Chapter Six
Tammy
Saturday morning, I woke up with that feeling ofI have to be somewhere today.Still groggy as I got out of bed, I couldn’t remember what event this mysterious feeling indicated until halfway through brushing my teeth.
Nate’s party, of course! How could I have forgotten? I had big hopes for this event that went far beyond just spending some time with Nate - although that would be welcome too.
Yesterday, Claudia came over and knocked on the door. “Got a minute to talk?”
“Sure. I thought you were packing to return to Paris in a few days. Come on in.” I walked to the kitchen to fix us both a cup of coffee as Claudia plopped down on the couch.
“We’ve changed our minds. Riker is throwing Nate a party to congratulate him.”
“Congratulate him for what? The Super Bowl was over a long time ago.”
“Nate got the general manager’s position for the Lexington Colonels. Didn’t he tell you?”
“No. Not a word.” I had been surprised. Usually, Nate loved to brag about his accomplishments, and being hired as a general manager was definitely something to brag about. “Oh,” I recalled, “I knew he went to Lexington in Zeke’s jet, but I just figured it was for some other kind of business… like to close out his contract with the team… or something like that.”
“Nope, Nate went to interview for this job. Zeke just got the good news last night, so maybe that’s why Nate hasn’t mentioned it to you yet. But anyway, that’s the reason for the party. And maybe it’s just a good excuse for a party in general.”
“What kind of shindig is it? I mean, is it a more formal cocktail party, or something low key?”
“Pleasant, informal, low key. You know… no kids for the evening - there is a sleepover planned at the home of Elena’s friend for her kids, and Zeke and I are leaving Jaxson with Mom. There will be drinks, but no wild partying. It should just be a pleasant evening where hopefully you can meet some potential Hamptons contacts who can give your business a boost.” Claudia explained.
Suddenly, this party sounded way more interesting, and I started to laugh. “I hope you’re here to invite me.”
“Of course. Dress nice, bring some business cards, and we’ll see what we can do. And, oh, by the way. I have the perfect outfit for you to wear. It’s the newest one in my summer collection… and so far, it’s been a big hit in Paris.”
“That sounds perfect. I can’t wait to try it on. And thank you. You’re the best, best friend ever.”
“Okay, I need to get back home before the baby wakes up from his morning nap.” I barely had time to give her a hug before Claudia hurried out the front door and down the steps.
Now, it was the day of the party, and I looked forward to it more with every passing hour. Hopefully, this would be that big break I needed to really get my business rolling and get my name out to the type of clients I needed.
Three hours before it was time to leave, I stepped out of the shower and began slowly getting ready. At some point, Claudia called to tell me she and Zeke would pick me up after dropping off the baby at her mom’s. It made sense for the three of us to go together in the same car, so I agreed.
As I walked from the bathroom where I was doing my makeup to the closet where I laid out the wide legged pants and matching tie dyed blouse that Claudia had designed, I smiled. The clothes were perfect for the evening both inside and outdoors, and I paired them with my favorite white heels. Adding a fashionable watch and a set of earrings with a matching necklace that I borrowed from Claudia’s Paris jewelry collection, I felt ready to mingle and chat up whoever I might meet at this party.
“Girl, you look gorgeous!” Claudia exclaimed when she met me on her mother’s back porch not a hundred steps from my front door to wait for Zeke to pick us up. “Have you ever thought about modeling? I’ve been designing some cute looks for the fall season that are a throwback to the 60’s, and I could use a blonde model.”
“You know, I really haven’t. Maybe I should drop wedding planning and be a model,” I joked. Then my jovial expression morphed into a scowl. “Or maybe not… Don’t forget what happened in college when you tried to teach me how to walk down a flight of stairs in stiletto heels… without holding on to the rail, gazing straight ahead.”
“Oh, my God, yes... Please don’t remind me of your twisted ankle that took forever to heal... That you forever blamed on me.” Claudia shook her head and rolled her eyes. “Maybe you should just stick with wedding planning.”
“Yeah, maybe you’re right.”
When Zeke drove up in the Bentley, we continued reminiscing about our college days as roommates at NYU. Claudia slid into the front seat beside her husband, and I sat in the seat behind her. “You didn’t forget your business cards, did you?” Claudia asked, glancing at me in the sun visor’s vanity mirror, checking her lipstick.
“They’re right here.” I patted the small purse hanging from a strap around my shoulder.
With the music pumping at a fast-paced beat, the three of us were laughing at each other’s jokes - definitely in a party mood by the time we pulled into the driveway of Riker and Elena’s mansion.
Right away, I realized that this party was bigger than I had expected. “Nate sure has a lot of friends who want to congratulate him,” I commented as Zeke pulled up to let us out before passing the keys to the valet Riker had hired to handle the parking.
“I mean, it is kind of hard to imagine. Nate is just a friend to us, but to the rest of the world, he is a big football star,” Claudia pointed out. “The most popular kid on the block… you know.”
Just like always.I remembered how Nate was passionate about being the best at anything he did, and he took it very personally when he lost. Sometimes we would spend the evening together after a football game where he played, and I cheered. Nate would lay on my couch brooding while I fixed us a snack, talking about the game and plays he thought he could have done better.
