19 Bianca
Later that afternoon, Luke pulled up to the beach house in his old red truck at exactly four o’clock. He had barely shifted
the car into Park before Bianca was out the door to meet him, her arms loaded with things she’d need for the setup.
“You’re always on time. I love that about you,” Luke said as she climbed into the passenger seat.
Bianca fastened her seat belt. “I think you’re the first person who has ever claimed that about me. I’m actually chronically
late.” Just ask her sisters. Or any boss she’d ever had.
Luke shrugged and shifted the truck into Drive. “You’re always on time when you’re with me.”
She considered the truth of his claim. Punctuality certainly wasn’t her norm, but as far as she could remember, it rang true
when it came to these private-event setups. Weird.
She pushed the topic aside and pulled out a folder full of things that needed to be addressed now. “Anyway, I have a few things
I wanted to go over with you before we get there. You got my text about picking up the floral orders for today, right?”
He nodded. “I’ll drop you off to get started, then go pick them up.”
“Great. And I’ll probably need help assembling those new lanterns I got. They arrived right before you got here.” She checked
that off her list. “Which reminds me, I have some ideas about bulk orders that’ll save you money in the long run, if you’re
willing to part with a little up front. Especially on candles.”
“Interesting you say that, because I was starting to think we might be single-handedly keeping the candle business afloat.”
He wasn’t wrong. They went through boxes of tea lights and pillar candles for every event. But there was something about the
glow of an actual flame that made everything feel magical. Plus, there kind of had to be a lot of candles at a candlelight
dinner.
“And while we’re on the subject of bulk orders, I also have some ideas for a couple new standard setups. Something that’ll
appeal more to families and kids. It will be a way to expand your business.”
“Expand?” Luke’s eyes widened. “I can barely keep up with demand now. Ever since that proposal video went viral, requests
have been out of control. This was supposed to be a side gig to help increase reservations.”
“Your side gig that has become a decent revenue source.”
“True. Did I tell you that Padua Resorts wants to meet with us to talk about possibly contracting with them to offer something
similar?”
Bianca brightened. “Congrats, that’s excellent news! Think of all the opportunities you’d have there!”
Luke let out an overwhelmed sigh. “Exactly my problem. I’ll have to hire someone to handle all this.”
Bianca gave his arm a reassuring pat. “Well, maybe I can help you find someone before I leave. I’ll even teach them the ropes.”
“Yeah, maybe.” His tone didn’t seem to agree.
“Anyway, we can look over all that when we’re killing time before we have to tear down everything.”
“You mean in the time we have to sit around and wait for them to finish eating their gourmet meals while we listen to our
stomachs growl? I really need to start packing a sandwich.”
Bianca beamed. “Then you’re in luck, because when I was confirming everything earlier, I added two extra meals. They’ll be
waiting for us at the second location.”
“You really do think of everything.” They pulled up to the first location. “Okay. Time to work your magic.”
They unloaded the truck at the site, and she got to work on setting up a thirtieth birthday dinner for six people.
It was similar to a setup they’d done before, with a simple wooden rectangular table under a canopy of glowing white paper lanterns, with extra touches specific to the birthday girl.
Bianca added clusters of candles in glass lanterns atop palm leaves on the ground for additional light and ambience, plus gauzy white bows with the birthday girl’s favorite flowers on the back of each chair.
Off to the side was a wooden Happy Birthday sign she’d had made just for this occasion to provide the perfect photo op.
She was just putting the finishing touches on the scene when Luke came back from picking up the rest of the supplies.
“Wow.” He walked out to join her, holding two flower arrangements. “This looks amazing.”
“Not yet.” She retrieved the flowers from him and placed a few stems on the spots she’d reserved for the guests, rearranging
a few of the other accessories to make sure the tablescape looked like it flowed seamlessly. Then she stepped back to admire
it. “Now it’s amazing.”
A sense of pride swelled inside her as she took in the scene. It made her stand a little straighter and smile a little wider.
