Page 89 of The Future Play

My business has grown since I started it two years ago. I’ve planned events in Old Lake Town when I’m there during the school year, and I consistently run events during winter and summer breaks back home, but this is the biggest one I’ve done so far.

I’ve planned weddings, retirement and anniversary celebrations, surprise parties, work events, business launches, and more, but this is different. Today is different. It’s an entire charity gala planned and overseen by only me.

Yes, the local rich ladies’ club—not their actual name, but that’s what they are, people with more money than sense trying to do something mildly helpful for the world—had input about how they wanted it all to go, but the actual coordination and hiring of caterers and delivery of everything has been on me.

And I fucking love it. I love being in control and helping shape what could be a simple event into something perfect.

Except right now. When I’m five minutes late and sitting at the world’s longest red light.

When I finally get a green arrow, I gun it onto the street where the large entertainment venue is, my blood pressure only dropping when I finally pull into the parking lot.

As expected, all four of my free labor volunteers are standing there waiting for me.

Sure, they’re my friends. And my older brother. But it doesn’t matter. I don’t ever want to waste anyone’s time or inconvenience them. They’re doing something nice for me by helping set this all up. The least I can do is show up on time.

I wasn’t expecting to have to stop at the florist on the way, but she had a question about one of the displays and needed me to look at it.

It’s fine, I tell myself as I get out of my car and grab my purse and the box from my front seat. But it doesn’t feel fine. It feels like I’m being disrespectful and unprofessional. That’s not who I want to be. It’s especially not who I want some of the most important people in my life to see me as.

“Hey, sorry, I’m late.”

I come to a stop in front of Rae, Hyla, Jacie, and Pete.

“It’s fine,” Rae says, her smile warm and comforting as always. “We all just got here too.”

“I know, but I don’t want to waste your time.” I move pastthem and up the stairs toward the building. It’s one of those big ones that’s all glass, metal, and concrete and looks too modern for the open fields around it. But the price was right, and the inside is gorgeous.

“You’re not wasting our time,” Hyla says, pulling her long blonde hair up into a ponytail.

“But you’re doing me a huge favor, and you especially won’t be home much starting soon.” Hyla recently finished training as a flight attendant and will be traveling with a baseball team.

Hyla wraps her arm around me. “So what better way to spend it than with one of my best friends?” She pops a kiss on the side of my head, then rings the bell for the security guard before I can.

Of the mistakes I’ve made in my life, not trusting Hyla when we first knew each other is one of the greatest. Though we’ve had a strong relationship for years now, I let my baggage with my ex cloud my judgment at first, and I didn’t see how deeply Hyla was hurting. She’s been through more than anyone should have to in life, and once I realized that, I saw how much support and love she needed and was determined to help give it to her. She’s always the first to give all that love right back and show up when anyone needs her. I’m lucky to have her, and I’m painfully aware of that since we almost lost her five months ago. She’s doing much better now, and I’m proud of her, but it makes me want to cling on a little tighter, and always know for sure she’s okay.

“Seriously, stop stressing, Mands. You know we love you. We’re happy to help,” Jace says.

“Do you want me to start grabbing stuff from your car?” Pete asks as the security guard opens the door.

“Can you drive it around to the front?” Balancing the box, I fish around for my keys before Hyla steps up, pulls them from my purse, and tosses them to Pete.

“Thanks,” I sigh.

Rae lifts the box from my arm. “We’re happy to help. Stop stressing. Or at least stop stressing about us. By the way, Aaronsaid he’s sorry he couldn’t come help, but he had plans with the guys.”

I swear something dances in her eyes when she says that, but it’s probably just the mention of her husband. Their wedding is one of my favorite events I’ve done. It was in a beautiful barn on her grandparents’ property, and she and Aaron had so many fun ideas.

I will never stop being grateful that she, Sarah, and Mackenzie needed a suitemate halfway through freshman year of college, and I was indoctrinated into the greatest friend group in existence.

When I finally step into the air-conditioned space, I let out a sigh of relief. Then I look around, taking in the large open room with beautiful oak flooring, the bar along the windows at the back of the building, and the terrace beyond. My creativity sparks as I see my vision for the place come to life. There’s a lot to do, but with hard work, we can handle it in three hours. Then I’ll be going to the nearby gym to shower, before coming back here to meet with the caterers and get changed into my dress for the evening.

My adrenaline and focus kick in, working together to put me into directorial mode. I know exactly what needs to be done, who needs to do it, and how it should all flow when it’s finished.

Rae bumps her hip against mine. “Ready?”

“Let’s do it.”

Three hours wentby in a blink, but other than some tiny touches, it looks incredible. Before I head to the nearby gym to shower, I need to turn on all the diffusers. I chose a mix of vanilla, lavender, and citrus oils, which should blend together nicely. Everything looks immaculate and exquisite without being too stuffy. It’s a perfect combination of classy and warm, which willhopefully also be the combination that makes people want to pull out their checkbooks.

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