Page 16 of Second Chances (Passion and Perseverance #2)

Chapter Eight

Beth sat at her desk, reviewing the details of the night over and over again, making sure she hadn’t missed anything.

She was usually pretty OCD about the events that she was working, even though she’d been coordinating Renée’s birthday party for years now, but this time it was different and not just because of it being combined with the film’s after-party celebration; this time she had a date.

This time she had Darcy.

There were a lot of firsts going to happen tonight.

The first time she would bring a significant other to an event.

The first time she and Darcy would be together in public, even if they were keeping the relationship private for the time being.

The first time he would see her working.

Lots of firsts. And who was she kidding?

She was getting anxious just thinking about it, she couldn’t leave anything to chance, and that’s why she was even more fanatical this morning making sure everything for the party was in order: guest list, press passes, caterer, DJ, photographer. She’d checked in with everyone.

She looked at the time again, about an hour left before she had to head out and grab lunch on the way to the venue.

She liked to stop by the day of the event to make sure the decorations and set-up were going smoothly.

Then, it would be time to head home and get ready.

Ugh. Another thing she was worried about - her dress.

It had arrived yesterday, on time, but with everything that had happened, from brunch to the gallery space viewing, topped off with what had happened when she had gotten back to the apartment, she hadn’t had a chance to try the dress on, which meant she was praying that it fit because she had zero time to find something else to wear.

God, she hoped it would look really good .

Over dinner last night, she’d talked to Darcy about her schedule for the day, trying to gently probe how he wanted to handle it - if he just wanted to meet her at the event so that there were no questions about why they arrived together, etc.

He’d said he had a lot of meetings and things to catch up on, since traveling to Chicago had been unplanned and taken time out of his week, but just when she thought that he was implying that he would just meet her there, he said that he would make sure he was done in time to escort her.

She felt butterflies again, remembering how giddy it had made her feel.

She told him that even though the event started at eight, she’d like to be there by seven to make sure everything was on track, plus the press usually liked to show up early to get a prime shooting location and first interviews.

“Beth?”

She looked up from her computer to see Phil peeking his head in through her door; she must not have heard his knock.

“Hey, Phil. What’s up?”

“Just wanted to check in and see how everything is going. I know you have an event tonight so I won’t keep you long.”

“Oh, no. It’s fine; I’m all set for that,” she reassured him, feeling guilty about her recent lackluster focus, “Everything is going really well. I just met with Caroline yesterday actually. It was a pretty crazy day; I didn’t get a chance to touch base with you.”

“Not a problem. How did everything go?”

“Really well, I think. She actually took me over to see her gallery space and we went over a couple of ideas for decor and presentation,” she began, focusing back on that conversation so she could relay what else had transpired. “Caro actually wants to do the opening in three weeks.”

“Wow! That’s soon. Is she going to have all the pieces by then? I mean, I would have to assume so,” Phil responded, shocked at the timeline.

“That’s what I was thinking, but it turns out that she has all the pieces completed already. She said that they are actually many of her original works that she has been holding onto and is now ready to part with, so she’s all ready to go.”

“Wonderful! So, what’s the next step? ”

“Guest list. She’s getting me names and I’m going to send her over some suggestions of people who I think might be interested. Monday I’m going to start contacting vendors based on the design elements we discussed and get some pricing squared away and go from there.”

“Great,” Phil said with a smile and nod of his head. “Well, I’ll let you get back to it; I know you have a busy night ahead.”

“Thanks,” she said as he left her office.

She didn’t like feeling as though Phil felt he had to check up on her, but she knew it was only with the best intentions that he did.

She was actually glad that he had stopped by because she had completely forgotten to update him on Caroline’s showing.

While her mind was still focused on that, she opened up her master vendor list and selected a few of the names, putting them in her task list for Monday to contact.

To close out her thoughts on the gallery for the weekend, she opened a new email to Caro.

