For a moment, I stare at the message, reading and rereading, trying to decide what feels off. Each time, something else jumps out at me, before I realize it’s because the tone is different. Nice. Every other text and email she’s sent has been extremely formal.Good morning, Mr. Bridges. Best regards.
Suddenly we’re on a “hey” basis?She wants me to do her a favor? For my consideration? Thanks, and not, thank you?
Oh, this ought to be interesting.
I feel the crease between my eyebrows deepening as I swipe over to the app, fueled purely by curiosity.
After a few minutes spent searching for messages within the app, I finally discover a tiny red dot under the ACCOUNT tab. When I tap it, a thread of five lengthy responses from Ebony Grace Events appears. Tentatively, I open the first one, and not even a full paragraph down, my focus snags on …while beautiful, the layout isn’t really practicalfor modern weddings.
“Oh, because all centuries-old buildings should be gutted to accommodate a wedding guest list of people invited to stroke the mother of the groom’s ego. Right.”
I chuckle, continuing down the page to get a sense of the scale for the changes she’s requesting.
And that’s when my blood starts to boil.
“The hallways are too narrow?” I’m shaking my head, amazed by this woman’s audacity. Cornelia already shaved the deadline, and I’m not about to cut corners. Ebony knows nothing about preserving historical integrity. All she cares about are aesthetics and modern amenities. It’s not just the halls, either. According to Ebony Grace Events, the bathrooms are outdated, and the outlets are poorly placed. She wants more lighting, climate control, and a full audio/visual system.
My head spins.
And frankly, I’m too damn hot to respond in the app. Toggling back to messages, rapid-fire, I tap out a text.
Lincoln
Lots of great suggestions, thank you. However, given the shortened timeline and the scale of the preservation, I think it’s important that we avoid compromising the building’s original character and charm. The history is what will attract clients, and we wouldn’t want to jeopardize that.
“Shoot.” I’m fuming. “Telling mehow to do my job…”
Almost immediately, the phone pings again.
Ebony
Of course not, but air conditioning and efficient electrical systems shouldn’t affect the vintage appeal of Madison Manor.
Contrary to what she and Cornelia think, Madison Manor isn’t just a wedding venue. It’s got character and story. And yes, space and functionality are important, but I’m going to need her to realize the crown molding and stained-glass windows aren’t just decoration.
Lincoln
Correct. That’s why heating, cooling, electrical, and plumbing have already been approved. Have a nice night.
PING!
“Jesus, woman. Let it go. You’re not going to win this one.”
Ebony
The bathrooms are too small for the anticipated number of guests. Do you really expect us to bring in porta potties to accommodate everyone? Is that the image you want to portray at the manor’s first event back?
Lincoln
Listen, we can’t just gut the bathrooms, Ebony. We’re preserving a building that’ll serve more than just weddings.
Ebony
Why can’t you compromise? Isn’t there something we can do to keep the historical aesthetic intact while also allowing for modern amenities? Do you really think Cornelia isn’t going to have a conniption if you don’t try to make this work?
“There it is!” I push to my feet, fuming. “So, if you can’t get your way, you resort to tattle-telling?”
For all of five seconds, I pace my living room before I respond…with necessary force.
