Chapter 5
Five
Parker
Why hasn’t Jasmin called back? I left the voicemail for her hours ago.
Maybe she’s at work, I don’t know. I remember she came with her sister during the middle of the day during the week.
When we were at the Valentine’s event she mentioned not having a job.
Or, it might be because she doesn’t answer unknown numbers.
Either way, I need her or Daniela to call me.
I’m beginning to second guess Piper’s choice to put me in charge events.
I’m organized, but the stress of this is almost more than I can handle.
How am I supposed to work more events when I can barely get a grasp on my first wedding.
The sad part is this is the early stages and I’m already in knots.
There’s nothing I can do about it right now, though. Staring at my phone isn’t going to make Jasmin call with the information I need. I think it’s odd her sister isn’t handling this since it’s her wedding. Who am I to question how they do things?
I set aside my notepad and open up the email. Piper really needs to get another computer in here. I feel like I’m monopolizing her space. There’s an email for another event request. I click the email and shake my head.
“What’s going on?” Piper asks as she comes into the office.
It must be nice to show up for work whenever you feel like it.
Not that I can say much, I’m guilty as well.
But she will wait until after lunch to come in sometimes.
Whereas I’m only one, maybe two, hours late occasionally.
I guess you can do whatever you want when you bring in the amount of business she has.
“This event request.” I point at the computer.
“Oh, we got another one?” She claps her hands in excitement and rushes around the desk to join me. “What’s it for? Another wedding?”
Thankfully, it’s not. I don’t think I can handle more than one right now. At least, not when I’m trying to get my feet under me with the current one.
“Nope. A baby shower.” I tilt my head to the side. “Isn’t that kind of mean? The mom-to-be can’t drink. It seems cruel to host it at a winery.”
“Maybe the mom isn’t normally a big drinker and is okay with it.” She shrugs her shoulders. “Besides, I think a little liquid courage for the attendees will make a baby shower fun and less stuffy.”
“And you’ve been to how many of them?” None of her friends have had kids, and I’m pretty sure she’s getting her insight from movies.
“Shut up.” She hits my arm. “I’ve watched enough movies to know how it goes.”
I can’t help the snort that comes out of me. I knew it. One day she’ll realize she can’t base everything she knows on movies.
“So, I should reach out to them?” I still think it’s an asshole move. Though, it would help to have a smaller event soon. Asheville is a small town, and once word spreads, there will be more events booked.
“Yes.” She moves to scoot a chair next to mine. “Let them come look at the space and decide if they want to do it here. Since it’s most likely small, they probably won’t need the big building. It’ll be easier to manage.”
“Okay.” I begin typing out a response to see what day would work for them to see the space.
“How are you coming along with the Campos wedding?” She leans on her hand and waits for me to answer.
“Right now I’m waiting on a call back. I need an approximate guest count so I can figure out possible seating arrangements for the reception. And to get an idea of how many chairs we’ll need outside.”
She nods and continues staring at me. “It sounds like you’ve got it under control.”
“Not really.” I shake my head and hit send on the email.
Maybe they can come out sometime this week.
I need something to think about other than this wedding and Jasmin.
“I have no idea what I’m doing or what I need to.
I’ve been thinking about reaching out to Angel to see if she can guide me.
Honestly, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to bring in her team when weddings are booked. ”
“What exactly do you need help with?” Piper asks. “Like is it logistics, or something we don’t, don’t have any control over?”
“How the hell are we supposed to keep guests cool in the middle of summer?” That’s truly my biggest concern. Texas isn’t exactly known for mild weather. That’s another thing I need to get from Daniela. After her comments about the sunset, I think she might want an evening wedding.
“We can set up fans.”
“And blow hot as hell air on them?” While I’m grateful my sister is offering suggestions, I’m not sure it’s a great one.
“We’ll figure that out once we have more details.” Piper stands and moves toward the door. “It’s not a bad idea to bring in Angel. If anything, we can give her a percentage of the fee for consulting us. We can also work on a possible partnership with her.”
I’m glad she’s open to the idea. I know nothing about weddings. I can’t even remember the last time I attended one. Maybe a year or two ago when one of my old classmates got hitched. It was beautiful, but I have no idea how much work or thought went into it.
“What am I supposed to do until then?” When I said I was at a loss, I wasn’t kidding. I think I’ll look up wedding videos or watch movies revolving around them to help me get a grasp on it. I know it’s fictional, but I need a starting point.
“Reach out to Angel, first.” She taps the wall, thinking. “And I guess work with what you have. You remember how we had the tables set up for the last event? Start with a similar layout. We can figure it out once we have actual numbers.”
