He nods, looking a little dazed.
“Tomorrow, we can decorate the pavilion. That’s where the party will be. And I have to go to Heppawa Saturday morning to get the balloons filled.”
“Is it… a lot of balloons?”
“Yes. I have two balloon chains.”
“I don’t even know what that is.”
“I’ll show you!” I pull out my phone and swipe until I find the image from the store. I go sit beside him. “Like this.”
He studies the image of purple, white, and silver balloons of various sizes fastened together into an arch. “Wow.”
“Purple is Nonna’s favorite color. I’ve made sure she wears a purple dress for the party.”
He shakes his head. “Of course you have.”
“These are the flowers being delivered from Poughkeepsie.” I show him more images of mauve and cream roses, hydrangeas, and stocks. “But I have some artificial flowers too for the table centerpieces.”
“All right. There’s a lot to do.”
“Yes.” I check the time on my phone. “Are you hungry? We could have dinner and then I can work on the slide show.”
“Yeah. I’m hungry.”
“Okay. The café is back in the lodge where we checked in. I just want to wash up first.”
My suitcase is still sitting by the door. I look around and spy two luggage racks over by the bed, so I drag my case over. Before I can hoist it up, Carson is there, taking it from me and lifting it like it’s a bag of potatoes.
“Thanks.” I unzip it and pull out my toiletry bag and take it into the bathroom. I brush my hair and freshen up my make-up in front of the big mirror. My nervousness returns. While I was telling Carson about the party plans, I kind of forgot he’s myex-husband. It’s weird; for a few minutes there, it just felt natural to be here with him. I guess because we spent so much time together, it’s kind of like muscle memory? It just felt normal.
It’s not normal. But I better be able to act like it is to pull this off.
10
CARSON
We walk over to the café along a path cleared through the snow, with stars glittering in the dark sky overhead. The air is crisp and frosty.
“It’s nice here,” Ayla says. “I wasn’t sure since Aunt Melissa insisted on having this event here. Hopefully, it works out.”
“You mean there was one thing you didn’t have to do?”
“Ha. I did make the booking and I’ve been working with Norm.”
“Of course.” She denies that her family takes advantage of her, because she doesn’t mind doing all the things and helping everyone. I fell in love with her because of her generosity, her kindness and compassion. But sometimes, I felt she did too much. She should have been delegating tasks for this party left and right.
We’re seated in the cozy café. There isn’t a huge menu, but when I look it over, I know what Ayla will have. “Fish and chips?”
“Oh yeah.”
I order the veggie power bowl with brown rice and quinoa. They offer to add grilled chicken, and I go for that.
“The formal dining room is over in the pavilion,” Ayla says. “They have a much bigger menu. The chef here is apparently really good. I hope so, anyway.”
“This is fine for now.” I look around the room, which is surprisingly busy for a Wednesday in January. “What can I do to help with all your work?”
“You don’t have to help. It’s enough that you’re here.”
