“Well, because of his schedule, we would have to be married in the summertime,” Helena explains and all I can do is nod at that.
“Do you know what services you are looking for?” Sofia asks her and Helena just looks at her dumbfounded. “There are wedding planners and there are wedding coordinators.” God, I missed her voice. “A wedding planner assists you in planning the entire wedding or specific wedding activities. What we do is provide you with a list of vendors for the wedding and you tell us if you have a specific vendor in mind, and we will handle all contracts on behalf of you.” Helena looks over at me. “I will be there every single step of the way as soon as you sign the contract until the last guest has left your wedding reception.”
“What does a coordinator do?” Helena asks, and I literally want to get the fuck out of here as fast and as soon as I can. My body feels like it’s been asleep for the past two fucking years, and all of a sudden, every single sense in my body has been awoken.
“A coordinator is there for you for a specific period, be it a month before the wedding or even sometimes two weeks before the wedding. You provide the list of venues and then I make sure everyone shows up,” Sofia says and then she starts talking about other things, but I can’t even concentrate on what she is saying right now. The only thing I can do is beg for this to be over.
“That is something to discuss.” I finally find my words and look over at Helena. “We should discuss things and then we can get back to you.” I turn now to look at Sofia, seeing her smirk and then look down. Everything about her is polished, from the softness of her makeup to the way her nails are manicured. She was always so put together, except when we went riding horses. It was the only time she would let her hair down. It was one of her favorite things to do. I wonder if it still is.
“That is the best way to do it,” she suggests and pushes away from the table now. She stands up and Helena follows her. I put the bottle of water back down on the table, untouched except for the time when I was squeezing the shit out of it.
I stand as Helena walks in front of me to stand in front of Sofia. “If you have any questions,” Sofia says as she walks out with us, “please give me a call. One of the team members will be happy to assist you in any way we can.” She stops walking when we are in front of the door and my heart speeds up for a whole different reason. I’m leaving her and I’m not ready.
“Thank you so much,” Helena replies, holding out her hand to shake Sofia’s, “for taking the time to sit with us and discuss things with me.”
“This is what I’m here for,” she responds, extending her hand to shake Helena’s. “Mr. Petrov,” she says with a tight smile, “it was a pleasure meeting you.”
My hand extends to shake hers, and unlike before, I squeeze her hand just a touch. “We will be in touch.”
She lets go of my hand, but it feels like she’s still holding it as my hand falls to my side. “Well, whatever it will be. Congratulations on the engagement and the best of luck for the wedding.”
I nod at her and look at Helena, putting my hand at the base of her back and ushering her out of the place. The door closes behind me and it takes everything I have not to look back. “We aren’t using her.”
sofia
I wait for the door to close and then literally count to ten before I let out the huge breath I have been holding in. I look up to the ceiling, blinking as I breathe in and out to get my heart rate down. I’m surprised I didn’t have a fucking heart attack. “What. The. Actual. Fuck,” I curse out loud as the adrenaline I had running through me slowly leaves and the reality hits me. “This is not happening.” I walk on shaky knees, looking in the offices and seeing no one is there. I hear chatter coming from the end of the hallway and walk into our makeshift conference room.
The three of them sit around the round table, each looking down at the paper in front of them. I walk in and place the manila folder on the table. “I quit,” I declare to all of them, pulling out a chair and sitting in it because my knees are going to give out. I’m so filled with nerves I quickly get back up and start pacing the room. “I’m not doing that.” I point at the file on the table and feel like it’s a ticking time bomb before quickly exiting the room.
“Oh, shit,” I hear Presley say from behind me as the sound of the three of them getting up fills the room.
“She needs some of the sweet tea,” Clarabella says in a whisper but not really whispering.