Cold Feet

CHRISTINE

I’ve been a wedding planner for a long time. I’m the best in the game and I’m not about to let a young upstart challenge for my crown. There’s one person who I come up against more and more and it’s her. Viola. I’ve lost a lot of business to her. I’m still doing great numbers and growing but I could grow so much faster if she wasn’t fishing in my pond.

Who the hell does she think she is? I know this business inside out. There isn’t that much to it when you’re an expert. It’s easy to pinpoint the weak points in any wedding planner’s business. Hell, they’re the same weak spots as mine and that makes it even easier to take her down. Her assistant didn’t want to take my offer but that’s okay. It’s just one point of attack.

When I’m finished, they’ll both be crawling to me.

I look at the brochure I took from their booth and start to formulate my plan of attack. I boot up my laptop and am soon on Viola’s website looking for the information I need. I can’t find what I’m looking for so I try another angle. I go to the gallery and testimonials.

Bingo! I make notes of the information I am looking for and then close the site.

I pick up the phone and dial Viola’s office number.

The phone is answered promptly.

“Hi, this is Mrs. Anderson.”

“Yes, Mrs. Anderson. How can I help you? This is Jessica.”

The assistant. “We’re having a party soon for Mr. Anderson’s office and he asked me about the band that we had at the wedding. I thought I’d give you a call and find out if I could contact them to see if they’re available. Would it be possible to give me their number?”

“Sure, Mrs. Anderson. I’d be only too happy to. Hold on while I get the details.”

I wait a few moments and then Jessica comes on the line again. “Here you go, Mrs. Anderson.”

She gives me the contact name and number for Steve from the band called ‘Plastered’. I thank her and hang up.

I smile and mentally congratulate myself. It’s that easy.

I arrange to meet him to discuss hiring the band

enter the coffee shop. He recognizes me from the clothes I told him I’d be wearing and waves to me. I cross to the booth and slide in opposite him. I feel his eyes appraise me as I sit down. I’ve worn a short skirt and a tight, white cotton blouse that accentuates my breasts. It’s unbuttoned just far enough to reveal a glimpse of

I help you?” Steve

a confession,

that?” Steve

I need a band for a party, I wasn’t being totally honest. I’d like your band to play for

Steve frowns.

planner, just like Viola

you know we go back a long way. I mean I’d be happy to support you when you have a

shake my head. “I thought you’d say that Steve but I have to say I’m looking for a reversal of that proposed arrangement. You play all my weddings and fit her in where you can. I’ll

can tell his mind is working overtime and I can tell where it’s headed so I cut

deal. Right here, right now. There’s no going to Viola and bargaining with her. I’m

I call the band and discuss it with them?”

a gig. Doesn’t matter who you play for

but his loyalty is still to Viola. “When’s the first

‘Saturday.”

That’s two days

“And?”

wedding with Viola. We can’t just drop her

my tone. “You guys have a good name out there. It’s why I came to you first. But you’re not the only band. I’ll say this too, and I don’t mean to sound like I’m bragging but when it comes to wedding planners, I. Am. The. Best. So, you can decide if you’re going to be loyal to number

can tell he’s not happy. Then he shakes his head. “We can start next week. Not

guess I’ll have to find another band then,” I say and

“No deal?” Steve asks.

offered you a

deal’s only a deal where both parties are