dedicated to rexjo24❤
***
Liam was early, which was a surprise to me, and the whole world. He checked his watch, mocking my tardiness and I rolled my eyes as I unlocked the front door. I was never one to be late, always five minutes early to everything. But Liam had beat me to it, showing up at ten minutes to eight. He hadn't even spoken a word to me and I already wanted this day to be over.
"Good morning, sunshine." He held the door open for me. I ignored the smug smile on his face and marched straight into my office.
There was a front reception desk right when you walked in, where Jamie, my receptionist, sat part time. She was enrolled at the local community college and worked at my office three days a week. She was friends with Ellie and I had known her for years.
When you passed the desk, there was a small hallway that divided my office from the conference room. At the end of the hall, there was a break room and a bathroom. It was a small space, but it was all mine.
I stepped into my office and Liam followed. He plopped down on the chair opposite my desk and fiddled with the knick-knacks.
"So," He began. I looked away from my computer to him. "What's first on the agenda, boss?"
I looked back at my screen and waited for the computer to boot up. "We have to go over to the boathouse and pretty much beg them to let us add a few more tables."
"This wedding keeps getting bigger and bigger." He shook his head.
"Tell me about it." I rolled my eyes. I placed the order for the flower crowns Anna requested and printed out the receipt, slipping it into my purse. "Make yourself useful and grab the seating chart out of the filing cabinet behind you." He walked over and as soon as he placed his hands on the drawer to open, I gasped. When he opened the drawer, I noticed his attention lagging, obviously he discovered the picture of me and Paul.
Sure enough, he asked, "Oh, who's this? Your boyfriend?"
"That's none of your business, please don't touch my stuff."
He put his hands up in defense and put the picture back in the drawer.
It was a photo from college, one that I can't seem to let go of. I wasn't exactly sure why I kept it in my office. I hadn't seen the guy in the photo, Paul, in over three years. I was embarrassed since nothing really developed between the two of us. I needed to get rid of that photo.
"Well...let's get down to business then." He said, sensing that I didn't want to discuss the conversation at hand. I grabbed my purse and followed him out of my office. Jamie was at reception now and I waved to her as we passed. Her eyebrows lifted, and she gave me a seductive smile.
"Don't get any ideas." I mouthed to her as I headed out the door.
He unlocked his car and started heading towards it. "I'm not getting in the car with you." His two-seater convertible corvette was the size of a go-cart and the image of the car scrunched up after an impact flooded into my mind. "That thing is a death trap."
He chuckled. "We're literally going one mile down the street." He pointed in the direction of the boat house. "I'll drive slow, I promise." I was relieved to hear him say that because I hear these things are like rocket ships.
I crossed my arms. "I don't even know you. I'm not getting in the car with some stranger." I motioned towards my jeep. "I can drive."
"Just get in the car." He commanded.
"Don't tell me what to do." I crossed my arms.
He grunted. "Come on, Nora. You might even enjoy yourself."
I stared at him and after a few moments, I took a deep breath and finally gave in. I said a little prayer before getting into the passenger seat.
We arrived at our destination alive. As promised, he drove slow down Main Street. I wanted to kiss the ground when I stepped out of the car, but I figured that would be a bit dramatic.
He held the door for me and we stepped into the lobby. Isa was standing at the reception desk. She plastered a toothy smile on her face and stuck her chest out when she noticed Liam. I had never gotten anything close to this when it was just me walking through the door. I guess that's just the reaction Liam gets everywhere he goes. At the bar, I noticed every girl in the room gawking at him. It was nauseating how obvious they were.
"Hi, Nora." She nodded to me. "Hello, I'm Isa." Her accent seemed stronger as she spoke to Liam, as if that was how you could win him over. She stuck out her hand and met it with Liam's.
"Liam Eastwood." He announced. She had a twinkle in her eyes and I couldn't help but roll mine. This woman has been so standoffish the entirety of me working with her and here she was practically throwing herself at him.
Isa led us into the ballroom and I pulled Liam back. "We need five more tables," I whispered. "Don't say a word. I can handle this." I stepped in front of him.
"No," He grabbed my elbow. "I got it." He said in a whisper.
"We will have three bartenders on staff. Two in the ballroom and one on the back deck." She motioned towards the balcony outside.
"That will be wonderful." I nodded my head, trying my best to be professional. Liam shot me a look of annoyance. He turned back to Isa and cleared his throat.
"You truly know how to take care of clients." He stepped in and buttered her up. "We really appreciate everything you have done for us, Isa." He put his arm around her and she turned fifty shades of pink.
"No problem at all." She smiled. "If there is anything else you need, please don't hesitate to ask."
"Now that you mention it," He said. "I do have one favor to ask."
Her eyes lit up as if she thought he was about to get down on one knee and propose. "Anything for you, Mr. Eastwood." I rolled my eyes again and took a deep breath. Was this woman serious?
"Please, call me Liam." He smiled. "There has been a change in the guest list and we need to accommodate fifty more people. Is there any way we can fit five more tables in here?"
She looked around the room and put her finger on her chin, thinking. "The ice sculpture will have to get moved. Perhaps on the sweets table? That will be taking up a lot of room."
