Kissed in Paris (2 page)

Subject: Pack your bags. The City of Love awaits.

Chloe,

Have come down with a deathly contagious flu and cannot take Paris trip. You will have to go in my place as there is no way I can be all Frenchy and sophisticated when I’m running to the bathroom every five minutes. Am stating right off the bat what a wretched boss I am for asking you to do this a week before your wedding, but you’ve worked for me long enough. You know I can be an unapologetic bitch, and I know you will get the job done. It’s what you always do.

Flight leaves today at 6 p.m., landing at Charles de Gaulle early tomorrow morning. Language instructor conference runs Friday and Saturday, and flight home is Sunday morning, leaving you plenty of time to prep for wedding. You’re staying at swanky Plaza Athénée Hotel off the Champs-Élysées. Do it up. Just don’t
do
any of those gorgeous French men. Paul probably wouldn’t like that too much. Plus, even though I’m not one for weddings, am actually looking forward to yours . . . that is, if I’m still invited.

Angela Kelly

Kelly and Rain Premier Event Planning

Washington, DC

From: Chloe Turner

To: Sophie Turner

Sent: Thursday, August 25 at 1:03 a.m.

Subject: Change of plans

Hey Soph,

Am trying not to flip out about this, but just heard from my crazy boss Angela. She is sick and is sending me to Paris on business . . . tonight. Okay, I’m officially flipping out. How can she do this? I’m getting married in nine days. NINE days! I cannot go to Paris this weekend! It’s not an option. Plus, you’re flying in on Saturday, and I am not leaving you and Paul alone in the same house when I’m not here to mediate. We all know how much the two of you love each other. I’m going to write Angela and tell her I’m not going to Paris. It’s out of the question. Please don’t worry Dad, Lily or Magali with any of this. 

Love you,

Chloe

P.S. In the rare event that I do go to Paris, send me your flight info so I can move your flight to Monday. Just in case. I’m not going though. I’m not.

From: Sophie Turner

To: Chloe Turner

Date: Thursday, August 25 at 1:07 a.m.

Subject: Re: Paris? WTF?

Chloe,

How can Angela ask you to travel to Paris when the wedding is next weekend? Your job is insane. And so is your boss. Seriously. But she’s just insane enough to fire you if you don’t go. And if you
do
go, Paul is going to throw a royal fit (which will make next week so. much. fun.). It’s no secret he wants you to quit your job and be a stay-at-home wife (which, by the way, could actually be a good thing—when was the last time you chilled out for five minutes?). Point is though, going to Paris on business this weekend will only fuel Paul’s fire . . . and if you don’t go to Paris, well, you’ll probably
be
fired.

Good luck sis. Glad I’m not in your shoes.

xxx,

Soph

P.S. I resent the fact that you don’t trust me to get along with Paul. Even though I would like him much better without that giant stick up his ass, it’s not like I’m going to be a bitch to him the week of your wedding. Nevertheless, I’ll accept your offer to change my ticket to Monday. And I’m only doing that because I don’t want Mr. Polo Shirt Khaki Pants Paul (and I mean that in the most loving way possible) to feel uncomfortable with your hippy California sister invading his home. Forwarding flight information to you now “just in case” you go to Paris. ha.

From: Angela Kelly

To: Chloe Turner

Sent: Thursday, August 25 at 1:09 a.m.

Subject: Bonjour?

Chloe,

Am certain reason you haven’t responded yet is that you are packing your bags for Paris. Obviously, no need to remind you that both your bonus and your career are riding on the perfect execution of this event. First international conference for Kelly and Rain. Can’t blow it.

Angela Kelly

Kelly and Rain Premier Event Planning

Washington, DC

P.S. Really need to deep-clean the tile in my bathroom. But barely have energy to tap this email into phone, let alone scrub grungy tiles. Please respond so I can go back to lying on cold, dirty tile with eyes closed. Phone screen is making me dizzy.

From: Lily Turner

To: “Big sis” Chloe Turner

CC: “Lil sis” Magali Turner

Sent: Thursday, August 25 at 1:11 a.m.

Subject: Oh la la

Hey big sis,

What’s this news about you jetting off to Paris a week before the wedding? Not having cold feet, are you? Can you bring me back a few bottles of French wine? And maybe a sexy French lover to go with? Or better yet, can you fly us all over together so we can throw you a
real
bachelorette party at some wild underground Parisian club? The stuffy dinner we had at Paul’s mom’s house with all of his prim and proper cousins hardly counts as a bachelorette party. I mean Magali is almost eighteen, she can handle the strippers. Right Mags?

luv,

Lil

From: Chloe Turner

To: Sophie Turner

Sent:  Thursday, August 25 at 1:14 a.m.

Subject: Re: Paris? WTF?

Sophie,

I specifically asked you
not
to tell the girls about the possible Paris trip. Can you ever keep your mouth shut? And for the record, Paul knows how much I love being an event planner, and he would never ask me to quit my job just because of a last minute business trip. I’m sure he won’t be excited about it, but then again, neither am I. 

Thanks for your never ending support,

Chloe

From: Magali Turner

To: Chloe Turner

CC: Lily Turner

Sent: Thursday, August 25 at 1:16 a.m.

Subject: Re: Oh la la

Sistas!

We’re going to Paris? OMG! This is so exciting! I don’t know about the French strippers though. Sounds kind of nasty. Does Dad know about Paris? Or about the strippers? What about Paul? And the wedding? Will we be back in time?

Mags

From: Sophie Turner

To: Chloe Turner

Date:  Thursday, August 25 at 1:18 a.m.

Subject: Re: Paris? WTF?

Chloe,

First of all, Paul will definitely want you to quit your job if you tell him you’re going to Paris. That is a fact. Secondly, as if Dad, Lil and Mags wouldn’t have found out you were in Paris for the weekend. You know they’ll be calling you all weekend long with questions about the wedding, and they’re going to flip when they find out you’re not home. Among other pressing matrimonial issues, Dad is having problems with the tux place and apparently Lily’s dress still isn’t short enough.

Soph

P.S. Remember how much Mom loved France? Bet if she were here, she would be jealous of your Paris trip. I miss her.

From: Chloe Turner

To: Sophie Turner

Date:  Thursday, August 25 at 1:21 a.m.

Subject: Re: Paris? WTF?

Sophie,

You could’ve at least waited until morning to tell the girls. They’re already emailing me about hijacking my trip and turning it into a stripper-filled bachelorette party. I thought the dinner we had at Paul’s mom’s was okay . . . wasn’t it?

I’ll handle Dad’s tux issue, and Lily’s bridesmaid dress is already too short in my opinion. Do not let her alter it any more. Please.

Chloe

P.S. I never understood why Mom was so in love with the French. I wish she were here to take the Paris trip for me. I miss her too.

From: Chloe Turner

To: Lily Turner, Magali Turner

Sent: Thursday, August 25 at 1:25 a.m.

Subject: Re: Oh la la

Girls,

I may be taking a short trip to Paris for business. I do not have cold feet and there will not be any French strippers involved. Please refrain from using the word “stripper” with Dad or Paul while I’m away (if I even go), or ever for that matter. I’m getting married in nine days. Remember?? Love you both, and I’ll see you next week.