Page 31 of The Summer We Made Promises (The Destin Diaries #3)
T essa wanted to take credit for the spot-on perfection that was this slightly over-the-top Bat Mitzvah party, but she couldn’t. So much of this was Lacey’s doing.
It helped that Jennifer Kaplan had a massive budget and an ego to match, and she’d thrown money at the event to thrill her daughter and impress her friends.
Although maybe not in that order, Tessa thought as she watched the woman flit from guest to guest. Even the formal dress she’d worn was more appropriate for a black-tie wedding than a thirteen-year-old’s religious ceremony and party.
But Jenn wanted to impress, and Tessa Wylie Events had certainly delivered the goods.
The ballroom of the Emerald Crest Clubhouse had been transformed into the most delightfully upscale jungle any Florida suburb had ever seen. Oversized tropical leaves fanned out from centerpieces on every table, scattered with golden monkeys and tiny zebra figurines.
Lush greenery cascaded from ceiling drapery that billowed like a rainforest canopy, and the focal wall behind the DJ booth was a massive balloon arch in earthy greens and browns with a white neon sign glowing in the center: STAY WILD.
Maybe not what Tessa would have chosen for this particular occasion, but young Naomi was electrified by her big event.
She sparkled in a leopard-print dress with rhinestone straps, currently dancing with a circle of eighth-grade girls who were still blissfully young enough to be awkward and innocent.
Tessa scanned the room, checking off her invisible mental list. DJ? Pumping out kid-appropriate bangers. Caterers? Plating sliders and chicken skewers. Photographer? Zooming in on a group of kids posing in front of the Safari-themed picture wall.
Again, Lacey had been invaluable making all this work.
Tessa adjusted a palm frond that had come loose from one of the photo backdrops and smoothed her palms down her teal jumpsuit, satisfied with everything. She turned toward the banquet room where the parents were chatting over cocktails.
Then she spotted Lacey talking to the catering manager at the cupcake table, preparing for the big cake reveal. But that had to come after the dog.
Threading her way around pre-teens and filled tables, Tessa made her way over.
“All good?” she asked as the caterer walked away and left Lacey eyeing the desserts.
“We’re planning the timing of the Pickles presentation,” Lacey said, glancing at her phone.
“Roman’s on the way and will be in the back parking lot.
Jennifer wants the kids sugared up on the first dessert…
” She gestured toward the cupcakes. “For maximum screamage, I suppose, when Pickles arrives on the scene.”
Tessa laughed and, right on cue, a pack of girls descended on the cupcakes, doing their level best to get “sugared up” as her client wanted.
“I don’t think Naomi needs the sugar to get excited,” Tessa said, her gaze falling on the evening’s big star as she walked toward the table, giggling with girlfriends.
Bright-eyed and flushed, Naomi floated over and beamed at Tessa and Lacey.
“You guys slayed!” she exclaimed with a squeal. “I’m definitely having the time of my life!”
Tessa’s heart soared as she reached an arm out. “You’re the star, kiddo. How about a cupcake?”
“Yes, please!” She glanced around. “Where’s my mom? She’s been acting super weird, so I suppose whatever mongo surprise she has planned is about to happen.”
“I know nothing about a surprise,” Tessa lied smoothly. “She’s in the banquet room if you want to find her.”
The speakers thudded out a base line and all the girls shrieked in unison.
“No!” Naomi abandoned the cupcake. “I want to dance! Come on.” She grabbed Tessa’s arm. “Dance with us!”
She held back, laughing. “Not in my job description unless it’s The Macarena . That I can dance.”
“Do it!” Naomi tugged so hard, Tessa almost slipped off a heel. “Please! I want you out there.”
She threw a look to Lacey, who was laughing. “ The Macarena , Tess?”
“I honestly don’t…” But the arguments were lost and she was swept up with the swarm of pre-teens who dragged her to the dance floor.
“C’mon! We’re gonna teach you the Sunset Shuffle!” one of them shouted, laughing.
“Sounds exactly right for the old-age home,” she cracked, but her humor was lost on the kids.
The music pulsed—something bright and pop-y that seemed to exist only on TikTok—and she was surrounded by bouncing ponytails and glittery sneakers as the girls taught her the moves.
She did her best to follow along, laughing when she inevitably stepped left instead of right, nearly knocking into a lanky boy.
But she was grinning. All of them were.
When the music faded, Naomi turned to the DJ. “Can you play the…what was it? Macaroni!”
He threw his head back laughing and held up one finger. “Gimme a sec.”
Tessa just shook her head, cracking up at the name, and before she knew it, her feet—and hands—were moving to a dance she’d done all through college and at most of the weddings she’d attended or planned.
