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She looks up as I enter and smiles at me, her face full of youthful excitement. I return her smile, looking questioningly at the laptop. Is she on Skype with the twins or something?
“One second,” she says.
She types furiously for a few minutes, and I sit down opposite her. She finishes typing, ending with a flourish, and shuts her laptop. She grins at me, shifting in her chair, tucking one of her legs underneath herself.
“I thought about what you said. About selling something where I get to work closely with the clients and not just sell to them and move on. And I started to think about the sort of things I am good at and enjoy. I’m pretty organized, and I enjoy arranging events. I thought those were useless skills, and then it hit me. Wedding planning. Think about it, Falcon. It’s perfect for me. I’ve spent years attending events, visiting venues, and dealing with caterers. I know the best places to go, the best everything. And now I can use that knowledge to help other people.”
She’s babbling like she always does when she’s excited about something.
“Okay.” I smile. I think for a moment, and then I nod. “Yes, I could see you doing something like that and being good at it. So, I take it you’ve been looking for any openings?”
“No,” she says, shaking her head. “Well yes, but the more I looked, the more I realized that working for a wedding planner and being a wedding planner are very different things. I don’t want to be someone’s PA. I want to plan weddings that will make the bride beam, the guests ooh and aah. I’m going to start my own business, Falcon. I’ve been brainstorming.”
Her news isn’t what I was expecting, and I feel the familiar dread hit me. I was just about ready to deal with her going out to an office every day. But this? This means she’ll be trawling the city all day long, looking at venues, florists, caterers, and who knows what else. I can’t be there with her all day every day. It’s far too dangerous.
She seems to sense my mood has changed and she frowns.
“What is it?” she asks.
“I’m just not sure it’s a good idea,” I say. “Starting your own business is a lot of work, Elle, and it’s stress you just don’t need.”
I watch as she deflates in front of me, her shoulders sagging, her head lowering.
“You think I’ll fail at this too, don’t you?” she says quietly.
“No,” I say honestly. “I don’t. I think you’ll move heaven and earth to get your clients the wedding of their dreams, and I think you’ll soon be the most prestigious, sought-after wedding planner in New York.”
She looks up at me, frowning.
“So why don’t you think it’s a good idea then?” she asks.
I know this is it. It’s the moment I have to honestly let go and support her, or it’s the moment I make her think I have no faith in her whatsoever and put out that light in her eyes permanently. I have to support her, no matter how much it will worry me.
“I’m sorry. I let my own fear cloud my judgment. The thought of you running around all over the city scares me. You know that. But I know I have to get over it. I think it’s a great idea, Elle.”
“You do?”
I nod.
“Yes. You were right, you are organized. And you have this knack for getting shit done and in the right order. You’re good with people, and contrary to popular opinion, the best wedding planners are nice people with good social skills, not bitches who whine and demand shit. You’re going to be awesome at this, and I will support you one hundred percent. Just let me know if you need anything.”
“There is one thing I need,” she says.
I nod at her to go on, and her face breaks into a smile.
“That dessert you promised me.” She winks.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
ELLE
Even after the talk we had, I expected much more resistance from Falcon when I told him my plans to start my own business. I expected him to try to put his foot down, to tell me it wasn’t me, that I couldn’t do it. I think he almost did, but then he caught himself, and he told me he believes in me and supports me. The way he looked at me as he said it, the genuine conviction on his face when he told me I’d be good at this, made me wet.
I want him. Now.
I stand up from the table and go to Falcon and take his hand. Without a word, I lead him up the stairs and to our bedroom. I open the top dresser drawer and pull out the lighter. I smile at Falcon as I move around the room lighting the candles I put out while he was gone. He’s looking at the rose petals I’ve sprinkled on the bed, smiling in amusement.
