Page 6 of Yanked (Frenched 1.50)
I threw my arms around her in an attack hug, hampered by our bulky winter coats, computer bags and purses. “You’re the best. Thank you!”
She laughed as she regained her balance. “You’re welcome. Good luck.”
My phone was ringing as I let myself into my office, and I got busy quickly, booking a last-minute retirement party for March, a corporate event in July, and a wedding for October. I called Karen White and apologized for my inattentiveness this morning and finalized the details of her contract. I was just about to email it to her when Coco burst into my office, closed the door, and backed up against it, a look of sheer terror on her face. “Don’t leave me.”
“What?” Taken aback, I gestured to the chair in front of my desk. “Come sit. What’s with you?”
Chewing her lip again, she walked over and took a seat, crossing her legs, which looked even longer than usual today in a short black lace skirt and black stockings. I knew that underneath her skirt, those stockings were held up by garters because Coco thought tights and modern panty hose were the most abominable-looking things in the universe, and she refused to wear them. Her lingerie collection looked like she might have inherited it from Marilyn Monroe. Actually, so did much of her wardrobe.
“I’m scared about this New York thing.”
“Why?” I asked, closing my laptop. “You don’t think you can handle the wedding?”
“No, it’s not that. But I was thinking, what if he realizes how amazing you are and decides yes, you should live together in New York. I’m scared I could never run this business without you, Mia. I was a history and English major, for fuck’s sake.”
I rolled my eyes. “Don’t even. You know you’re crazy smart.”
She shook her head. “You’re the brains behind this business.”
“That’s so not true, Coco. I actually think you’re the more creative of the two of us. I’m good at details and organization, but you’ve got amazing vision and communication skills. I’m not planning on going anywhere at this point, but no matter what, I know you could run this business. You could always hire a new partner, too. Or just an accountant.”
“But it wouldn’t be you. What if I couldn’t find someone I could work with as well? We complement each other so perfectly.”
“That’s true, but that doesn’t mean you wouldn’t be able to find good help. And I’m not going to leave you high and dry.”
She chewed her lip. “Promise?”
“Promise. If that were even a consideration, I’d need to think about a lot of things, but our business is at the top of the list. I’ve put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into Devine Events. My name is on it. It was my dream to start something like this—and then you had the faith in me, in us, to invest your inheritance. I don’t take any of that lightly.”
Coco shook her head. “It’s not the money. I’m just…scared.” She lifted her shoulders. “I’d feel so lost without you here.”
“Erin would still be here.”
“I know. And I love Erin. But she enjoys teaching. She’s not going to leave that to come work with me.”
“No,” I said. “But she’ll be here for you when you need help. She loves when we rope her into working at our events.”
That coaxed a rueful smile. “Right.”
“Remember the time we made her dress up as Cinderella for that spoiled brat’s sixth birthday party at the country club because the talent agency screwed up the time?”
The smiled widened. “Yeah. God, she was so mad at us.”
“Well, serves her right for being born looking like a Disney princess.”
Coco’s smile deepened, and she exhaled. “I’m sorry, Mia. I shouldn’t be in here burdening you with my worries. You need to make your own decision, I know that.”
I shook my head. “There isn’t even a decision to make yet. Don’t jinx me here.”
Coco stood up. “Ignore me, I’m just being selfish. And I have PMS. My first reaction was to panic at having to run this business by myself, but who knows? Maybe it would be good for me, just like learning to stop trying to map out every minute of your life has been good for you.”
I arched one brow. “Trying to get rid of me?”
She shrugged. “Yeah. Ten years of friendship is enough, I’d say.”
Relieved, I opened my laptop again. “Drinks after work? I’ll text Erin and see if she’ll meet us.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
