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“I trust you implicitly.” Ari adjusted the bodice of a black dress adorned with bright pink and purple flower embroidery. “You’ve rolled with a blackout, vendor issues,anda wedding crasher and you didn’t flinch.”
Oh, Rylee had flinched plenty, but she was more of a crying-on-the-inside kind of girl. She’d had her minor meltdown moments over the last few months, but hopefully she’d concealed the majority of her true feelings. As much as she treasured both Ariana and Xavier, this wedding had been the most trying in her professional experience.
“You’re the priority, Ari. Ex isjustthe groom.”
Ari’s chiming laughter rang out again.
“I can see that you’re at the bridal shop. How did the final fitting go?”
“Wonderful!” The future bride’s face lit up, her wide, pink-lipped smile causing her brown eyes to crinkle at the edges. “Keely is a true artist. And she integrated blue bonnets into the design in a subtle, beautiful way.”
“She’s amazing. I’m not surprised.” Even though they weren’t from the same part of the country, Rylee could relate to the born-and-raised-in-New-York designer. Keely had been focused on each and every detail of the dress, and not only because she knew that photographs of Ari in it would boost her career in a big way. Keely cared about details because she was committed to excellence.
Rylee wrinkled her nose. She wished she would have mentioned to Trick that excellence was the reason she appeared rigid. If that’s what he thought of her. He seemed to delight in talking her into doing things she shouldn’t be doing while on the clock. Like drinking Bellinis.
“I have to run, but keep me posted on the gift bags, okay?” Ari had her own lifestyle brand and had been selective about the gifts for each and every guest to take home. “Look for a gift from me to you, too. It should arrive this evening.”
“You didn’t have to do that,” Rylee said, meaning it. Ari had already been so generous.
“Rye, I didn’t do it because I had to. I did it because we’re friends. I recognize a hardworking woman who doesn’t take enough time for herself when I see one.” Ari gave the screen an air kiss. “See you soon, doll.”
“Definitely,” Rylee said around a lump in her throat. She ended the video call. She had known she and Ari were friendly, but hearing the other woman verify that they were “friends” had touched her. Also, Ari gave great gifts. Rylee was looking forward to opening the care package as soon as it arrived.
Five
Rylee, sitting at the desk in her private office at the TCC, heard her cellphone ping and regarded it with one eye open. She was afraid of what else might potentially go wrong now that they were within spitting distance of the wedding.
So far she’d been contacted about a transportation issue with the vintage cars the best man had lined up for wedding, as well as the fact that some of the accessories for the reception had been shipped to the wrong address. Thankfully, that address belonged to a nearby hotel where Ariana’s sister, Sasha Ramos, was staying. Rylee had arranged for a courier to pick up the boxes from Sasha and bring them to the TCC.
She needed to ensure the packages arrived safely and were stored in the correct ballroom, as well as follow up with Tripp about the car situation. A wedding planner’s work was truly never done.
Then the call had come from Keely, who was hand-delivering the wedding gown to Rylee at Ari’s request. They’d agreed to conceal it in a black dress bag and for it to be locked in Rylee’s temporary private office here at the TCC. Rylee couldn’t very well stash it in her hotel room, in case there was a sneaky paparazzo who paid off a member of the hotel staff to snap a pic or two. Ironically, she trusted Trick more than a random photographer.
Speaking of, the text message on her phone’s screen was from Trick. He hadn’t contacted her with an emergency, but a request:Lunch?
“All he does is eat.” Was it noon already? She checked the clock on the wall. It read ten after three. “Three?It’s three o’clock?”
“My point exactly.” Trick entered through her open office door holding a charcuterie plate overflowing with cheeses, various meats, plump green grapes, nuts and honeycomb.
“Do I want to know where you stole that from?”
“I did not steal it. I requested it from the kitchen. Pamela is really nice.”
Rylee didn’t know Pamela, but the idea of him charming charcuterie out of another woman was an unpleasant thought.
“These, though”—from behind his back, he brandished two cans of Perrier—”I stole off a cart by the bar.”
“Are you serious?”
“No. God. What do you take me for? Ricardo was restocking, and I asked if I could buy a few cans. He wouldn’t let me pay, but I did ask.”
She didn’t know Ricardo either. How was it that Trick was already on a first-name basis with people at an exclusive club he didn’t belong at or belong to? Incredible.
He set down the tray of finger foods and she didn’t hesitate. She stacked a chunk of Gouda on top of a Genoa salami slice and ate it. She’d had no idea how hungry she was until that first bite. He cracked open a can of Perrier and set it in front of her.
“I considered bringing you chardonnay, but I didn’t want to push the boundaries of your work rules. Especially since you’re finishing up for the day.”
The water was lime-flavored and refreshing. “I’m far from finishing up. The dress designer is delivering Ari’s dress, and I need to call Tripp about the vintage cars. Plus, there is a courier on the way with some items for the reception hall. I need to check the deliveries that were already stacked in that room and ensure they are for Ari and Ex and not like, a box of toilet paper rolls meant for maintenance instead.”