She’d made this. She created that beautiful dream-worthy scene where there was nothing before, and it was impressive.
This was a new feeling for Bianca. Being born third in line after two amazing sisters meant she’d spent most of her life just
trying to keep up. Yes, she was pretty. But she wasn’t impressive. At least, not in the same ways that Savannah and Cora were.
Savannah could do no wrong. She was flawless in every situation.
She was kind and gracious and creative and responsible and.
.. well, the list could go on and on. She was a star student, graduating at the top of her class.
She progressed through her career, earning promotion after promotion, until she decided to be a stay-at-home mom.
And she then handled motherhood as if she were made for it.
Her house, her kids, her life, it all looked like fairy-tale perfection.
And if that weren’t enough, she seemed to do it all effortlessly, like the world just fell in place for her.
And maybe it did, because Bianca had never seen her struggle.
Cora didn’t have quite the same practically perfect reputation, but she’d always been a force to be reckoned with. She was
smart and powerful, and everything she did was a success. She moved away from home and thrived. She started her own business,
and it soared. She became a leading name in an oversaturated industry because she didn’t let anyone or anything get in her
way.
Bianca, on the other hand, had always been the “someday” kid. Someday you’ll be as big as your sisters. Someday you’ll get to where they are. Someday you’ll have it all figured out.
But the longer she hung in the game, the more she started to wonder if someday would ever come. She’d never quite gotten the hang of school. Her grades had been dismal at best, and she still hadn’t finished
college, not that it mattered because she didn’t know what she wanted to do with a degree, anyway. While she’d had quite a
few jobs over the past few years, she hadn’t found one she was exceptionally good at. Or, as long as she was keeping track,
a job she liked.
But this, creating these special events to make people feel celebrated and to create lasting memories, this felt different.
This scene in front of her was fantastic. It was something she could point to and say, “I did that. And it’s good.”
And more than anything, she loved doing it.
“You ready to head to the next one?”
Bianca stood, staring at the beautiful scene with pride welling inside her, for just a little longer before she nodded. “Let’s
do it.”
The rest of the evening was busy. They set up the second location, a romantic anniversary dinner for two at the same town
houses where they did their first engagement setup. As soon as Bianca had that location looking inspirational, they went back
to the first location to meet the caterer and set out the food. It was a flutter of activity until the birthday party was
well underway.
Then, as soon as the birthday party was in progress, they headed back to the anniversary dinner.
They had just finished getting the food organized in the staging area, set up just out of sight of the romantic table, when she heard the couple walk out.
There was a gasp and then, with unmistakable excitement, a woman’s voice said, “Oh, David. What have you done?”
Bianca snuck over to get a peek at them. They were probably in their late fifties, and Bianca thought they looked like coastal,
sporty grandparents.
“Happy anniversary, my love.” The look the husband gave his wife was adoring and loving and familiar, maybe even a little
lustful. It was a beautiful representation of what happily ever after looked like, and it caused a yearning deep inside Bianca
that made tears sting her eyes. She wanted that. She wanted someone to look at her like that after thirty-something years
of marriage, with the promise of that love not fading anytime soon.
The woman stepped forward and admired the scene, her hands covering her mouth. “Is this why you canceled our dinner reservations
at La Mer?”
Her husband watched her as if she were the most beautiful thing in the world. He was so captivated by his wife that Bianca
was pretty sure he hadn’t even noticed the picturesque table setup under the glow of a candle chandelier. Or the flowers in
the middle of the table that were inspired by his wife’s bridal bouquet. Or the watercolor sunset over the crystal waves.
“Yes. Was I right? Is this better?”
The woman floated down the walkway outlined by rose petals and lanterns. “So much better.” She turned back and held her hand
out for him.
Bianca turned away just as they kissed. There was champagne chilling by the table and an appetizer already waiting for them.
She’d give them some time to themselves before they took out the plated first course. After all, a private dinner was what
they had wanted, right?
