Page 90 of Some Kinda Romance

44

SERENITY

First thing the next morning, I met with Felicia and her team. We went through the menu item by item, and I made sure they knew exactly what Diana wanted and how she wanted it. It was slow going, but by the time I left, I had the fullest confidence in them.

Not a bad start to the day, considering.

I was even smiling a little when Julie walked in for my meeting with her. Relief flickered across her features when she saw my face. “Well, you’re looking better today. Did he not revert to Asshole Dash?”

“Surprisingly, no,” I said, still wondering what on earth had come over him myself. “He was super nice about it and told me I was handling everything exceptionally well.”

She scoffed. “Oh, so he’s just a patronizing asshole now?”

“Nah, it wasn’t like that.” I shook my head to clear it. “Anyway, enough about him. I asked to meet with you about the Montrelli wedding. That’s next weekend, right?”

“Yep,” she said happily. “Everything is on track for it. I’m meeting with them tomorrow and then again on Tuesday just for a final run-through before the day.”

“You’re amazing,” I said, meaning it. “Do you want me to call her for you? I know I kind of left you in the lurch with it before, but I’m available now and it’s my responsibility to handle it with you. I’m sorry I’ve been so distracted with Diana’s wedding.”

Julie chuckled. “As soon as you signed her, we knew she was going to take priority for a while. I mean, they’re the St. Clairs and it’s your first high-profile wedding, so don’t sweat it but I think Briana Montrelli would appreciate a call from the boss.”

“I’ll make it in a few,” I said. “They haven’t complained about not having seen much of me, right?”

“Nope, not at all, but I did promise her that when we came down to the wire, you’d be personally involved.”

“Okay, great. Thank you, and again, I’m sorry. I won’t do that to you again.” I’d known all along that in times like this, when we were trying to prove ourselves as the new management of the company and when it came to the business end of things, I’d have to be the one to talk to people.

I just felt bad that I’d neglected everyone else while I’d been dealing with the St. Clairs. On the other hand, if Diana’s wedding went south, the company would too. Talk about a catch-22.

Either way, at least Julie had saved my butt with the Montrellis. She leaned forward as she caught me up on the last few things they’d decided, and I nodded before I made the relevant notes in our system.

“Wow, you’ve really done incredible work with this one. I’m impressed, but I’d appreciate it if you’d sit in with me for the remaining couple meetings anyway. I don’t want them to think I’ve just taken it from you.”

“You got it, boss lady.” When I looked at her again, she arched both her eyebrows at me. “He wasn’t patronizing? Are you sure? Condescending, maybe?”

“Nope, and yes, I’m sure. I’m also sure he wasn’t being condescending. He was just nice. Supportive. Again though, I don’t really want to talk about him. Being nice doesn’t make up for everything else he did.”

Her head cocked. “Like tell a reporter that you were just friends?”

I nodded. “Among other things. Why does it suddenly sound like you think I should’ve heard him out?”

“No, it’s not that. He’s hurt you enough times already. You definitely don’t owe him yet another chance. It’s just that I still don’t quite understand why it set you off the way it did.”

I shrugged. “It’s simple, really. I don’t want to be with someone who’s not sure about me. He was so worried about what people would think that he didn’t stop to think about me, or even about what he wanted himself. I don’t need that. Not after everything with Ethan.”

Taking a moment to chew it over, she nodded her agreement. “True. You need a guy who’ll put you first. Someone who worships the ground you walk on. Who brings you flowers just because and who shouts about his love for you from the rooftops. I’m proud of you for not settling for less.”

“Thanks,” I said, but even I heard the hesitation in my voice. I was still proud of myself for taking a stand, but I really did miss him and I was starting to wonder if I’d overreacted by breaking it off without even hearing him out.

Julie stood up, fixing me with a serious, meaningful look. “We’re going out tonight. No arguments. We’re going out, we’re forgetting about work and boys, and we’re just going to have fun together. I know you’re hurting and I’m sorry about that, but you can’t question yourself. Nothing has changed, Serenity. He wasn’t willing to stand by you before and I don’t see him doing it now, so stop that. Whatever you were just thinking, stop it.”

I laughed. “It’s like you can read my mind sometimes.”

She winked at me. “Maybe I can. Meet me at La Vida at eight. We’ll stuff our faces with pizza and then we’ll go dancing.”

I really didn’t feel up to dancing. Not when the last memories I had of it were when I’d done it with Dash, but I nodded anyway. “You’ve got yourself a date. I love La Vida. Their food is the best.”

“I know. That’s why we’re going there.” She grinned and pumped her eyebrows at me. “Get ready to let your hair down and cut loose. We’re going big tonight.”