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“Perfect,” Nick said with a smile.
The boys packed their bags, and we headed to the parking lot.
I wondered if his request for a meal was just missing good food or if it was an excuse for us to hang out.
I was so busy most of the time, I didn’t have the energy to socialize outside my immediate family. But for some reason, the promise of seeing him in a more intimate setting at the end of the week appealed to me. It was something to look forward to. I hadn’t felt that hum of anticipation in a long time.
We parted ways at the door, promising to see each other at practice on Sunday. So far, my promise to keep my distance from Nick wasn’t going as planned.
* * *
Saturday, I left Hunter with Brooke and Ben to attend a wedding. They were going to the town’s harvest festival. I wanted to go too, but Happily Ever Afters was booked with fall weddings through November, then Christmas weddings and parties, and in the new year, New Year’s weddings. Valentine’s Day would finish off our busy season, and then we’d have a short break until spring and summer—our busiest season of the year.
Thinking about how I would manage baseball, school, and my work calendar made it difficult to take a deep breath. I needed to pull it together because I couldn’t do my best work when I was stressed.
A headache was forming at the base of my neck and radiating into my skull. I hadn’t eaten since breakfast because there hadn’t been time.
I made it through the ceremony and most of the reception before heading to the kitchen to grab something to eat.
“How are you holding up?” Gia asked as I grabbed a plate from the cook.
“It’s going great. It’s a beautiful wedding.” I inhaled a few bites before Gia spoke again.
“I wasn’t talking about the wedding. I was asking howyou’reholding up.”
“Okay.” If only I could remember to eat and I didn’t feel insurmountable guilt when I thought of someone else taking Hunter to the festival. I was a photographer. I’d always have events on the weekend when Hunter was playing games and other things were going on.
“Have you thought more about hiring any help?”
“No one else can take pictures,” I insisted stubbornly.
“An assistant would be able to help you with lighting, poses, wardrobe issues,” Gia said.
“I haven’t.” If I thought about money going to an assistant, my chest tightened even more.
Gia tipped her head to the side, considering me. “Our calendar is filling up.”
“I know.” I finished the last bite and took the plate to the dishwasher.
When I returned to where Gia stood, she said, “You have to expand for the business to grow. Hiring someone doesn’t take away from the business; it only enhances it.”
“What if I hire the wrong person and they aren’t any help? What if I can’t afford to hire someone?” I asked, listing off the things that kept me awake at night.
“Do the numbers. I’m sure they support hiring someone at least part-time. I’m hiring another wedding planner, and I have a receptionist.”
That made sense for her. She’d eventually need more than one or two planners. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be able to take on more weddings.
I blew out a breath. “I hate looking at numbers.”
Gia grinned. “I don’t mind looking at spreadsheets, but you should find an accountant you trust.”
“I’ll do that,” I said.
“I’d better get back out there. You have to wait for the cake to be cut, but after that, you can go,” Gia said to me as she walked out.
I wasn’t in a hurry to return to the reception. I’d gotten enough pictures of the dancers on the dance floor, and I could afford to take a few more minutes. Instead, I thought about what Gia said. I didn’t want to pay for an accountant to tell me whether I could afford help.
But whenever I thought about the boxes of invoices and receipts, I got overwhelmed all over again. I enjoyed taking and editing pictures and talking to clients, but the business side was tough for me.
