[Event to Remember 01.0] An Event to Remember...or Forget Read online

  An Event to Remember . . . Or Forget

  Event to Remember Book 1

  Melissa Baldwin

  Contents

  About An Event to Remember . . . or Forget

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Epilogue

  Dear Reader

  A Peek at Wedding Haters

  Also by Melissa Baldwin

  Now Available - One Way Ticket

  About the Author

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2014 Melissa Baldwin

  All rights reserved.

  ISBN: 0692226656

  ISBN-13: 978-0692226650

  Edited & Formatted by Karan & Co. Author Solutions

  About An Event to Remember . . . or Forget

  Sienna Harris is a girl with a plan. Her days of slaving away at Carrie’s Classic Events and More are numbered as she is on the brink of launching her own event planning company. Her relationship with Luke Price is headed in the right direction and they are approaching their one-year mark. The future is looking bright and she knows that life could not get any better . . . That is until her perfectly planned world is thrown upside down by the unexpected arrival of someone from Luke’s past.

  She receives the shock of her life on the night of the biggest event of her career. Sienna will now have to pull it all together without a list or a plan. The question is, can she do it?

  To my amazing husband, thank you for encouraging me to follow my dream and keeping me motivated. I love you.

  To my sweet little girl, you make me want to be the best person I can be. You are my greatest accomplishment.

  To my parents, thank you for giving me life, for teaching me about hard work, independence, and making good decisions.

  To my friends and family, especially those who cheered me on, gave me advice, and helped me while I was writing, you are the best!

  Chapter One

  When something embarrassing happens, why do I continue to relive it over and over in my head? I always wish I had done something…different. Made a different decision, went a different course—blah, blah, blah. Or in this case—on this particular day—wore different shoes or stayed at the office and actually worked like I’m supposed to do.

  If I had, then I wouldn’t have fallen, my smoothie never would have spilled all over the floor, and I wouldn’t have split my favorite black pants right up the seam. This is what I get for trying to be frugal. I will never buy cheap pants again. Lesson learned.

  I laugh despite my embarrassing memory. Yes, it’s true. I, Sienna Harris, soon-to-be successful company owner, slipped and tore my favorite pants. And to make matters worse, I did so in the mall in front of hundreds of happy shoppers. Okay, so maybe it wasn’t hundreds, but it was a lot. Does the number really matter?

  This wasn’t the most embarrassing moment of my life though. When I was in ninth grade, Katie What’s-Her-Face wrote ‘Sienna Harris loves insert quarterback’s name here’ on the bathroom wall with a permanent marker. I brought my own marker to school the next day and spent an hour scratching over it as tears fell. My life was over that day—or so I thought then. I still cringe at that memory, and for some reason, that humiliation continues to haunt me.

  When I return to the office, I call my roommate Madison to tell her all about my recent misfortune. She laughs but doesn’t seem surprised at all because I tend to get myself into funny situations like this often. The subject quickly changes to my boyfriend Luke whom she absolutely can’t stand. I’m fairly sure the only reason she’s asking about him is to question my reason for continuing to date him. It seems like we have this conversation daily.

  Madison’s boyfriend is awesome. He’s a stand-up comedian so, of course, people love him. At some point, she has to realize that we can’t all be so lucky to be dating Mr. Personality/Mr. Popular/Mr. Perfect, right? I could go on forever with a glowing review of Cole, but I’m sure you get the point.

  I change the subject to our friend Abby’s upcoming birthday party. Even though I haven’t officially launched my company yet, this will be the first event that I’m organizing on my own. I’m still working for Carrie’s Classic Events and More, but not for long. Hooray! Even though I basically run Carrie’s, it still isn’t mine.

  Madison is extremely creative. She’s one of those women that should have a famous online blog, and I tell her this all the time. She could have tutorials on everything from perfect cookies to hair to sewing your own evening gown. Okay, maybe not the last part because she doesn’t sew, but if she tried, she would probably whip up a gown that would be red-carpet-approved on her first try. She’s a freelance hairstylist and also has her own cookie business on the side. She makes the most creative and delicious designer cookies I’ve ever tasted.

  After we finish discussing the party details, I hang up and flip to the Notepad app on my phone to check my afternoon to-do list. I’m a bit obsessed with lists and planning and organizing. Okay, very obsessed, but in my defense, it’s my job to be organized. My co-workers like to call me the Queen of Lists, and I take it as a compliment. Maybe it’s lame, but I really don’t care.

  Today’s list:

  Upcoming event review with Craig and Nicole

  Save-the-dates for Faith, Fashion, and Hope event

  Follow up with DJ for Abby’s party

  Count linens

  Check with pastry team on cupcakes

  Nordstrom to pick up my shoes

  Oh yeah, in addition to lists and planning, I’m also a teeny-tiny bit obsessed with shoes. According to my mother, this obsession began when at age two, when my grandmother gave me my first pair of red patent-leather shoes. Thanks, Grandma.

