Don’t get me wrong, I liked Dean, but his ego was his downfall. Even now, when he was practically begging me to become a private investor in his firm to save it from shutting down, the man stood before me with his head held high. As if this were part of his business plan all along.
I shook my head and ran a hand through my hair. Being an old friend, I didn’t feel like I owed Dean anything. But I appreciated the idea behind his non-profit charity event planning, and wanted to see it thrive, despite how I felt about the owners of the damn place.
“My lawyers will do that part, but not so fast,” I answered. “You both need to understand that this isn’t just about throwing a good party. I’m sure your staff is amazing, every last one of them, but there’s much more of my advice that you haven’t even considered.” I hated getting frustrated—never needed to work this hard. Desperate business owners were eager to follow my guidance. Albeit, they might have considered themdemands, but still followed. These two were a bit too headstrong for my liking.
“Listen, I like what you guys do and I want to help, but I’m not investing in a business that demonstrates they don’t need to be saved. A business that uses its resources to do charitable eventsat cost, can’t be granting raises, hiring, and running their operation out of such a prominent location,” I circled in place and waved my hands around, “You don’t have clients coming here, you don’t need all this.”
“With all due respect, Scott,” Dean started sluggishly, in a “you still have a lot to learn”tone, “Starr and I worked very hard to get to a point where we can have such a location—for five straight years. And as for our employees, they are important to us, and they’re loyal. So yes, to show our appreciation, we do compensate them competitively.” Dean hesitated then continued. “You don’t know this trade, Scott. By limiting the number of employees we have, we limit the projects we take on.”
“With all due respect,Dean, I may not know much about the event planning business, but I’ve also never been in a situation where I need to shut down and start over. Which, I don’t know if you realize this,” my lip curved and head tilted to the side as I pointed out the door “once that happens—they’re all walkin’ right out of here with you.” I straightened, watching my old friend stand speechless. “You cut two today, you save eighteen for at least another few months until we figure out a new strategy.”
Dean raised an eyebrow. It was his defeated expression. He glanced at Starr, who motioned an arm toward him, giving her partner the decision. “Fine, we’ll consider some layoffs,” he muttered dryly before adding “alongwith other strategies, which we will come up with together.”
I glared back at Dean for a long moment. “I’ll have my lawyer draft something this week,” I moved to the door. “But nothing is getting signed until I start seeing some effort on your end. I won’t have my money drained in a business that refuses to make changes.”
“Understood,” Dean nodded, unenthusiastically.
“Scott,” Starr, who’d been awfully quiet for most of the discussion, came up behind me and turned me to face her. “I agree, perhaps we have been too loyal to our employees, but it might be a good idea for you to meet them, maybe individually or an official group introduction right out on our floor.” She peeked at Dean, who looked as though he was about to come out of his skin. “Of course once you’re officially part owner of the establishment.”
I knew she was right. Knowing your staff helps in a lot of good business decisions. Not knowing who does what exactly is where the downfall usually originates. “Very well,” I agreed. Perhaps the woman should speak up more often. “The employee that worked on the Hayes event last night,” I turned to Dean, “You said she was new and supposedly somewhat of a somebody in the industry?”
“To thosewithinthe industry, yes. There aren’t many venues in Manhattan that haven’t heard of Elle Rybeck.”
That surely was impressive. So was the night she’d thrown together; questionably flawlessly. “I’d like to meet her.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. We haven’t exactly made it public knowledge that we need—”
I held up a hand. “Relax, I just want to thank her without telling her my connection to this firm, and start onmy endof our deal—get to know the staff.” I winked at Starr.
She stepped in front of Dean and held a hand to his chest. “I’ll take him over to her desk.”
7
ELLE
The best cafewithin a two-block radius wasBlue Reserves; a bright, modern establishment, where the exterior is primarily made up of glass windows. Located on the corner of a busy intersection just across the street from my office building.
It typically had a line out the door and around the corner; almost reaching the next nearby coffee shop. But at this late hour of the morning, it was a reasonable fifteen-minute wait. I had only been a consumer of the place on two other occasions, but the coffee was beyond exceptional. The elite cafe mainly had business attired clientele and served pretty, high-end healthy choice pastries to complement their coffee. I had yet to hear anyone order plain coffee here. It was either a large cap, or red-eye, or cinnamon latte. I just wanted a large coffee to go.
I yawned.
Make that extra-large.
I overheard the barista telling a young woman that they didn’t serve decaf and can offer her a decafAmericano. At nearly double the price of regular coffee, the customer reluctantly accepted.
What kind of coffee place doesn’t serve decaf?
I quickly scanned the menu before it was my turn to order. I needed something strong, hot and foamy.
“Try the Censored Hot Brew,” a deep voice murmured over my shoulder.
My chest seized at the slight feeling that I might recognize the voice. I spun and there he was—Scott Weston.
And from what I’d Googled about the man…Just Scottwas definitely not appropriate for him.
He wore a crisp, solid white button-down shirt with a tan blazer. His hair, the same golden brown and slightly curled ends that I found mesmerizing the night before. And that killer slow smile when my face settled into recognition.
“Isabel,” he acknowledged with a slight nod.
