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It’s amazing; it all went off without a hitch. Just as Luke predicated, the bride and groom were understanding that the favors weren’t here, as everyone had heard about the hotel fire. It still bothers me though. If there is one thing I pride myself on, it’s being punctual, professional, and always coming through when needed.
To say I would have walked into a burning building to make my clients happy is an understatement.
I follow the hotel manager to the reception desk, where she lifts an envelope off the counter. Inside are my car keys. I know the fob is mine because of the diamond encrusted butterfly key chain attached.
“Who delivered this?”
“A man. Tall. Brown hair, blue eyes. I don’t know if that helps. He asked we not alert you of his arrival. Your car is in the main lot, aisle two. He said the fob won’t work due to water damage, but you can take out the valet key to enter your car and the magnet in the fob will start it.”
I look back in the envelope and see my credit cards and license are inside.
“Thank you,” I say, bewildered that Luke went to the hotel for my keys. I’m assuming the rest was destroyed. I’m grateful to at least have a way home.
I find my car where she said it would be. Inside, I sigh in relief at no longer feeling stranded in a faraway town.
In the console is a can of Coke. It’s warm. The one he brought me last night and I never drank. My shoulders fall at the nice things Luke has done in the past twelve hours despite words he can’t take back. I open the can and take a long gulp.
Melissa’s right. I’m a closeted soda fiend.
I’m also a recovering Luke addict.
I need to kick the cravings for good.
“Mommy!” Ainsley comes barreling down the hall with her arms outstretched and long brown hair flowing around her shoulders. “I missed you. I waited for you to call and sing to me.”
I lift my girl up and give her the hug of a lifetime. “My phone was lost last night. There was a fire at the hotel I was staying at.”
“A fire!” She pushes against my shoulders to look at me with wide eyes. “Were you rescued by a fireman?”
“Kind of. What does Mommy always say about emergencies?”
“Look for a police officer, firefighter, doctor, or teacher. They’re there to help.”
“That’s right. Hey, guess what,” I say to her, and she grins, knowing what I’m about to say.
“I love you!” she answers for me with a laugh, and I tickle her in reward. “You say that every time.”
“It’s because I mean it.” I give her about ten kisses on her cheeks and neck, which makes her giggle even more, and then put her down on the floor.
Being a wedding planner as a single mom has had its advantages. Ainsley and I are close because I’ve had her by my side since the moment she was born.
When Ainsley was a baby, I was home with her during the day and even brought her to appointments. Turns out, brides love a cooing, swaddled newborn. Grooms, not as much.
As she entered the toddler years, babysitters would watch her while I worked a weekend wedding. It’s only recently that I started working out-of-town weddings.
Occasionally, my parents will take her, stating she’s “self-managed,” which I always read as,Ainsley doesn’t need someone to hand-feed or change her anymore, so we can now tolerate having our granddaughter in the house without your supervision. I’m also well aware my mother enjoys the alone time with Ainsley because she feels she messed up certain “family values” with me and wants to make sure their sole grandchild sees what a “proper home” is.
This is why when Tara offered to stay with Ainsley overnight, stating it keeps her tied down from making bad decisions—which she does often—I accepted the offer right away. Sure, Tara is loud, a bit wild, says inappropriate things, and has a knack for getting others in trouble, but she’s a confident, independent woman, and that’s who I want my daughter to be around.
Ainsley scurries toward her room as I walk to the kitchen, where Tara is standing with a glass of wine in her hand, her hair up in a messy bun with long black tendrils falling around her face.
“I love your kid, but not gonna lie. Thirty-six hours together is a lot.”
I nod toward the glass. “Drinking on the job?”
“I waited until I heard the garage door open. This bad boy has been chilling since eight o’clock this morning.”
“A little dramatic, don’t you think?”
