3 - Jessica

Jessica

I smiled my thanks to the hostess when she pointed me out to the table on the patio where the business associate/friend-in-the-business I was supposed to meet ten minutes ago was writing on her planner. As an owner of a highly reputed wedding planning company in town, I should be in hell for making her wait.

Taylor Watkins lifted her gaze from the planner. The reprimanding frown immediately flattened when she took a good look at me.

"Hi. I'm really sorry." I dropped to the seat across from her.

"I was going to give you hell for being late, but damn, rough night?" She closed her planner, green eyes sweeping over me for another perusal.

I set my purse on the table. "Do I look horrible as badly as your face implies?"

"No. You're rocking those leather pants." She sips on her white wine, tasting it with a perfectionism of a wedding planner.

I narrowed my eyes on her face. "Are you sure though? Because I'm definitely seeing horrors in your eyes."

Taylor waved a pink manicured hand dismissively. "Don't worry about it. You look hot. Anyone with minor attention to detail can never tell." She retrieves something from her purse and hand me an Advil.

"Thank God." I took it in a greedy hand.

Just then, a waiter arrived with cheeseburgers and fries – complements of the chef – and my day just got a whole lot better. Taylor gave me an inquisitive look.

"I eat here a lot. And the chef's happened to be best man to my maid of honor."

She nodded in understanding. "Oh. Andrei Parkinson."

"Yep," I say around a mouthful of burger. My eyes staggered to the chair next to her and the one next to mine that I've only just noticed now. "Are we expecting anyone else?" I grabbed a couple of fries and shove it to my mouth.

"Rachel went to take a private call. Harper is in the ladies' room." She sat back on her chair, strawberry blonde ponytail draping over her slim shoulders.

"Rach and Harper are here?"

Taylor nodded, watching me bite my way to the half of the burger with a wild fascination of someone counting calories. "Yes. I just thought they should join us."

"Wait, are they here for backup purposes?" I squinted my eyes suspiciously.

Rachel Myers and Harper Greene are the closest friend I had at the firm. Rach had only moved here more than a year ago and I met her through Audrey whom she was childhood best friends with. She was just starting off as a new receptionist at Taylor's company and was struggling to adjust to the bustling city. And then there's Harper Greene (Taylor's most trusted wedding planner) whom I've known much longer than Rach. She introduced me to Taylor, opening up elite wedding gigs for me.

Although I preferred to work independently, I've always been Taylor's go-to photographer. Which meant more big weddings to photograph and naturally, more clients given how much Taylor Watkins' recommendation is sterling gold.

Harper came back from the ladies' room, opting for a pat in the back since my hands were full. "You're hungry already? We never even got our orders yet."

Taylor snorted. "When is she not ever hungry? Besides, the chef is showing so much fondness of her, he served her the moment she walked in."

"I'm a regular here." I shrugged, grinning.

Harper sinks gracefully to the seat next to Taylor and gave me a meaningful look. "You seduced one of Andrei's brothers, didn't you?"

I almost choke on my fries.

"Ha. You did." Taylor snickered.

Harper tapped her chin with her forefinger thoughtfully. "It can't be Cade Parkinson. He is happily married to Kathie. Vren Parkinson was a happily smitten groom. Playboy Christian Parkinson is miraculously committed to Kylie Preston. Which brings us to Matthew Parkinson." She loops her together on the table and pinned me in a curious gaze.

I forced the embarrassment down my throat with the fries.

"He's the only in the Parkinsons who's single. Andrei still is but he doesn't swing that way. Sure, their little sister is single too, but you don't swing that way."

"I'm not involved with any of them. Not in that way." I gulped down water, hoping to be saved from conversation.

Rachel came back and I could kiss for her most brilliant timing. I set my burger down, because she's very much worth it. I squeezed her into a hug, breathing in her sweet floral scent that matches her sweet smile. "Can you tell Audrey I'm really sorry for not making it to her wedding? There's been a family emergency I had to attend to."

"Aw. I'm sure she'll understand family troubles." I patted her back, letting her slide on the chair next to me.

The waiter came to take their orders and offer me dessert – molten chocolate which I never turned down.

"So, what did you need the lovely backups for, Taylor?" I took a hearty bite of my dessert and put the fork down to focus on my friend.

Business first.

And, then food.

Taylor leaned back against her chair, her face shifting dramatically to her "work mode" face.

My stomach knotted nervously. "I swear in my five years as a wedding photographer, never was I tempted to sleep with the groom."

The ladies let out a startled laugh.

"Jess, you're not in any sort of trouble." Harper snickered.

Taylor shots up a finger. "Absolutely not. You're here because you're one of the best photographers in the city. We both know I don't associate myself with anything less."

"Oh, okay," I murmured, although I still had suspicions.

"I understand that those big girl pants of yours prefer an independent career. Not that you need anyone or anything being as great as you are. All those big weddings you have booked are all your doing. I've just given the honest words out," she continues with a proud smile.

I narrowed my eyes. "You're gonna have to skip the Taylor Watkins flattery and just tell me."

She chuckles. "Okay, okay," she says with her hands up in surrender. "I need you."

"In what way? I thought we all know I don't swing that way," I say wryly.

Rachel and Harper stifled laughter and let Taylor continue.

"No. I've tried so hard in college but it never worked for me either. Here's the thing," she clears her throat, her green eyes finding mine, "I need you to work for me permanently."

My mouth hung open.

"I need you as my in-house photographer." She smiles, her eyes zeroing in on my face.

I leaned all the way back to my chair, my gaze going over Rachel beside me, then Harper next to her and then Taylor herself. "And you guys thought I will turn it down because of my stubborn big girl pants?"

"I did," Taylor admitted, "that's why I asked Rach and Harper to be here and convince you I'm not trying to clip your wings. You're still a free bird. But in my garden."

"I don't understand. You have great photographers."

"They're great, but I want the best, Jess." Taylor shrugged.

Harper nodded her encouragement. "I know you never wanted to be committed, but this right here, is an opportunity of a lifetime. We've been planning to hang out for a girl's night out but never did because of a conflict of schedule. Maybe as colleagues, our schedules will align."

I arch an eyebrow.

"Plus, I badly need to get laid. And you have the lists of decent lays in town."

My lips twitched into a smile. "You befriended the right party girl."

"And, you can finally show me around town. You never got to." Rachel squeezes my hand. "Also, I promise I'll help you pick out gifts for Kathie's triplets."

"Do you promise me solemnly?" The triplets' birthdays are coming up and picking out gifts is a harder than showing up on time at the party.

She nods.

As if I'd need anymore convincing. The first thing in my mind is call Kathie and Audrey to deliver the good news.