"I don't know what's going to happen with Tanner and me," I tell her. "I'm still getting to know him."
"I realize he can be a bit annoying with all his lectures about the environment but he's really a good catch. He makes decent money, and he's very good-looking, don't you think?"
"Yeah, he is." I glance at the door, wondering what's taking Bianca so long.
Just then, she races in the room. "Celine, I'm so sorry. I didn't realize you were here." She gasps. "Oh, I love that dress! Where did you get it?"
"From one of my designer friends. It's not available in stores."
"Who are these friends of yours and how do I make them mine?" Bianca says with a laugh.
"I could introduce you. We should all meet for drinks."
"I would love that," Bianca says. "Shoot me a time and I'll be there." She smiles. "Shall we get started? Sophie, don't just stand there. Take her coat."
Celine hands it to me and I walk out to the hall and hang it in the closet. I'm tempted to not go back to the meeting but if don't, I'll probably get fired. I wish I'd never told Bianca about the job with Celine. I got a hundred dollar bonus for it but the money isn't worth putting up with her.
"Sophie, shut the door," Bianca orders.
I shut it behind me and go back to my place at the table, sitting in front of the laptop to take notes.
"So," Bianca says, staring across the table at Celine. "What are your thoughts on the latest list of caterers? If you're not thrilled about any of them, we're happy to find others."
Is she crazy? We don't have other caterers and the dinner is in a few weeks. It's almost impossible to find someone this late, and we're paying the ones on the list to hold that night open until she makes a decision. Celine's costing our business a lot of money, which she doesn't know, but if she did, I doubt she'd care.
"There's no need to keep looking," she says. "I'm choosing Gerard."
"Gerard Dupont," Bianca says, resting her forearms on the table. "Excellent choice, but may I ask, why Gerard?"
"Have you seen him?" Celine says with a laugh. "But seriously, I've heard he's soon to be one of New York's most in-demand caterers."
"He already is. He's booked solid for the next six months."
"Then how were you able to get him?"
Bianca leans forward and lowers her voice. "Just between us girls?"
"Of course."
"Gerard and I recently shared a night together. He's begging to see me again, which I told him might be possible if he does this one tiny little favor for me."
This is the first time I'm hearing about this but it doesn't surprise me. Bianca will do most anything to get what she wants.
Celine gasps. "You didn't."
"I did." Bianca sits back in her chair, her red lips rising to a smile. "I've been holding out on him until I get your answer."
"Oh, you are truly one of the best!" Celine says, her voice rising. "Father is going to be thrilled we're getting Gerard! This dinner is going to be the best we've ever had."
"Trust me, it will be, which is why I'm hoping we'll be planning your next big event as well."
Celine smiles. "I'd say there's a good possibility of that happening."
"Great! Now let's go over the details for the dinner. I know we already discussed the menu but Gerard wanted to offer some alternatives." Bianca turns to me. "Do you have the menus?"
"Yes." I reach across the table and hand them to Celine.
She doesn't even glance at me as she takes them. Bianca goes over the menus with her, acting like I'm not even there. When Bianca's in work mode, it's like I don't exist. I'm just there to get her stuff and follow her around. The only time she treats me like a friend is when we go out for drinks, but even then, if she gets distracted by work, I turn back into her employee.
Ten minutes later, the meeting ends and Bianca walks Celine out.
I get her coat from the closet and hand it to her. "Here's your coat."
"Oh. Thank you." She puts it on.
"See you next weekend," I say, smiling at her.
"What do you mean?" she asks, seeming confused.
"Vermont? The court hearing?"
"Yes, that's right." She looks at Bianca. "Aiden and I are having a romantic weekend in Vermont."
"You're clearly in love," Bianca says with a laugh. "There's