Page 9 of Champagne Kisses
“Ahem! I have an announcement to make! Luxe Partners has just added Chris Pang to our client roster!” Mom claps excitedly, while the rest of us look at each other confused. Noah nearly pouts, exasperated by his uncool family.
“Chris Pang?” Continued silence…”The best friend in ‘Crazy Rich Asians’?…It was his wedding they all went to in the movie?!” A chorus of “oh”s rings out as recognition dawns on us. Cory just shrugs and starts scrolling on his phone. Not all of Noah’s clients are A-listers, but Luxe Partners’ roster has been steadily growing since he joined eight years ago.
While we congratulate our brother, Mom runs to the kitchen and comes back with the bottle of champagne she keeps chilled for such occasions. Dad grabs the glasses from the sideboard and Damon uses the distraction to take the last of the sticky chicken.
“Congrats, baby brother,” Henry, Jr. taunts, knowing Noah hates when Henry reminds him he’s six minutes older. Noah playfully shoves him before Henry, Jr. flicks his ear and incites roughhousing at the table, a Park family no-no.
“Knock it off, boys!” shouts Dad, immediately putting an end to the fighting. “Noah, congratulations on your new client. Let’s all raise a glass!”
Everyone raises their glasses and cheers Noah. Despite the teasing, we’re always sure to celebrate one another knowing it’s only a matter of time before someone else gets the kudos.
A buzz in my pocket pulls my attention from the Norman Rockwell painting unfolding in front of me. It’s a new email.
You have one unread message from It’s_Personal!
“I’m going to check upstairs to see if I left my hoodie last week,” I say, while scooting away from the table. I doubt anyone heard me over the Knicks vs. Nets debate that always breaks outwhen Damon’s home.
If Dad had his way, my room would be his home office, but since Mom has a soft spot for her youngest and Dad has a soft spot for Mom, my room remains a time capsule from 2016. Overwatch and Final Fantasy XV posters stare back at me from the walls. I plop down on the flannel sheets and open Etsy to see Maya’s message.
Hello Mr. Park,
Thank you again for choosing It’s Personal for your personalized gift needs! My engraver has confirmed he can do 200 champagne flutes by June 26th. This is 25 more than you ordered which I HIGHLY RECOMMEND to cover all your guests, especially since it doesn’t impact the date. There is a fee for the additional flutes but, as discussed, there is no fee for delivery. Please let me know if this change works for you.
Best,
Maya Davis
Owner, It’s Personal
She’s online! I click on her screen name so we can chat again in real-time.
It’s_Personal
APark644: Hey, Maya. Are you online?
Several minutes go by with no response. She probably just left her laptop open. I close the chat window, but it pops back open almost immediately.
It’s_Personal
It’s_Personal:Hi, Mr. Park. Yes, I’m online. How may I help you?
APark644:First, you have to stop calling me Mr. Park. It’s Adam.
It’s_Personal:OK. How may I help you…ADAM?
I lean back against my pillows and smile at Maya’s snarky reply. A sassy mouth can be so sexy on a woman.
It’s_Personal
APark644:That’s more like it.
APark644:I just wanted to let you know a) I definitely want to update to 200 glasses, and b) June 26 stillworks.
It’s_Personal:That’s great! Thanks so much for being so accommodating.
APark644:No prob. And you’re sure they won’t be delayed?
It’s_Personal:The engraver assured me he could to it by then.
