Susan spent the next few weeks working furiously on the party. She wanted everything to be perfect when Bizzy did her initial walk-threw. She drew everything to scale; marked out every single section of the rooftop. And used fake flowers to create the gardens. The day of the walk through she showed up at the rooftop to go over any last minute details. She set up a table and chair for the caterer to present the choices of canapés to Bizzy. Everything had to perfect. Bizzy had to like everything. They had spent weeks going over the details by phone. Susan loved the sound of Bizzy's voice and every time the phone rang, Susan secretly hoped that it would be Bizzy.
Edward came to lend moral support and an extra hand. He helped get the caterer settle while Susan reviewed the menu and wine list. She had on her black business suit and white shirt. She had spent all morning deciding what to wear. Clothes were all over her bedroom, even some of Elise's clothes were in the mix. She considered business, casual, business casual, nightclub sexy and every variation of each. In the end, she settled completely business. Elise said she should look completely unaffected. How the hell was she supposed to do that? Everything about Bizzy Montgomery affected Susan. All she could hope for was to appear unaffected.
Pierre chose that moment to show. For the last few weeks he had been a minor annoyance. While Susan and Edward did all the real work, Pierre pretended as if every idea was his. If Pierre happened to be near the phone when Bizzy called, he took her through the list of things that she had previously confirmed with Susan. After this happened three times, Bizzy made it very clear to Pierre and Susan that he would no longer be answering her calls. Susan couldn't believe he would show up for a face to face meeting with Bizzy. Susan would have to find a way to keep him distracted and away from Bizzy. As Pierre made comments about the flower arrangements, Susan pulled out her to do list. She had crossed off everything that needed to be done and gave herself a pat on the back.
"That's a pretty long list," Bizzy breathed in her ear. Susan turned around, why did she always have to look so perfect? Every single time Susan saw Bizzy, her breath caught.
"Mrs. Montgomery we have everything all prepared for you," Pierre said. Bizzy glanced towards him.
"I'm sure you do. Susan is always prepared when she is given the appropriate amount of time." She looked at Susan and smiled, "It's perfect. Exactly what I imagined from your design."
"Thanks, Bizzy," Susan had a sappy smile on her face.
Edward pushed Susan closer, "Why don't you show Mrs. Montgomery around while Pierre and I make sure the caterer is ready to go." Edward grabbed Pierre's arm and moved him away from the women.
As they walked around the space Susan was able to gain enough composure to take notes on Bizzy's comments. Most were minor changes. Most of it was to the caterer's selections. Susan had become rather familiar with the caterer's overall menu while choosing the canape's for this event. She suggested substitutions that she was confident Bizzy would prefer. And picked a date for the caterer to bring the new selections to Bizzy's home.
"I'll be using the apartment downstairs the day of the party as a prep area. I hope that's ok?" Susan addressed Bizzy.
"That's fine." Bizzy took a step closer to Susan. Susan couldn't take her eyes off of Bizzy's lips. 'Stop it Susan. Focus. Just focus!' A lock of hair fell in Susan's face; Bizzy lifted her hand slightly but thought better of it. "The invitations will go out later the week," It was a statement.
"Yes," Susan said as she pulled the final invitation from a folder, handing it to Bizzy. She was careful to make sure their hands didn't touch. Susan wasn't sure she could handle it. Bizzy nodded her approval. "I think that's everything. I'll see you for final caterer selection. And then the party. If you think of any changes, call me." Susan said this last bit hopefully. She wanted to hear Bizzy's voice as often as she could.
"I will," Bizzy returned the smile. And left.
*
Susan ran around frantically making sure everything was in place. The guest would be arriving in two hours and she had a million things to do. Edward luckily would be on the door so she didn't have to worry about training someone. She had issued all of the necessary press badges and had gotten some friends from college to call the right celebraties to give the party a little more spice. When Susan had presented Bizzy with idea, she pointed out this was not a Connecticut party; and New York needed a little glam. Bizzy reluctantly approved the plan. Susan checked with the caterer and the lighting specialist. The landscaper had created the perfect vision. And when sun went down the roof would look like a garden suspended in the New York Skyline.
Susan knew that this party could change her career forever. If Bizzy was pleased, then hopefully she would give Susan some credit. Susan never thought that she would would enjoy party planning, but she did. She loved it when her ideas came together. She took one last look around. Satisfied that the bartender would be ok setting up the bar and the florists was done with the center pieces she went downstairs to grab another list. The apartment was organized chaos. It was the holding area for all of the extras, Susan had set-up a makeshift office in the bedroom. When she entered she turned to the small table sitting in the corner and flipped though the papers looking for her last minute items check list. It wasn't until she heard the adjoining bathroom's door close that she realized anyone was there. Turning around she saw Bizzy completely naked. Susan's head started to spin. She forgot all about the list giving chase for the exit. Unfortunately, she had closed the door when she came in; and ran head first into it.
"Susan!" Bizzy called out, immediately approaching her. Susan's vision blurred a little, but she could feel Bizzy's hands on her turning her around. "Are you ok? Come sit on the bed." Bizzy guided Susan towards the bed. Susan sat on the bed. Bizzy's breast were inches from her face which made her head spin faster.
"Can you put something on?" Susan asked desperately. Bizzy smiled. She got up retrieved her robe from a bag and ran cold water over a wash cloth for Susan.
"Here," She handed Susan the washcloth, and placed a hand on her shoulder too keep Susan sitting down. "Don't move." Bizzy kneeled in front of her. "You'll feel better in a second."
