“Do you have your dress?” I ask the woman sitting beside me.
Debbie beams a wide grin my way. “Yes, I found a hell of a deal at Nordstrom’s last weekend. It was on their clearance rack, and I was able to even get a new pair of pumps too. Charlie’s renting a tux again, and it’s supposed to be in the Thursday before the gala.”
When I glance across the table to Edith, she gives me a shy smile. “I found one too. It’s silver and dips a little lower in the front than I’ve ever worn,” she starts before Debbie interrupts her.
“But it was too gorgeous to pass up! She’s going to knock Frank’s socks off when he sees her in it,” Debbie adds, referring to Edith’s husband. Edith and Debbie went shopping together last weekend after they closed the shelter. I’ve been meaning to ask how their little excursion went and am pleased they were both able to secure new dresses to this year’s event.
“What about you?” Edith asks.
I shrug my shoulders, recalling the red dress I found a few weeks back. It has a halter top and dips dangerously low in the back. Like Edith, it’s a little flashier than I usually go for, but on a whim, I tried it on and fell in love. I found a pair of gold strappy shoes that will probably kill my feet before the first course is served, but the sales associate made a compelling case in favor of the gold Jimmy Choo shoes. “I found something, yes.”
“You’re being mysterious. I can’t wait to see it,” Debbie coos.
“And what about Matthew? Is he attending with you?” Edith asks.
“Oh, uh, well, I’m not sure yet. He’s so busy,” I reply, casually trying to brush off the fact I’m not sure if he’s attending or not. When I brought it up about a month ago, he wouldn’t commit, claiming to not know where he’d be with the business deal he’s been working on. I was disappointed with his response and haven’t brought it up since. I suppose I could mention it tonight under the guise of needing confirmation for his dinner plate. The truth is, I’ve already secured his ticket when I purchased my own, in hopes of him attending with me.
“Well, I hope he can make it. I’ve heard he fills out a tuxedo pretty nicely.” The comment came from Debbie, and a bubble of shocked laughter spills from my throat.
“Debbie! I can’t believe you said that,” I tease, grinning like a loon, mostly because I’m just as curious to see him in a tux. I imagine the photos online don’t do him justice.
The older woman shrugs as she giggles. “Well, it’s true. Rumor has it, he has a nice rear end.”
“You’re married,” I proclaim, trying to hide my blush behind my hand.
“But not dead, sweetheart. I’ve heard all the rumors about your Matthew Wilder,” she whispers with a wink. “You’re a lucky, lucky woman.”
“Anyway,” I jump in, clearing my throat. “What is left on the gala?”
Edith is just sitting there, grinning. “Not much. Are you still available to oversee the set-up process?” she asks.
I volunteer for this job every year. I love organizing and overseeing the transformation from empty ballroom to gala ready. “I’m looking forward to it. I’m meeting with the hotel’s event manager that morning at ten.”
“Sounds great. I’m so grateful for your assistance,” Edith says.
“Absolutely my pleasure.” And it is. She’ll work the shelter that day, while I’m at the hotel ballroom.
Edith slips a few printed photos out of the folder in front of her, sliding them across the table. “All right, there are only a few final decisions to make. Let’s choose the floral centerpieces.”
***
The meeting wraps up when the family arrives to meet Shadow. Not wanting to overwhelm the young boy and his parents, or Shadow, I head out back to the barn. Dolly’s standing outside, watching me approach. “Hey, girl,” I say as I reach the fence.
Dolly moves my way when I extend my hand and allows me to rub her nose. “You sure are a pretty one.”
She whinnies and nods her head, as if agreeing with my statement.
Smiling, I mentally run through the list of last-minute details we discussed in the meeting earlier. The color scheme is gold and navy blue, and the centerpieces are going to be stunning with the décor the ballroom has. Crisp white pillars, gold twinkle lights, and greenery with navy blue ribbons throughout will really tie it all together. And then there’s the favors I commissioned through a local chocolatier. She’s making gourmet chocolates in the shapes of dogs and cats for attendees to take home at the end of the evening. The band is from Boston too and comes highly recommended by the hotel. The lead singer sounds like a younger version of Whitney Houston. And throw in tons of donations for the silent auction, including trips, spa services, gift baskets, and, I believe the event is going to be as successful, if not more so, than last year.
Edith will speak again about the importance of donations and what they go toward. We’ve even been working on a slideshow presentation, showcasing this year’s adoptions, along with the animals still waiting for their fur-ever homes. Nothing tugs at the heartstrings—and the wallets—like photos of shelter animals.
I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket and grab it. My small smile widens when I see a reply from Matthew.
Matthew: No plans.
I quickly type out my reply, not knowing how busy he is. If I wait too long, it may be another hour or two before I catch him again.
Me: I was thinking of making you dinner at my place tonight.
Matthew: Dinner I don’t have to order from downstairs and listen to boring
conversations about who makes more
