Page 11 of Travis

“Oh, I was just making sure that you don’t mind checking in on Macey while I do the open house later this afternoon.”

“Yeah, it’s fine. I’m just about to meet with some clients, and then I’ll go over to mama and daddy’s house.”

“Thanks.”

I’ve been dodging her calls since Macey’s birthday party, which hasn’t been difficult, considering we’re both crazy busy, and I managed to fake a terrible hangover that morning, plus, I kicked Travis out so fast, nobody noticed that he left. And everyone was too drunk to notice that we’d left the scene to go upstairs. But something tells me that Sara noticed, and she’s just not saying anything, for lack of time. God strike me dead when she’s done with this open house, since that’s all she’s been preparing for this past week and hasn’t had time to grill me on the subject. But it’s coming.

“Okay. Lunch tomorrow?”

There it is.

“Sure. Your place or mine?”

“How about yours? Mine still looks like Santa puked in it.”

“Do you want me to take the stuff down?”

She scoffs. “Are you kidding me? Macey will kill me if I take it all down just eight weeks before Christmas. Hell, my neighbor put her tree up at midnight on Halloween night.”

“Maybe next year she’ll want a Halloween theme.”

Sara’s voice is flat. I can picture her lifting a defensive hand. “Don’t get her started.”

“Okay, seriously, gotta go.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I drive to the client’s house and immediately I know that I’ve got a tall order to fill here. The house is in the only pocket inside town where people earning six or seven figures live. It’s immaculate. Perfectly manicured lawn. Columns running from the bottom floor to the top floor. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think it was the goddamn White House. I’m greeted by a tiny touch screen panel at the front gate, and I lift a brow, wondering what in the hell I’m getting myself into. One of my other clients recommended me to this affluent couple, and as much as I’m tickled to take on such a job, I’m also a little nervous.

I suddenly feel like the second that I’m finished with this meeting, I’m getting on a call to the assistant that I interviewed yesterday, because I’ll need his help for this one. Liam greets me at the door, dressed surprisingly casual for the fancy house that he lives in. Jogging pants and a t-shirt is all he’s wearing, and his fiancé, Hanna, is just inside, wearing yoga pants and a t-shirt, and I suddenly find myself relaxing.

“Thanks for coming by our place.” Liam says. He’s got a healthy handshake and a great smile. Confident, clean, good-natured.

“Yes, we appreciate the visit. I was going to suggest a restaurant, but I figure that this is much more casual.” Hanna says, by way of introduction.

“Oh, not at all. I don’t mind. This is a beautiful home.”

“Thanks. We just bought it. Early wedding present from both of our parents.” Liam explains.

“Very nice. My gift was my wedding dress.” I comment. “Not that I didn’t appreciate that.”

Hanna smiles. “True. No dress, no wedding.”

“Exactly.” Liam offers for me to sit at the dining room table, where they’re sitting. There is a plate of cut up vegetables and a decanter of water. They offer me something to drink and I oblige, and we get down to business. “So, you want to get married during Christmas?”

“Two weeks before, actually.” Liam corrects.

“Do you have any location in mind?”

They exchange a look. “We would love to do it at Kelsey Ranch. We’ve already asked the owner, Laura, if she would do it.” Liam says.

Hanna interjects. “She’s only ever held family weddings there, but she’s more than happy to.”

I try to stop my face from falling. I had a feeling something like this would happen. Kelsey Ranch is where my ex-husband, Travis, works. It seems like this arrangement isn’t going to be as easy as I thought. I almost consider calling it off, telling them that I’m booked, but I grow a pair, square my shoulders, and remember that I’m an adult, and that this is my business. This isn’t a soap opera. This isn’t high school. This is also the biggest account that I’ve ever had, and I’m not going to squander it for personal reasons. “Okay. I can confirm that with her if you like.”

“We saw some of the pictures of the jobs you’ve done on your website. We’re very impressed.” Hanna states.

“Yes, I actually do both event planning and interior design. I’m one of those type A personalities, so my ex-husband always says.”

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