"Ice sculpture?" Liam raised his brows. "It's going to be ninety degrees in July."
"Anna wants it." I chimed in. "The ice sculpture stays."
"It can go in the lobby." Liam ignored me.
"We can move some things around the day of the wedding. Five tables will be no problem." She gave Liam a seductive smile.
"Thank you so much." He shook her hand. "We appreciate doing business with you." I shook her hand as well and I followed him back to his car.
"You totally just flirted your way to five extra tables!" I yelled. "Have you no shame?" I shook my head.
"I just asked nicely. You should try it sometime."
"I am nice." I crossed my arms. "She has been difficult since the day I called her for an opening and you show up and she falls head over heels for you!"
"Everyone deserves a wink once and a while." He said as he proceeded to give me one.
"So, you admit to flirting?" I raised a brow.
"Careful there, James." He put the car in drive and pulled out onto the road. "Your jealousy is showing."
I laughed out loud. "Very funny. Can you call me by my name, please? I'm not one of your teammates on your football team."
"I prefer to use a name no one else does. It makes me stand out in a crowd." His arrogance was the most frustrating thing I have ever dealt with in my entire life.
"Pompous much?" I looked out the passenger window, repulsed by his existence.
"What is Nora short for?" He ignored my jab at him.
"Why do you think it's short for something?" I looked back over to him. We drove past the office and I looked back. "You passed my office!"
"It's lunchtime." He said and if on cue, my stomach grumbled. "Anna is Annabel, Ellie is Elizabeth. There's no way your parents left you out."
We pulled into Pizza Pie and the place was packed. The hostess plastered a smile on her face as Liam entered. She looked over to me as if she was wondering why he would ever be seen in public with me. She grabbed two menus and ushered us onto the patio outside, doing her best to shake her behind. My face scrunched in disgust and turned towards Liam, who was more interested in the pizza that was on everyone's table than the show she was giving him.
She winked at him after she handed us the menus. I shot my eyebrows up but didn't feel the need to grill him about his man-whorish ways. Instead, I looked out to the ocean and watched the boats go by.
My favorite thing about Bridgeport was the boardwalk that sat right on the beach. It stretched out for a mile with restaurants and shops. My office was also along the boardwalk, which didn't make the work days too bad when you can look out your window and see the ocean.
"It's Eleanor." I looked back over to him.
"What?" He peeked up from his menu.
"My name," I said. It was inevitable that he would find out. He knew my entire family and I'm sure Anna wouldn't hesitate to tell him. "Is Eleanor. But if you tell anyone, I will have to kill you."
"That would be unfortunate." He put his menu down and folded his hands on the table. "Who would you plan this wedding with?"
"Anna is consistent with checking up on me," I assured. "I would be fine."
"Yeah, what's up with that?" He asked. "Has she always been this difficult?" I got quiet. I had to be careful what I said around Liam, he was Andrew's best friend, and if anything got back to Anna, it would be the end of the world for me.
"I won't say anything." He said as if he read my mind. "I promise. I like Anna. I was the one who introduced them. Plus, she's good for Andrew. But man is she high maintenance." He shook his head. The wedding is a month away and I understand it's a stressful time for all parties involved, but it feels like this wedding is on steroids."
I stifled a laugh. "Tell me about it." The waiter came to take our orders. Liam ordered the house special, a double pepperoni with extra cheese. I scrunch my nose at his order.
"Salad is fine," I said as I handed the menu to the waiter.
"You're so boring." He grumbled after the waiter was gone. "Plus, this place has the best pizza. I've had it pretty much every night since I got here."
"For someone in such great shape, I can't believe you're eating pizza every night." The words slipped out of my mouth before I could stop them.
He grinned. "Are you checking me out, Eleanor?"
"No." I swallowed. He kept his eyes locked on mine, but I cleared my throat and looked away. "You can go back to calling me James since Eleanor is out of the question."
"Whatever you say, boss." He declared. "What are your plans tomorrow night?"
I shot my eyes back to his. "Working on the centerpieces for the rehearsal dinner with Anna. She wanted to use silk flowers, so I decided to start on them ahead of time." I put my napkin on my lap out of nervous habit.
"Andrew and Anna are going to Charlotte tomorrow. Are you doing those by yourself?" He raised a brow.
"I guess." I shrugged my shoulders, unaware of Anna's little getaway.
"I want to help." He offered, and it was as if he read my mind.
"I will be fine by myself." I shooed him off. "I do centerpieces all the time. It's no big deal."
"I will be at your house around seven with dinner. I don't take no for an answer." I couldn't help but smile. It was like the weight of the world fell off my shoulders, even if it was only for a moment.
***
If you are still here, thank you! Seeing reads on my story only encourages me more and I am beyond grateful to the few of you! This story means the world to me and I cannot wait to bring you on this journey with me. Please comment/vote if you are enjoying it so far. Love you all.
P.S. A HUGE thank you, again, to one of the kindest souls on Wattpad, @Limelight_stealer. I reached out to her for the cover and I am SO happy with how it came out. You rock, girl. Keep up the great work you do.
Happy reading! Love, rachannewrites.❤