Caro,

It was great meeting you yesterday. Thanks for taking the time to show me around your studio.

I love your ideas for the space and I’m confident that we can create a memorable exhibition for you.

I’ll be contacting some vendors Monday morning to get some pricing together and I’ve attached a list of some contacts that we have that would be very interested in your work.

If you’re OK with them, I will add their names to the guest list.

On a separate note, I’ve thought about your offer and I think that having Jane’s bridal shower at your house might work out best if we are going to keep it a surprise.

If that still works for you, I’ll figure out Jane’s schedule and talk with my mom to set a date.

I know she’s eager to move things along but I don’t want to do it before your show - I think that would be too unfair to you but maybe the week or so afterward. Just a thought …

Ok, thanks again. Let me know if you have any questions or ideas. I have a big event tonight so I probably won’t be responsive until sometime tomorrow. Chat soon,

Beth

Hitting the ‘send’ button, Beth looked up at the clock on her computer and realized that it was time for her to head out. Eager for the day to keep moving, she quickly printed her cheat sheet of notes for the evening’s event and packed up her computer.

Hopping into a cab, her phone buzzed with an email just as they pulled away from the curb; it was Caro.

Beth,

Thanks for following up! Yes, please, add anyone to the list you think is fit. I’ll send you my guest list by the end of the weekend.

I would love to host Jane’s shower if that would work best for you. Just let me know when and if there is anything else I can do to help - Jane is a doll.

We’ll chat next week! See you tonight - ciao!

Caro

See her tonight? What did she mean? Beth wondered as the cab navigated the busy streets of the city.

Did she know Renée? Beth hadn’t even looked over the updated and expanded guest list since Renée’s assistant had been on top of sending that to her for the past several years; plus, she’d never wondered who was going to be attending before.

Well, it would be nice to see someone she actually knew there.

Even though Jane knew about her and Darcy, and she was sure that Charles did too, Beth wasn’t sure how comfortable she was with Caro or anyone else knowing about their relationship yet; there was still too much at stake .

Her thoughts were derailed as the cab came to an abrupt stop in front of the Ritz Central Park - the venue for tonight’s event.

She would have enough on her mind trying to successfully navigate a public event with Darcy tonight, on top of the fact that she would actually be working too; she didn’t have time or brain power to worry about other people right now.

Hitting the elevator button for the mezzanine level, Beth pulled her event folder from her bag and pulled out the pre-event checklist she’d made up.

Exiting the elevator, she was treated to large floral displays accented with purple balloons at the entrance to the Emery Roth Room, the largest event space in the hotel.

She should have known this gathering was going to bigger than the last when Renée requested both Salons instead of just Salon I like she usually did.

God, had she really been that spacey lately?

Her head shook subconsciously at herself as she looked down at her list to begin her preliminary exam.

Purple and white entrance hydrangeas - Check .

Dark purple and silver balloons - Check .

Congratulations banner - Not up yet .

Beth made her way into the venue space looking for Nancy, the event coordinator at the Ritz who would be overseeing the set-up. She spotted the older woman in the smaller Salon 2 talking to a small group that appeared to be the bar and wait staff.

“Nancy,” Beth exclaimed as she walked up to the group. “Sorry for interrupting you. Could I borrow you for just a minute to go over a few things?” She apologetically asked as Nancy turned around to see who was addressing her.

“Oh, Beth! Of course,” she said with a smile. “John, David, could you each make me one of the signature cocktails while you wait? Liz, can you go check downstairs and make sure the food is running on schedule?”

The small crowd quickly dispersed to perform their tasks while Nancy gave Beth her full attention.

“I’m sorry; I just wanted to stop by and see how things were going,” Beth said with a sheepish smile.

“Of course, of course. Although, I do have to say I think everything is pretty much on track here. ”

“Great, I just have a few questions,” Beth began. “I didn’t see the ‘Happy Birthday’ banner on the way in…”