Page 33 of The Estate
“There you go, jinxing things again. Do you ever learn?” Rachel hesitated briefly before reaching for her phone.
Before she could dial, Cal asked, “Calling the illusive sister, again?”
Rachel looked down at her phone, reluctant to talk about why she had mixed emotions about calling her own sister. She conceded that sharing and talking with Jess about the project was nice. But as usual, Rachel feared leaning on her sister too much.
Inhaling deeply, she looked at Cal. Hopefully, none of her emotions showed. “Jess will most likely know a few people we can contact. Even if your regular vendor has it, having additional names of potential vendors is always a good idea.”
“Agreed,” Call replied. “I’ll call our vendor and get that process started. This is not how I saw my day going,” he continued. “I have all my friends coming this weekend and I was really hoping to be focusing on that.”
“Oh, it’s Friends’ Weekend?”
Cal smiled. “Yes, it is. We haven’t all been together in about a year, so we’re really looking forward to it.”
“Well, let’s get this handled and then finish up our work so you can focus on that.” Not waiting for a response, she took a few steps away and put the call into Jess.
“What can I do for you, little sister?” Jess said as she answered the phone.
“Is now a good time?”
“I have some time. I’m working the evening shift at the restaurant. What do you need?”
“I’m calling cause there’s an issue…”
“At the estate,” Jess interrupted with a laugh.
“At the estate,” Rachel repeated, her heart sinking. She shouldn’t be bugging her sister with this.
“What did that event planner do now?”
“We need a specific champagne that a bride and groom have requested. The caterer doesn’t have it.”
“I know I said call me if you had any questions, but I meant about events in general, not linens and champagne,” Jess joked.
Rachel felt her chest tighten. She realized Jess was most likely joking, but her comment landed a little close to home. “I’m so sorry, Jess. I absolutely will stop.”
“Hey!” Jess said sharply. “No. Don’t stop.” She was quiet for a moment. “I like that you need me. That you’re relying on me.”
She cleared her throat and continued. “I enjoy talking events. Any part of events, even linens and liquor. I haven’t since…well, it’s been some time, and I could go for having more conversations like this.”
The bottom dropped out of Rachel’s stomach. “Are you not happy in your job?”
“Oh, I am,” Jess said lightly. “It’s a good place for me to be, as I’ve been getting my bearings again. It’s been… a safe place. But I’m enjoying the questions and challenges you’re calling with and also just talking about event planning. So please, call me with anything.”
“By the way… ” Jess’s voice got brighter. “Who’s catering?”
It took Rachel a moment to shift gears and respond, “Um, his name is Paul? I think the company name was Tupphalls or something like that?” Rachel replied. When her sister burst into laughter, she couldn’t understand why.
Jess finally stopped laughing long enough to tell her. “It’s not Tupphalls. It’s Two Pauls. Two Pauls Catering actually,” Jess chuckled. “I know them, or of them I should say. They have an excellent reputation.”
Rachel laughed, “I’ll let Cal know.”
“You do that. Now, let’s talk liquor. I work with Luke’s Liquor and will text you their information. I’ll send along a few other names, but unless the couple is looking for something really rare, Luke’s should manage to find it for you.”
“You’re the best, Jess.”
“Don’t you forget it.”
After agreeing to meet up for dinner next week, Rachel ended the call. Looking down at the phone, Rachel wondering if talking with her sibling would always be so conflicting.
