Elly stared at her blankly. “Of course I know, we’ve been emailing each other for weeks about the details – remember?”
Lizette waved her hand, “Oh, my assistant does all that for me now. You must have been emailing back and forth with her.”
That’s why the emails have been so competent, Elly silently mused.
Lizette put her hand on her hip. “You know, this Kepke wedding is the biggest wedding I booked this year. So imagine my surprise when Sunny told me that YOU would be taking care of all the details and that she only wanted me to do day-of coordinating.” She eyed Elly furiously, “I bet you are making a fortune.”
Elly shifted her eyes to the floor. “Sunny has used our shop in the past, and she trusted us to execute her vision.”
Lizette stomped her foot. “Do you really think that you are equipped to handle this amount of planning? Aren’t you just a florist?”
Elly felt a growl deep within her chest. Just a florist. You’re just an idiot, she thought.
“Our staff is equipped for anything. We may usually do just flowers, but we have helped many brides with the smaller details of a wedding.” She paused and threw caution to the wind. “Obviously Sunny preferred just a florist over your expansive planning services.”
Lizette narrowed her eyes. “You aren’t just a florist darling, or did you forget? You’re the ex-wife of the groom!”
Elly felt as if a cavern had been punched through her stomach. She knew. Lizette Kobel knew. Oh no. If Lizette knew, that meant that the entire St. Louis wedding industry knew. Instant panic clouded her eyes.
Lizette smiled. “Elleee Jordan, you naughty little thing. I would have never thought that you would lie to your client, just to secure the wedding of the year. I have to say, hun, I’m a little impressed. You sure you don’t want to come work for me?”
Elly shook her head and struggled to find her voice. “How did you –”
“Oh Lucia, told me. I tell you what, that is the sweetest girl. She and I have become GOOD friends. And she’s such a beauty. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen someone so…provocative.” She played with her short spiky hair. “I’ve even requested to my hairstylist that the next time I come in, we are going RED. Of course, a size 2 waist and perky boobs don’t hurt.” She looked Elly up and down. “Your ex-husband must not have a type.”
Elly felt her hands shake with anger. “Lizette, no offense, but you know nothing about this.”
Lizette frowned. “Oh, I know everything about this. I know how this is your little revenge on Lucia, about how this is your attempt to win him back. I know that you don’t want Sunny to know, and neither does Lucia. And I know, dear, that this knowledge is worth power.”
Elly balked.
“Don’t make that face. I’m just using my God-given skills. I’m not asking for much. Maybe just that after this wedding is over, that you come looking to me to partner up with my company. If you book a wedding, than you send me your brides and I’ll send you mine.” Her eyes glittered. “Exclusively.”
“That’s ridiculous!” Elly snapped. “We get twice as many brides as you do.”
Lizette gave a feline grin. “I know.” She wheeled around on her heel. “Maybe just think about it, Elly Jordan. I would hate after the wedding if word got out that you were dishonest.”
Elly stood perfectly still, shocked and furious. “How dare you…”
“No” said Lizette curtly, “How dare YOU not tell Sunny the truth? You made this bed, honey, now you have to lie in it. All’s fair in weddings, my darling.” She stalked towards the counter. “By the way, nice job on that first husband of yours! Aaron is the most gorgeous thing I’ve laid my eyes on in awhile.”
With that, Elly lost control. She grabbed a handful of soil and flung it at Lizette. It fell short by about two feet.
“That was pathetic,” said Lizette.
“Your accent is pathetic” retorted Elly, feeling like she was in third grade. “Everyone knows it’s fake.”
Lizette smiled. “I know” she said, molasses dripping from her mouth. “But ah luuuhv the way it sounds. And so do my brides.”
Elly took a step menacingly towards Lizette. She wasn’t afraid of her the way she was afraid of Lucia. “I’ll….”
Ashlee, the na?ve assistant, ran breathlessly up the aisle and handed Lizette some god-awful pink ribbon. “I found it, I found it! Is this right?” She looked as if she was prepared to get beaten.