The man on the other line muttered a response, but Elle was already drafting her next email for an entirely different item on her Must do Wednesday list.
“Great send me samples,” she demanded before hanging up.
This is good. This is where your mind needs to be.
Always.
It had been two days since she’d spoken to Scott. On Monday he had called to ‘hear her voice’ as well as apologize in advance for the upcoming busy week. The gesture was sweet but it had also set off red flags.
He was apparently closing a deal that week he’d been working on and needed to spend every bit of his time reviewing contracts and negotiating terms.
Just as well. Elle had finally snapped out of her moment of weakness from the other day and was back to being all business. She couldn’t believe she let herself get caught daydreaming rather than working on such a vital project. She trusted Mimi, but what if it got around that she wasn’t focused or wasn’t being efficient? The Winter Ballard was less than four weeks away and she needed to get with it.
She glanced at Dean’s door; eager to get his sign off on the budget before lining up the vendors. But it had been closed nearly all afternoon.
Elle shook her head again and went typing away like a maniac in search for a florist.
“Soft-touch in matte,” Mimi said in a flat tone behind her.
Elle look up. “What?”
“The cardstock you’re looking for. Try soft-touch in matte. Has that silky velvet feeling you might be looking for.” She turned to face her, her expression blank. “It’s pretty impressive. And very expensive.”
Elle blinked. “Thanks.”
Mimi turned back in her chair without another word.
Elle exhaled. She’d been practicing this apology for the past twenty-four hours and would still probably screw it up. She took two steps to her cube mates’ desk and leaned over it. “Hey. I’m sorry about yesterday. I shouldn’t have blown you off.”
“No, I shouldn’t pry into your personal business.”
Elle decided there was no harm in telling one person about her insecurities. Heaven knows she’d never admit them to Char, even though her best friend probably already knew.
“To be honest Meem, when you asked me about my personal life, I felt like I got caught losing focus on a project I had no place to be given—since I’m the most recent hire here. At Brightman, you didn’t make friends; everyone was a competitor. So I got a little defensive at the comment. Also, it’s totally something my mother would see and call me out on, which is probably why I have major trust and insecurity issues, but we won’t get into that now.”
Mimi laughed. “Thanks,” she shrugged. “I’m not judging. Honestly, I’m just happy to see that you’re human. I’d read about your past events when you started. Pretty spectacular; and also very back to back. Probably doesn’t leave much room for a social life.”
Elle smirked and nodded at the truth.
“I meant what I said; I’m honored to work on this with you. It just doesn’t have to be all work. You can allow yourself time to get lost in your thoughts …otherwise…you’re just a robot.”
Elle laughed. “My old boss used to say things like that,” she relaxed. “It’s just, losing focus isn’t me and things have just gotten so complicated, I’m afraid it’s not something I can make go away right now.”
Whether she broke it off with Scott or told him the truth, it would directly impact her job.
Mimi leaned in and whispered. “Then don’t,”
Elle’s eyes narrowed.
“Postpone it. At least until after the event next month.”
There was an idea.
“Clearly this has to do with Mr. Wonderful not knowing your real name—and whatever else there is to that story…but my point is Elle, it can wait. This opportunity—has a really tight schedule, and needs your undivided attention.”
Elle was in complete agreement. She couldn’t afford the distraction of handling her personal issue. She would just have to try and see less of Scott until the event and then pray that she hadn’t made a bad situation worse.
“Thanks for this, Mimi. You have no idea how much I needed someone to see both sides for me.”
“Sometimes a closer friend can turn a blind eye when they’re just looking out for you, I totally get it.”
Elle glanced over her shoulder. “Geez,” she muttered. “Door’s still closed.”
“Oh yeah, that VIP is here again,” Mimi shared. “Hey maybe Starr will walk him over again at some point. Wait’ll you check this one out.” Mimi’s eyes went wide and she blew a silent whistle.
Elle laughed and shook her head. “I’ll just email Dean for his approval later. I need to get out and clear my head anyway.” Elle grabbed her jacket and headed for the elevator.
Chapter 27
Elle
Finally—fresh air. Elle definitely needed to soak some up before spending hours later that night collecting options for centerpieces to send to a Claudia Heart, who Dean described as one frightening individual. Elle had only seen a glimpse of this woman when she stormed into Dean and Starr’s office that Monday with some demands and general theme. But it was no question that the woman wanted them to know who they were dealing with.
Elle was thankful not to be invited to that meeting. Brightman would always let her set their clients straight in the first meeting; using a careful selection of words reminding them to let the professionals dictate what each event can and can’t have.
She absently looked both ways before crossing the intersection, and heard an obnoxiously threatening loud horn. She turned to see a city cab fly over a speed bump and come at her with no sign of stopping.
Before she could make a single move, a body slammed into her with his arms gripping her hips, flinging them both to the other side of the street. Placing her back on her feet, she spun to face her rescuer, but had sensed him almost immediately.
She stared into Scott’s confused eyes and fought to catch her breath.
“Isabel, what were you doing? I saw you look both ways, how did you not see that cab coming?”
