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"I do believe tonight even topped last year's party, which I didn't think would be possible."
"Everything went like clockwork—except getting guests to depart."
Eliza waved her hand dismissively. "That's the sign of a successful event. You know that."
Mary nodded. It was why their Christmas event was the one party of the year where Eliza, the logistics director of their business, loosened her timeline.
"Everyone raved about the food as usual," Eliza continued, "but the shrimp balls were a particular hit. You outdid yourself with those, Mary. The vendors who were here tonight are going to talk them up to their clients. We'll be up to our elbows in shrimp all next year."
"I figured they'd be a hit. Nothing has topped my maple mac-and-cheese, though. I think that was all gone by nine o'clock."
"The Landry and Lawrence classic." Eliza sighed happily. "You ready for a glass of champagne? I built time for champagne into our schedule. The cleanup crew doesn't arrive for forty minutes."
"I'm more than ready." Mary's thoughts returned to her to-do list, and she winced. "Mind drinking it in my office? I need to finish my dad's gift before I head home tonight."
Eliza chastised her with a look.
"I know. I know."
Her partner reached out and gave Mary a quick hug. "I'll grab a bottle and glasses and meet you in your office on one condition."
Mary's mouth twisted in a crooked smile. "What's that?"
"Change your clothes before you break out the hot glue gun. I don't want to be taking you to the ER with third-degree boob burns five days before Christmas."
Mary snorted.
"I think I heard almost as many comments on how great you looked tonight as I heard about how fantastic the shrimp balls tasted. It's a spectacular dress, Mar. I'm glad you decided to show off your curves for a change. Emerald is your color. It brings out your eyes. I swear, when Travis arrived and got a look at you, I thought he was going to swallow his tongue."
"Because I'm wearing last year's Christmas gift." Mary fingered the teardrop garnet pendant that nestled against her breasts. "He accidentally left it off the list of things he asked me to return when he dumped me."
Eliza wrinkled her nose. "If I said it once, I said it a thousand times. The man is a dewsh. I know we couldn't cut him from the guest list because he does own three wedding venues in the Metroplex, but I honestly didn't think he'd have the nerve to show up with her in tow."
"Oh, I knew they'd be here." That's why she'd made such an effort with her outfit tonight.
"Well, you definitely won tonight's skirmish. Raylene sailed in here dressed in her slinky silver sequins, holding her nose in the air and flashing her rock, but you put her in her place without so much as a ‘Bless your heart,’ just by being gracious."
"She's a beautiful woman."
"And you're a natural red-headed pagan goddess—who will find somebody worthy of you. Trust me, you dodged a bullet by getting rid of that creep."
Emotion closed Mary's throat, and tears stung her eyes. How was it that Eliza always knew just the right thing to say? While she'd put Travis Trent behind her, and she hadn't cried over him in over five months, seeing him tonight hadn't been easy. No woman enjoyed seeing her ex parade her replacement around in front of her. Especially not in her own place of business. Clearing her throat, Mary tried to lighten the subject by saying, "I was aiming for sexy Santa's helper."
"Honey, I wouldn't be surprised to find a dozen men in red suits and white beards lined up outside our door when we leave here tonight."
Mary laughed. What would she do without her best friend? "Oh, Eliza. I do love you."
"I love you, too. Now go cover up that fabulous rack so you can finish your dad's gift. I'm going to change, too, and then I'll grab the bubbly and meet you in your office."
Ten minutes later, armed with a hot glue gun and wearing jeans, a sweatshirt, and her favorite sneakers, Mary put the finishing touches on the Daddy-Daughter scrapbook she'd made for her father. It had long been a Landry family tradition between her parents and two siblings to exchange handmade gifts at Christmas. With her brother and sister both married, the practice had expanded to include spouses and Mary's two nephews and three nieces. Of course, she bought the little ones toys, too, but handmade gifts where the ones that mattered for the adults.
Eliza strolled into her office, carrying two crystal flutes in her right hand and a green bottle in her left. She set the glasses on Mary's desk and went about the business of opening the champagne. "Sorry I took so long. John called to grovel about missing the party, so I let him do it even though I totally support his job. I knew what I was in for when I fell for an obstetrician."
"Did his patient have her babies?"
"She did. Mama and triplets are doing great."
"Excellent."
