Page 51 of For the First Time
I’d tried that first day and when I’d squatted down to grab something, I literally couldn’t get back up.Sitting around and doing nothing wasn’t exactly my idea of a good time, which was why I’d started getting my sister’s anniversary event settled.
I wanted to be able to pace as I spoke on the phone, but walking was painful.Honestly, I was pretty surprised that Everett didn’t force me to go to the doctor after the heat had finally ended.The thought had crossed my mind a time or two, except I knew I wasn’t irrevocably broken.Just brutally fucked.
I flicked my hand, waving off Everett as he came back from the kitchen with our lunches.I was still on hold with the event planner for the Monarch ballroom which I’d been trying to book for my sister’s bonding anniversary.Considering it was nearing the end of summer, I was sure these rooms were going to start booking soon in preparation for holiday parties and such.
Everett was determined that he would eat with me, despite telling him that he could eat in peace in the dining room, so he didn’t have to listen to me on the phone.It didn’t help that he sat down and repositioned my feet on his lap, making it even harder for him to eat around me.
He gently shoved a bowl he’d made for me in my lap, giving me a pointed look that he wanted me to eat it.
Before I could tell him that I would just eat later, the woman came back on the phone saying, “Thank you so much for waiting.I just checked our bookings for the date you requested, and it looks like we don’t have anything available.I even checked out the week before and after, but we’re all full.”
I ignored the look from Everett as I leaned precariously over the edge of the couch to set my bowl of chili on the little table.I needed to focus, and I couldn’t do that if I was half concentrating on not spilling food.
“You need to eat,” he mouthed.
The woman on the other end of the phone continued, “I hope you understand that demand for the Monarch ballroom is very high, especially that time of year.Holiday parties and end-of-year events, that kind of thing.Maybe something after the new year would work for you?”
“Would it be possible for you to check the availabilities for the other ballrooms?Either Grayling or Brimstone?”
“Of course.I would just like to remind you that the Grayling ballroom occupancy is two hundred people, including the staff.Brimstone has half the space with only one hundred people including staff.Do you have a preference?”
“Grayling, please.”
Two hundred people, including staff?I could save some space by doing most of the setup myself.Or asking my parents to help, maybe even my own pack—a smile pulled at my lips that I couldn’t hide as the woman placed me back on hold.
“What?”Everett whispered.
I didn’t know how to explain to him that I was just happy because I’d remembered I was a part of pack Wilder.Instead, I leaned forward and kissed his cheek.
“You need to eat, Babygirl.You won’t get better without lots of fats and proteins.”
“I know.I just need to finish this call.”
“I thought your sister’s mates hadn’t picked a date yet?”
I sighed, hoping it didn’t sound as frustrated as I felt.“They haven’t.But the Monarch ballroom is already booked, if we wait any longer, we won’t get this location at all.The Botanicals Hotel is gorgeous.It has multiple gardens, a fountain made of marble, and it’s just far enough outside the city to see the night sky without people thinking the drive is too far.It helps that the prestige—”
“Okay,” the woman from the hotel returned, her voice chipper with good news.“We can do the Grayling ballroom on the day you’ve requested.I will need a deposit to book it, and of course, the whole fee will need to be paid, at minimum, a week before the event.All vendors will need to be approved through our event manager two weeks before the event.I can email you over a list of instructions for the vendors regarding parking and set-up.Would you like to schedule a tour of the ballroom now or closer to your event?”
“Oh, the sooner the better.”
Beside me, Everett cleared his throat in dramatic defiance.
“Or, something in a few weeks would be perfect.That way I have enough time to speak with my sister’s pack.Create a small vision board before I see the space.”
The woman hummed.“You seem very experienced.Do you plan a lot of events for your family?”
“Most of them, yes.”
“Let me guess.The only beta?”
I hesitated, not quite understanding.“Excuse me?”
“You’re an only beta from a pack family, right?You’d be surprised how common it is.”
How common what was?“Right, yes.I imagine.”
Everett started to rub his hand up and down my shin, comforting me as I gave the woman all the information, scheduled my own visit, and even gave her my own card to put the deposit on.It would be fine.My sister’s pack would pay me back.
