LILAC Sisterhood 2: Wallflower in Bloom

When I wake up the next morning, I honestly can’t believe that I slept for ten hours; it is some kind of record for me.

I take a hot shower and get an early start to my day, reorganizing my notes and getting ready, hopefully, to wow Sloan.

After I get dressed, I quickly drive to the office, stopping en route to get coffee for Sloan and me.

When I get to the coffee shop, I feel so stupid. Pregnant ladies can’t have caffeine, right? I don’t know.

I play it safe and get a decaf coffee and fresh orange juice; hopefully, she’ll like one of them.

When I get to the office, I still didn’t know where I am supposed to sit, so I go directly to Sloan’s office. “Good morning, Sloan.”

“Hey, Carly. Have a seat.”

“I tried to be nice and get you coffee since you drove yesterday but then I wasn’t sure if you could have caffeine, so I got you a decaf or an orange juice…?”

She smiles. “You are too sweet, Carly, thanks. Decaf for now.”

“Also, I don’t mean to keep crashing in here in the morning but I’m not sure where I’m supposed to sit,” I admit.

“I just talked to Marlene this morning. She is going to have maintenance move you in here with me. It will be easier to work together that way, and when I am on leave, you can use the office.”

“Wow, thank you, that is so nice of you.”

“Don’t worry about it. It will be nice to have a buddy. Kade doesn’t poke around as much as he used to and I get lonely. I don’t like to talk to myself,” she says, laughing.

She is so lighthearted and goofy and not at all like I’d expected her to be.

“It will be fun. Thank you for being so chill about everything, Sloan. I know I come off as neurotic or crazy but, really, I just want to do a good job. I’m kind of an introvert,” I admit.

“I understand you and don’t want you to stress.” She smiles. “I was a loner for a long time and didn’t even know it. I’m trying to come out of my shell, too, so maybe we can help each other.”

“That would be great.”

She grins. “Well, in the spirit of making friends, why don’t you come to my wedding this weekend? It’s small but should still be fun, and we can hang out outside of the office.”

“Wow, really? I wouldn’t want to impose…”

“Of course! I’m inviting you.”

“I’d love to.”

“Marlene is already going to be there, and maybe I should invite Abbot too. Then you’ll have someone to chat with while I’m doing family things or whatever.”

“It sounds like a lot of fun; I’ll definitely be there.”

She smiles. “I’ll text you all the details.”

I sit down with Sloan, and we hammer out the rest of the brand standards we were working on the day before.

Sloan works like a well-oiled machine, sending off emails at a mile a minute to all the connections we have that might be able to help with the event. I just hold on for the ride.

***

The next few days go by like a movie montage. I have a desk in Sloan’s office opposite her, and we focus on making contact with sponsors for the event.

The work is rewarding, and every time we get a sponsor to agree, we add them to our vision board.

Working with Sloan is kind of like working with a big sister. She makes sure I know what’s going on but is still authoritative when she needs to be. I’d be lucky if she called me a friend.

Soon, the week is through, and I’m more tired than I usually am on a Friday night, so I pour myself a big glass of wine and decide to watch a movie, then pass out on the couch.

When I wake up the next morning, it is really late for me. This job is proving to be good for my sleep schedule.

Today is Sloan’s wedding, and I want to look the part. She is marrying an up-and-coming rock star, after all, so who knows who will be there.

Plus, it will be a nice opportunity to endear myself more to Marlene.

Once I’m dressed and ready, I make my way to the address Sloan gave me for her parents’ house.

When I pull up, I notice they have hired a valet, and the property is beautiful.

I guess it makes sense that Sloan comes from money, although, frankly, it’s just another reason to be impressed because I never would have guessed; she is so down-to-earth and kind to everyone.

When I get to the front door, I’m suddenly nervous. I don’t know where to go or what to do, but I think to myself, What would Sloan do? I force myself to ring the bell.

A beautiful woman opens the door with a huge smile on her face. “Hello, come on in.”

“Oh, thank you. Hi, I’m Carly. I work with Sloan,” I admit shyly.

“I’m Mariah, Sloan’s mom. She is upstairs with the girls, getting ready. I’ll bring you to her.”

“Thank you.”

I make my way up the stairs behind Sloan’s mother, and soon, I am in a room full of girls amid a flurry of activity.

“Wow, Sloan, you look so pretty,” I exclaim when I notice her brown hair twisted into a romantic updo. Someone has even braided silvery leaves into her hair.

“Thank you,” she says. “The little miss decided to make an appearance, so I just hope my dress fits.” She laughs as she gestures to her belly, but she still looks like a freaking supermodel.

“These are Kade’s sisters, Priya and Rhea,” she continues. “This is my friend, Carly; we work together.”

I smile that she called me her friend and do my best to endear myself to her sisters.

We all have mimosas besides Sloan, and soon, Abbot comes in with another pretty woman. From how they talk, I assume this is Kade’s mom.

I still haven’t even officially met Kade, but now I’ve met his whole family.

“Wow, Sloan, you look gorgeous. What are you going to wear?” Abbot asks.

“Honestly, I haven’t decided yet... Maybe you all can help me?”

Abbot and I make Sloan try on all the dresses she has, and we eventually choose our favorite: the one-shoulder dress that makes her look like a Roman goddess with the way her sisters did her hair.

Abbot and I decide to head outside to sit with the other guests while everyone else puts on their wedding clothes.

When we make our way to the backyard, it’s impossible not to notice that there are beautiful people milling around everywhere.

Thankfully, the two mimosas I’ve had give me a bit of liquid courage, so I open up to Abbot.

“Abbot, have you met Sloan’s fiancé yet?”

She smiles. “No, I haven’t officially, but I know of him.”

“What about all these other people?”

“No, I have no idea, but have you seen the guys? I have a feeling this is going to be a fun night,” she says, raising an eyebrow.

“Whoa, you’re brave. I’m not good at putting myself out there.”

She giggles. “Well, stick with me, kid; I’ll show you the ropes.”

After Kade and Sloan’s hysterical ceremony, we all gather outside on the lawn and sit at our tables. Everything about this group of people screams lighthearted and fun, and I’m totally here for it.

I’m at a table with Marlene, Abbot, and some other people we don’t know. It’s nice to feel like part of the LILAC culture, but I can still tell that I am in my shell.

Abbot has already set her sights on one of Kade’s bandmates and has been flirting all night.

When the party starts to kick into gear, I make myself have some shots, then join Abbot and Sloan on the dance floor and end up having the night of my life.

I end up staying the night at Sloan’s mom’s house with Abbot because no one wants us to drive.

The next morning, we do a walk of shame together. Our cars are already waiting for us, so we share an awkward goodbye before heading home.