Page 33 of Love, Take Two
"Exactly," I say, getting excited about the concept. "Couples could hire us to document their entire destination experience—the planning, the location scouting, the authentic moments, not the ceremony itself."
"That would be amazing," she says, turning to face me fully with bright eyes. "Travel meets event planning, adventure meets celebration."
"We could start with a few test collaborations," I suggest, envisioning how this could work. "Build a portfolio, develop the concept, see if there's market demand."
"Start where?" she asks with a smile suggesting she's hoping for the same answer I am.
"I could come to Portland," I say, leaning closer until there's barely any space between us. "I could base operations with you for a few months, help coordinate some local events while we develop the business model."
"You'd really consider that?" she asks, and there's something vulnerable in her voice that suggests this possibility matters more than just professional collaboration.
"Vada," I say, cupping her face in my hands because I need her to understand how serious I am about this, "I'd consider anywhere if it means building something amazing with you. Professional and personal."
When she kisses me in response, her hands thread through my hair, pulling me closer, and I'm amazed all over again by how perfectly we fit together.
My phone buzzes with an incoming video call, and I'm about to decline it when I see the caller ID: Stella. My sister, who has impeccable timing and absolutely no patience for being ignored when she wants to talk.
"That's my sister," I tell Vada, pulling back reluctantly from the kiss. "I should probably answer, or she'll keep calling until I do."
"Of course," Vada says, straightening her hair and looking slightly nervous in a way that makes my chest warm with affection. "Should I give you privacy?"
"Would you mind staying?" I say, realizing this might be the perfect opportunity. "I've been wanting you to meet her, and Stella's been curious about why I've been so distracted this week."
"You've been distracted?" Vada asks with obvious delight.
"Completely distracted," I confirm, accepting the video call. "Hey, Stella. Perfect timing as always."
My sister's face appears on the screen with the kind of knowing smile that suggests she's been waiting for this call all week. StellaWise-Morrison, successful architect, devoted wife and mother, and the person who knows me better than anyone else in the world.
"Emory!" she says with excitement. "Finally! I've been dying to hear about this mysterious tropical vacation that has you posting the most romantic content of your entire career."
"It's not mysterious," I protest, though I'm grinning despite myself. "It's Erika’s wedding celebration."
"Right," Stella says with the expression of someone who doesn't believe that explanation for a second. "And the gorgeous woman who's been featuring in all your posts is just a random wedding guest?"
Before I can formulate a response that doesn't immediately reveal everything, Vada leans into the camera frame.
"Hi," she says with a smile that's genuine and slightly nervous. "You must be Stella. I'm Vada."
The silence that follows lasts exactly long enough for me to see Stella's expression cycle through surprise, recognition, and absolute delight.
"Vada," Stella repeats slowly, and I can practically hear her brain processing this information. "As in Vada, college girlfriend Vada, the one Emory never actually got over despite claiming he was completely fine?"
"Stella," I warn, though heat is rising in my cheeks because my sister has never been subtle about anything.
"Oh my God," Stella continues with growing excitement, "you're the event planning woman from his stories! The one whounderstood his travel dreams and made him feel like he could conquer the world!"
"You told her about me?" Vada asks, turning to look at me with an expression of surprise and something softer.
"I may have mentioned you," I admit, which makes Stella laugh with obvious delight.
"Mentioned," Stella repeats with sisterly accuracy. "Emory, you spent three years comparing every woman you dated to your college girlfriend. 'Vada would have understood this.' 'Vada always encouraged my dreams.' 'Vada made everything feel possible.'"
"I did not say all that," I protest, though my face is definitely betraying me with heat.
"You absolutely did," Stella says with the confidence of someone who has receipts. "Which is why I cannot believe you're sitting there with her right now, looking happier than I've seen you in years, and trying to play it casual."
"It's not casual," Vada says with the kind of honesty that makes my heart skip. "We're figuring out how to make this work for real."