  Through my door, I see Craig and Nicole sitting with their heads together looking at something they clearly find extremely entertaining.

  “Are you two plotting something diabolical?” I shout, and they jump up as if I caught them with their hands in the cookie jar.

  “It’s just Carrie’s latest bill from her plastic surgeon,” Nicole says. She’s Carrie’s personal assistant/slave. She pays all her bills, arranges her travel, and dodges her calls from VIP—the usual personal slave stuff.

  I basically oversee all the events that we plan, which I don’t mind because I’ve made some fantastic contacts for my own company. Speaking of, I’m hoping to launch it within the next couple of months. Carrie seems oblivious to the rumors circulating about me leaving. I don’t know, maybe she doesn’t believe them, or maybe she doesn’t care? You never know with her.

  “So, what’s her damage this month? I don’t know what other procedures she could have done,” I add thoughtfully.

  Craig laughs. “I think it’s just more tweaking.”

  “Okay, guys, let’s review this week.”

  They pick up their tablets.

  “Craig, is everything ready for Thursday’s corporate lunch?”

  “Of course,” he says as if I’ve asked him the most ridiculous question ever. “The catering team has it all lined up
. They will arrive at ten thirty to set up. I just have to pick up the awards and plaques. I’ll bring those that morning to set up the display. It will be fabulous! All the other details are taken care of as well.”

  Craig is insanely creative and dedicated when he isn’t getting caught up in drama. I adore him and am beyond happy that he’s leaving Carrie’s to come to work with me.

  “Nicole, is Carrie planning on making an appearance at the Samson engagement this weekend?”

  “I have no idea.” She rolls her eyes. “She should be in the office tomorrow or Wednesday, so we can find out for sure then.”

  I sigh. Carrie is basically just a name behind the company—at least she has been for the past few years. Her mother started it, made it a success, and passed it on to her. She’s told me on several occasions—after she’d been drinking—that her heart has never been in it even though she ran the company for years before I came along. I really think people still hire us because it’s considered a legacy. Most people know that Carrie is ‘unavailable.’ I find it hard to respect her as my boss because she’s mostly hands-off, but at the same time, I feel like I owe her as she hired me out of college and taught me a lot early in my career.

  “I guess I’ll speak to her when—if—she comes in. Is the catering team set for the Saturday party then?”

  “Everything is good to go,” replies Craig. “I had a quick meeting with the pastry team and confirmed with the band. The décor is on the schedule to be set up Friday night.”

  “Okay. Remember you’re on your own on Friday night because I have Abby’s party. I’ll be at the hotel early on Saturday morning to check up on everything.” I scroll down on my phone to my to-do list. “Have the save-the-dates gone out for the Faith, Fashion, and Hope event?”

  Nicole nods. “They went out this morning.”

  “Perfect,” I exclaim. I’m so excited about this event. The Cantons have been personal friends for years; I used to babysit their children. They started this event for their charity that raises money to help disabled children. They only hired Carrie’s because of me, and they made that very clear to Carrie. I’m extremely grateful to them, and they will be a huge help with the launch of my company. Faith, Fashion, and Hope will be my last official event with Carrie’s.

  “Great job, guys,” I grab my bag and phone. “I’ll be in my office if you need me.”

  I sit down at my desk to check emails and call Luke.

  “Hey, honey,” Luke says brightly when he picks up.

  “Hi, how’s your day?” I ask, opening my email.

  “Pretty good. Just working on last-minute details for the billboards for downtown. What are you up to?”

  “I’m finishing up plans Abby’s bash on Friday.”

  “Ohhhh, yeah, about that . . .”

  My heart sinks.

  “What? Please don’t tell me you aren’t coming.”

  “I have to make an appearance at that new restaurant opening. You know how hard we worked on that account.”

  I can feel my pulse speed up.

  “And you know how hard I’ve worked on this event,” I reply through clenched teeth.

  “I know, and it will be great. I will make it up to you, I promise.”

  I can tell by his voice that he’s sorry, but that doesn’t excuse him cancelling on me—again.

  “I do have some good news,” he says, changing the subject. “I got reservations at Venice for our anniversary next week. I want it to be the perfect night.”

  “What? How?” I shout louder than I intended. I’ve been dying to try that place. Venice is supposed to be the hottest new place in all of Southern California.

  “Magic,” he exclaims. “Babe, I need to return some calls. Can we talk about it after work?”

  “Okay.” I hang up the phone. I’m so excited about Venice that I almost forget he cancelled on me. I already know I’ll never hear the end of this from Madison.

  I look at my list and already feel better. I have a lot to look forward to so I can’t let this ruin my day. I check off ‘Upcoming event review with Craig and Nicole’ and ‘Save-the-dates.’ I send quick emails to the DJ and the pastry team then start counting the linens that have overtaken my office.

