Page 110 of (Not) The One
‘Do I look like I know the answer to that? But I’d like it to last at least until after the wedding I’m planning.’
Not my wedding,hers.
I’m pleased to report there have been two developments on the second job front. First, I got a call from the agency to say there’s been an influx of bookings in their diary. Also, apparently two of their more sought-after sitters are retiring to the South of France. I’ve no idea how pet-sitters are able to afford to do that, even on joint pet-sitting incomes, but I suppose they might be living in a caravan for all I know.
Also, the school half-term holidays are coming up soon, and people appear to be booking ahead for the upcoming winter.It would be nice to escape the upcoming rain and snow for a few days, but hey-ho. I’ll just stay at home with their pets.
I know told James I wouldn’t be doing the job much longer, but yesterday I’d also gotten a call from James’s property agent, and I nearly fainted at some of the prices he quoted.
But I won’t be deterred, which brings in my third income stream.
Not only have Olivia and Beckett decided to hold a wedding blessing for their family and friends to attend next month, but they’ve also asked me to arrange it.
Well, asked might be stretching the truth a bit. I might’ve begged Olivia, and Beckett seems quite happy to go along with what Olivia wants.
Happy wife, happy life, right?
As they snuck off for a quickie ceremony in New York earlier this year, while she was supposedly there visiting her ill granny, the big fibber, they now want to do it all again. Or something.
And on the back of my speed dating success, discounting my drunken antics, Ols has very graciously allowed me to arrange the event for her.I didn’t even have to plead that much.Better still, I’m getting paid! And I’m beyond excited. I’ve always enjoyed the styling of events. It’s not strictly part of my job as a marketing manager but as I’ve always worked for smaller companies since leaving university, start-ups mainly, my job has often extended to such things as preparing for trade shows and dinners, meet and greet opportunities, speed dating, and now wedding ceremonies! Well, wedding parties. I believe Olivia has a celebrant in mind for the actual vow thing. In fact, I’m not entirely sure what vows they’ll be undertaking, given they’re already married.
Some would say it seems a little premature for them to be renewing their commitment to each other. But me? I saycha-ching!
‘Well, she isn’t the only one smiling like someone who needs a time-out in the loony bin. Oi! Are you even listening?’
‘I was just thinking,’ I mutter, waving my hand as though this somehow proves it. ‘About the wedding.’
‘And this?’ Her gaze drops to my desk as she stares meaningfully at my phone.
Oh, the text.
Good morning, beautiful.
I must remember to reply.
‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’ My brisk response supports no nonsense, even if my head is full of the stuff.
‘Oh, I think you do. How many times haslover boytext this morning?’ she purrs playfully.
‘So he texts. Big deal. He’s just checking in.’
‘That answer wasn’t a number. Not last time I was in a classroom, anyway.’
‘Heth, bugger off and mind your own business.’
‘If I’d minded my own business, you wouldn’t be smiling at your phone because he wouldn’t be calling because you, no doubt, would have given him the cold shoulder last time you—’
‘Who needs E-Volve?’ I say, speaking over her because I don’t need to hear the end of that. ‘Who needs romance dating apps when you’re matchmaking, eh?’
‘I can’t help it that I’m good.’
‘You also can’t help being a little crazy.’ Leaning forward, I tap my index fingers between her brows. ‘Maybe Aunt Polly dropped you on the head when you were a baby.’
‘By that logic, maybe your mum dropped you on your face.’
‘Harsh, Heth. Harsh.’
‘Says the girl who just called me stupid.’
