Page 21 of Dreaming of You

"Did you tell her that? Because that's quite a statement for a first date. And usually not one you make if you want a second date."

"I didn't want a second date. I didn't want the first date. And I think I slid it in somewhere in the middle of her monologue about her social media influence."

"Oh, she's one of those."

"Elaine loves the selfie."

She nodded in complete understanding. "Well, I can't say I'm sorry she won't be showing up at your office. She didn't seem like a very caring person when I tumbled down the stairs and landed at your feet. She stepped over me like I was roadkill."

"In a lot of lace," he said with a grin. "Elaine is an ambitious social climber. Trust me, she's having a better time at the party without me."

"Was the ball amazing? I've heard it's fabulous."

He shrugged. "It was all right."

"Speaks the man who has probably been a dozen times."

"Probably." He finished his slice of pizza and tipped his head toward the pile of supplies hovering by his elbow. "Why don't you farm out the wedding favor construction? Surely, you can find an intern or an assistant to do it."

"I don't normally make the favors. We have a group of high school girls who usually work on them, but these are for the double wedding of two of my best friends, Jessica and Maggie. I'm not just planning their wedding; I'm also in it. And it needs to be perfect. I told my friends I'd show them the samples tomorrow when we meet for lunch. Another bridesmaid, Liz, was supposed to come by tonight to help me, but her husband fell off his bike and she ended up at the ER with him. Thankfully, he's all right, but she needs to take care of him." She blew out a breath. "And that was probably way more than you wanted to know."

"With your hand, I don't think you're going to get too far on your own."

"I just need to get six samples done. I can soldier through."

He gave her a doubtful look. "You really think you can manage?"

"I'll figure it out." She paused, taking a sip of her water. "How did you know where I live?"

"I have your home address on the lease you signed with us."

"Oh, right. So, there really wasn't any other office space in the vast Fox Management empire that you could have used?"

"The Union Street location is convenient for me. I live in the Marina. I can walk to work."

"But surely your well-to-do clients would prefer a more sophisticated office building."

He shrugged. "I know you'd like to be rid of me, but that won't happen for at least six months. You're going to have to soldier on there, too."

"Just don't take down the swan picture by the front door."

"What is the deal with that picture?"

"My grandparents gave it to me. It's their love story."

"They're swans?" he asked, with a sparkle in his green eyes.

"Ha-ha. No, but they are mated for life, like the swans. They've been together for fifty-five years, and they love each other as much now as they did the day they married."

"That's something."

"True love does exist, and weddings don't always kill a marriage," she said pointedly.

"What kind of wedding did they have?"

"They got married in a small church in Portola Valley. My grandmother had grown up in the area and had always wanted to get married there. The reception was in the church hall. There was a cake, flowers, music. There might have only been about twenty-five guests, but my grandmother says it was perfect."

"Well, good for them."

---