At the first few notes, the kids squealed, proving they’d either learned the dance from their parents or they knew it all along, because they hit every move.
“You’re the best!” Naomi giggled as she tapped her shoulders and swayed.
“You’re the coolest grown-up ever!” a tall brunette shouted.
Tessa was breathless, flushed, and for a moment, caught up in the music and youth and fun.
Until she suddenly…wasn’t.
It hit her all at once—watching the beaming parents on the sidelines, sipping champagne and smiling with pride, their eyes on the children they’d raised. Something inside her wobbled. Something deep.
She’d never be a mom. Oh, she had been once. And then she let him go and that was the end of that story.
Except, of course, it wasn’t. Not really. That sensation that something was missing had followed her through every birthday, every family holiday, every moment like this one—filled with light and laughter and love she’d never fully feel.
The minute she could, she stepped off the dance floor quietly and made her way toward the refreshment table, needing a moment to collect herself.
“Are you okay?” Lacey was next to her in a flash.
Tessa looked up and almost spilled her guts. Lacey already knew the truth and if anyone would understand that sometimes the old ache hit hard and unexpectedly, it would be this dear girl. And she was as close to a daughter as Tessa would ever have.
But she wasn’t her daughter. She was Vivien’s and?—
“Tessa. You’re scaring me.” Lacey inched closer. “You’re so pale.”
“I’m fine,” she said quickly. “I have no right dancing like that anymore with a bunch of teenagers.”
Lacey searched her face, not buying it. “Well, you look…upset. And I know you pretty well. Are you worried about something going wrong?”
She glommed onto the excuse. “Well, the dog, of course. Where is he?”
“Roman just pulled into the back parking lot and is waiting for me to get the signal from Jennifer. I alerted her but she’s deep in conversation and…
” She tapped her phone and read the screen.
“Oh, he’s having a time with the bow tie.
I knew we should have insisted on a clip-on or a dog collar, but Jennifer wanted that very tie. ”
“It was her husband’s from their wedding,” Tessa said. “Which is sweet but complicated.”
“I have no idea how to tie a bow tie,” Lacey admitted.
“I’ll go help,” Tessa offered, happy to get air and a break from the music. “You handle Jennifer and text me the minute she’s ready.”
Lacey nodded, but still regarded Tessa with doubt in her blue eyes. “You sure you’re okay? You look…I don’t know. Sad or…something.”
Tessa gave a smile and took her hand, her chest swelling for love of this young woman who was so empathetic, sensitive, and sweet. “Just that you and Roman think you can fool me.”
Lacey paled. “ What ?”
“Trying to act like this romance is no big deal,” she said. “Trying to pretend you’re just friends, like I didn’t see you kiss him when he came here during the setup to get the lay of the land.”
The color returned to her cheeks with a fury. “Well, I…it is no big deal, Tessa. We…just…aren’t…I…can’t.”
Tessa laughed. “Flustered much? Hey, wasn’t I the one who told you to find a good guy? I should know you do everything I say—but it would be nice if he lived in Destin.”
“Oh, well, I don’t even officially live here, so…”
“I know!” Tessa said, the conversation making her feel better. She hated when she did the “baby spiral” and this had already taken her mind off it. “But if you’re in love, you’ll leave. And that’s the way of things, I suppose.”
“I’m not…” She couldn’t even deny it. “Well, he’s not… Please. It’s very early days, Tessa.”
Lacey’s serious tone caught her attention, as though she was warning Tessa. “Lacey, do you think he’s going to leave and forget you?”
“Well, probably,” she said with a humorless laugh. “I mean, he’s Roman Matteo.”
“So?” Tessa scoffed and glanced past Lacey. “Oh, dang, here comes Jennifer. Follow her timing and text me—I’ll go tie up the dog, so to speak.”
Before Lacey could respond, Tessa slipped by her and walked toward the back of the Clubhouse, through the kitchen to the secondary parking lot. It was pretty full, but she spotted the tall golden boy next to his sports car, leaning into the back seat.
“Hey, there,” she called.
He straightened and gave her a wave. “You better know how to tie a bow tie,” he said.
Laughing, she hustled closer. “Any self-respecting event planner knows that—I’ll have to teach Lacey—and so should every young man your age.”
“I do,” he said. “On myself. This is a dog and he wants no parts of it.” He dangled a classic old-school bow tie.
She laughed, taking it from his fingers. “Poor thing. Let me at him.”
“I’ll bring the crate out,” he said. “It’ll be easier for you.”
He reached in and easily plucked the small wire container and brought it out to the ground.
“Don’t be scared, buddy. This pretty lady wants to succeed where I’m failing.”