10 - Joanna

10

Joanna

I had cooled off by the time work ended. My office was only a mile from the rehearsal dinner restaurant, but the junior partner reminded me of the stain on my skirt as I walked out the door ("I'm going to start calling you Monica! Get it? Like the Clinton intern?") I rushed home, changed into a different pencil skirt, and then hopped on the Metra line back to the city.

I was half an hour late when I walked into Maple it probably belonged to the Best Man.

"You should go ahead and email Phil," I whispered to Landon. "Because I'm absolutely crushing this assignment."

Landon rested his arm across the back of my chair. "Not until after the wedding. But you're doing great. The job is pretty much yours."

Hell yes. Soon I would be able to say goodbye to the junior partners and their creepy comments.

Once the salads were brought out, Danicka stood up and clinked her glass a few times to get everyone's attention. "Most of you know me: I'm Danicka Cozart, the mother of the groom." She paused as family members on the groom's side cheered and clapped. "Thank you for joining us tonight, and for the flawless rehearsal that took place this afternoon. If you look half as beautiful tomorrow as you did today, Marisa, then there won't be a dry eye at the wedding."

Marisa smiled happily, covering her mouth with her hands as tears welled in her eyes. If only she knew what Danicka was saying behind her back .

"I'm such a lucky mother," Danicka went on. "I know the food is coming out, so I won't hold you any longer. Thank you for joining us tonight!"

She started to sit down, but then looked across the room at something behind me. "And there's the Best Man! Better late than never. Everyone welcome Teddy Manafort!"

Teddy Manafort? That's funny. That name was almost like…

My jaw fell open as I twisted to look at the Best Man walking into the room.

It was Theo.