so, do we like each other or not? // JENLISA

Chapter 24

When Jennie said she didn't know how to organise a proper party, she really hadn't been kidding.

For weeks after Miami, the idea didn't resurface again. Jennie was busy with her new gaggle of supermodel investors, plus a barrage of other events that Lisa dutifully attended. She didn't worry too much when the party idea seemed to fall by the wayside, because Jennie was busy and it had been a long shot anyway. But then one day in mid-September, Lisa received a frantic phone call from her.

"I saw Soohan," Jennie all but shouted down the phone. "I went to an exhibition of new artists and he was there showing some of his paintings, and I have to have him."

"Okay," Lisa said slowly. "Why are you yelling about it?"

"Because other people want him too. We need to act on this," Jennie said. "How long will it take you to organise a party?"

"Me?" Lisa asked. "I thought I'd just be helping you do it."

"I told you I don't know the first thing about hosting parties for hipsters," Jennie said, and she sounded completely hysterical.

"Jennie," Lisa replied, getting up from her desk and walking into to the storage room that had become her second office recently. "You need to calm down. Soohan has been interested in you for months; he's not suddenly going to run off with Lee or that Moe guy or anyone. You just need to be chilled about it."

"Okay," Jennie said, taking a deep breath. "Fine. Chilled. But I do need your help – can you and Jisoo take the lead on this?"

"Sure, whatever," Lisa said. "When do you want to do it?"

"Early next month?"

"Three weeks away?" Lisa asked dubiously. "That might be a bit too chilled."

"I can't do it any later – then it'll be Halloween, then Thanksgiving, then Christmas, and you do not have any idea what our calendar will look like by then. It will be hell, Lisa. It's now or never."

"Well, I'm guessing 'never' isn't really an option. Fine, three weeks should be enough time."

"Good. Because you and Jisoo are going to look at venues this weekend."

"What?" Lisa asked flatly.

"I've already told her, and she's going to start making appointments this week. Come to my apartment on Saturday morning and she'll take you to see them."

There was absolutely no point arguing with her, so Lisa just rolled her eyes. "Fine."

"I'm going to make a start on other details now."

"Jennie, please don't start paying for stuff without telling me first," Lisa said. "If these edgy artists receive an embossed invitation through the mail, they will not be coming."

"Well, how else am I supposed to invite them?"

"Through Facebook."

"You cannot be serious."

"Of course I am – it's the 21st century, Grandma. Just trust me on this."

"But—"

"Go back to the stuff you're good at," Lisa said, sounding way more confident than she felt. "I'll handle this. And I won't do anything without telling you. Promise."