  I can’t believe Luke got us a table at Venice; that place is impossible to get into, and he knows how much I’ve wanted to go there. Next Thursday will be our ten-month anniversary, and it has flown by.

  I remember the day we met like it was yesterday. I was running some errands for Carrie, who was on yet another one of her spa weekends. I had to drop off some papers at the building where Luke’s advertising firm is located. He was in the lobby when I walked in, and our eyes met immediately. He greeted me right away and was very friendly and incredibly helpful. And so attractive.

  He asked me out for the following weekend, and we’ve been dating ever since. He can be very sweet, but he can also be very undependable. This is the main reason why Madison isn’t crazy about him. I think she has some unrealistic expectations, being that her boyfriend is almost perfect, or so he seems. I admit sometimes Luke puts other things before me, but he always seems to make up for it. And in his defense, these things are usually work-related. I can’t fault him for trying to be successful in his career when I’m doing the same thing.

  We have a blast when we’re together, and his family is really great. And yes, I have thought about the ‘M word.’ Is that crazy? It’s only been ten months. I know I’m only twenty-seven years old, but my mother was nineteen when she got married. Sometimes I feel ancient.

  Okay, focus Sienna. I don’t have time to worry about the ‘M word’ right now. I’m getting ready to launch a fabulous event planning company of my very own. In the meantime, I have to throw my friend the best birthday bash ever on Friday.

  Nicole knocks on my door interrupting my daydream. “Sienna?”

  “Hey, Nic, come on in.”

  She walks in, moves the table linens that are covering my office chairs, and sits down.

  “Carrie just called. She’ll be in the office tomorrow but is going out of town this weekend. So, that would make her a no-show for the Samson party.”

  Nicole doesn’t seem surprised, and honestly, neither am I.

  “She says we can have an office meet and greet at ten.” That’s Carrie’s phrase for ‘a quick meeting to make sure all the upcoming events are covered.’

  “Got it on my calendar,” I say after adding it to my phone. “I just need to finish counting these linens, and then I have to run some errands.” I look around the room at the sea of colored fabric strewn about.

  “Okay, I’m off to book Carrie’s weekend. She’s going with the sisters again.” Nicole chuckles. Carrie is fifty-seven years old and takes all of her spa weekends with her sorority sisters from college. These women are…interesting, to say the least. Most of them are divorced multiple times from wealthy men and just collect monthly checks. Carrie was married once for probably about twenty minutes. Since then, she’s had random flings with men from all over the globe. None of us really know the full story—mostly just gossip that has been passed along. The paparazzi have had a field day with her shenanigans. I’ve never understood why they care about her; it’s not like she’s a celebrity in any sense of the word. ‘Washed-up socialite’ is a more appropriate description.

  “Of course,” I say, smiling at her. “Hey, maybe one day she’ll invite you to go along with them.” I laugh as Nicole cringes at my suggestion.

  “Seriously? I would die. And the only reason she’d invite me would be to hold her back or fetch her espresso or cocktails.” She pauses. “On the other hand, maybe she would treat me to Botox and lip injections if I went along.”

  “Botox?” I exclaim loudly. “Nicole, you are only twenty-three. Why would you get Botox?”

  “Hey, it’s never too early to start,” she replies as she heads out of my office.

  Okay, I won’t lie. I’ve had Botox, and it is fabulous. Yeah, yeah, I know I’m on
ly twenty-seven, but Nicole is right, it’s never too early.

  I finish counting and organizing the linens then bring them out to Craig’s desk.

  “These are ready to roll,” I tell him. “The navy and gold are for Thursday, and the yellow and turquoise are for Saturday. Can you remember that?”

  “Yes!” he scowls. Craig’s first week here, he mixed up the linens for a few different events, and we nicknamed him ‘Linen Man’ for a while. He still hates it when we bring it up.

  “Craig, you know you’re our favorite,” I exclaim as I try to give him a big bear hug.

  “Whatever,” he says loudly, pulling away from me.

  “I have to run a few errands,” I tell him as I gather my stuff.

  “Do you mean a Nordstrom errand?” Craig replies. Now it’s his turn to tease me.

  “Ha ha, and yes, Nordstrom is on my list if you must know. For business purposes, of course.”

  “Of course, where would any of us be without our list queen?” Craig opens his arms wide.

  “Exactly. We’d all be lost, and don’t you forget it,” I call over my shoulder as I walk out the door.

  On my way to the store, I make a mental note of last-minute extras for Abby’s party. I also have a few things to follow up on for the Cantons’ charity event. My phone rings, and I answer when I see Madison is calling.

  “What’s up?”

  “Did you go to Nordstrom yet?” she teases.

  I laugh. “On my way now.”