Page 23 of Catfish

I asked her if she would want to add some black to give it a more classic look. Maybe some white flowers to still keep the feminine look but also to try and downplay the enormous amount of blush and salmon colors in the room.

Nope!

It looks like people just walked into a Pink Ladies convention or an explosion of Pepto Bismol.

Regardless of the decor, the party is going off without a hitch. Sadie and I did our usual judging in the corner until something had to be corrected, or we needed to make sure the appetizers went out on time. Mrs. Montgomery has been floating through the room, praising the decor like she painted the Mona Lisa herself to all her rich friends or anyone that would stop talking to listen. Thank God she was sweet and not the usual stuck-up housewife I'm so used to planning for.

“Miss Shelton,” summons a voice to my left, over the string of violins and harps playing in the background.

Glancing over towards the sound of the voice, an older gentleman with a glass full of rose-colored liquid strides in my direction. Dressed to the nines in a suit and bow tie, his gray hair is combed over as he stops in front of me.

“I’m assuming you are to thank for the...feminine touch to my anniversary party.”

I force a smile. "Mr. Montgomery." I shift my weight on my heels. "I did, per your wife's instructions. I tried to save you and suggested to add some black into the mix, but your wife was very insistent on her color choices."

He cracks a smile and glances over at the room. “I’m not surprised, it’s why I married the woman. She can run with the best of them and plan an event as...glamorous as this.”

“This is my partner, Sadie,” I introduce with a gesture of my hand. “And I believe congratulations are in order. “

Mr. Montgomery holds out his hand. “Very nice to meet you, Sadie.” He returns his attention to me. “Regardless of the color choice from my wife, the party is exquisite.”

“Thank you, Mr. Montgomery,” Sadie replies for the both of us. “It was fun.”

Yes, it was.

We spent days making fun of all the frivolous “ideas” Mrs. Montgomery had.

Thankfully, we were able to talk her out of turning the water in the fountain outside pink. I'm not sure if we'd be able to get the manor to go for that, and I wasn't looking forward to having an argument with management when I could agree it was dumb as hell.

Mr. Montgomery remains silent—hovering, really, which alludes that he wants to speak with me alone.

“Sadie, can you go check on the appetizers to make sure they're ready?”

"Absolutely." She marches off in her beautiful Vera Wang gown, leaving me with brown eyes that are trying to discreetly roam over my body.

It’s the same old song and dance.

This isn’t my first rodeo with powerful men who think their money can buy me a night in their bed or a ride on their yacht. When you date an Ivy League boy whose father is a congressman, you tend to learn a little too much.

“You look familiar, Miss Shelton,” Mr. Montgomery states, his index finger coming off his glass and pointing at me. “Have we met before?”

“Briefly—” My fingers curl into my palms. “—I was engaged to Grant Hardison.”

Mr. Montgomery’s brows raise. “Ah, yes. I heard he had a beautiful woman at his side. I’m sorry that I didn’t remember.” I give him a slight nod, and thankfully, he just continues. “My son’s twenty-fifth birthday is coming up, has my wife booked you for the event?”

I shake my head. “Not yet, I believe this was a trial run.”

“You’re hired.” He grabs another flute of champagne, that happens to be pink as well, and examines it through the glass. “Please tell me Mrs. Montgomery ordered something stronger than this.”

“She did. The bar will be opening shortly. Your wife wanted everyone to be able to enjoy the…I guess the pink aspect. ” He takes a sip with a lift of his brows, smacking his lips before returning his attention back to me.

“My son is a little, how should I say this...wild, Miss Shelton. He doesn’t want to be in my world, if you understand my meaning.”

“I do.”

Can’t say I blame him.

“This party isn’t for the faint of heart. It’ll be his last hoorah before he steps into more public pursuits.”

---