made by me and none by Rixton that I know of. We did talk about you wanting a low key day at the spa followed by an intimate dinner with a few friends and he was telling me they might go bar hopping or something. He said he had suggested Vegas, but Luke declined and in fact, emphatically so. ”

  “Yeah, well, Luke convinced me that we should have a joint party.”

  “Really? How do you feel about that?”

  “Fine, I guess. I mean I’d still like to do the day at the spa, but then afterwards we could all meet at the club and drink, dance to the DJ Luke wants to hire and hang out.”

  “Oh, so basically like every other time we’re at the club?”

  “Very funny, but yes. Only with close friends though. Not a huge crowd. Actually given its history for us, there’s no place we’d rather celebrate our impending nuptials.”

  “Well, that sounds like fun.”

  “We always all have fun together so no doubt it will be. Luke told me he would rather spend our parties together than apart and I just couldn’t say no. I didn’t want to.”

  “Spoken like two love sick people.” She laughs and I can’t help but laugh with her. “Well, I have us all booked at the spa. We are starting off with massages, then facials, followed up with manicures and pedicures. Then we can use the beauty bar to get ready to go to the club. Sound good?”

  “That sounds perfect! Aside from you obviously, I’m also going to invite my friends Cindy, Lauren, and Tami to join us. Will that be okay?”

  “Absolutely. Just let me know if they are in for sure and then I’ll make sure we are all booked accordingly.”

  “Okay, I will get in touch with them today.”

  “Are you sure you don’t want me to call them for you. I feel like I’m not holding up my end of the bargain as your maid of honor.”

  “No, silly. I really want to ask them personally.”

  “Ok. Perfect, but I’m going to ask just one more time. Are you sure you want the group party? I mean… I did have the party bus, inappropriate party favors and strippers all planned out.”

  Olivia’s booming laugh comes over the phone line because we both know that’s the last thing she would want. She’s way too low-key for that. Doing something like that would be so out of character, but certainly would surprise some people I’m sure. “It’s really hard to say no to that, but I’m going to go with the party at Zero Gravity instead.”

  “Okay. Rixton and I take our roles as maid of honor and best man very seriously, so we will be sure to make your party one to remember. I promise.”

  “We know you will, and thank you for doing this.”

  “You betcha. I just expect you to return the favor someday.”

  “You got it!”

  “Alright, well I’m going to run. I’m expecting a shipment in of our new skin care line any time and I need to finish up some book work so I can supervise its arrival and display in the gift shop. ”

  “Okay, talk later.”

  “Later, toots.”

  Ending the call, my thoughts turn to bachelorette party ideas. It’s only a week away and a party at the club is a lot different than a spa day and relaxing dinner with friends like we had originally planned. I had made reservations at a fondue place that Olivia loves for dinner after the spa sessions, so I pick up the phone and cancel them. Scouring the internet, I start researching wedding, bachelorette, and other party ideas not having a clue about how to best bring this thing together. Hopefully, Rixton will have a few ideas up his sleeve when we put our heads together.

  I jump, surprised, when one of my employees pops her head in the door, “Pyper? The shipment just arrived.”

  “Oh wow, already?” I look at the time and see more has passed than I realized. “Okay, I will be out in a moment. Will you please have them put the boxes on the counter in the shop please? Thank you.”

  “You got it.”

  Grabbing my phone, I decide to call Rixton real quick and give him a heads up of my impending arrival. It would be a shame if he has already eaten. When I get his voicemail I change my mind and decide to surprise him instead. “Hey, so Olivia was telling me about this joint bachelor and bachelorette party. Sounds like maybe we have some planning to do. I started doing a little bit of research. You have any ideas? Talk to you later. Bye.”

  Smiling I hang up and head out to unload some boxes.

  Creating the desired display effect and putting all the remaining products in storage doesn’t take as long as I anticipate. I’m really excited about this new product line. With the increasing push for more organic products, this line is exactly what our clients have been asking for. It’s so much better for their skin, and I’m anxious to try the line myself.

  Deciding that a quick trip to the club to see Rixton is just what the doctor ordered, I head to a sandwich shop and pick up a couple of items. Unsure of what Rixton might prefer, I do the obvious. I select one with lots of meat and one veggie and get all the available sides separately so he can add what he wants. Better safe than sorry they always say.

  Pulling up to the club, I decide to park in the lot since I’m unsure how long I will be here. Walking into the club, balancing the large bag of food, I immediately search for Rixton behind the bar, but don’t see him. My brow furrows wondering where he is. A few people call out hellos as I make my way to the current bartender, Jimmy, and I return the greetings.

  It’s so unusual to be in the club after hours. I pause and turn in a circle, taking in the atmosphere. It looks and sounds so different. It’s a lot brighter with all the lights turned on. Of course, hardly anyone is here and any noise produces a slight echo effect. When the room is really filled up end to end, it’s hard to appreciate just how nice the club is. The gorgeous chandeliers glisten and the white, blue and silver décor is even more eye catching. The easy furniture just yells to come, sit down and relax. Yep, how different it all looks when bodies aren’t draped all over everything.

