LITMIR.BIZ

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honey, how are you?” my mom asks.

      “Good, Mom. Real good,” I lie.

      “So, have you and Jack had time to figure out a theme?”

      I roll my eyes. My mother loves themes and decorating, going all out on any holiday. She wants me and Jack to decide on a theme for our wedding so that she can go overboard with decorations and attire. This is not exactly how I envisioned my wedding and though I love my mother with all my heart, I don’t want my wedding to be a blown-out-of-proportion theme extravaganza. Sure I want there to be symmetry and color coordination with the décor but not any extreme overindulgence in decorations. I’d like a more refined classic look and I’m sure whatever my mom has planned consists of flashing lights and feathers.

      I sigh. “No, we haven’t. I’m not sure that we really want a defined theme.”

      My mother gasps. “What? Lauren, you have to have a theme.”

      “I don’t know, Mom. I don’t think we do. I think we can just have something kind of, you know, toned down.”

      “I see.” The silence is painful. I don’t want to hurt her feelings and I know she only wants to help but I—we—don’t really want the same thing that my mom does and it’s our wedding after all.

      “Mom? I’m sure we can figure some way to incorporate something.”

      “All right, well just let me know. I’m ready to help and I’m putting off all my other planning so that I can be ready for whatever you decide.”

      “Please don’t put anything on hold. I’m sure whatever we come up with won’t need too much time to set up.”

      “I see.”

      My chest tightens. Why can’t she really see? It’s our wedding…not everyone wants to have flags and banners and glitter all over the dance floor. My speakers beep.

      “Mom, Jack’s calling.”

      “All right, honey. I’ll talk to you later.”

      I click the button to accept Jack’s call. “Where are you?”

      I glance at the street sign. “Still on Fifth Street. I haven’t even made it to the beltway yet.” I slump my shoulders.

      “Take the next right and meet me at Sunset Pier.”

      “Okay, I thought we were having dinner in tonight?” I steer my car over to the right lane. The other drivers don’t seem willing to oblige my turn signal or give me enough space to squeeze in. I merge anyway and give a big thank you wave as if they intended to let me in. Ha!

      “I changed my mind. I’ve got a spot saved for you out front.”

      “Great, I’ll see you in a minute.” I disconnect the line.

      I do love Sunset Pier. It is truly one of the most romantic restaurants in Baltimore, but I was looking forward to getting out of my beige skirt suit and pumps. These heels are killer black stilettos but I’m ready to step out of them and into something comfy. Normally, I would dress a little more casual on Friday, but at the moment I can’t downplay anything at work. I have to dress and act the part of a power player. Especially if I’m going to compete with Trent and his new team. They are all doing impressively well, whereas my team is taking time to find its feet. I’m going to have to have a major meeting on Monday and come up with a few strategies to bring up our numbers and get on top. If I’m going to keep Trent from his next promotion I’ll have to make sure that my numbers are always higher than his and right now they are not.

      I sigh and take a left and immediately my spirits lift. Jack is standing in a parking space in front of the restaurant. My stomach does a tiny dance of excitement. I steer my car into the spot and hop out.

      Jack wraps his arms around me and squeezes my body into his. “It seems like I haven’t seen you in days not hours.” His lips meet mine and tingles trail down my arms.

      “It’s good to see you too.” I flitter my eyelashes. “Really good…it’s been a day.”

      “Did something happen?” Jack’s hands grip my arms as he stares down into my eyes.

      I shake my head. “Not anything particular.” I roll my eyes. “You know, just office stuff.”

      Jack nods. “Office stuff. Is that code for Trent?” He cocks his head and tips my chin up to him so that I can’t look away.

      “Well, you know he got the promotion…he’s just being…well, Trent.” I shake my head. “Come on, let’s go eat.” I turn towards the restaurant.

      Jack pulls me back into him. “Lauren, if he’s causing problems we need to talk about it.”

      “He’s just being himself. You know. And his team’s doing really well, but a bit of competition never hurt. Let’s go, come on.” I nod my head towards the restaurant door.

      Jack purses his mouth to the side as if he is thinking about saying something. But instead he guides me in past the doors of Sunset Pier. The restaurant is filled with white lines and topped with the glow of individual candles.

      The host leads us to the back patio and we sit down. The place is packed. It’s a very popular restaurant and on Friday nights they set up a salsa dance floor. My eyes widen. Jack is going to want to dance. I just know it.

      “Can you put off the wedding dress hunt for tomorrow?” Jack squeezes my hand.

      “I suppose I could reschedule it. Why?” I pick up my wineglass.

      “I want to take you somewhere.” Jack’s ocean blues sparkle at me like he can’t wait to fill me in on a big secret.

      “Okay, let me text Brianna.” I pull out my cell and there is a text message from Trent.

       Do you want to meet for drinks and we can discuss your team’s numbers and maybe a way I can help?

      My eyes strain from reading it. He is really ridiculous. I can’t bel— Well actually I can. Why doesn’t he just leave me alone? I’m sure whatever his plan is involves a way for him to look better and get him one step closer to his next promotion. I have no intention of responding to his text or offer so I delete it.

      I type a quick message to Brianna.

       Jack wants to take me somewhere tomorrow, so can we reschedule the hunt?

       Oh…he does? Does he? ;)

      I squint my eyes. Does she know where Jack wants to take me? I toss my phone in my purse and take a long sip of my wine. I want to drift away right now. The woodsy notes of the Cabernet glide down my throat and I take in the sights. Jack.

      His soft blond hair is parted to the side and I want to reach for him and run my fingers through it. I wish we were at my house so we could be nuzzled up together in bed and not so far apart at this restaurant.

      “What’s on your mind?” Jack squeezes my thigh under the table. I’ll never forget the first time he did that at Vintage Estates on Thanksgiving. All of my grandmother’s friends were around us.

      “You.” I sip my wine.

      “You’re always on my mind too, Lauren. I never would have thought a year ago that I’d be sitting in a restaurant in Baltimore on a Friday night across from the most gorgeous woman to ever cross my path.” His eyes flicker at me with a hunger that I want to feed. Can’t we just skip the meal and head home?

      “One would think that if you were so interested you might have been a little more forthcoming with sharing your pecans.” I toss my hair over my shoulder.

      “I couldn’t simply hand over the pecans. Life isn’t about taking the first opportunity. Sometimes things have to build and progress.” Jack takes a sip of his wine.

      “Maybe, but we’re talking about pecans. Or are we?”

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