At school, Nate had looked to everyone else like a shining soon-to-be star with an athletic body, handsome face, and a quick wit. But I had known better. He had worries, fears and responsibilities just like anyone else, and he worked hard to keep in shape while building his skills on the field.
Now, ‘Mr. Popular’ was inside the house, greeting the guests as they filed in through the front door. “Hey, guys!” Nate clapped Zeke on the back and hugged Claudia and me. Her tiny smirk told me that I hadn’t entirely succeeded in hiding my blush. “Glad you could make it. There are hors d’oeuvres…” Nate glanced around. “Uh, pretty much everywhere. The bar is outside on the deck. Riker hired a bartender for the evening.”
Zeke chuckled. “Let me go check it out.” Turning to Claudia, he pressed her hand against his lips genteelly. “May I get you a drink, Mademoiselle?”
Claudia’s lips twitched, but she adopted a stern look. “Zeke, that word means a woman who isn't married… And I thought we were getting somewhere with your French…”
Zeke shrugged with a lighthearted grin. “It’s the thought that counts,” and started off for the back deck.
Claudia glanced at me, apologetically. “If I let him order my drink, it’s going to be something way too strong. I’ll catch up with you later, okay?” She disappeared into the house, following her husband.
“This is a nice party,” I commented to Nate, admiring the unobtrusive lighting, and the party banners that hung in door frames. “Also, congratulations on getting the job!”
“You already told me that last night on the phone, but thanks again,” Nate laughed.
“Well, you know, I had to tell you in person. And this is a party to celebrate your success, Nate. So etiquette demanded that I do it again.”
“I suppose.” He held out a hand to me. “Will etiquette allow you to let the guest of honor grab you a drink while he has a free moment?”
“Hm, I don’t know.” I scratched my chin in exaggerated thoughtfulness. “Let me check the etiquette handbook.”
Nate laughed and tugged me toward the bar. “I’m pretty sure it’s poor etiquette to check the etiquette handbook at parties. Come on.”
I decided on a glass of white wine, which the bartender promptly handed me. Nate went with a beer. We talked for a few moments, but the front door still opened and closed as others arrived. So, Nate pointed me toward the gazebo swelling with party guests. I had no problems with this arrangement. The night was young. I could always find Nate later, and besides, I had my own reasons for mingling with everyone.
Riker and Elena were in excellent spirits, sitting inside the gazebo and recounting the story of their marriage on this very beach to another couple who were holding hands listening intently. “Oh, here’s Tammy,” Elena told the two immediately when she saw me approaching, “Nate’s wedding planner friend we were telling you about.”
“Oh, hi, Tammy.” The guy shook my hand, and the lady smiled, inviting me to sit beside them on the built-in bench.
I learned that the two were a married couple who had met through their passion for real estate, and now they ran a house-flipping business together. “Although, it’s not exactly house flipping,” the woman -Paige, Paige, Paige, I need to remember her name for later- commented. “It’s more like… mansion flipping. Or property flipping. You would be shocked by the number of legal complications some of these lovely old estates in the Hamptons get caught up in, and how many of them stay empty for years while lawyers battle it out with heirs. We work with a lot of properties like that.”
How convenient. When I glanced over at Elena, she winked and steered Riker toward another group gathering around a table brimming over with food.
Shortly, I happened to mention to Paige that I was always on the lookout for new venues to offer my clients, and they were intrigued by the idea. Coincidentally, the couple already had a few places they used as vacation rentals rather than placing them on the market after the restoration process was complete. I put forth the idea that hosting weddings at these locations would make them quite a bit more money than simply using them as vacation rentals. We exchanged business cards, chatted for a few more minutes, and then separated with a promise to keep in touch.
When Nate and I caught up with each other, the party was in full swing, and I was having a great time. “You know, when Claudia told me you were having a party, the first thing I thought of was that party you threw the summer before our senior year.”
Nate winced. “Oh yeah, that party. It was a mistake inviting the entire football team and all the cheerleaders.”
“You think? A bunch of horny teenagers, all in a big house with unlimited alcohol? And let’s not forget… I warned you not to do it.” I furrowed my eyebrows in fake confusion. “What could possibly go wrong?”
“Well, none of the neighbors called the cops, and we got the house cleaned up before she got home!” Nate protested.
“Barely. And your mom chewed you out when she found that beer bottle wedged in the couch cushions,” I giggled.
“Not one of my proudest moments,” Nate admitted. “But this is supposed to be a celebration not a time to dredge up bad memories.”
“Yeah, yeah, sorry. I won’t ruin your party spirit any more than I have already. Do you want to sit on the beach for a bit? I need another drink first, though.” I glanced toward the deck and noticed the bartender didn’t look too busy at the moment.
“Sure. Oh, wait… hold on.” Nate grabbed my hand and tugged me along behind him for the second time that day, stopping in front of yet another young couple. “This is Lizzie and Dalton. They just moved to the Hamptons, and they got engaged a couple of months ago. This is my friend Tammy,” he told them.
“Oh, your wedding planner, friend? Hi Tammy! Nate’s told us a lot about you. We haven’t decided on a date for our wedding yet, but we already have so many ideas! It would be great to have a wedding planner to work with as we get closer to the big day.” Lizzie gestured this way and that, enthusiastically.
“Oh, great, I’d love to give you my card! And you can always find me through Nate,” I told Lizzy, trying to give her multiple avenues to remember me. The clothes and jewelry she wore told me that these two were a couple whose wedding would make a fantastic addition to my portfolio and connect me with some of the wealthiest couples in the Hamptons.
Lizzie had so many questions ranging from designer wedding gowns to honeymoon destinations, and I let her excited chatter fizzle out before excusing myself politely, so Nate and I could sit out by the beach. “You didn’t have to do that,” I told him as we sat down on one of the benches just outside the fence between Riker’s backyard and the sand. “But thank you.”
“I wanted to do it,” he told me, staring out over the surf. “Lizzie seems a little scatterbrained, but she’ll remember you. She and Dalton are new members of the Hamptons Peak, so I’ll be seeing her at the club.”
