"I'm sure you can handle it, Roberta.You're the best.If there's anyone who can deal with this situation, it's you."
"Or you."
"Roberta, I'm sorry.I can't help you with these," I said before she could weasel me into agreeing."I have two major conferences happening this weekend.I can probably spare Brad for a few days.Will that work?"
She thought about it, and her pen tapped against the clipboard.Finally she said, "Fine.I'll give him the easy one," Roberta said."It's actually a really small wedding.But she wants the whole deal.Flowers, music, cake.And a private dining experience on the pool deck next to the waterfall."
The small one?Suddenly I was curious."What if I'd said that I'd help you out?Would you hand over the big wedding?"I raised my eyebrow, waiting for the answer.
Roberta tilted her head and shot me a look."You?I don't think so."
"Do I have to remind you who's in charge here?"I pulled rank with a sudden rush of ego.
"No, sir," she said.Her voice was dripping with sarcasm but her smile told me she was barely holding back laughter."But," she added, "if you were to take on such a large event with two big conferences going on at the same time, you wouldn't have the time to look up whoever it is that you're not looking for."She pointed a long red fingernail at my computer again.
"I told you—"
"You don't have to tell me anything," she said."Here's the file.You can do it yourself or pass it to Josh.Let me know either way.It's the Lennox/Stewart wedding.Like I said, it's small, only two guests."She held up a finger at my protests."But they want the whole shebang.And I know it's been awhile since you've done a wedding, but it's our job to make sure big or small, we make it happen."
"I'll be hiring next week."
"I know you will."Roberta smiled and stood."If you need anything, or can't remember what to do—" I shot her a warning glance and she changed tracks."Any help at all or advice, let me know, boss."
I sighed and leaned back in my chair."Thank you, Roberta.And just for the record—"
"I know.You're not looking for anyone.Not even that leggy blond you were eyeing."She winked at me and was gone.
I laughed.Attention to detail, that's what made her so good.
The file lay on the other side of my desk, which was empty of any family pictures; there was no family, after all.I glanced at the computer but didn't power up the screen.Curiosity got the best of me, and I grabbed the file.
I might as well get some work out of the way first.Maybe I would take on the wedding, not that I had any time to spare.But it might help keep my mind from driving me crazy with memories if I was run off my feet for the next few days.
I flipped it open.Only the basics were there.
Bride - Lennox.Groom - Stewart.
Number of guests – two.
Two?Oh well, if there's anything that my years of experience in the customer service industry had taught me, it was that everyone deserved the same treatment.The names of the witnesses weren't listed; we'd need that for the marriage certificate.The bride had yet to confirm flowers and music.The wedding was two days away.
I sighed and picked up the phone.
Josh usually worked in parties and special events, which meant he saw his fair share of bachelor and bachelorette.A wedding shouldn't be too much of a jump.He answered on the third ring and I relayed all the details to him, told him the information would be in his in-box, and hung up.
I closed the file.The blank screen of the computer seemed to fill the room.
Why not?There wasn't any harm in looking to see if on the off chance she was actually here.Before I could change my mind, I powered the screen back on.It flickered to life and I quickly punched in: Alexis Titan.Almost immediately the results were displayed in front of me.
The air rushed from my lungs and the words on the screen blurred for a moment.
"She's here."