I turn to my two assistants, who are already taking off their heels, getting into craft-project mode. “If you two can set the candles and fill in the sand, I’ll do the stones and shells. I think this raffia is to tie around the outside.”

Diane is unwrapping candles. “So, Carrie,” she asks curiously, “I didn’t know you were dating Ryan. Is that new?”

Could there actually be someone at O who hasn’t heard the whole gruesome story? Must be because Diane’s in accounting; they’re on a different floor of the building, separated from daily spa operations.

“Pretty new,” I answer cautiously. I have to make this story believable. “You know, when Jamey broke up with me, I was a wreck. Ryan was totally there for me. He held my hand, and he listened no matter how long I went on, and he let me cry on his shoulder. He did all these really nice things to try to cheer me up.”

So far, all true.

I look at Diane’s face. This woman, a strong and successful executive, is listening with rapt attention, like a little girl hearing a fairy tale.

Because it is a fairy tale.

“We were already friends, but then one day I just looked at him and realized that he’s the perfect guy for me.” Zeke’s script flashes in my brain. “I mean, I used to wonder sometimes what it would be like to, you know, be with him. But we were just good friends. I was dating Jamey. But then I wasn’t. Dating Jamey. Obviously.”

“Ryan is so handsome,” she sighs.

“He is,” I nod. “And he’s really smart, and funny. He makes me laugh, even when I’m in a bad mood.” This is also true. “He even braids my hair.”

“Wow,” Diane whispers. “It’s like it was meant to be. I wish something like this would happen to me.”

Ha. I wish something like this would happen to me, too.

“I always thought it would be incredible to date one of the O guys,” Angela comments. “You’d get professional massages for free, anytime! They know everything about a woman’s body. And just watching them dance, you can tell by the way they move that they’d be amazing in bed.”

She looks at me for confirmation.

“Right!” I agree, not quite meeting her eye. “Ryan is amazing... in bed… he, um, does this thing with his tongue...” Here I stop short. I’m on shaky ground. I have no idea what he might do with his tongue, besides talk, eat ice cream, and slurp Tom Yum soup.

Jamey didn’t even like to French kiss, never mind French-kissing anything below my waist.

Angela and Diane both sigh. So do I, but for a different reason.

And as if on cue for an O dance routine, Ryan appears in the door, with two bottles of wine tucked under one arm, a bottle of sparkling lemon water under the other, and four glasses in his hands. He’s wearing a navy jacket over a pale blue dress shirt, no tie. His light brown hair is brushed straight back and curls a little over his collar. Seeing him dressed like this, he looks different. He looks… manly is the only word for it.

What would he be like in bed? What lovely things might he do with his tongue?

We are all staring at him. He heads straight for me. “There’s my girl,” he says, setting the glasses down. I take the bottles from under his arm. “Working hard. Carrie makes every room more beautiful. Decorations not needed.”

His hands now free, he takes my face and gently, lingeringly, kisses my lips. His breath is warm and delicious. I wobble a little bit on my heels. Who needs wine with kisses like that? Diane and Angela watch intently.

Don’t overplay it! I think, opening my mouth to say precisely that, but then I just moan. Even syllables won’t form.

He grins.

“I don’t want to distract you ladies from your work,” he says, pulling a corkscrew from his pocket. He twists it into the cork, which slides out with a little pop, and he pours the wine. As he hands me my glass, he runs his other hand slowly down my back. “I just wanted to be sure you have everything you need.” His voice drops low on the word ‘everything.’

“Thanks,” I answer faintly. “We’re good. I’m good.”

“You sure are. ” He kisses me again, this time on my temple, his hand migrating down my waist, very publicly squeezing my ass. His palm is so warm. So big. Kinda rough.

Funny. I never knew how good a little rough could be.

And with that, smiling, he takes his glass and leaves.

Angela and Diane watch him go. Their mouths are open just a tiny bit.

So is mine.

As he heads out the door, Jenny is headed in. Ryan pauses and kisses her cheek, chats for a few seconds, then continues on his way.

“These look amazing!” she cries when she sees the assembled centerpieces. “You are amazing! Thank you so much!”

“It’s really not a big deal, Jen. We’re just assembling what’s already here. But at least you don’t have to worry about it now.”

“There’s a lot of worrying involved with a wedding,” she says ruefully. “I’ve never worried this much in my life! Will it rain? What if I forget to pack my shoes? What if my cousins who don’t speak get seated next to each other by accident?” She pauses. “What if my brother figures out he’s gay and breaks up with my dear friend a few weeks before they’re both in my wedding? Are you sure you’re okay?” She gives my hand a squeeze and smiles at me with a knowing look.

“Oh, well,” I laugh nervously, “that was kind of a surprise, but it turned out fine.” I suddenly become intensely interested in tying the perfect raffia bows around the glass containers.

Bows have meaning, you know? Tying the knot?

“Seems like it,” she says, watching me speculatively. “I just ran into Ryan on my way in. And Jamey and Kevin are around here somewhere. Maybe it did all work out for the best, but I have to say, it’s a little hard to get used to.”

“I guess it all happened pretty fast. For something that’s been coming for years.” I turn to her suddenly. “Jen, was it really a surprise to you? Did you know? About Jamey, I mean.”

She thinks. “Yes and no. Jamey was never the kid playing ice hockey or blowing up mailboxes with cherry bombs, but that doesn’t mean anything. And he always had a girlfriend around. And then you two were going out… didn’t you know?”

“No. Maybe. No.” I sigh. “I don’t know.”