Page 97 of Bridesmaid Undercover
“I was, and I thought that maybe I could expand my decorating résumé with centerpieces, but from that demonstration, we all know being a rookie in the end zone is not where I need to be.”
“Smart choice, but I want you to know I’ll be here to nurture you with knowledge if you ever do decide to go back into the end zone—until then, stick with the garland.”
“Great idea,” he says while he picks up the giant needle again and starts threading pom-poms onto the string. “Is this what you do for every event?”
“Depends,” I say. “We have a great deal of supplies in our stockroom from other events that we’ll reuse. For example some of the table runners and backdrops we are using for the bridal shower have come from other events. We will reuse all of thesepom-poms and vases. We also have a big warehouse in the back where we keep everything that we need, of course organized all neat and tidy.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less,” he says, picking up a pink pom-pom and stringing it. “What got you into events?”
“Do you want the lame answer or the real answer?” I ask as I stick some bamboo stalks into the vase for some final fillers.
“There are two answers? Well, you have to know I’m going to say both.”
I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.
“Well, the lame answer, and I mean the answer probably everyone would expect, would be…I love being able to help people have a memorable day. That is not a lie—it’s the truth. There is nothing that gives me greater joy than seeing how my help has brought someone else happiness. That being said, I think it’s a generic answer.”
“Very much so,” he says. “What’s the real answer?”
“I was obsessed with the movieThe Wedding Plannerwith Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey. After watching it, I told myself that’s what I wanted to do with my life. It took place in San Francisco, it featured the neat and tidy life that I love, and she got to plan weddings. Just seemed like the perfect journey for me.”
“You know…I’ve seen it a time or two.”
“Really?” I ask, surprised.
“Yes. Haisley loved it as well. She made me watch it a few times with her.” He finishes with his current string, so I help prepare a new one. “Now, my question is, have you ever fallen in love with the groom?”
“Never,” I answer.
But I’ve fallen in lust with the best man…
“Think you ever would?” he asks.
“No,” I say. “I believe too much in love to mess around with something like that.”
“Yeah, you don’t seem like that kind of girl,” he says.
“No? What kind of girl do I seem like?”
“Putting me on the spot, Plum? Okay.” He shifts in his chair and looks me up and down. “Well, for one, you’re the type of girl one doesn’t mess with, meaning, you have your shit together. You’re organized and knowledgeable. Pretty sure if someone was trying to tell you that you were wrong about something when you were right, you’d let them hear it.”
“True.”
“But past the tough exterior, as in, you know, how to stick up for yourself, you’re very kind, you want to make people happy. You don’t break the rules, you follow them to a T, but you also know how to have a good time. You enjoy joking around, being playful, and not being serious all the time.” He wets his lips. “How did I do?”
“Pretty spot on, Henrietta. I’m impressed.”
“Thank you.” He takes a mini bow. “I can be observant.”
“I’ve noticed. It’s a good quality in a man. Maple is lucky, because I’ve seen quite a few men who just don’t pay attention. Who are more consumed by their video games or the world around them to notice what their partner likes or needs.”
“You speaking from experience?”
I slowly nod. “Yes. Haven’t really found any true catches out there in the world who have blown me away with their personalities. Especially in college, lots of duds.”
“You will,” he says. “You’re a catch, Plum. You’ll find the right person.”
I feel my cheeks heat up from the compliment. If only he would see that I could be the perfect catch for him.
