He leaned closer and gave her a sweet kiss, making her believe—and hope—he felt the same.
Tessa wanted to take credit for the spot-on perfection that was this slightly over-the-top Bat Mitzvah party, but she couldn’t. So much of this was Lacey’s doing.
It helped that Jennifer Kaplan had a massive budget and an ego to match, and she’d thrown money at the event to thrill her daughter and impress her friends.
Although maybe not in that order, Tessa thought as she watched the woman flit from guest to guest. Even the formal dress she’d worn was more appropriate for a black-tie wedding than a thirteen-year-old’s religious ceremony and party.
But Jenn wanted to impress, and Tessa Wylie Events had certainly delivered the goods.
The ballroom of the Emerald Crest Clubhouse had been transformed into the most delightfully upscale jungle any Florida suburb had ever seen. Oversized tropical leaves fanned out from centerpieces on every table, scattered with golden monkeys and tiny zebra figurines.
Lush greenery cascaded from ceiling drapery that billowed like a rainforest canopy, and the focal wall behind the DJ booth was a massive balloon arch in earthy greens and browns with a white neon sign glowing in the center:STAY WILD.
Maybe not what Tessa would have chosen for this particular occasion, but young Naomi was electrified by her big event. She sparkled in a leopard-print dress with rhinestone straps, currently dancing with a circle of eighth-grade girls who were still blissfully young enough to be awkward and innocent.
Tessa scanned the room, checking off her invisible mental list. DJ? Pumping out kid-appropriate bangers. Caterers? Plating sliders and chicken skewers. Photographer? Zooming in on a group of kids posing in front of the Safari-themed picture wall.
Again, Lacey had been invaluable making all this work.
Tessa adjusted a palm frond that had come loose from one of the photo backdrops and smoothed her palms down her teal jumpsuit, satisfied with everything. She turned toward the banquet room where the parents were chatting over cocktails.
Then she spotted Lacey talking to the catering manager at the cupcake table, preparing for the big cake reveal. But that had to come after the dog.
Threading her way around pre-teens and filled tables, Tessa made her way over.
“All good?” she asked as the caterer walked away and left Lacey eyeing the desserts.
“We’re planning the timing of the Pickles presentation,” Lacey said, glancing at her phone. “Roman’s on the way and will be in the back parking lot. Jennifer wants the kids sugared up on the first dessert…” She gestured toward the cupcakes. “For maximum screamage, I suppose, when Pickles arrives on the scene.”
Tessa laughed and, right on cue, a pack of girls descended on the cupcakes, doing their level best to get “sugared up” as her client wanted.
“I don’t think Naomi needs the sugar to get excited,” Tessa said, her gaze falling on the evening’s big star as she walked toward the table, giggling with girlfriends.
Bright-eyed and flushed, Naomi floated over and beamed at Tessa and Lacey.
“You guys slayed!” she exclaimed with a squeal. “I’m definitely having the time of my life!”
Tessa’s heart soared as she reached an arm out. “You’re the star, kiddo. How about a cupcake?”
“Yes, please!” She glanced around. “Where’s my mom? She’s been acting super weird, so I suppose whatever mongo surprise she has planned is about to happen.”
“I know nothing about a surprise,” Tessa lied smoothly. “She’s in the banquet room if you want to find her.”
The speakers thudded out a base line and all the girls shrieked in unison.
“No!” Naomi abandoned the cupcake. “I want to dance! Come on.” She grabbed Tessa’s arm. “Dance with us!”
She held back, laughing. “Not in my job description unless it’sTheMacarena. That I can dance.”
“Do it!” Naomi tugged so hard, Tessa almost slipped off a heel. “Please! I want you out there.”
She threw a look to Lacey, who was laughing. “The Macarena, Tess?”
“I honestly don’t…” But the arguments were lost and she was swept up with the swarm of pre-teens who dragged her to the dance floor.
“C’mon! We’re gonna teach you the Sunset Shuffle!” one of them shouted, laughing.
“Sounds exactly right for the old-age home,” she cracked, but her humor was lost on the kids.
