Too Distracting (The Lewis Cousins 3)

Plus, she’d messaged me to let me know that the bank loan had gone through, which meant more hard work on the horizon. Luckily, Chloe and Reardon had wanted an afternoon shower, so the night was ours to celebrate.

The bowling alley was empty, save Laurel and her team. We’d rented the place out for the day, giving them time to get in and set up before the party started. I’d come early to see if I could be of any help, and to see Laurel in action.

I followed the sound of female voices past the lanes and into a back room that I hadn’t realized was there. It had a bar along one wall, with tables and chairs, and a juke box. I assumed it was usually set up like a restaurant, but Laurel had made some changes.

She’d brought in tall tables and scattered them throughout, so people could stand and chat, but still have a place to put their refreshments. There were a few regular tables and chairs on the edges, as well as a couple tables pushed together on the far right and a large setup against the wall in the center of the space.

It looked like a Wookie had thrown up all over the space.

Large cardboard cutouts of Han Solo, Princess Leia, and Luke were in one corner, with C3PO, R2D2, and BB8 in another. And behind the bar, Darth Vader was watching over the room. The tablecloths were black and white, there was a BB8 cake, and a huge wall dedicated to Baby Jedi, which I assumed was where the presents would go.

“Reardon is going to flip,” I said when I finally found my voice.

Laurel turned from where she and one of her girls, Lisa, I believe, were putting up a Pin the Padawan on the Preggo game.

“Hi,” she said, crossing to kiss me hello.

“Hey, Dillon,” Lisa said.

“Hi,” I replied to Lisa, then dropped my head to brush my lips across Laurel’s. “This place looks amazing.”

“Thanks,” Laurel said, grinning happily. “Mary and Zoey should be back any minute with the food, then we’re just about ready.”

“They’re going to love it,” I assured her.

“I hope so, because when I was shopping for this stuff, I found a ton of beautiful classy items that would be perfect for their wedding.”

“Didn’t Chloe already ask you to plan their reception?”

“Yeah, but I’ve been thinking of this as a trial run, you know. I don’t want her to feel obligated to use me, if she isn’t satisfied with what I do with this party.”

“Laurel, not only are you friends, Chloe works for you, of course she wants the party planning company she works for to plan her event.”

Laurel shook her head.

“I don’t want to presume anything. Yes, she works for me, but this is our first event. I want her to be able to make an informed decision, and not feel pressured to use me.”

I chuckled and hugged her briefly, then let her go so she could finish what she’d been doing. “You’re almost too good to be true,” I told her.

“So are you,” she replied happily, then pushed me lightly and said, “Now, go mix up the Vader-Ade in that dispenser over there, Shane is running late at the bar. Be sure to put plenty of vodka.

“Yes, ma’am,” I said, shooting a wink at her before I turned to go figure out what in the hell Vader-Ade was.

36

Laurel

I’d felt nervous earlier, but now that the party was in full swing, I was strangely calm. Everyone was having a great time, and, most importantly, Chloe and Reardon had been grinning and laughing the entire night.

I could do this!

That knowledge was enough to have me wishing I could grab a glass of champagne and sing from the top of my lungs. I wouldn’t do either of those of course, because first of all, I was working, and second, I couldn’t sing to save my life.

“The taquitos and salsa are running low, so I’m going to run in the back to grab the backups,” Lisa said, and I turned to smile at her. She looked totally perfect in her T-shirt that said Best Friends, and had a picture of Han Solo and Chewie on the front. When she’d initially asked if she should wear it, I wasn’t sure if it would present the picture of professionalism I was hoping for, but then I realized having the employees dressed to go with the theme of the party was kind of fun, so I told her to go for it.

The first thing Reardon had said when he walked in was, “Whoa, love the shirt. Do they make those for men, too?” and I knew it had been the right call.

Still, I’d been more comfortable dressing in a smart pantsuit with my hair pulled back in a slick tail. I was thrilled to be officially launching my first part in my own business, and I wanted to look and feel like an independent business owner.