Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 87091 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87091 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
He had a feeling Crystal was one of the things that had drawn him back. He missed her.
And like a delayed reverb, he realized that Erin had mentioned her name. He walked farther into the kitchen to where the women of the family were gathered around the table. Hersch, his dad, and his brothers were nowhere to be seen. He’d have made himself scarce, too, if he hadn’t heard Crystal’s name.
Erin said, “Damien, you’re exactly the man we need.”
He paused in his tracks. That could not be good. “I just came in to get myself some green tea. Anybody want some?”
Mila made a gagging noise. “While you’re up, can you put on some fresh coffee?”
Typical Mila, with her caffeine addiction. Still. He plugged in the kettle and then turned to Erin. “What do you need me for? Tell me it’s not some horrible job like getting a mouse out of your apartment or something.”
Erin laughed. “No, it’s about Crystal. I was just saying to Mila and Tessa that Crystal’s turning thirty soon and nobody has said a word about it.”
He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the kitchen counter. His mom was surrounded by his sisters and his sister-in-law, Tessa, looking as young as any of them. And clearly thrilled to be the mother of the bride.
He did some quick math in his head. Crystal was two years younger and he was thirty-two. He nodded. “Yeah, you’re right. She’s turning thirty this year.”
Erin rolled her eyes. “I know that, dumbass. She and I are the same age. I mean, it’s her thirtieth birthday. That’s a big deal. She plans other people’s birthday parties and weddings for a living. It’s time we did something nice for her.” She glanced around the table. “I think we should plan a surprise thirtieth birthday party. What do you think?”
Fortunately, the kettle boiled at that moment, so he fussed about preparing his green tea. Frustrated, Mila jumped up and made the coffee herself. Then he walked over to the table, mug in hand, and sat down.
Once more, Erin asked, “What do you think?”
He took his time considering whether a surprise party was the right thing for Crystal. She liked everything to be perfect, which was why her parties were so successful. There was no way a bunch of amateurs could pull off anything like the kind of event Crystal could plan. “Don’t you think that if she wanted a party, she might have said something already? Maybe she’d prefer to plan her own.”
Erin looked at him with that serious expression on her face, a slight crease between her brows. “I think if I were a party planner for my job, I wouldn’t want to plan my own birthday. And wouldn’t it be nice, just once, to walk in and not have to do anything? Instead of being behind the scenes, making sure there’s enough ice, or that the tray of canapés is properly filled and people’s dietary considerations are being looked after, she could just enjoy herself. It’s time she was the center of attention for once.”
Erin had a point, but he still wasn’t sure. “Have you ever planned a big party?”
She shook her head, and he saw the doubt creep in. The last thing Damien wanted to do was make Erin doubt herself. But he also didn’t want Crystal to have to rescue her own party.
Erin took her lower lip between her teeth and started gnawing on it. “Do you think it’s a terrible idea?”
Suddenly the memory of Crystal enjoying herself on the dance floor at that fancy party where she’d convinced him to perform rose in his mind. For those brief minutes she’d allowed herself a break, she’d been as bright as the sunshine. Crystal knew how to have fun. Erin was right. Crystal was always behind the scenes, making sure everybody else was having a good time. It wasn’t often she could let her hair down and just enjoy a party.
He began to feel slightly more enthusiastic. “No, I think it’s a good idea. I think you should do it.”
Erin looked around the table. “And you’ll all help me, right?”
Mila looked slightly nonplussed. “I love Crystal, but I have a wedding to plan,” she said, sounding a little put out. Mila very much liked to be the center of attention, and he didn’t think she appreciated that even temporarily, the attention had shifted away from her and her wedding.
Erin looked quite stern, which she could do as well as their mother when she wanted to. “Crystal is already planning your wedding, and you know she’ll do a great job. This is just one party, one night, for one of my best friends.”
Mila did a pretend huff. “Fine. I can hire a great caterer. I know a few from some of the parties I’ve been to. I’ll make sure none of them tell Crystal.”