Chapter 10 #2
“Well, I’m not really sure.” Her eyes skirted over to her friend, then explained, “Like I mentioned earlier, there’s been a lot going on, especially with my fiancé and, um, his work. So, I’m not positive of when exactly we’d be able to have it.”
Even though I found it a little odd that she was planning a party without an actual date in mind, I replied, “That’s fine. We can sort that out later. Do you have a venue in mind?”
“Yes, I thought we could do it at my fiancé’s house. He lives by a lake, and his house is just beautiful. There’s plenty of room, and the kitchen is set up for whatever we might need.”
“That sounds perfect. Do you want the party to be inside or out?”
“I think either would work.” She thought for a moment, then turned to Frankie and asked, “What do you think?
“I think either would be great.” Frankie glanced over at me as she suggested, “Maybe Rae could come to see the house and let you know what she thinks?”
“Oh, that’s a great idea.” Rebecca turned back to me as she asked, “Would you be willing to do that?”
“I’d be glad to. Maybe then we’ll get a better idea of what kind of food and drinks would be most appropriate.”
“Yes, I agree.”
“Okay, so we’ll just need to plan a day for me to come out and take a look around.” I opened my calendar. “Is there a particular day that works better for you?”
“I know it’s really short notice, but what about now?” She glanced over at her friend. When she nodded, Rebecca turned back to me and said, “We don’t have a lot going on, and my fiancé is busy with, uh, work and whatnot.”
“Well...”
Frankie gave me a hopeful smile as she added, “It’s only about twenty minutes from here.”
I really needed to get another event on the books, so I smiled and said, “Okay, that sounds fine.”
“Great! You can just follow us there.”
“Perfect.”
I grabbed my notebook and calendar and shoved them into my purse, then followed them out the door.
Once we were outside, Rebecca walked over to the SUV.
The window came down, and after speaking for a moment, she turned and got in her car with Frankie and Cat.
I followed both vehicles out of the parking lot, and roughly twenty minutes later, we arrived at the house.
The black SUV parked at the curb while Rebecca pulled up in the driveway.
I parked behind her, then looked up at the gorgeous two-story home.
I was immediately blown away. It was right on the water with boat dock access and a covered porch that was out of this world. I stood there staring at the place in awe when I heard Rebecca say, “Come on, and I’ll show you inside.”
I turned and found her by the front door with her daughter and Frankie. I walked towards them and said, “This place is fabulous.”
“Thank you.” She held the door open and waited as I stepped inside. “I’m hoping it will be okay for the party.”
I took a second to glance around the room, utterly amazed at the floor-to-ceiling windows and the spectacular view. It was even more beautiful than I could’ve imagined. The family room had cedar beams and a cozy, stonewall fireplace with elegant but inviting furniture.
I was still taking in the surroundings when Rebecca came over to me and asked, “Don’t you think this will be perfect?”
“Oh, definitely. It’ll be ideal.”
“I was hoping you’d say that.” She was practically beaming. “Come into the kitchen, and I’ll make us all some coffee.”
“Momma ... Momma?” When Rebecca didn’t answer, Catherine slipped up next to her and gave her a little nudge. “Momma, can I go up to my room?”
“Sure, sweetheart. I’ll call you when it’s time for lunch.”
Catherine nodded, then scurried up the stairs.
Once she was gone, Rebecca got busy making us coffee and plating the muffins. While Frankie and I watched her scoot around the kitchen, she leaned over to me and said, “We’ve both heard some great things about you.”
“Oh?”
Frankie nodded, then added, “You and your company did a wedding for one of Rebecca’s co-workers. I believe her name was Krissy?”
“Yes, I remember Krissy well. She had such a beautiful wedding. The flowers couldn’t have been more stunning, and the food was out of this world.”
“We also heard that you played a big part in how wonderful it was.”
“It wasn’t all me. Krissy had some amazing ideas. I just helped bring them to life.” I looked over to Rebecca and told her, “I hope to do the same for you and your parents’ anniversary celebration.”
“I’m sure you will.”
Rebecca brought over our coffee and muffins and placed them on the table, and then we spent the next hour or so discussing all the different possibilities for the party.
I jotted down the things Rebecca wanted for her parents’ special night, including their favorite types of food and music.
“Okay, I think I have everything I need. I’ll go back to the office and work up an official proposal, and then we can go over it and make any changes. ”
“That sounds great.” Rebecca stood up with me as she said, “I really appreciate you coming out here, and I can’t wait to see your proposal.”
“Me, too.” I glanced over at Frankie. “It was really nice meeting you.”
“It was great meeting you, too. I look forward to seeing you again.”
I smiled and waved goodbye before following Rebecca out of the kitchen. When we got to the front door, Rebecca opened it and said, “Have a safe—”
Before she could finish her sentence, the loud roar of motorcycle engines drew her attention out to the road.
We stepped onto the front porch and watched as two bikers whipped into her driveway.
I immediately looked over at Rebecca and was shocked that she wasn’t the least bit fazed by their presence.
I tried to act equally unfazed but failed miserably when Lynch got off his motorcycle and removed his helmet. I felt like the rug had been pulled from beneath my feet.
It was one thing to come and bail Haleigh and me out of jail when he had no idea who we were and then to show up unannounced at my place to return a check. However, Lynch coming here—to a complete stranger’s house while I was working—was something else altogether.
I stood frozen as I watched him make his way over to Rebecca’s front porch. He sounded just as surprised to see me when he asked, “Raelyn? What the hell are you doing here?”
“I was about to ask you the same.” I glanced over at Rebecca in embarrassment as I whispered, “Did you follow me or something?”
“No, Rae. I didn’t follow you.”
Before I had a chance to question him further, Rebecca asked, “You two know each other?”
“Yes, actually we do,” I answered. “We met a couple of weeks ago when Lynch helped me and a friend out of a tight spot.”
“Oh? What did he do?”
“That’s a story for another day,” Lynch answered.
“We’ll look forward to hearing it.” Rebecca placed her hand on Lynch’s forearm. “I’ve hired Raelyn to help me plan an anniversary party for my parents.”
“I see.” Lynch held my gaze for a moment, then turned and faced Rebecca. “Viper sent me over to get his spare set of keys. He said they’re in his desk drawer.”
“Okay.” Rebecca rushed back to the front door. “I’ll grab them.”
Once she was gone, I stepped closer to Lynch and lowered my voice. “Who’s Viper?”
“Rebecca’s ol’ man and the Ruthless Sinners’ president.”
“Wait, Rebecca’s fiancé is the president of your club?” I glanced at the house behind me. “And he lives here?”
“He does.”
“Oh, my God. I had no idea.” I turned back to him. “I knew she was engaged but had no clue he was a biker. If I did, I wouldn’t have been so surprised when you pulled up in the driveway.”
“Yeah, well, I was pretty surprised to see you, too.” He took a step closer. “But it was a good surprise.”
He had that look in his eyes—the one he got just before he kissed me, but it quickly faded when Rebecca returned with the keys. Lynch took a quick step back as she dropped them in his hand and smiled. “Here you go.”
“Thanks, Bec.” Before heading back over to his friend, Lynch turned to me with a sexy smirk. “I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
“Can’t wait.”
I had a feeling that this next date was going to be one to remember—for both of us.