"This is embarrassing. This is not the impression I wanted to make on you. You must think I am some kind of nervous fidgety cluts. I never ever walk into walls and I always know what I am going to say. But around you I say and do the dumbest stuff. I feel like an idiot." Susan rambled.
"I don't think you're an idiot or a nervous fidgety cluts. I think you are a beautiful woman with an amazing mind. Though no one has ever runaway that fast when they've seen me naked. You could give a girl a complex." Bizzy smiled and placed her hand on Susan's cheek. "You feel better now."
Bizzy's face was inches from Susan. Bizzy ran her thumb slowly over Susan's lips. They stared at each other for a few seconds before Susan leaned over and pressed her lips to Bizzy's. Bizzy didn't pull back or engage. She just let Susan kiss her. When Susan pulled back she said, "I shouldn't have done that."
Bizzy brushed a strand of hair off Susan's face. "I'm not complaining," Bizzy said. This time Bizzy initiated the kiss and took control of it. Susan thought Bizzy had the softest lips ever. When she felt Bizzy's tongue on her lip, Susan opened her mouth to admit it. Bizzy explored the inside of Susan's mouth gently. When Susan moaned, Bizzy sucked on Susan's bottom lip. Susan's nipples hardened immediately. Bizzy pulled back to look at Susan. Once Susan realized the kiss was over her eyes fluttered open. She felt drunk.
"I need to get dressed," Bizzy said. "The make-up artist and hairdresser will be here any moment. And I am sure you came in here for a list." Bizzy stood and pulled Susan with her. "Does your head feel better?"
"Not really," Susan said. Bizzy gave a slight chuckle.
Susan grabbed the list off the table and opened the door to the chaos on the other side. She took a deep breath and went back to work. When she got upstairs Edward asked if she was ok. He handed her a handkerchief. "Lipstick," he said. Susan could still feel Bizzy's lips against hers. She took another deep breath. 'Pull it together Susan.' She said to herself. Susan set out to finish the last minute things before the guests arrived.
*
The party was in full swing by the time Susan could stop and grab a canapé. She looked around the party, poised to halt any disaster. To her surprise and relief everything seemed to be running smoothly and everyone was having a good time. Her eyes caught Bizzy's just for a second, Susan smiled when Bizzy nodded her head approvingly. Susan noticed the Captain standing next to Bizzy. She searched the room for Elise. Elise's parents made her come to the party. They said it would be disrespectful if she did not attend when Bizzy had graciously included the entire family in the invitation. At first Elise was thrilled, but two weeks ago the Captain told her that he was no longer interested in carrying on their affair. Elise cried for days, she called the Captain's house and work several times a day. She even showed up at the Bizzy's home. Luckily a garderner had escorted her off the premises before she had made a fool of herself. She spotted Elise standing next to her step-mother throwing daggers in the Captain's direction. As Susan moved to give Elise an opportunity to make a retreat, Elise's stepmother drug her over to speak to Bizzy. When the Captain noticed their approach he kissed Bizzy on the temple and walked away. 'Coward.' Susan thought as she inched closer to the group.
"Bizzy lovely party as always. The garden looks like something out of a story book." Elise's stepmother Ingrid said. "You know my daughter, Elise, don't you. She lives here in the city."
Elise raised her head and squared her shoulders. She looked like she was stealing herself for battle. "Mrs. Montgomery," Elise said. "Nice party. Susan was really thrilled when you asked her to work on it."
Bizzy ignored the comment about Susan. "No, Ingrid I have not had the pleasure of meeting your daughter. But I believe she has met my husband, the Captain." Bizzy held Elise's gaze. Her face was cold, unfeeling and distinctly conveyed the message that she knew about her husband's affair. When she smiled a smile that didn't reach her eyes, Elise's gaze falter. Elise ran from the room toward the staircase. Susan couldn't believe it. In all the months she worked with Bizzy she never gave any indication that she knew about Elise and her husband. Yet, it seemed that she had said his final goodbye.
Elise's stepmother went after her. Bizzy walked up to Susan. "You should go comfort you friend," Bizzy said calmly.
"How did you know?" Susan asked.
"There is nothing the Captain does that I don't know about." Susan looked at her. She realized that perfection went beyond Bizzy's hair and clothes; it may just extend to other parts of her as well. Perfection was cultivated someone once told her. And looking at Bizzy she believed that it was true.
When Susan reached the stairs that would lead her to the ground floor. She found Elise with her head pressed into the concrete crying. Her stepmother was standing over her yelling. "You stupid girl, what did you think would happen? He would leave his wife. He has children. He would never do that. Do you think were the first? Please, do you know how many times Bizzy Montgomery has dismissed tramps?" She paused as Elise continued to sob. "How could you embarrass your father like this?"
"Mrs. Shipman," Susan interrupted, "Why don't you go enjoy the party I'll see that Elise gets home?"
"You better wake up little girl. Play times over." Ingrid said in a parting jab.
Elise peered through her fingers at Susan. Susan smiled softly at her friend, as she led her down the stairs into the apartment. After she wiped away Elise's tears, she took her downstairs and hailed a cab. Susan paid the cab driver and gave him their address. "Everythings going to be ok. We'll spend all day tomorrow drowning our sorrows in chocolate and ice cream."
"Thank you, Susan." Elise got in the cab and went home.
Susan turned back towards the door. Edward stood their looking at her. "Broken heart?" He inquired. Susan nodded. When she walked past him she thought she heard, "Be careful." She turned to ask him what he meant but Edward was engrossed in his work. Susan went upstairs.