You Say It First
Page 41

Alan’s expression softened. “He always knew that while I liked Weddings in a Box, you loved it. You were excited and passionate about every aspect. He’d created this from nothing and wanted whoever inherited it to appreciate his legacy.”
“I like to think he would be happy with how things are going.”
“I’m sure he is.”
Pallas thought about her conversation with Nick. She’d forgotten to mention the love she and Gerald had shared. One in which she’d expected nothing and had gotten everything. Gerald had been a total stranger that first day, yet in the end, he’d changed her life. Or maybe the person to share that with was her mother. Not that Libby would get or appreciate hearing about unconditional love and generosity.
“Unless you’re still thinking of selling,” Alan added.
“I’m not. I’ll admit that every time my mother mentions the bank to me, I get a knot in my stomach and I feel guilty. But if I wanted to work there, I would already be doing it. This is where I belong.”
Alan sniffed. “Our little girl is all grown-up.” He rose. “All right, darling, I’m heading back to LA. I have parties to attend. I’ll be back for Nova and Joel’s wedding. No one wants to miss that.”
Pallas stood and they hugged. As he walked out, Silver stalked in. Pallas took one look at her friend and knew there was only one person who could put that kind of fire in Silver’s pale eyes.
“What did he do now?” she asked.
“I hate Drew.” Silver paced to the far end of the room and then turned back. “Hate him.”
Pallas almost asked “Why this time?” because despite having broken up years ago, Silver and Drew were never quite over. Except she guessed that question wasn’t exactly supportive. Instead she said, “What happened?”
Silver planted her hands on her hips. “He said he missed me.”
“That bastard!”
Silver glared at her. “Do you really think this is the right time for sarcasm?”
“Sarcasm is like Jell-O. It’s always the right time and there’s always room.”
Silver walked to one of the chairs and collapsed. She put her face in her hands and groaned. “I hate him. You remember what he did to me, right?”
“Yes, but it was a long time ago. You need to let it go.”
“I can’t. He’s always around. In my personal space. Why can’t he get married and leave me alone?”
“Why can’t you get married and forget all about him?”
Silver glared at her. “First sarcasm and now logic? Why are you being so mean?”
“I’m trying to help. You need to let him go. Otherwise you’ll be trapped forever. That’s not healthy.”
“I can’t let go. I hate him. I’ll never forgive him.” She rose. “Come have drinks with me.”
“It’s barely after three in the afternoon. On a Monday.”
Silver rolled her eyes. “This is an emergency. I need my friend.”
Words that could not be ignored, Pallas thought. She grabbed her bag. “You owe me for this.”
“I know. I’ll make it up to you, I swear.”
Pallas was more concerned about how Silver still had so much energy for Drew. The opposite of love wasn’t hate, but apathy. Despite the years and miles, it seemed to her neither Silver nor Drew had found a way to move on.
“Maybe you should sleep with him again, just to get him out of your system.”
“I’d rather slit his throat.”
Pallas winced. “This is where I remind you he’s my favorite cousin. No throat slitting.”
“Can I rip out his heart and hand it to him on a platter?”
There was a visual, Pallas thought, shuddering. “Um, no. Just hate him. I think that’s safest for everyone.”
“I never get to have any fun.”
* * *
MARLA, PALLAS’S FAVORITE CATERER, flipped to the next page on her tablet. “I enjoy the chance to be creative,” she said happily. “Vegetarian can be difficult. It’s so easy to go predictable and many guests immediately turn up their noses. I wanted a nice mix of traditional foods with vegetarian options that would make everyone happy.”
Pallas studied the pictures. They all looked delicious and her stomach was already rumbling. Tim, Nova’s father, was a vegetarian, but neither Nova nor Joel were. That gave Marla a chance to dazzle in two arenas.
“Nova also told me that she and Joel really like the idea of a lot of finger foods,” Marla continued. “In keeping with the quirkiness of their wedding. Did she tell you they’re going to have game stations set up at the venue? I’d be worried my guests would find playing more interesting than the wedding itself.”
“I guess they’re willing to take that chance.”
She handed the tablet back to Marla and pulled out her notes. “Silver said you had an idea for a signature cocktail?”
“She and I have been working together. We were supposed to get together yesterday to finalize everything, but she wasn’t feeling well.”
No doubt that was because of her hangover, Pallas thought sympathetically. Their afternoon of cocktails had turned into a well into the night event with their friends joining them. Pallas had known to go easy, but Silver had been all in with the liquor. Anything to forget Drew.
“You have to try Popsicle cocktails. You mix the drink and then freeze it,” Marla said.
“I thought liquor didn’t freeze.”
“It doesn’t, but if there are enough other ingredients, it gets close enough. I have several I want to try. They will be fun and different. Silver and I are going to coordinate so that everything I’m fixing goes with her signature drink.”
Marla showed her a picture of a margarita pop.
“Is that dipped in salt?” Pallas asked.
“Uh-huh. We can even use flavored salts, if we want.”
The outside temperatures would be warm—an icy drink would be fun. “I can’t wait to hear what Nova has to say about them. I think she’s going to love them.”
“I hope so. Now to food.” Marla propped up her tablet and began to scroll through the menu photos. “Nova said her dad is a huge fan of mac and cheese so I thought we’d do a truffle mac and cheese pop. I can make stuffed Brussel sprouts and avocado boats. One of the items I’d like to offer are mini sliders. They’re about a quarter of the size of a regular slider, so truly a mouthful and that’s all. We can do several kinds of hamburgers, as well as chicken burgers. We can play with the ingredients.”
“I love the idea, but how do you get all the toppings on a tiny piece of meat?”
“You put the flavors into the meat itself or in the sauce.”
There were also dips in shot glasses with either triangles of pita or raw vegetables, kabob options and plenty of tiny desserts.
“When do you talk to Nova?”
“Tomorrow. I’m really excited.”
Nick walked into Pallas’s office. Their eyes met in a quick moment of secret I’m happy to see you communication.
“Hi, Marla,” Nick said. “Pallas.”
She smiled and Marla waved.
“We’re talking food,” the pretty caterer said.
Nick peered at the tablet. “If there’s mac and cheese, you know it’s going to be good.”
“Men.” Marla’s tone was affectionate. “I wonder if I can do a drink pop with Jack Daniel’s. I’ll have to try.” She collected her things. “I’m off to refine before my call.”