  Smiling at Jimmy, I watch him clean a glass with a towel. “Hi Jimmy. Is Rixton around?” I gesture to the food in my hands as I place it on the bar. “I brought him lunch. Thought I could join him on break, but I don’t see him.”

  Jimmy hesitates for a minute, “He’s uh, in a meeting or something in Luke’s office.”

  “Oh, okay. Shoot!” I tap my fingers on the bar wondering if I should wait around to see if he finishes up any time soon or just take my sandwich and head out. Would it look all stalkery weird of me to eat here at the bar like I’m just waiting around for him? Talk about looking desperate. That makes up my mind. “Do you have a paper and pen, Jimmy? I’ll just leave him a note and this sandwich here if you wouldn’t mind passing it on to him?”

  “Sure, that’s fine.” He grabs a pad of paper and searches for a pen behind the bar making a triumphant noise when he locates one.

  I’m in the middle of scribbling out a note when I hear a door slam at the top of the stairs, which catches my attention. I turn and see the same woman that almost ran me down the other day, angrily stomping down the stairs. I stare at her wide-eyed, shocked by her livi
d expression and angry eyes that are currently drilling into my own. She is seriously giving me a look of death. I get the distinct feeling I’ve done something to piss her off, but for the life of me I have no idea. She continues to hold my stare all the way down the stairs, until she passes me and heads toward the door to leave.

  Confused, I look to the top of the stairs and see Rixton standing there, massaging his temples. Walking over to the bottom of the stairs, note and food forgotten, I hesitantly call his name, “Rixton?”

  His head snaps up and his eyes widen when he sees me. I get the feeling he’s not sure if he should approach me, as I see a look of uncertainty cross his face. I begin walking up the stairs, and he eventually walks half way to meet me, touching the side of my face with a small, sad smile. “What’s wrong?’ I don’t know what the hell happened and I’m not sure what rights I have to ask, and certainly have no rights to demand that I’m told, but he’s the one who said he wanted honesty. So again I prompt, “Are you okay?”

  He holds my eyes for a few beats, then looks down and nervously wipes his hands on his pants. He gestures behind him, “Let’s go into Luke’s office.” I silently follow him, worry churning in my tummy and making me feel nauseous. We take a seat on the couch and face one another. I stay silent, waiting for him to tell me what’s going on. He holds my eyes for a few beats, looks away, then back again. The look on his face is indecipherable and I feel my own hands start to sweat in nervousness. His eyes are churning pools of emotion. I’m about to ask him again what’s going on, but he finally asks, “Remember when I told you I would never lie to you?”

  I nod my head, “Yes, I remember.”

  “I won’t.” He grabs hold of my hands and squeezes them tightly. “If there is one thing that I can promise you, it’s that I will not lie to you. When I said that I want there to at least be that between us, it’s because honestly is important to me. I need you to know that.”

  I nod my head, not sure if there is anything else to say to that.

  He hesitates, but doesn’t let go of my hands. If anything, he’s squeezing them tighter. “I know you are curious about the woman that left here. I know you saw her the other day, and I don’t know if you overheard anything…”

  “I didn’t really hear anything. I just heard the door slam when I was down at the bar and it drew my attention.”

  A look that can only be described as relief crosses his face, but it’s short lived. He swallows a few times in clear uneasiness and at this point, I don’t know what to think. “I need to ask something of you, and I recognize that it may not be easy for you to give, but I’m going to ask it anyway.”

  “Okay,” I respond drawing out the word, sure my expression is clearly displaying the apprehension, if not near panic, I’m feeling.

  “I promise that eventually I will answer your questions. I will explain, and share, and answer anything you want me to, but I’m not ready to do that yet. Not today. Maybe not tomorrow. But soon.”

  “Rixton, I don’t understand,” I respond, pulling my hands away from his.

  He runs his hands through his hair in exasperation. It’s something I’ve never seen him do. It’s clear he’s distressed, and I have no clue not only why, but what I can do about it – if anything. He blows out a breath and looks back at me, “I’m sorry, Red. I know you don’t. Believe me, I know. But I need you to try and understand that for now, I have something going on, and when I’m ready, I will talk to you about it, okay?”

  Watching him, I take in the pleading look on his face, the tiny bit of sweat I see on his brow. This is really bothering him; is serious for him. He’s watching every move I make, taking in every expression. Before I realize it, I’m nodding my head in agreement. “Okay. I can respect that. For now.”

  “You can?”

  I almost laugh at the disbelief in his voice. It’s clear that is not how he expected me to answer. “Yes, I can. I appreciate you being honest and telling me right now you can’t or won’t tell me about this. I mean, we are still getting to know each other, right? How do you even know you can trust me? You don’t have to tell me everything. I get it.”

  His face falls, “No, darlin’, no. It’s not about that. I trust you. I really do. I just… I can’t talk about this with you yet. You’ll understand when I explain, but please, please don’t think it’s because I’m still trying to figure out how I feel about you or that I don’t want this. It has nothing to do with that.”

