“Hey, Beth. What’s going on?”
“You tell me. Are you set to marry a billionaire?”
I snort. “No, and I won’t ever be. Not this billionaire, anyway.”
“Meeting didn’t go so well?”
“No, it went well enough, but the guy is a dick. He wouldn’t even look at the sample books. He just insisted on telling me exactly what he wanted, leaving me scrambling to find everything. And he won’t budge on a thing. The flower shop is calling around to find the flowers he wants. I suggested making the event be informal, and he wouldn’t hear of it. He wants white china with a gold border, and guess what? That pattern is not even on the sample sheet of the company I use. I have no idea where to get it or if I can even get it in time. It’ll have to be special ordered,” I rant.
“Okay, okay, okay. Calm down.”
I take a deep breath and let it out slowly.
“You can do this, Des. You’re the best party planner around.”
“I’m theonlyparty planner around.”
“Well, that’s true, but there are some in towns close by, and he could’ve gone with one of them instead. He picked you. Yeah, it’s a challenge, but that doesn’t mean you won’t kill it. Come on. Where’s my strong-headed sister?”
“Her head is growing weak.”
Beth scoffs.
“I’m sorry. I know I’ve pulled shit out of thin air before, but this one doesn’t look promising.”
“Repeat after me.I can do this.”
I roll my eyes. “I can do this.”
She laughs. “A little more feeling please?”
“I can do this,” I say more strongly. “Or I’ll get fired. We’ll see which happens first.”
She giggles. “He won’t dare fire you. Everyone in town loves you. It would look bad for him and his hotel if he did. Just put your mind to it. You’ve always achieved everything you’ve set your mind to.”
That is true. I usually get my way eventually, but this is a whole new ballgame. I’ve been playing in the minors. This is the major league.
“So other than your impossible boss, what did you think of the hotel?”
“That’s another thing. The event center isn’t even finished yet! It’s still being painted and the floor is covered in plastic. The curtains weren’t hung on the stage. There’s no decor. It’s just an empty, unfinished room. He says it’ll be done in time, but I need it done now. I just ordered the tables and chairs.”
“Well, you have all that storage space, right?”
I can’t help but roll my eyes. “Yes, but since the company I rented them from takes them directly to the venue, I have to hire a team to do that for me.”
“So? You’ll get your money back in the end.”
“That’s not the point. The point is that it’s more work on my end. I didn’t know this was going to be such a mess when I signed on.”
“Then quit if it’s bothering you that badly.”
“I can’t,” I breathe out. “The whole town practically knows I have the job. I can’t quit now. Plus, I signed a contract.”
She laughs. “Man, even Mr. Billionaire knows he’s impossible to work with.”
I can’t help but join in. “Yep. He’s no piece of cake, that’s for sure.”
“Well, is he at least as good-looking in person as he is in those photos online?”
