Freed Read Free Page B

were their own.”
    Ormonde was still twirling her spoon, but she was nodding now. Aurelia was just as confused as ever though.
    “I’ve been dating Kyryl and Damon for over a year. They’re both pressuring me to commit to them, but until I did some work for Trevellyan, I had no idea such a thing was even possible. Would you be prepared to plan a ceremony with me? I know some things I’d like, and I expect Kyryl and Damon will have their own ideas, too. But I’d like you to do the planning and arranging, make all the bookings. Basically, you’d do all the hard work.” Ormonde grinned. “Of course, I’d pay you the standard rates.”
    Aurelia grinned back. “I had such fun planning Trevellyan’s ceremony I’d be happy to do yours for free. Besides, I don’t have a clue what the standard rate is. But then again, I really need a job and to contribute to my living expenses. I’d never thought of a career as a party planner. Maybe I’ve been searching the wrong job lists!”
    She pulled a little notepad and a pen out of her purse. “Okay, tell me, what sort of ceremony did you have in mind? One inside a building, like at the Town Hall? Or a religious ceremony? Or something outside in a garden like Evelyn had?”
    “Kyryl has a lot of work colleagues, and he’d have to invite all of them, so as not to offend anyone. And Damon comes from a very close extended family. So the same thing there, another long guest list. I think the best solution would be inside a function center, so if the weather turns bad, it’s not a problem.”
    “Yeah, trying to squeeze a lot of people under a marquee in the rain might not work.”
    Half an hour later, Aurelia had a good idea of the kinds of things Ormonde would like. “I’ve gotten enough information to rough out a plan of the day for you, and then you and your men can talk it through before we refine it and start making bookings.”
    “Thank you so much, Aurelia. I’m really getting excited now. I guess, until Evelyn’s event, I’d never really believed I’d have a commitment ceremony of my own. It took me a long time to realize I could love two men equally, and not have to choose between them. To say words of commitment, wow, it just blows my mind away.”
    Aurelia squeezed Ormonde’s hand. “I know exactly what you mean. I could never choose between Mas and Niall.”
    “They’re good men. If I didn’t have Kyryl and Damon, I’d be very tempted by Mas. What I’d give to have eyes like his. No judge would ever question him the way I get questioned!”
    “That information is all in the public domain,” they chanted together then laughed.
    “Absolutely,” said Ormonde, standing up.
    “I’ll phone you when I’ve done the outline of your ceremony.”
    Aurelia hurried home, her mind full of ways to divide a large room up so that small groups of seating could be set out for more private conversation. Maybe with little tables scattered around for people to put drinks and platters of finger food on? And greenery. Potted plants, trees even, and a lot of flowers between the groups of seating.
     
    * * * *
     
    On Saturday, dressed in old jeans, boots, and thick sweaters, Aurelia, Mas, and Niall hired mountain bikes at the foot of a rolling hill. They were each given a map of the trails, told the man at the counter their cell phone numbers, and were reminded the bikes had to be returned before dusk.
    Aurelia liked the feel of her bike. The wide, thick tires gave it more maneuverability and stability than a regular bike, and its entire construction seemed somehow sturdier, more solid and dependable. Which I guess I need to go riding around dirt tracks in the hills .
    The day’s activity had been Niall’s idea, and he was the one carrying their picnic lunch in his backpack. Aurelia’s backpack had sunscreen and water in it, and plenty of space for her sweater when she warmed up some and wanted to take it off.
    Niall led the way, legs pumping hard, up the dirt track