  “Okay. I trust you. We’ll talk about it when you’re ready. Just… can you answer one thing?” His look holds trepidation but he nods his head. “Are you married?”

  He blows out a breath he must have been holding and a laugh bursts out of him. “No. No, darlin’, it’s nothing like that. I’m not married.”

  “Not drugs either, right? Because I can’t handle that.”

  “Not drugs,” he smiles.

  “Okay then.”

  “Okay?”

  “Yes. I just needed to make sure, because if that was your wife or something, I don’t want any part of that what so ever. No matter how much I may like you.”

  Rixton laughs, but it sounds forced, “Understood.” He cups the side of my face, does his signature move of putting my hair behind my ear, then places a soft kiss on my mouth. “You’re amazing. You know that right?”

  “That’s what I’ve heard,” I tell him with a smile trying to wipe away the worry that’s festering in my mind.

  WE CRUMBLE UP OUR SANDWICH WRAPPERS, and toss the trash away. Rixton went and grabbed the bag from Happy’s from the bar, pleased and impressed with my thoughtfulness. While we were eating, Luke came back and saw us eating in his office, but didn’t seem to even notice. He came in, grabbed something off his desk, and left again. Or perhaps he has merely learned not to look in our direction, I think, as a smile crosses my face.

  “Thanks again, for bringing these. It was really kind of you to even think about doing something like this for me.”

  “Well, it wasn’t just for you. I admit to having an alternative motive.”

  “Oh?”

  I smile shyly, “Yes. I wanted to see you.”

  A slow, lazy smile crosses his face. Patting his leg in an invitation for me to sit there, I look him up and down and take in how scrumptious he looks today. The man should be illegal. With a smile, I pop up off the couch, and sit in his lap, making myself comfortable. He puts my legs across his lap and snuggles my side up against him. Running his hand up and down my back, he asks, “How has your day been so far?”

  I tell him about the shipment that arrived at the spa and other boring stuff that I’m surprised isn’t putting him to sleep, but instead he listens with rapt attention. I can’t help but think about how nice this is. Not only the affection he’s showing me but also sharing my life like this with someone is extremely intimate and nice.

  “Oh! By the way…”

  Rixton raises an eyebrow, “Yes?”

  “I spoke to Olivia today and she mentioned that the separate parties we were planning for the fools have now become a joint bachelor and bachelorette party?”

  “That’s what I hear. Luke told me the same thing.”

  “Well I was thinking it probably makes the most sense for us to just plan this thing together.”

  “Yeah, I agree,” he starts running his hand through my hair. “It will make things easier now too I suppose. I mean, Luke said he’ll make sure the bar is fully stocked, which is awesome. So, we can have a cash bar and everyone can pay for their drinks just as they would have if we went out. Wouldn’t be right for Luke to pick up the tab at his own party. And if he doesn’t sell the stock that night, he will during business hours.”

  “Yes, I agree. Plus, it will likely be less expensive for the guests per drink and with no bar cover charge now. We can select a menu that will appeal to both the girls and guys, and we can use one of the regular bands if they are willing. It should be enjoyable, still a bit more low-key in harmony with Olivia’s prefe
rence, while meeting the objective of a joint party. And not that expensive or difficult for us.”

  Rixton nods in agreement. “Good thing we were going to work together to figure this out,” he says with his drawl and a bit of sarcasm.

  “Oops. Sorry. Habit. Bad habit. So, what would you suggest we do? Those were all merely thoughts.”

  He laughs. “Sounds like a plan to me. I guess. Just giving you a rough time.”

  We both pause, looking at each other in that familiar way. “Are you sure you’re okay with this? Do you think this is a bad idea?”

  “Well not exactly, but, yeah, kind of. From a guy’s point of view, anyway. I mean the point of a bachelor party is to have one night out with the guys. The last day of being single, to cause trouble and get in trouble. Having girls around kind of ruins it. No offense.”

  I raise an eyebrow giving him a dirty look, “Oh, I take offense alright. I think it is a stupid old fashioned out dated tradition. I hate the idea. I mean, what? A guy decides that since he is going to be,” I use air quotes to accent my next point, “tied down with one wonderful girl – and especially in this situation, with one the guy is very fortunate to be marrying – that they need one night of freedom to” – and my air quotes get turned on again, “act single? News flash, they aren’t. They haven’t been since they made the commitment in the first place. That whole bad boy bachelor party shit is seriously lame.”

  “Oh, so you don’t have any opinion on this, huh?” mocking my usage of air quotes by providing his version when he says the word opinion. “Maybe it’s dumb – excuse me, lame,” and his hands do air quotes again, “to you, but that’s the way it is. The way it’s been for generations. All of my married friends had bachelor parties that were freaking epic. And, respectfully, I do not say that merely because I helped plan many of them either. “

  “You are such an arrogant ass.”

  “What’s your point? You know I try my best to be the image of arrogance. And you love it.”

  Rolling my eyes, I decide it’s best not to comment. “So just what kind of entertainment were you going to do when you thought you were planning Luke’s party with just the guys?” I avoid making air quotes by holding tightly onto my hands.