Page 90 of The Future Play

The rich ladies’ club is hosting this event to help fund a new hospital wing. Something good to come out of all their money. Why they can’t just put up the money themselves is beyond me, but hey, I’m making a pretty penny for organizing this too. Some of which I’ll use to tip the caterers and staff extra as well.

I’m certain they got my name from Marissa, who happily throws it out there as often as she can. She also tells them I’m her daughter-in-law, which is sweet, even if it’s not true. It didn’t take long for her to solidify her spot as a second mom in my life, and sometimes, I feel closer to her than my actual mom. For smaller events, she sometimes brings Penny and Mila to help set up because they love being involved—Penny likes to boss everyone around and Mila likes to make things pretty.

The hot afternoon May sun beats down on me as we walk out of the venue. It’s going to be a double body wash shower. I’m like the Grinch at this point.Stink, stank, stunk.

“Thank you all so much for helping. I literally couldn’t have done this without you. I’ll buy you all coffee and cookies. I promise.”

“No bribes needed,” Hyla says, giving me a hug. “But I’ll always take a coffee date.”

“Agreed,” Rae says. “It looks absolutely stunning in there. Be proud of that.”

“Thank you.”

“No problem.” She gives me a big hug, then she and Hyla wave as they head for their cars.

“Need anything else?” Pete asks, his curly auburn hair glinting in the sunlight. Josh is the only one of us three who didn’t get some piece of the redhead gene.

“Nope. I think I’m good. Just need to shower and get back here to meet the caterers.”

Jacie pulls me into a hug. “I love you. Tonight is going toknock their socks off.” She lets me go. “Then you’ll be the talk of the town. When you get famous, remember the little people.”

I roll my eyes at that. “Yes, when they give me the key to city hall or whatever the hell it is, I’ll be sure to thank the wonder that is Jacie Edwards in my speech.”

She winks at me. “I can’t wait.”

“Okay, if you two are done, I’m starving. Jace, want food?”

She shrugs as she looks at Pete. “If you’re buying.”

He pins her with a look, and I stifle a laugh.

“What? I’m barely a year out of college. I’m so poor. I have a roommate. And all I eat is ramen and instant potatoes. Please? I’m starved.”

“You make almost as much as I do,” Pete sighs.

Despite the way Jacie is trying to play my brother, she works at a business consulting firm—where Miles also interns—and she’s not hurting for money.

“Fine. I’ll pay this time. Text us and let us know how it went,” Jace says to me. “Love you.”

“Yeah, love you, sis.”

“Love you guys too.”

I watch them for half a second as they walk to their cars, bantering as they go, and for a moment, I almost question if there’s something going on between them. Then I remember what the hell I’m supposed to be doing and haul ass to my car.

“Amanda,we can’t thank you enough. Everything about tonight is stunning,” the rich lady in charge says.

“Thank you. It was my pleasure.”

“Well, we’ll be certain to sing your praises.”

“I appreciate that.”

She squeezes my hand, then walks away, though she’s caughtalmost instantly by her husband, who pulls her onto the floor for a dance.

As usual, I’m standing off to the side, watching. It’s my job to do that, of course. But it’s not against event planner rules to dance. In fact, a few of the ladies have already tried to set me up with their sons or grandsons. One was thirty-five. Don’t get me wrong, he was hot as fuck, but I’m twenty-one. I might enjoy reading age-gap romances, but I don’t want to live one. Not that I’m on the market anyway.

My eyes drift to the dance floor again, and for half a second, loneliness creeps in, but just as quickly, I push it away and focus on my next task. There’s still plenty to do to make tonight spectacular.

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