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“Cool. I’ll check that out later.”
“Great! If you need anything, call me.” I shut the door.
Doing my best to block out the memory of Griffin’s nearly naked body, I get in the shower. Unfortunately, I get distracted and can’t remember if I shampooed my hair, so I do it again, or maybe it was only once, not knowing is the issue. It’s going to be a long three weeks.
* * *
The office for Emma Belle Bridal is located in an old Civil War Era warehouse building in Brooklyn. Ten years ago, it was renovated into a multi-use office space, and last year I leased the top floor of it for my growing business. Its brick walls and large windows make it both homey and modern. The multifunctional space is great for my bridal boutique, with a design and office space in the back half, and a consultation and try-on area set up in the front.
Because Emma Belle Bridal is a small team of five, we’re a close-knit group. That’s why I beam with excitement when Kiara, Leo and Josie appear at my office door with flowers, a tray of coffees and a brown bag from Northside Bakery, the Polish bakery I love.
Their cherry kolaches are sinful. It’s only been an hour since I ate, but my stomach growls at the thought of them.
“Are those for me?” I ask.
“No. These are for the bitch that invited us to her wedding in Vegas,” Kiara says pointedly. “You know, the one you failed to mention was happening Saturday night after the show.”
Oh shit. Another group of people I’ve disappointed.
Their eyebrows lift simultaneously, giving me over-the-top attitude. I think they’re joking, or at least attempting to, but I do feel bad because if I would have wanted them at my wedding, if it hadn’t been unplanned.
“I’m sorry, but no one was invited.” Jess appears behind the trio. “Not even Jess,” I say, to prove my point that there should be no hard feelings. “Not even my parents. It was last minute and just the two of us.”
“Ahh, that’s so fucking romantic.” Leo sighs, then moves to set the coffee and pastry bag on my desk. “Okay, it’s impossible to be mad at you, but we fully expect to be at your second wedding.”
Before I even attempt an answer, Josie cuts in.
“He’s kidding,” she says, moving around the desk to give me a hug. “But seriously, when do we get to meet him?”
“Soon,” I assure them. Soon being sometime in the next three weeks. And after Griffin and I learn everything we possibly can about each other.
“Oh, I see what you’re doing.” Leo grabs a vase from the collection off the bottom shelf of my bookcase and starts arranging the flowers in it. “You’re keeping it low-key, like a celebrity wedding. It creates more buzz that way. If people know all the details, they get bored. Mystery is what keeps people interested.”
Jess moves between the group, “All right, I need a moment with Emma. We’ll huddle up at ten.”
They grumble but start moving toward their desks in the open office space. Leo rips off a piece of kolache on his way out.
Jess drops into the chair next to my desk, while I grab the mangled kolache and take a bite.
“I can tell by the way you’re devouring that pastry, you’re in emotional turmoil. What’s wrong?”
“I think this thing with Griffin was a horrible idea,” I say around another bite of kolache. The cherry filling oozes out the corner of my mouth.
“Because?” she prompts.
“We know nothing about each other. And last night we walked into a surprise party that my parents were throwing for us. A birthday party slash wedding shower that was the most insane experience of my life. I don’t think I’m cut out for this kind of deception.”
“Yes, that does sound pretty awful. But,” Jess pulls a paper from her lap and places it on my desk, “here’s the official offer from Bergman’s. They want the exclusive production rights to six of your dresses.” She points at the bottom line. “And this is what they want to pay you.”
I nearly choke on my kolache at the sight of all those zeros.
I wash down the clogged kolache with a sip of coffee, then clear my throat to speak. “That’s insane.”
“No, it’s what you deserve.”
“But also, a little insane.”
“So, look at this thing with Griffin as part of your business plan.”
