that so bad?" She's frowning again but quickly wipes it away.
"But you told them we're engaged, getting married in a month?"
"Yes."
"Good." I stand up and stretch. "Get ready for bed." I hold my hand out and she takes it while I pull her easily to her feet.
She looks at her watch. I know it's 11:00 "Are you coming too?"
"I'll be in soon. I'm going to track down a florist...can't remember the guy's name, but he did a nice job at a wedding last year for a buddy of mine. I know he gave his info to the LPE Group to keep on file."
"Oh. Ok." She starts to walk towards the bedroom, but turns in the hallway. "Max?"
"Yeah?"
"Are you giving me a set bedtime?" Her look is perfect, only a little questioning.
I grin. "Yes."
"Oh. ...Ok."
I walk over to her and kiss her head, "I'll wake you when I come to bed..." and I turn into the den and close the door.
Chapter 3 HER
I was going to save my "congratulations" cupcake from Jeff until after lunch, but I keep picking at it with my coffee. He was so sweet when he opened the car door for me and handed me the pink box, saying, "Ya gotta have cake to celebrate." And it's my favorite, red velvet. He must have asked Max.
I was surprised at first that he knew already. But Max has text and called everyone. He's giving a heads-up that the wedding is right around the corner. So far, I've only told my family, Tracy, and Laura. I'm sure my Mom has let the rest of the family know, so I'm covered there. And I have a few college friends and co-workers that I want to invite. Max said I have to give him my list tonight. He's having his assistant make out our invitations.
Since I'm in the office so early and no one else is around, I start on the list. I have to look up a few addresses, but I'm up to 25 pretty quick. Wow. I didn't even think I knew 25 people that well.
"Aren't you a busy bee...making up for slacking off yesterday, Lucy-Goose?" Kevin, my fellow recruiter, sets his bag down on his very neat desk. We've been officemates and co-conspirators against our boss for over a year, I add his name to the list.
"What's your address, Kev?"
"Why? My birthday was last month...Am I being served again? I told that cop that I didn't know that boy was underage...he was dancing in a cage at Chain Gang after all." Kevin loves to tease me with his raunchy stories, all made up. He's been in a committed relationship since before I knew him. But he decided that I was too "corn-fed" as he called it and needed some shocking. "Stop! What....is....thaaat?!" He points to my left hand.
"Oh, this is just my shiny new ring. You like it?" I twist and turn my hand in the air for him to see.
"Oh my God, girl. That ain't a ring, that's a strobe light!" He comes bouncing over and grabs my hand. "At least four carats," he pretends to put on glasses, "Excellent cut and clarity, flawless color." He tries to take it off my hand and I smack his fingers. "Mr. Knight-in-Shining I presume?"
"Of course." I continue flicking my hand around in front of his face, making the diamond sparkle more in the ugly fluorescent lighting.
"And you want to invite moi to your wedding?" He acts like he's tearing up and pulling a hanky from his shirt pocket.
"Of course! But since I know how busy you are with all the chain gang underage club thing...the wedding is next month."
He looks me up and down in my chair. "Girl, you ain't showin a bit!"
I hit his stomach. "I'm not pregnant!"
"So what's the hurry?! The engagement is the best part...ya get parties and presents and ya can still call the whole thing off if he pisses you off."
"We don't want to wait." I say this a little more defensively than I intended, but Kevin doesn't seem to notice.
"Well...count me in! I ain't missing the shindig that goes with that ring!" He sits at his desk for a little while before saying, "Congrats, Lucy. I see how happy you are with Max and I'm happy for you!"
I take another bite of my cupcake. Now if I could just get my best friends to be as happy