When Perfect Meets Crazy

“So,” I pulled out a chair to sit on at the table with the rest of the prom committee, “what have you guys come up with?”

Ian dragged a chair from a nearby table and joined our small circle. A few eyebrows were raised but no one outright objected. An invisible ‘he’s with me’ stamp was on him. I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about being so easily associated with him but I was soon distracted by the realization that Claire wasn’t in attendance. It both annoyed and placated me. On one hand, it meant I was more valuable to the committee than she was but at the same time... How was I key member and she wasn’t? And wasn’t that really just code for she’d get to enjoy her free time while I wouldn’t.

“We were thinking of switching to Eloise’s uncle’s catering company.” The secretary, Elaine, shrugged half-heartedly. “They’re the only ones who’ll take us on such short notice.”

I arched an eyebrow in disbelief, my gaze drifting from one face to the next.

“Really?” My tone was heavily laced with disapproval. “That’s the best you could come up with?”

Unexpectedly, it came out sounding so much like my mom. I shuddered involuntarily. I had been on the receiving end of her disapproval enough to know that it sucked a whole lot.

“I’d like to see you do better.” Ralph sneered.

I rolled my eyes, the resemblance moment instantly taking backseat. Ralph really needed to get over himself.

“There was a reason we didn’t go for that in the first place, remember?” I said, letting his jab pass without comment which I knew would piss him off even more.

They clearly did remember seeing as they all suddenly had something to pointedly stare at to avoid meeting my gaze. I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. Seriously?

Beside me, Ian leaned forward, watching the interaction with the avid interest of a child unwrapping a present.

“Fine.” I sighed, pulling out my phone. “Give me the number of the caterers.”

Ralph grudgingly supplied the number of the catering service trying to bail on our deal.

I hit the call button and waited patiently.

“Hello.”

“Hello,” I replied amicably, putting the call on speaker. “Is this Sweetwater catering?”

“Yes.” The voice on the other end replied.

“Perfect. I’m calling on behalf of Claire Anne high school.”

her tone

Louise

such short notice.”

gaze shot to Louise who looked like she was barely managing to

of your business first and we’d be more than happy to take

even went as far as dirty looks

think it’d be in your best interest

other end began to reply but I

we have to consider the reputation of our school first. Which means we don’t have time to hope you change your mind. We’ll be contacting a replacement first thing tomorrow so we will need that deposit promptly. However, I feel it’s only fair to warn you. This event is very important to the students here. I mean the student council can only do so much but since majority of the students already know

other end of the call. Satisfied

sigh, shaking my head with false sympathy. “Well, you’ll just have

smell her

you know? The students here are, of course,

her mouth

end of summer. With seniors jetting off to college, everyone will be a little distracted. The

from

a couple of weeks. In the long run it’s not so horrible, don’t you think?”

swung to Ian’s indecipherable

letting them hire you for any events. The kid of the Sheriff goes to our school. The Policemen’s ball is coming up, isn’t it? Senator Cruise’s kids

my gaze flitted over to Masked Idiot. I glanced away almost as soon as it did but not so fast I couldn't take

parties. And Greenich Global. Those are pretty big clients

for looking away. I

turned conciliatory like I was completely on her side and felt the offer was a nuance, “but I’m obligated to say it anyway. Have a nice day, okay? The earlier you send that deposit the better, if it’s not too much

remark, I hung

“Done,” I announced.

Ian blinked.

“Wow.” Louise exhaled.

force of nature.” Elaine beamed. “Remind me to never cross

turned my attention to the one person who wasn’t looking at me

were saying,

was biting. “Just wow. Blackmail. No surprise

my