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On Wednesday morning, Gia came into my office. “The Forrest couple wants to speak with us again.”
“They’re the ones from Ohio?” I asked as I looked up from my computer, my heart rate picking up. If they wanted to talk, it meant they were considering it.
“That’s right.”
“What do you think is holding them back?” I asked her, needing to prepare for the meeting.
“They mentioned how most destination weddings are at all-inclusive resorts. I think they want reassurance that we’ll handle all the moving pieces, even though the wedding hall and reception hall will be separate locations.”
I tipped my head slightly, thinking it over. “Maybe that’s our angle. We can offer multiple options and locations with the ease of an all-inclusive resort.”
Gia grinned. “I like that.”
I was pleased that what happened between Leo and me hadn’t leaked into the workplace. Gia was professional, distant but receptive to my ideas. Our friendship was strained, but I could continue to work for her. For now, at least. At some point, it might be too awkward because our usual ease and friendship were missing.
Gia wanted to maintain a professional working relationship, and I respected that, but I missed our friendship and the ease and lightness with which we worked. I wondered if that ease filtered through to the clients.
I wasn’t sure how long this arrangement could go on. And if Gia decided I needed to leave, I wasn’t sure what I’d do or where I’d work. There weren’t a lot of openings for someone who held a catch-all job in a small business, and most small businesses wouldn’t or couldn’t afford to pay me what Gia was.
But I couldn’t think about finding a new job. I needed to keep the one I had.
I followed Gia into her office where she set up the virtual call on her laptop and connected with them. When the couple popped onto the screen, we both smiled like nothing had changed, even though everything had. There was a stiffness to our interaction now.
“Ian and Seyona. It’s so nice to see you two again.”
“Same here.” Seyona smiled brightly.
“Do you have some questions for us?” I asked, keeping my tone light.
“We just want to make sure that if we sign with you, it will be as seamless as possible for us. We don’t want to be the ones coordinating vendors and the hall. We want to enjoy the day without any administrative details.” Ian relayed the information, but I had a feeling he was referring to his bride.
“We can handle everything. We help you choose the location of the ceremony, the reception, your colors, linens, and music. Then we follow up with the vendors and make sure everything is ready for the big day so you can relax.”
The bride’s troubled gaze eased as Gia went over how things would work.
“Thank you for easing our minds about this. We’d like to move forward with you,” Ian said, and I breathed a sigh of relief.
We set up several meetings for them to pick their ideal location, decorations, and other items, then we’d handle everything else.
Seyona leaned forward. “What about the dress? Should I order it here or there?”
“That’s up to you. If you pick one near you, just make sure it will come in time for you to travel here. I have a seamstress on call if you have any issues at the ceremony.”
“That’s convenient,” Seyona said.
“I assure you, there’s no complication or issue that we haven’t already handled. Our job is to take care of everything so that you can relax and enjoy your day.”
“That sounds amazing,” Seyona said to us and then focused on her fiancé. “I feel so much better after talking to you. And we’ve had a chance to look over the contract. We’d like to get started as soon as possible.”
We went over a few more details before hanging up with them.
“That’s a relief. One destination wedding under contract.” Now we just needed a few more to ensure that we could weather the leaner months.
“I couldn’t have done it without you,” Gia said softly.
“I think you would have figured out something. You’re so smart,” I said to her, a little uncomfortable with her praise.
“I don’t know that I would have. I was so stressed and preoccupied with what Silas was doing; I couldn’t see the big picture. It’s like I couldn’t see the possibilities.”
