Page 46 of Free to Believe
Emily’s lips tip up. “Go, before everyone gets in trouble and I don’t get to design anyone any dresses.” Then she tacks on with a wild burst of humor that unless I missed my guess, she shows very few people, “Unless it’s for you, Jake. I’m sure your legs would look great in one.”
After I snort out my response, I wrap my arms around both laughing girls in order to lead them away. After I’ve guided them partway down the deck, I look over my shoulder. Emily’s pressing her lips tightly together. I catch her eye and mouth, “Thank you.” She just smiles and shrugs her shoulders as if it’s nothing.
It’s more than nothing, but what it is I have no idea.
26
Emily
Ican’t get the fabric I want for Jenna and Lynne’s dresses anywhere near Nantucket. I frown as I put down the phone the next day. I know I have bolts of fabric in my closet at the farm that would work perfectly. The question is, how do I get them here in time?
Tapping a pen on a pad next to me, I pick up the phone and call the one person who I know can figure out any problem. One ring…two…
“Amaryllis Events. This is Cassidy. How may I help you while you’re supposed to be relaxing, Em?”
“I’m impressed. You actually checked the caller ID this time,” I drawl.
“I know, right? If Ali hadn’t just walked out of my office, I probably would have been engrossed in the new system she put into place.”
I frown. While I’m not completely inept, I can’t say I’m a computer genius. “What new system?” I demand.
“Brace yourself, sister.” Cassidy’s smooth voice turns wildly amused. “She put in an intake form that is virtually mistake-proof.”
“I’m certain Phil will manage to find a way around that, Cass.” My voice holds a wealth of sarcasm. But it’s true. If there’s a way for Phil to skip over the details he doesn’t care about to get to the things he does, he will. We’ve all felt the pain of his mistakes, but recently none so badly as Corinna and Ali.
“I thought the same thing. But Ali had the software team design the form so that Phil can’t even get to the flower-ordering screens unless he’s gone through a series of questions with the client that explicitly rule out additional work. And, get this: they’ll have to sign an acknowledgment of it when they sign the contract so big brother doesn’t get blamed for their mistakes.”
The sheer genius behind this design may—I’m still wary until I see it in action—make this Phil-proof. “If this works, how big is Ali’s bonus?” I wonder aloud.
“Big. And she might earn some extra time off after your show,” Cassidy assures me.
“No kidding. How long did she work on this?”
“Apparently, she’s been designing it on the side for years. Since she and Keene were first dating.”
I blink and pull the phone away from my ear. “That’s almost three years, Cass!” I screech.
“I know. Then again, trying to figure out all the ways Phil can manage to trip up an order…” Her voice trails off.
“And it integrates with scheduling?”
“The only two people who can override it are Ali and me,” Cassidy assures me.
“Wow.” We both sit in silence, absorbing the shock of what Ali did. “I have no words.”
“Just think, Em. No more screaming at Phil because he quadruple booked Corinna.”
“No more double bookings of bridal appointments.” After a moment of shared harmony, I ruin it by asking, “Then what are we going to yell at him for?”
“Ali already thought of that. She figures he’ll still do something stupid, you know like open his mouth. She had a tracking sheet built in for all of us where we can track what an annoying pain in the ass he is.” While I use every force of will to not spew the iced tea I’m drinking on the sketches I just finished, Cass says dreamily, “Did I mention it was going to be a big bonus?”
I lose the fight. Fortunately, I manage to turn my head at the last minute and save the designs. The tea lands harmlessly on the floor.
“You sound better.” Cassidy’s still feeling mellow.
I chuckle. “Even if I wasn’t, that news is certainly enough to get me to a whole new plane, sweets.”
“True. Phil’s out with Jason today. When he comes in tomorrow, it’s going to be holy hell. I can’t wait.”
