8. Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Jenna
“When you say formal, how formal does it need to be?” I asked.
Ryan and I were sitting in his office, and he had just asked me to help finish the final plans for a formal fundraiser that would be taking place in three weeks.
“Black tie,” Ryan said. “The men will be wearing tuxes, and the women will be wearing evening gowns.”
“Okay,” I said. “ And Addie has everything arranged already? I just have to make sure her plans are carried out?”
Ryan told me that his assistant in New York had a family emergency and had to go to California for a month to help out. She had already done the work of planning the event, and he assured me that I would have no trouble stepping in to make sure it all came together. I was surprised that he was having me do it rather than someone else in the New York office, but he told me that he trusted me more than anyone.
I had agreed to do it, but I was a bit overwhelmed. I knew that I would be spending that weekend in New York city again, but rather than taking Tyler with me I would have him stay with my parents.
“Yes,” Ryan answered. “She has everything taken care of. This is her seventh year in a row of planning the event, and so she knows exactly what will work and what won’t. She already has everything laid out for you, and once you call her and talk to her I know you will be set.”
I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. I knew I would be able to handle it, but I also knew there was a lot of pressure. It was a well-known event, and I didn’t want to do anything that would throw the evening off.
“Okay then, I will call her this afternoon. You said she’s in meetings until noon today?” I asked, my tone professional. I was ready to get started on the task at hand.
“Yes,” Ryan answered. “But there is one last thing we need to discuss.”
I had started to stand up, but I could sense by the tone of his voice that I should sit back down.
“Okay, what’s that?” I asked, suspiciously.
“This is the sort of event where everyone comes with a date. You need to have a date, and I need to have a date. Now, since we hang out so often and clearly get along, in a normal situation it would make sense for you to be my date to the event. However, this isn’t a normal situation. I am technically your boss, and it would be more than a little inappropriate for me to take you as my date to the event.”
I nodded, knowing that he was right. My mind started racing, trying to decide who I could ask to be my date for the event. I had a lot of friends, but I would have to ask him to fly to New York for this, so it had to be someone very understanding.
I looked up and realized that Ryan was waiting for me to respond.
“Sorry,” I said. “I was just thinking about what you said. And I agree with you. We can’t be each other’s dates to the event. Even though we know that there is nothing going on between us, it would definitely give the wrong impression.”
Ryan nodded. “I’m glad you agree. That will hopefully help make this next question a little less awkward.”
I raised my eyebrows, waiting to see what Ryan would say.
“I need you to help me find a date,” he said.
“What?” I asked, thoroughly confused. “Why do you need me to help you find a date? Surely you can find your own dates. I’m sure there is a long list of women who would want to go with you.”
Ryan shook his head. “No,” he said. “I don’t really date much. I was dating someone a few years ago, but she wanted to settle down and get married, and I knew that was not something I was ready for. I had too much that I wanted to focus on with work, and I didn’t have the time or energy to be a good husband for someone. She was understandably angry, and we broke up on pretty bad terms. I have not dated anyone since then.”
“I see,” I said. “Who have you taken with you to events like this in the past?”
“Different friends of mine,” he answered. “But I can’t take them again. See, the press will be there to cover this. They are going to take pictures of me and my date, and they will want to know her name. Whoever goes with me will need to understand that it just comes with the territory. They usually just print the pictures and move on to another story. However, I know that if I were to show up at the event with someone I have taken to another event, the press will assume that she is now my girlfriend. They will hound her and hound me, and it will become a huge distraction.”
“Oh my,” I said. “That clears things up. I can see how that can be tricky!”
Ryan nodded. “Very tricky. So… Can you help me find a date?”
“Yes,” I said. “I will work on that as well as finding my own date. I actually have an idea or two, but I want to call and see if they are available before I say anything.”
“Okay,” Ryan said. “Thank you for being so understanding! I really appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome,” I said, standing up and heading towards the door. “I am going to make some phone calls, and then I will call Addie this afternoon. I will let you know where things stand later today.”
“Perfect,” Ryan said, smiling.
I left his office and headed towards my own, trying to project an air of confidence despite feeling completely overwhelmed.
I glanced at my watch and knew that I couldn’t call Addie for another couple of hours, so that gave me some time to figure out what I was going to do about getting a date for myself, and one for Ryan.
I stopped for a minute and allowed myself to acknowledge that I didn’t like the idea of setting Ryan up with someone. I didn’t go any deeper into my thoughts, because I knew that there was nothing that could happen, and if I dwelt on those thoughts nothing good could come from it. Once I got that out of my system, I thought back on the idea that had crept into my head in his office, and although it was a little strange, I thought it might work.
I picked up the phone and texted Tyler’s baseball coach.
Hey Coach. I have an interesting opportunity for you and your fiancé. It involves a basically free weekend in New York City and a fancy affair, but there’s a bit of a twist. If you would like to know more, let’s set up a time to talk on the phone.
I put my phone aside, and opened a file that I needed to start working on. I figured the coach was at work, and so he would get back to me when he could. To my surprise, he texted back right away.
Sounds intriguing. When do you want to talk? I am free now if you are.
I picked up my phone and called him. I told him about the benefit, and that was a black tie affair. I also told him how Ryan needed a date, and I needed a date, but neither of us wanted to deal with any romantic overtones or expectations for the evening. I told him my brilliant idea that if he and his fiancé were willing to join us, he could be my date, and she could be Ryan’s date for the evening. I knew that Ryan had enough airline miles to be able to fly them both to New York for free, and Coach could stay with Ryan, and his fiancé could stay with me. The next morning Ryan would take us all out for a fantastic breakfast, to thank us for attending the event, and then he would fly back to Oceanview together.
I was delighted when Coach said that he thought it sounded like a lot of fun, and just needed to check with his fiancé. He said he would let me know as soon as he heard back from her.
After I hung up the phone with him, I allowed myself to sit and revel in my creativity for a moment. I knew that it was a fantastic idea. Ryan was friends with Coach, and I had gotten to know his fiancé a little bit and she was sweet. She was very pretty, and which would make for fantastic pictures of the event, but it also took away any romantic overtones.
Five minutes later my phone buzzed, and I read the answer from Coach.
Jenna, Shanna and I are good to go. It will be a lot of fun! Thanks for thinking of us. – Kevin.
I pumped my fist in triumph just as two senior agents glanced in my office and saw me. They both gave me strange looks, but I didn’t care. I went online and immediately started looking for the perfect dress to wear.