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)
“That sounds great,” Crystal said, catching the wave of Mila’s enthusiasm and filling up with the particular joy of helping someone achieve their dream. “Do you have a venue in mind?”
“The beach, of course, for the ceremony. I want to be near the water, and now that Herschel has conquered his fear of the ocean, it’ll be the perfect backdrop. I’m imagining a simple ceremony with close friends and family gathered on the sand. I just want to hear the sound of the ocean while I say my vows. Does that sound crazy?”
Crystal smiled as she made a note. “Not at all. It sounds perfect. Intimate and natural. I think it’s a lovely way to involve your deep connection to the water. I know a hotel on the beach we could take over for the wedding, so you can say ‘I do’ with your feet in the sand, and then walk up to a beautiful meal and dancing under the stars. What do you think?”
“I think there’s a reason you’re the best wedding planner in the biz.” Mila squeezed her hand. “I’m just so excited.”
Crystal could feel Mila’s happiness radiating from her. She knew Mila so well that she completely understood why the bride wanted a simple ceremony at the water’s edge followed by a big, splashy party. The hotel she had in mind could offer the perfect blend of Mila’s laid-back, surf-loving soul and the sophisticated elegance she envisioned for their celebration. She told Mila about it and said she’d arrange a site visit, as well as researching some other options as backup.
“I think this place is perfect,” Crystal said. “But they’re often booked well in advance. I know you want to marry soon, but have you set an exact date?”
Mila shook her head, but a determined expression entered her eyes. “We’ll decide tonight,” she said. “But I’m hoping for spring.”
Crystal nodded and continued to make notes. She’d been doing this work for so long that she really was a well-oiled machine. She knew exactly how to make Mila’s wedding dreams come true and it felt wonderful. But Damien’s dare had got under her skin. She loved what she did, but there was always a pang of sadness when she thought back to her younger self, the girl who believed all you had to do was work hard, get good grades, do the right thing, and you could be whatever you wanted when you grew up.
It had hurt like hell to give up her dream of a career in medicine, but she’d made a great life for herself, built a thriving business. Did she really want to revisit her childhood dreams?
She’d always loved school, loved learning. What if she simply started an undergrad degree part-time? As Damien had suggested, she could look at a community college nearby so she wouldn’t have to be away from her family and friends. Med school was still far off in the future.
She’d visit her mom and talk it over. There was no one in the world who knew Crystal as well as she did. No one whose opinion Crystal respected more.
Chapter Eleven
Crystal didn’t think Damien would really show up at Ray’s for salsa night, but she still spent way longer than usual staring at the dresses in her closet. She had dresses for work, conservative outfits that projected calmness and confidence. She shuffled through the hangers, past her collection of evening gowns for the times she attended the events she’d planned. The brightest part of her wardrobe was the section devoted to Latin dance. Her salsa-friendly dresses hung together, so bright and breezy they looked as though they were having their own party in the closet. They were all strappy and fitted to the waist, with gorgeous full skirts that flared out as she spun on the dance floor. She deliberated between a black sequined number and a fiery red. Finally she settled on the red. It captured the playful mood that had been growing the more she considered making a huge change in her life. Then she curled her dark hair and carefully applied makeup, finishing with a red lipstick the color of her dress. She had Latin dance shoes in the same red, so she put those in a cotton bag to be slipped on when she reached the venue. Driving to the club, she’d wear lower-heeled sandals.
She drove to her mom’s feeling as nervous as a first date. Which was crazy, because all she wanted was her mom’s advice, and if Damien did show up later, it wasn’t like they hadn’t danced together a thousand times. She told herself to calm down.
She pulled up outside her mom’s place. The little duplex had been her home for twenty years and although she visited her mom all the time, she was always struck with a burst of nostalgia for her younger self each time she approached its white wooden façade and flower boxes brimming with vibrant blooms. She let herself in, calling, “Mama?” as the door opened into the living room. She inhaled deeply. Her mom was obviously cooking up something with warming spices.