She insisted, “I really don’t need them to steal the show as much as I need them to be completely professional. Arrive early, don’t be too chatty with the guests, and no excessive serving.”
“No worries. Each of my mixologists are very specialized and required to go through an alcohol safety training course. You mentioned that you wanted two bars with three men at each station, but considering the size of the event, I would suggest having three bars spread out over the property.” Trevor pointed out a few prime locations. “That way you keep a smooth flow with no bottleneck areas.”
She nodded. “Same cost?”
Trevor’s eyes narrowed into a flirtatious twinkle. “For you, yes. Same cost. If you’d like, I’d be happy to create a couple signature drinks designed around the parties theme.”
A vision of penis straws and breast umbrellas brought a timid smirk to the corner of her mouth. “That sounds great. Let’s stick to a heart theme versus bachelor/bachelorette theme.”
Trevor extended a hand, locking it around hers. His glance drifted over her inquisitively, taking in her neutral lightweight sweater, cream slacks, and stacked heels. “How about this? I’ll throw in two more bartenders and as long as you’re satisfied with our performance, you keep me in mind for future events.”
“That sounds like a deal.” A whiff of tobacco invaded her senses. She sniffed inconspicuously, searching out the distinct nuance of leather mixed with cedar and cocoa. She glimpsed a man wearing a vibrant red polo shirt wandering near the terrace. Retrieving her hand, she said, “Excuse me for a minute.”
“No problem. We’ll go ahead and take off. If you have any questions call me. I’ll email you over a contract. If you think of any other questions just shoot me a text or feel free to call me.”
“Perfect. Let me know the drink names by tomorrow and I’ll have my assistant make up a little menu to have at each bar.”
She strolled toward the squat heavy man leaning against a stone pillar. His grey hair barely noticeable at the root of his dark hair. A small assuming smile wove into the creases near his temple.
“Hey, Dad.”
“Hello, Carrie Ann,” he said in a gravelly voice.
“What’s going on? What are you doing here?” she asked skeptically, forcing a grin to mask her shock.
Cigar in hand, he gently clutched the back of her arms, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “Looks like I caught you in the middle of a meeting? I was in the neighborhood and stopped by just to say hello.”
The austerity emanating from his voice led her to believe otherwise. Robert Lowell never simply dropped by to say hi. There was always an ulterior motive.
“My day is slammed, but I’ve got a few minutes.”
“We can visit later if you’re too busy. Do you have plans for dinner tonight?”
He’s definitely prying. “No, I don’t have plans for dinner, but I’ll have to pass. It’s one of my most hectic weeks of the year and I’ll be exhausted by the time I get home.”
“I golfed with Jason this morning.” His no-nonsense interjection…absolutely intentional. “It’s my understanding you went on a date last night. A silly movie premier of some sort.” He wafted the cigar in the air adding emphasis to the triviality.
“Wow.” She nipped. “The day’s barely even begun and you’ve played a round of golf and taken a swing at interfering in my life.”
“We shot a round of Early Bird at the club. And there’s no need for you to take that tone.”
“Cut to the chase, Dad. What is it you want to know?”
Her father had a difficult time leaving his legendary direct questioning and pre-calculated arguments in the courtroom.
“I simply stopped in to wish you luck this weekend. I’m thrilled you finally took my advice and decided to see Jason. He has a good head on his shoulders. A real future with that one…” A brief, but premeditated hesitation. “More than those other men you date.”
“I hate to break it to you, Dad, but Jason and I went to the silly movie premier as friends.” Though the film was certain to be a box office hit, her father would never give Summer one ounce of credit. Not even if it was well deserved. “And I hate to crush your ridiculous dream of Jason being your perfect son-in-law…but it’s not going to happen. There won’t be another date.”
“Now, Carrie Ann, why do you always have to be so stubborn? I was merely…”
“Probably because I have your genes.” She interrupted, hoping to stifle the impossible examination of her personal life that would surely ensue if she didn’t put a halt to him. “You know how much I love a good debate and stubborn doesn’t quite cover our disposition, now does it, Dad?”
“Thankfully you take after your mother as well. You’re blessed with her logic which always outwitted my tenacity. And you have her unmistakable beauty.” The authority in his voice faded. Sounds of outdoors absorbed their silence. The show of sentiment was a rare, but touching occurrence, one that only happened when he spoke of her mother. She’d been the love of his life. A love he was never able to quite replace. “I’m sorry I can’t make the Auction this year. There’s simply too much at stake in the case I’m working on. I can’t risk trusting anyone else to get it done right. I’ll send a substantial donation.”
Avoiding an argument, she overlooked the fact that he could indeed show up. It’s not like he was leaving the country and he’d known about it for months. Her father supported her cause, generously. However, she suspected it was too much for him emotionally due to the painful reminders of the loss of her mother.
Or at least that’s how Carrie Ann chose to see it.
“Thank you.”
“Your sister will be there to represent the family.”
“Represent the family? Is that what you’re going to call it?”
“I’ll send part of my donation in lieu of your sister and let her bid on a bachelor.”
“Please, don’t do me any favors. She’ll just show up to crash my party.” Carrie Ann’s half-sister, put the social in socialite. Tanya was ten years younger and the daughter of her father’s second wife. They were complete opposites, each mimicking their mothers. “I fully expect to see Tanya. There’ll be too many prominent single men with means all congregated in one room for her not to show up.”
“Your sister’s tastes differ from yours. Her interests gravitate more towards men who come from good stock.”
“Good stock? You’re kidding right? Her last boyfriend got arrested for drugs.”
“The charges were dropped and his parents sent him to the best rehab facility in—”
“Don’t encourage her, dad. The last thing I need is Tanya showing up with an unlimited amount of funds. She’ll bid on every bachelor and I really need to save some for the other hundreds of charitable contributors.”
“Choosing the right person is like investing. You have to diversify your portfolio while thinking long term.”
“If you ask me, I think she prefers penny stocks,” she grumbled, sauntering beneath the patio to shade herself from the sun. “You make things too easy for her, Dad.”
“I try to make life easier for both of you, Carrie Ann. You each get the same amount allocated every month. Don’t forget she’s ten years younger than you.”
At the age of thirteen, each daughter gained access to a limited amount of money their father set aside for them. An allowance of sorts…a ridiculous sum of money that could make the smartest most mild-mannered child lose control and run wild on Rodeo Drive. The pre-inheritance, as her father called it, increased at the ages of sixteen, eighteen and again at twenty five.
Tanya constantly got a free pass when it came to her bad behavior simply because she came from different stock, as he called it. Growing up, Tanya’s mother boasted of her “Open Parenting” theory. Meaning Tanya was allowed to do and act however she wanted with whomever she wanted as long as she could explain why she thought it was a good idea. In other words, she did whatever the hell she wanted starting at birth.