Elle glanced at the stream of oncoming traffic. “I don’t know, I’m usually…I guess I thought I could make it.”
His hands dropped from her coat. “Lucky I was in the neighborhood.”
Recovering from her daze, Elle looked up and smiled. “Thanks for the save, Superman. I’m happy to see you.”
“So, what are the chances you’re on this side of town again visiting the same client? Or are you finally going to admit that you do indeed have an office located here?”
She shrugged, and strode forward, tossing him a backwards glance. “Manhattan’s not that big of a city, Mr. Weston. I happen to easily transport from one side of town to the next in a matter of minutes between meetings.”
He caught up to her, and grabbed her waist, twisting her. “Well I’m certainly glad to run into you in any part of town. But preferably the one just outside my apartment.” His lips met hers in a sweet long kiss that literally gave her butterflies.
She melted into him, then pulled away and held him back with one hand on his chest, catching her breath. “I was just going to take a walk to clear my head; it’s been a crazy week. Want to join me?”
He swiped a hand over his face, suddenly appearing exhausted, “Actually, that sounds like a stellar idea. I could use a breather myself.” He took her hand and smiled down at her. “And nobody better to do it with.”
They entered the park and strode in silence for a few minutes.
“I take it you were at Blue Reserves?” Elle assumed.
“Actually not today, I mean yes, I did stop in for my usual and to check in but I was actually here on other business today.”
“Oh,” Elle said simply. Surely she’d have no place to ask given her one rule.
“The old friend’s business I told you about.”
“Ahh. By the looks of it, it’s not going as smoothly as you
’d hoped. Or rather; pardon my brutal honesty here; commanded.”
He winced. “Surprisingly, that hurt a little. I actually just closed that deal; they’ve done very little to impress me with any changes, but I’ve given them some time to come up with something before we revisit the idea of any cuts.”
“That’s a start,” Elle said mockingly. “I’m shocked there wasn’t anything they could come up with. I just recently put together an agenda for…my team, and I honestly didn’t know where to stop. Maybe the focus doesn’t have to be with changing your business plans to save money. It might help to start with—well, the help. Managing staff and each individual’s efficiencies. Eliminating waste and tracking the hours spent on project. I mean it doesn’t matter what business they’re in really, a little bit of oversight goes a long way.”
Elle hadn’t realized that they’d stopped walking at this point. Somewhere along the small planked bridge that lead across the pond, Scott had stopped to watch her rant. Or rather whine about some of the problems with her current workplace. And to be quite honest—her previous one too.
But no one ever listens to me.
Except Scott. He was listening. Or staring. Yep. He was just staring at her. His eyes were searching hers as if he’d seen flashes of gold in them.
Her initial instinct was to apologize. But that wouldn’t be Isabel. That was Elle. Isabel was more prominent. She wouldn’t be the type to hold anything back or apologize for what she thought. Isabel was the woman Elle let out when she wanted to have her voice heard.
Her brow arched instinctively, and she rolled her shoulders back before continuing on their path.
He caught up a second later, clearing his throat. “Thanks for that. I’m afraid that might not work for another investment I’m looking into; the guy has been incredibly difficult. The firm appears to be adequately staffed, but it’s more about his laziness that bothers me. His efforts have been minimal. We’ve met a number of times, but he’s convinced he’s fresh out of ideas and wants me to do the thinking for him. It seems strange since the guy appealed to me to save his family’s legacy. You would think he’d give it a flying chance to try.”
Elle thought about it, but decided there might not be much need to. “Sounds like he’s not very interested,” Elle mumbled.
“What do you mean?”
She looked up at him, “Just curious, have you ever offered to buy anyone out?”
He jerked back. “Why would I do that? I have no interest in running a firm. I just want to make a profit and move on.”
Elle nodded, suspecting that was the case. “Maybe you should let him know that.”
“Hmm…” He pulled her off the bridge and held her hand as she stepped over a puddle. “So, can I ask what’s been on your mind?
She shrugged. “Nothing specific. I’m working on a project that’s…launching towards the end of the year…and then, I don’t know. Might be time for a change of pace.”
He nodded, pushing a strand of hair away from her face. “It’s not who you are anymore.”
She looked at him in surprise. “You remembered.”
“Every word,” he assured. “I’m here with expert advice if you ever feel like sharing.” He took both her hands. “Isabel, I hope by now you know you can trust me. But I’m patient if you still have…reservations.”
Elle stood on her tiptoes and kissed him, silently deciding that giving him up now was not something she trusted herself to handle. Not without adversely affecting her biggest job ever. “I’m getting closer,” she promised.
A cool November breeze rustled the leaves off the trees and sprinkled around them.
As they turned back, she decided to simply come out with what’s been on her mind since Sunday. “So what’s the story with you and Ron Brightman? Are you…related?”
“Why would you think that?”
“You just seemed to have a very informal interaction. It wasn’t exactly business.”
He laughed. “Can’t get one past you,” he rubbed his face again. “Uh…distantly—oh so much distance.”
Elle nodded slowly and almost laughed on the icing on that cake. She breathed out a slow breath. “A story for another day, I guess.” Because she wasn’t sure how much more she could handle.
