Becoming Worthy

Just Breathe

              Breathe.  Just breathe.  You got this.  All you have to do is smile and keep the food fresh. 

              Abby had finally made it to her first event.  Her day began at five that morning.  Thankfully, she had already prepared everything the day before.  All she had to do was pack everything up and heat some of the foods before she left.  No big deal.  A few good hits off of a bowl, and she was focused. 

By noon, the coolers were prepped and ready to fill, and she already had all of the non-perishable items packed in totes.  According to her schedule, she had just enough time to smoke, fix herself up and get the food out of the oven to pack up. 

She had spent way too much time searching for and shopping for the perfect outfit for today.  Something that would go with sensible, yet appealing, footwear.  Something that looked professional but also flattered her.  Finally, she paired a short-sleeved top with a long, flowy skirt under which she hid memory foam flats.  She pulled her hair up, off her shoulders.  Her makeup was subtle with a shiny red lip.  She worried that might end up being a mistake, but she decided that she would just risk it.

When she arrived at the venue, she found the loading dock (and was very thankful to her past self for scoping it out prior to the delivery day) and prepared to carry everything out.  Halfway through the process, Abby ran into, literally, a tall, handsome man.  His hair was the shade of bronze.  It even shined as if were metal.  His eyes were a piercing green with flecks of gold and grey running through them, and he had a beautiful mouth that made her want to lick her own lips.

“Sorry about that,” he said as he helped her back to her feet.

“Sorry.  Thank you.  I wasn’t paying attention,” Abby blushed.

“I was on my phone,” he shrugged.  “I guess we’re even.”

“I guess so.  I’m Abby.”

“Gavin,” he held out his hand to shake.  “Look, I don’t mean to be rude, but I am running late.  I am sorry about running you over, though.”

Gavin’s POV:

Dammit.  The last thing that I needed today was to come down here and fight with the venue about capacity.  I really should have let father’s secretary plan this, but I wanted to do it.  It means something to have a hand in father’s retirement party.  Sure, Susan did a wonderful job, and she could be trusted with everything else.  I did leave the vendors and caterers to her, after all. 

But the venue, the band, and the themed décor had to be me.  Now this new manager wants to tell me that he can’t honor the contract that we signed months ago stating that we could have five hundred guests in the ballroom.  He wants to lower it to two-fifty?  f**k that.

I need to call Susan to make sure she doesn’t change anything else. 

“Sorry about that.”

Good job, asshole.  Now you’ve gone and ran over some woman that was just minding her own business.  Maybe she could have been paying a little more attention.

“Sorry.  Thank you.  I wasn’t paying attention.”

See.  She just admitted that she wasn’t paying attention.  She’s kind of pretty.  Really pretty, actually.  Her hair is tucked on top of her head with loose strands falling down around her face, framing her dark brown eyes.   Her lips are… mesmerizing.  Not a lot of women can pull off bold lips, but she was not one of them. 

“I was on my phone.  I guess we’re even.”

I really need to go.  What did she say her name was?  Abby?  Alright.  That’s cute, I guess.  She is definitely not “cute”, though.  “Cute” is for kittens and babies.  She was sultry.  She was beautiful.  Too bad I couldn’t stick around long enough to find out what she likes for breakfast.  Okay, more like a midnight snack. 

*           *           *

              Of course, I’m f*****g running late.  I should be there by 6:10. That’s not terrible.  Gavin’s mind was racing.

              “Charles, any help you can give me on time, I’d appreciate it.”

              “Yes, sir, Mr. Conner.”

              Charles had been with Gavin for years.  Gavin rarely crossed the line between passenger and driver, but when he did, he meant it.

              I’ll just jump right into mingling.  As far as anyone will know, I could have been there the whole time just talking with different groups.  No one has to know that I was late.  No big deal.  Of course, I’m sure that dad will notice. 

              “Gavin!  So glad that you were finally able to join us,” Thomas Conner. was waiting by the door as if hoping to catch his son arrive late. 

              “I don’t know what you mean, father.  I’ve been here the whole time.  I just got finished having a smoke outside.”

              Thomas accepted his son’s flimsy cover.  He had to at least appreciate Gavin’s quickness.

              “And here I thought that you would be tied up with some blonde right now.”

              “Are you talking about what you thought I was doing or what you wish you were doing?” Gavin quickly replied.

              Thomas stared blankly at Gavin before busting out into laughter. 

              “You did a good job, kid.  I have to say.  This is pretty impressive.  My son, the top defense lawyer in the state of New York and a surprisingly good party planner.  Your mother is flittering around here somewhere.  You should go find her and say hello.  I’m going to get a refill.”  Thomas shook his glass at Gavin before walking away.

              Gavin made his way to the food.  All of the running around, and he had forgotten to eat.  As he made his way towards the buffet table, he caught something in the corner of his eye.  He turned to see… her.  What was her name?  Abby?  That’s right, Abby.  Cute, but not cute, Abby.

              What was she doing here?  Maybe she worked for the venue?  He followed her past a set of double doors.  It seemed to be a kitchen, but it was eerily quiet and only one light was one. 

              Where did she go?  He thought to himself. 

He heard someone coughing.  He followed it down to the loading dock.  There she was.  She was smoker.  Of what, he wasn’t sure.  At the moment, she was smoking a cigarette, though.