Thanks luvtaread for editing
Over the next few months things went extremely smooth, almost too smooth in fact, but the four friends simply regarded it as a good luck. Wedding plans, in the capable hands of Katy and Gina, who got along almost as well with Katy and Mel as she did Ashley, progressed well. Between Gina's knowledge of the area and Katy's well honed shopping skills and style they were able to locate everything that Ashley, and to some extent Brandon, wanted for their dream wedding without the price going through the roof. Which became an issue as Ashley was not speaking to her family.
Brandon's family stepped in to help out the couple and between Katy and Mel and Brandon and Ashley's contributions it looked like it they could afford most of what Ashley wanted without incurring any debt. It did help that Ashley and Brandon had simple tastes. Often Ashley and Gina had to scale Katy's ideas back to fit Ashley's visions of the wedding. With three months to go everything seemed to be well in hand.
Of course the smoothness of the planning was made possible by Mel's successful acquisition of a job in Chicago. The pair moved into an apartment in the city so Mel could be close to her job and Katy close to the party scene. Of course they regarded Brandon and Ashley's condo as their other residence and vice-versa.
Katy spent many nights, especially those when Mel traveled, at the condo and on weekends or after late nights in the city Ashley and Brandon would stay at the apartment with Katy and Mel.
Mel's job involved frequent travel, something she said would pay off in the long run, but had felt uncomfortable doing in Boston as the thought of leaving Katy alone was not appealing. The nice thing is that she was on the verge of a promotion to less travel intensive position, which given her plans in the near future was a good thing.
Ashley's first year as a teacher was going quite well and despite the stress of the wedding, her first year, and night classes she was able to stay collected. Brandon marveled at how she did it all.
Not that his life had been boring, but compared to the others it was, at least on the surface. Of course like Mel he too had been pressing hard for a promotion, but he also had a side project he hoped he could complete by the wedding. He was running short on time for both and it was starting to get to him. As his birthday approached though, his life got suddenly more complicated.
He arrived home in a huff after the news had fouled his mood. To his surprise he was greeted not only by Ashley, but both Katy and Mel as well. He had forgotten Mel had just returned from her latest business venture. The trio was engrossed in wedding details, but seemed to immediately notice Brandon's foul mood. Ashley got up first and followed by the other two crossed the room to see what was the matter. Brandon was not in the mood to discuss things so he headed straight to the room that served as a guest room and office.
Not to be ignored all three women followed him and as he sat down they blocked the exit before Ashley asked, "Darling what's wrong?"
Before he could say anything Mel added, "And don't say nothing, we all know you better than that, so please don't insult us by lying."
The set looks on all three faces made him realize there was only one way out of this room.
So, he began to tell them, "Remember a few weeks when I mentioned they hired an old colleague of mine from my last company to manage another department?" Katy and Ashley nodded, but Mel looked slightly confused so Brandon explained to her, "I forgot you were gone that week. My company recently hired Jeff Yates, who was one of the Genotech castoffs, to manage another department. Ordinarily not an issue except I probably got him fired, not intentionally mind you but still."
"Let me guess," Mel said, "Now this guy wormed his way into your company through high laced connections."
"You got it. He has to be well connected because after the number of jobs he's lost the past few months he's not exactly a reliable guy. My problem is that my company just hired someone that was out to get me. Needless to say revenge was expected and he has just struck his first blow. Due to a double booking for the original night he just moved the party for a retiring prominent board member to the same evening as Ashley's big presentation for her class."
Ashley and Katy gasped as Mel said, "So? Don't go."
Ashley then answered for him, "He can't, his manager made it clear that those looking for a promotion are strongly recommended to attend."
Mel understanding nodded, "So, in other words, come or kiss the opportunity goodbye. So why not go alone?"
"Well, besides the fact that this is the kind of fancy party I could use the backup for the etiquette and all that, they want someone stable."
"Stable? But you're engaged! You'll be married in three months! How much more stable do they want?!" Mel asked incredulously.
"I know, but they want to see us all bring a date, again highly recommended. At first it was no trouble, but now..." He trailed off before adding, "I mean I can't go alone, but nor can I ask Ashley to skip her class." He then looked at Ashley and said, "Nor will I allow you to."
To his surprise Katy was smiling and he asked her, "And what are you grinning about?"
"I just thought of a solution, I will go with you instead." She said her grin not fading a bit.
"What?!" Brandon asked confused then said, "No Katy, no offense but that won't work. I appreciate the offer though."
Katy glared back and said, "And why not? Look, Ashley can't go we've established that, and you need etiquette help as you said. Well I'm just as well versed as she is, and what's more, I love these kind of parties."
Brandon was still skeptical and Mel added, "She's right Brandon. If you take Katy you'll be with a date, granted not your fiancée, but a date nonetheless. You won't be wasting the company's money. You'll go as friends and anyone who saw the news after our rescue knows you two are just that, friends. Plus, as Katy said she is versed in etiquette and her dad threw tons of parties like this. In fact given her name and her father's reputation she may prove an asset with the bigwigs."
Then Ashley added, "Not to mention there is a certain amount of revenge in being able to have a girl that is just as good looking if not better as a fill-in."
Brandon chuckled and said, "Yeah especially since I happened to know that Katy is so the type of girl this guy chases, well physically anyway. She has far too much class and intelligence to be his type."
Then Katy seductively crossed the room and sitting in his lap she kissed him deeply and said, "And what about you, baby? Am I too classy or smart for you?"
