She laughs at that and taps her fingers as though she’s playing piano against my chest. “I was thinking…we could start with coffee. You know.” She shrugs in an attempt to keep it casual. “Like an actual date. Unless you’re too cool to go on regular coffee dates.”
There are those doe eyes again. What is it about her eyes that melt me completely? “There has to be a coffee shop around here somewhere.” I take her hand again, threading her fingers through mine as we walk. “Tell me everything.”
“Well, I caught the bouquet. So there’s that.”
I stop in my tracks and stare at her. Susie bursts out laughing.
“I’m kidding! God, you should’ve seen your face. Mandy caught it. It’s actually a funny story…”
The sun begins its descent, and the streetlights illuminate the path before us. We walk hand in hand down the street, and I lose all focus on the details of the wedding as I fall in love with the excited patter of Susie’s voice.
35
Susie
The words Everlasting Love are drawn out in pretty, gold-finished cursive letters. They hang over Letty’s desk, a bright reminder of everything we stand for. Meanwhile, Letty’s manicured nails click rapid-fire over the keyboard.
I wait quietly in the seat in front of her desk. Out the huge window behind her, I see the brick building across the way, zigzagging with black fire escapes. The street traffic from the New York streets below hiss and blare like a noisy river. Nearby, a garbage truck backs up, and I hear it bleating as it reverses. City romance at its finest. I adjust the blue sleeves of my jacket around my wrists.
“Okay,” Letty says. Her black bob flutters around her shoulders as she turns to me. “Speak.”
I take in a deep breath. It’s time to plead my case. “The Dalton/West wedding went off perfectly. Thom, Marlee, and I pulled it together exactly to their specifications and then some. We really made it happen, especially considering the time constraints and—”
“The best man got locked up the day of the wedding.”
“Yes, but the bride and groom had no idea—”
“Nonetheless, that’s a little more than a hiccup, wouldn’t you say?”
“Yes, but—”
“And what’s this bill for $500 of cleanup from Simply Sweets?”
“It was just a little bit of fun between the bridesmaids, really…”
“Susie.” Letty’s expression has gone hard. “Tell me what really happened.”
My shoulders deflate. I finally admit, “I got too invested and lost control of the situation.”
“I see.” Letty turns back to her computer. My fingers twist and fidget in my lap, and I force them to still as she makes her decision. I finally got back into the fold of Everlasting Love, and the thought of leaving right out the gate makes my throat knot up.
“I rarely give second chances,” Letty announces. “And I certainly don’t give third chances.”
My heart breaks. I swallow the pain back and smile. “I understand.”
If I’m getting fired, I’m going to do it with my head held high, at least. I stand up and make to leave. Letty, meanwhile, turns her attention back to the screen in front of her.
“Susie.”
I turn to look at her. “Yes?”
“Don’t forget your assignment on your way out.” She tilts her head to the manila folder perched at the edge of her desk.
What?
I bite my lip and try not to smile too broadly. Inside, fireworks are going off in my chest. “Thank you, Letty.”
“Don’t thank me.” Her eyes lift and turn on mine again. There’s an inch of pride there, though she’d be loath to admit it. “You earned it.”
I sling my bag over my shoulder and clutch the folder to my chest. Someone’s hopes and dreams lie inside this folder, and I’m going to be damned if I let them down.
It’s going to be perfect. Susie Posy is back in business.
I leave the office space, and as soon as the door closes behind me, I take a second to breathe. I put the folder to my face and let out a repressed yelp of joy. I’m so happy, I could dance.
I compose myself enough to step out into the lobby. There, in one of the plush seats, sits Braxton. He’s wearing a thick fleece and crimson scarf to combat the brisk New York winter, plus he’s started to grow out his scruff a little to keep his face warm. The second he sees me, he stands. He’s holding a paper bag with a bear claw sticking out the top.
“Are you stress eating?” I ask him.
“No. This is for you.” He hands the sugar-covered pastry to me.
“Aw! You know me so well. You’re going to make me cry.”
“Don’t cry,” Braxton begs. “Please. I become completely useless when you cry.”
I trade him my folder for the pastry and start to pick at the flaky crust. “How did it go?” he asks. He’s doing his best to stay unaffected, but there’s a strain of nerves in his voice.
“Read it and weep.” I point to the folder. “That’s my next wedding assignment.”
“Well, let’s take a look at it.”
“No!” I tell him quickly. “I can’t open it until I’ve had a drink at the Ritz. It’s tradition.”
“New tradition.” Braxton opens the folder and starts flipping through it. “It’s a destination wedding. The Bahamas.”
“What?” I quickly leap beside him to peek over his shoulder. “Holy cow. You’re not kidding.” I look up at him and smile. “Do you want to be my plus one?”
“I hate the beach.”
“And you hate weddings.”
“And palm trees.”
We walk as we talk and slip into the metallic elevator waiting for us. “Well,” I sigh dramatically. “I guess you’ll just have to stay here and freeze while I lounge around in my bathing suit.”
Braxton stares ahead. “Your bathing suit?”
“Uh-huh. I’ve got this really cute bikini at home…it has a little bow on the chest. Not that you’d be interested.”
“I might have to reconsider.”
The elevator doors slide shut. We’re alone. I look up and my eyes meet Braxton’s hard, dark gaze.
My folder falls to the ground, papers fluttering in the corner. I’m pinned between Braxton and the wall as his lips ravish mine hungrily. I gasp and hook my arm around his neck, holding him flush against me.
“I’m proud of you, Susie,” he murmurs against my lips as he quickly discards his jacket and scarf.
“How proud?” I bite my lip.
“Very.” Braxton reaches behind us and hooks his finger around the red emergency STOP, pulling it out. Immediately, the elevator lurches to a stop and starts to ring.
I let out a surprised breath of a laugh. “You can’t just…do whatever you want.”
“Can’t I?” He slips his hand up my skirt and wedges it between my legs. I gasp. I’ve flooded my panties, and his touch makes me burn. “You don’t seem to be complaining,” he murmurs, his hot breath hitting my ear.