Read Online One-Off by Lynn Galli - Free Book Online

not,” I confirmed. “They had a cancellation at Dallas’s church and now they’re off chasing a big story. They don’t want to give up either, so we’re the stand-ins.”
    “Wow.”
    “Aye,” Ainsley agreed.
    “I still don’t think I’m the right florist.”
    “There’s a wedding planner with a staff,” I coaxed. “We can get them to do the installation if you’ll agree to the arrangements.”
    “I love your shop,” Ainsley told her. “I knew we were in the right place as soon as we stepped through the door.”
    “That sounds a lot like you’re buttering me up, but thanks for that. It’s great to hear.”
    “So?” I’d put her on short notice before with orders. I was hoping this wouldn’t be any different.
    “When’s the date?” she asked and started choking when Ainsley told her. “Are they crazy? Dallas is, sure, but both of them together? Three weeks is nuts.”
    “Can you do it?”
    “How elaborate?”
    I looked at Ainsley. “Does Colin have specifics other than colors?”
    She shook her head. “Not too ostentatious.”
    “I agree. Whatever you think, Morgan. You’re the pro. Maybe we can take you by the location after work one night and you can come up with a plan?”
    “If it were anyone but you, Skye, I’d tell you to shove it.”
    “I feel honored.”
    “Colors?”
    “There’s a bit of a clash on that, I’m afraid.” I told her the colors they both wanted.
    “Hmm,” she thought for a moment. “We’ll use variations and complements so everything isn’t so color matchy.”
    “No white,” I inserted, shooting a glance at Ainsley.
    “The funeral thing, right?” Morgan guessed.
    Ainsley beamed. “You are the right person for this.”
    “I tend to get on Dallas’s nerves. Just ask Skye.”
    I shrugged. They did often try to one up each other, but Dallas would be happy that we were benefiting our friend’s business.
     

Ten
    Fine white china decorated the table we’d been led to. After the fiasco at the first flower shop last night, I was hoping to avoid the same with the caterers tonight. Based on their showy table settings, it didn’t look like that would happen.
    “Are you going to make us order haggis?” I joked as we took a seat.
    “We don’t make that,” one of the caterers supplied before Ainsley could get in a word.
    Now I really didn’t think this was the right place for us. As Gary’s top choice, the food must be spectacular. It better be to make up for the lackluster service.
    “Gaylord sent over a suggested menu. We’ll be serving the courses one after another.”
    I raised my eyebrows at Ainsley. As far as I knew, Dallas and Colin hadn’t decided on a menu when they’d spoken to him.
    Two servers appeared and produced salads that looked less like salads and more like a showcase for one scallop, one shrimp, and two weed shaped leaves that passed for lettuce. Not much for seafood, I tested the temperature on both and took a sliver of each to make sure the chef could cook. If I liked scallops or shrimp I’m sure I’d think this was fine, but how did it qualify as a salad?
    “Is this an appetizer?” Ainsley asked.
    “Ooh, are you Australian?”
    Ainsley had to be sick of that question in all its forms. I was sick of hearing it, and I only heard it part of the time. “Scottish.”
    “Oh.” The disappointment was plain in her tone. What did she have to be disappointed about?
    “Is it the appetizer?” I repeated.
    “This is the salad course. We’ll bring out appetizers later.”
    “A salad?” Ainsley’s eyes indicated her disbelief.
    “Our chef likes to change things up in the kitchen.”
    “Have things changed that much since I left the States that there’s no lettuce in salad anymore?” Ainsley asked me.
    “We don’t do ordinary here.” Defensiveness crept into the server’s tone. “It’s a feast extravaganza.”
    A bubble of laughter erupted from me. Ainsley turned surprised eyes at me before joining my laughter. The