Chapter 3 （B） – Katie
Three (B)
PRESENT DAY
KATIE
Two hours later, Michelle Arrow stepped into my showroom sporting a bright yellow sundress and perfect auburn curls.
Whenever I saw her, it always felt like no time had passed at all. Like we were still sharing a dorm room at Hudson University, riding the subway whenever we tired of campus in the middle of the night, and making promises to stay in touch at graduation.
A pang hit my chest as she neared, as the reality of how our life trajectories had spun a slight distance between us as we grew up.
“Happy four-month reunion, Katie Elizabeth!” She pulled me into a hug. “I can’t believe all the hoops I have to jump through just to get you on a lunch date these days.”
“Sorry.” I hugged her back. “My team is pretty protective of my schedule.”
“Well, if I was working under the best wedding planner in the country, I would probably be the same.” She smiled. “I won’t take too much of your time today, I promise.”
I gestured for her to sit across from me at a high table. I reached for a bread roll, but Madison snatched it away and handed me a celery stick.
“No carbs since we have so many weddings back to back, remember?” she whispered and took away the butter.
I rolled my eyes and took a bite.
“So, what brings you into Manhattan today?” I asked. “Are you restocking supplies at your Hoboken spa?”
“No, I’m selling the spa at the end of the year.” She stretched out her left arm. “It’s been grueling and I’m finally at a place where I can afford to relax, see?”
“Uh, sure.” I looked at her glowing skin. “That looks like some very relaxed skin…”
“Not my skin, silly.” She smiled. “Look at my hand.”
“It’s, um…” I tilted my head to the side. “Very smooth and glowy as well. Are you trying to sell me something?”
“Oh my god, no, Katie!” She laughed. “I’m engaged!”
Her words made me look at the sparkling diamonds on her ring finger.
Holy shit. That thing had to be at least nine carats.
Natural ones.
“I haven’t announced it on social media yet,” she said. “I might not until the actual wedding, but I wanted everyone I actually talk to to know.”
I couldn’t stop staring at the diamonds.
“Speaking of which,” she said, “Chris and I want to get married this year since we’ve been dating so long. We’re thinking a luxury destination wedding—all expenses paid for the guests.”
“I’m sure everyone who gets an invite will love that,” I said. “I’m looking forward to meeting him for more than ten seconds.”
“Funny you should bring that up.” She leaned closer. “I was thinking that my wedding guests would love to see the full Katie Elizabeth Experience,” she said. “And we want to hire you as our planner.”
Madison was right. This might be a scam…
“Well, uh, Michelle, I would totally love to, but…” I leaned back. “The earliest I could book you for is in like sixteen months. And if it’s a destination wedding, it might be two years.”
“We’re willing to pay you quadruple your rate.”
My calendar was suddenly empty.
“Wait a minute.” I shook my head. “Are you sure?”
“No. Let’s make it five times the rate.” She smiled. “Chris can afford it.”
“I still need to check and make sure I’m giving my all to the people I have before confirming.” I grabbed a binder and flipped it open. “There are two rockstar wedding planners that I highly recommend, if you want to interview with them in the meantime.”
“I want you, Katie,” she said. “All you talked about in college was weddings and romance, and I’m blown away by all you’ve done since… I’ve been following your page for years and secretly dreaming of the day I’d be able to book you. Please?”
“Um…” I tapped my screen and opened my calendar. “What dates are you thinking?”
“A full week or so in April. We’ll have it etched in concrete soon.”
I held back a sigh.
Her proposed dates fell during my annual work-ation time when I didn’t book any weddings.
And she had to know that.
She’s paying five times your rate, Katie. Five times your rate…
“I can try to make something work,” I said. “But I need exact dates as soon as possible.”
“Oh my god, YES!” She jumped up from her seat. “I would also like you to be one of my bridesmaids.”
“What?” I had whiplash. “Why?”
“Because although we don’t hang out as much as we used to, we still talk…” She placed her hands on my shoulders. “And we were damn near like sisters in college. You were the best part of my undergraduate life, and I hope you know that.”
I smiled, feeling tears prick my eyes. “I’d be honored to be in your wedding.”
“Thank you. We’re hosting a get-together just for the wedding party this weekend at Chris’s condo. Promise you’ll stop by for a few minutes?”
“I will,” I said. “What exactly does your fiancé do for a living again?”
“He’s the CEO of TechShark. They’re a huge deal.”
“Good for him.” I nodded, having no idea what that company was.
“He’s also sexy as shit.” She pulled out her phone. “Here. Let me show you.”
She tapped her screen, and a cute guy in all white appeared next to her under a pink sunset.
He looked extremely familiar, but I couldn’t place where we’d ever met.
“He’s even hotter in person.” She winked. “I’ll send you an e-invite for the party, and I’ll see you this weekend.”
“See you this weekend.”