Page 62 of Until Now
“What? Spit it out, Michaela.”
“Nick is going to be at the wedding.”
Oh, right. That.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
I hand thevalet my keys with a smile and thank the doorman as I enter the hotel. The front desk girl recognizes me; apparently, I designed her cousin’s home in Charlotte. She continues gushing about how much she loved the aesthetic even after she passes me the room key. “I’m sorry, hun, I’m talkin’ your ear off and I’m sure you wanna get upstairs before the events.”
“Nonsense. I appreciate it,” I smile. “But, I do need to meet the bride a little early, so I should probably go.” I thank the girl again and almost make it to the elevator without incident. I hit the call button just as someone yells my name.
“Hi, Jenny.” I embrace her and the older man next to her. Jenny and Patrick Davis — Josh and Michaela’s parents. Patrick owns a local accounting firm in Winchester and Jenny is a school teacher at Winchester Elementary. While they live humbly, they do well in the financial department. Probably why Mother didn’t fuss when Elizabeth started dating Josh. It doesn’t hurt Josh makes almost six figures a year at the marketing firm.
“We’re glad you made it. Will your parents be here?”
“Unfortunately, they won’t. But, I’m sure they will make it up one way or another.” Their gift would have been great anyway, but now Mother would make sure Elizabeth received an even better gift since they won’t be here.
“Elizabeth was looking for you, did you get a chance to speak with her?”
“Pat! Jenny!” I hear someone call to them. Turning, I see a man around the same age walking towards us. He has similar features to Nick — dark brown hair, chiseled jaw, and gruff voice, but his eyes are the color of the ocean. I’m sure it’s Jimmy Davis. I stand to the side as Jenny and Patrick welcome him. I notice the tattoos covering his left arm extending further under the sleeve of his T-shirt.
“Jim, this is Nina. Elizabeth’s sister,” Jenny introduces us.
Jimmy and I share a knowing look. And to confirm what he already knows, Jimmy asks, “As in Villa?”
“The same,” I say with a shy smile and shake his hand.
“Nina, you know Michaela and Josh’s cousin, Nick? Well, this is his father.”
“It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“You too, sweetheart.” Jimmy squeezes my hand before finally releasing it.
“Well, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go, Elizabeth wants to meet before dinner. I need to get some work done and want to get a run in beforehand.” I press the elevator call button again, the doors open immediately.
“Of course, I’m sorry to keep you. I’m sure Elizabeth will have you very busy this weekend,” Jenny says as I step inside.
“Very,” I give Jenny a small wave and share one last look with Jimmy before the doors close between us.
§
700 Drayton is one of my favorite restaurants in Savannah. Not just for the food, but the warm, bohemian atmosphere carried over from the hotel. I love admiring the different art covering the walls — my favorite is the large leopard painting that hangs in the far back room where they’ve set smaller tables for other guests attending the rehearsal dinner. The wedding party will occupy a long table that has been set in the main dining space.
Employees scurry around finalizing last minute touches before dinner. A young waitress bumps into me almost knocking the wine glass from my hands. “Oh my gosh, I am so sorry. I wasn’t looking and—”
“It’s okay, I was in your way.” I laugh and check my outfit to make sure no wine spilled on me. “Just yell at me to move next time.”
The waitress blushes and runs off for the pre-shift meeting.
I use one of the mirrors in the lobby to double-check my appearance. I readjust my high-waisted black pants and straightened my blouse, a satin emerald color that matches my eyes. I apply a fresh coat of nude lipstick popping my lips just as Elizabeth and the wedding planner descend the stairs. The planner goes over the evening’s schedule for the millionth time. Elizabeth dismisses her mid-sentence when they reach the lobby. She sighs when the planner is gone, “This is too much.”
“Isn’t that why you have a wedding planner?”
“I just want it to be perfect, Nin. It feels like I’m going to mess up. There is so much that could go wrong.”
“It’s going to be great, Elizabeth. You just need to relax.” I pull her to the bar and ask for a glass of white wine.
“I don’t think I should.”