“Aren’t they all, just Isabel,” he raised an eyebrow.
A stronger breeze hit her veins and she slid her arms through his jacket, embracing his warmth. He raked his fingers through her hair and held her close.
They stood there for a moment before he kissed the top of her head. “Will you come by later for dinner at my place?” his voice was low.
She smiled at him. “Cooking or take out?”
“Depends on how the former goes,” he winked.
Chapter 28
Scott
Scott spent most of Friday at Hayes Enterprises working on his end of the deal. Donovan had nothing to gain out of the agreement, but offered Scott his contacts, use of his resources and to be present during any follow up meetings with Claudia Heart.
Scott shook his head. That man really was beginning to resemble a dirty old man.
“Kat,” Scott called from his old office on the executive floor, which Donovan never bothered to fill.
She peeked in at his door. Her expression professional, as always, but there was a hint of something else there. If he didn’t know any better, she appeared to be slightly annoyed.
He couldn’t decide what bothered him more, the fact that he might have done something to agitate her, or the fact that he had noticed. He rephrased the original command in his head and softened his usual tone. “Would you mind letting me know when his meeting is over? I need to get his thoughts on something.”
She blinked and jerked her head slightly. “Um...of course, will do,” she replied and walked back to her desk leaving his door slightly ajar.
The young woman didn’t work for him but he made a mental note to give her a Christmas bonus.
A few minutes later he heard the elevator ding and then some commotion out in the hall. Frustrated, he bolted outside his office, slamming the door shut behind him.
The three women turned in his direction. Claudia stood from where she was leaning over Kat’s desk. She rolled her shoulders back and flipped her long blond locks behind her. Her overly made up face and unnecessary heels approached him.
“Scott, finally. Will you please tell the assistant to do her job when you have visitors?”
Scott pushed his jacket back, placing his hands on his waist. He glared at the vixen before him. “Her name is Katherine,” he barked. “And I think I heard her ask you to take a seat.”
“Mr. Hayes asked to not be disturbed during his meeting,” Kat explained to Scott.
Claudia’s head shot back to Kat. “That’s because you haven’t told him I’m here. My colleague Rebecca is here as well,” she turned back to Scott with a softer expression. “She’s one of my leads on the Ballard event that we need to urgently catch up on.”
Scott ignored the introduction. “Kat will let you know when we’re ready. After the two of you offer your apologies to her; she’ll usher you in,” Scott turned and walked back to his office, “Unless I made myself clear, you can reschedule.” He knew they wouldn’t. Claudia needed those names. Her timeline depended on it and her senior partners were no doubt pressing for the source of the funds. His connections were crucial to her project.
About twenty minutes later, Kat pushed Scott’s door open. “I just brought Claudia and Rebecca in Donovan’s office.”
“Great, I’ll meet them there in a minute. Thanks so much, Kat.”
“Thank you,” she said smiling. “But you know, I’m usually pretty good at handling—”
Scott held up a hand. “Oh—no need. I’m well aware you can hold your own. But it’s still not something I am willing to tolerate. And I’m going to make sure Donovan doesn’t either.”
She nodded and he followed her out of his office and walked into Donovan’s.
Donovan chuckled just before Scott shot him an unamused expression. His old boss immediately cleared his throat. “Well, I’m glad you did. Kat holds an important position and we can’t have our guests coming in here and asking her to break the rules for them.”
So he did understand. Or just knew how to appease Scott.
He walked over to the center of the room and tossed a folder on the glass table in front of the two women. “A few options,” he placed both hands in his pockets and walked to the window. “My recommendation is the top two, they’re offering top dollar for a spot at the entrance; not sure how fitting that would be; given the industry. The second might be a better fit, and they claim to have the capacity in the coming weeks to make custom samples for the gift bags.”
Claudia and her colleague scanned the rest of the short list of names Scott and someone on Donovan’s team had prepared. They exchanged a few looks and muttered a few words before Claudia stood.
“Works for us. We’ll draw up the contracts ASAP. I’ll need logos, locations and main contacts from each firm as soon as possible; we’ll need to add them to our lineup of sponsors on the website.”
Scott shrugged from where he stood by the window. “Don’t look at me, my job is done. The rest is you and the planners,” he smirked. “I suppose if you were nicer to Katherine, she might be willing to take time out of her busy day to email you the contact info.”
Claudia huffed and turned to Rebecca, who stood immediately.
“I’ll go check with her.” Rebecca tossed a polite smile, grabbed the folder and walked out.
Claudia sauntered toward Scott at the window, ignoring Donovan’s heckling. “Scott, this is very important. No screw-ups. This firm we hired to plan this better be good,” she warned.
“They’ve got the best on the job. I’ve made sure of it myself. Besides, I’ve just signed on as a temporary partner. This has my name all over it too. And as per our agreement, Starr-Levy Events will have their logo on every table in the main hall, and a banner along the runway. If anything goes wrong, trust me, they’ll have someone much bigger than you to answer to.”
Planned to Perfection Page 13