Luke walked up behind her. “Spying again?” he whispered.
“No.” She gave him a what-a-ridiculous-thing-to-say look.
He tilted his head to the side, as if he wasn’t going to accept her bogus answer.
“I was making sure the setup was acceptable. Which, I might add, is my job.”
“And is it? Acceptable?”
She let out a dreamy sigh. “It was perfect. One of my favorite reveals yet.” They walked back to their staging area. “I think
that’s my favorite part. Watching guests see it for the first time. It’s worth more than any paycheck.” She paused. “Don’t
get me wrong. I like the paycheck. I just really like this part, too.”
“Naturally.”
She busied herself with tidying up and rearranging things in the already-tidy and already-arranged space while she considered
this notion. “I never really thought about this being a job before. But now that I’ve done it, I kind of wish I could do it
all the time.”
“Why don’t you?”
“Why don’t I what?”
“Do this all the time.”
She looked at him like he’d lost his marbles. “Because I don’t think they have a market for candlelight dinners on the beach
in Idaho.”
“So do something similar. You know, with Boise style.”
She wrinkled her nose. “What do you think ‘Boise style’ is? Potato-themed dinners?”
Luke chuckled. “I’m sure there’s more to Boise than that. Haven’t you been there?”
His question jogged her out of her thoughts. “To Boise? No. Have you?”
“No. I just assumed you had. You know, since you’re moving there.” His tone was far from judgmental, but she felt defensive
anyway.
“I don’t have to visit a place to know it’ll be great.” But as soon as the words came out, she regretted her tone. She switched
to one that was more optimistic and upbeat. And added a semi-forced smile along with it. “I mean, I already have a job lined
up. And, you know, a fiancé and stuff. It’s going to be great.”
She didn’t know why she said the “great” part again. It made her sound a little desperate. Which she absolutely wasn’t.
“Great,” Luke agreed. “What’s this fun new job you’ll be diving into?”
“I’ll be working as a receptionist in my fiancé’s law firm. Eventually he wants to open his own practice, and I’ll need experience
so I can run, you know, whatever it is that I’ll be running.” She waved her hands around, hoping the gesture made her seem
more knowledgeable about the subject.
“Is that what you want to do?”
“What? Be a receptionist?”
“Open a law firm.”
She considered the question. “I guess. I always thought I wanted to open my own business. Like maybe a floral shop or a cupcake
bakery.” Suddenly she felt embarrassed by confessing that out loud. To Luke, of all people. “I guess I watch too many Hallmark
movies.”
“If that’s your dream, you should go after it. What’s stopping you?”
“Mostly the fact that I don’t know the first thing about floral arrangements, and I’m not a very good baker.”
“That would make it a challenge.”
“Anyway, a law firm is our own business, too. I mean, technically it would be his business, I guess, and I’d be running...
stuff. But, you know, same thing.”
Although it didn’t sound quite as exciting when she put it that way.
But this plan was much more practical. Who really made a living running a cupcake shop or a flower shop, anyway?
“Maybe you could do something like this.” He motioned toward the beach where their candlelight dinner was set up. “You could
start your own event planning business. In addition to the law firm. Maybe you both need your own companies.”
“Yeah, someday.” After all, she was a “someday” kid.
“I meant what I said before.” His face was full of gentle emotion, which surprised her. “I need to hire someone to run this,
and you’re amazing at it. If your plans change and you find yourself in Sunnyside instead of Idaho, you can take over this
business. Maybe I’ll help you out when my schedule allows it, instead of the other way around.”
She laughed. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
It sounded like a dream. Would she love doing this full time? Of course. Who wouldn’t love making magical moments for clients and spending afternoons and evenings on the beach? But that’s all this was. A dream.
She didn’t need a dream. She needed a reality, and she had that waiting for her in Boise. A job. A fiancé. A future. She had
a five-year plan that made sense. For the first time in her life, Bianca had it all figured out.
So why was her sure deal starting to look less and less appealing as the summer wore on?