She seems to have more faith in me than I do.
I can usually bullshit my way through anything, but this is different.
It’s someone else’s big day and I don’t want to be the reason it’s ruined.
Maybe I’ll reach out to Paula. She put on that one event and will likely have some insight.
I don’t know why I didn’t think of that earlier.
“Okay. Where are you headed off to?”
“To pick up the new computers. This one needs to be updated and you need one so you’re not hogging mine all the time.”
It’s like she read my mind. “Pierce approved the expense?”
“I wouldn’t be going if he didn’t.” She shakes his head. “You know how he’s a stickler about things like that.”
“True.” Bringing up my brother’s name reminds me that I need these events to go off without a hitch.
The last thing I need is for my big brother to think I’m nothing but a pretty face and charisma.
Plus, I can’t make Piper look bad after she created this role for me.
Though, it should be our big sister’s job.
All I know is it’s a lot of pressure, and I hope I can pull it off.
My phone rings and I jump, pausing the video I’m watching about reception layouts. For a second I think it might be Jasmin finally calling back, but my phone screen shows a picture of my big sister.
“Hello?”
“Hey, I saw the text about needing to talk.” She sounds like she’s out of breath. “Is it to bitch about our brother, girl problems, or something else?”
The fact her first response is griping about Pierce is funny, but valid. She’s the one who’s had the most friction with him since we were kids.
“Please, Paula, I don’t have girl problems.” I lean back on the sofa. “That’s one area I don’t think I need any advice.”
She laughs and I hear a thud on the other end. “Someone is full of himself.”
“What are you doing?” It sounds chaotic wherever she is.
“I’m bringing in groceries.” Now I hear the sound of bags rustling. “Tristan was going to do it but the band had an emergency meeting and needed him there for some reason.”
“Are they going on tour again?” It’s pretty cool my sister has a connection to one of the most popular alternative bands on the radio. When Crooked Halo first came to Asheville, everyone was star struck. Now they are a part of the town and nobody bats an eye at the members when they see them.
“I think so?” There’s another thud before the door slams shut. “Tristan wasn’t sure what the meeting was about, but he seems convinced of it. They could also be talking wedding logistics.”
“Please, don’t recommend the winery.”
“Why? I heard that’s your new position.” She’s silent for a few moments, most likely putting up whatever she has. “I figured you’d be chomping at the bit to get this wedding.”
“I would if I knew what the hell I was doing.” I run my hand through my hair. “It’s actually why I called.”
She groans. I’m not feeling the love. “Even though I told Pierce and Dad it’s something I’m want to do, I can’t right now. We are swamped.”
“No, I don’t need you to handle everything.” I figured she had something going on at the flower shop. Otherwise, she’d be doing this and not me. “Direction, that’s all I want. There’s so much I don’t know because this isn’t my area of expertise. I feel like Piper threw me to the wolves.”
“Don’t stress out, Park.” Paula laughs. I’m glad she finds this amusing.
“Since you aren’t the one planning it, you don’t need to get into the nitty gritty details.
Your job is making sure there’s enough seating for the ceremony and reception.
If you want, you do any decorating the bride needs. When is the wedding?”
“June.” I still can’t believe Daniela picked one of the hottest months to have the wedding. “That’s my main concern.”
“Gross. That’s the worst time to have an outdoor wedding.” I’m glad I’m not the only who thinks this. “So, you’ll definitely need to get a canopy big enough to cover the guests.”
“It’s at sunset, so I’m not too worried about that.”
“That’s a plus at least. Okay, then some misters just in case.
Also, maybe make sure the building is open for people to get some relief in case they get too hot.
Other than that, the rest is up to them.
I would highly suggest you push them toward Angel as a consultant.
She can help source whatever they need for the wedding locally.
It’ll cut down on costs and Angel is magical. ”
“What do you mean?”
“She gets massive discounts for some of the spaces.” She pauses. “Oh, do we have enough chairs for that many people? If not, Starlit will need to invest in some or rent them out.”
“I have no idea.” I lean back against the sofa. “I’m waiting on a guest count. I was hoping to hear back today.”
“Well, if you do have to rent, get with Angel. She’ll save you tons. Oh, and work that into the cost.”
My phone beeps with another incoming call. “Someone is calling.” I check my screen and Jasmin’s name pops up. “It’s the maid of honor. I’ll give you a call later, or maybe we can have dinner soon to go over my plans.”
“Sounds good. Talk to you later.”
She hangs up and I stare at my phone for a second. I have to remember to keep things professional. The fact I’ve been thinking about her nonstop cannot come up in conversation.
I hit the button to answer. “Hello?”