Chapter 2: 

2 months later

“The place looks amazing! I told you we could do this!” Madison exclaims looking around the ballroom they had converted into an MTV-worthy event. TV screens had been set up around the room, showing clips from throughout the years. 

“It does look pretty good,” Mina agrees, trying not to look at the music artist cutouts in the corner where a group of influencers were snapping selfies. The *NSYNC one was front and center. Mina turns away so as not to have to look at it. The step and repeat was finished and guests were filling up the room. It was a night of throwbacks… she was pretty sure she saw Britney and Justin talking to Taylor Swift. Nick Jonas and Adam Levine walk in and take her breath away. 

“You look fantastic tonight too! New dress?” Madison adds glancing over at Mina. She treated herself with a new dress- an off the shoulder, sheath cocktail dress and it was purple, her favorite color. 

“You caught me. I splurged a little” 

“We deserve it! Listen, I do need another small favor?” 

“Mads I love you… but I’m gonna start writing down all these favors. You owe me!” 

“I know, I know. Sorry...last one…I promise. Just stay about half an hour later tonight for me? I’ve got a date, with that doctor I told you about” Madi explains

“A doctor? Oooh” Mina laughs

“You’re the best. You’ve got everything out here? I’m gonna check everything in the back” 

Mina nods in reply and looks back out at the crowd. The room was filled up now, everyone milling about. She spots Carson Daly at the front of the room, looking as if he was going to make a speech. 

JC felt like he’d been at this party for ages but according to his watch, it had only been 90 minutes. He normally didn’t attend these things but Justin convinced him that ever since their VMA reunion MTV wanted all the guys together again and he just had to be there. He reluctantly agreed and now here he was. He downs his scotch and orders another from a passing server. He glances around the room and something or should he say someone caught his eye. He had noticed her as soon as he had walked in earlier in the evening but there she was again. This time she was standing towards the back of the room, alone. She was tall, taller than most girls he knew at least, her long legs peeking out from the bottom of her purple cocktail dress with dark hair and curves in all the right places. JC had no idea who she was but she had to be the sexiest woman he had ever seen, and he had seen quite a few. There was something vaguely familiar about her but he couldn’t quite place what it was. 

“C.. you good?” Justin asks, walking back over to him, snapping him out of his thoughts about the mystery woman.

Mina stands towards the back of the room near the bar just waiting to make her escape. Madison had already gone and she had briefed the “planner minions” on wrapping up the end of the party so she could leave. Only half an hour to go. She shouldn’t drink on the job but a server walks past with champagne so she grabs a flute and downs it quickly. That’s when she spots him. 

He was in the middle of the room, Justin and Carson to his right. He was laughing and his eyes lit up. She could still hear his stupid laugh in her head. He was dressed up more than most at the party. Gray slacks with a black button-down, open at the neck. She couldn’t help but look him up and down. “Damn his ass looks good,” she thinks to herself. 

“White wine please?” she turns around and asks the bartender. He passes her a glass and she thanks him. 

“Fun party right?” a voice calls from her left. Mina glances over and sees one of the influencers from earlier in the night at her side. She was young, blonde, and very petite. Everything Mina had never been, seeing as how she was always taller than all the other girls. Mina has a feeling that she didn’t even grew up watching MTV but was only here to rub elbows with all the popstars. 

“Yeah fun” she agrees, her voice thick with annoyance “Sorry. I’m here working, not here for the party” Mina adds 

“Wait… Morgan Events? I love your work!” the girl exclaims with a large smile

“Guilty. Mina Morgan” she extends her hand as the girl takes it

 
“Charlotte Samuels. You did my best friend’s wedding last year!” 

“We’re working on doing more product launches and events like this,” Mina tells her, gesturing around the room. 

“I’ve been trying to convince my boyfriend to let me plan a huge party for his 40th in a few months. I’d love for you to do it!” Charlotte says. Mina nearly chokes on her wine. This girl couldn’t be more than 25, did she just say her boyfriend was 40? She chuckles silently to herself. 

“He’s around here somewhere. I’d love for you to meet him” 

JC laughs at some old story Justin was telling. He was ready to head out. Chris and Karly had just left. Joey had disappeared and Lance & Michael were on the dance floor. 

“C looks like your girl beckons” Justin jokes, pointing across the room. JC looks behind him and notices his girlfriend Charlotte talking to the mystery woman. Shit. Charlotte was gesturing towards him and he knew that meant he was needed. He starts towards them. 

“Oh, there he is!” Charlotte announces and Mina looks up. JC was walking towards her. Mina almost spits out her wine. 

“JC… this is Mina Morgan from Morgan Events. I’m thinking of having them do your birthday party” Char tells him. He had told her a million times that just cause he was turning 40 didn’t mean he needed a big party. Just a few friends and the guys were enough but Charlotte wasn’t having it. 

“Mina Morgan” the woman introduces herself. He shakes her hand and meets her eyes and that’s when he realizes. Mina. His Mina. Shit. 

“Willie… is it really you? It's been forever. You look… amazing” JC says. Mina notices his stumbling over his words. He looks shocked yet nervous. 

“It’s really me. It has been 20 years Josh” Mina replies. Charlotte stands there dumbfounded. 

“You already know each other?” she speaks up

“Char… this is my best friend Mina” 

“Childhood best friend. We haven’t seen each other in quite a while” 

JC goes to respond but Mina cuts him off. 

“Charlotte it was great meeting you but I have to get going. If you want to discuss your event, here’s my card. Give us a call. Goodbye Josh” she replies and walks away. 

JC stands there in shock. He couldn’t believe it. Little Willie had grown up. Gone was the gangly teenager he once knew. It had indeed been 20 years but he must have royally fucked up. He knew most of her moods and the look on her face said it all.