I was by no means ashamed of who I was or what I did for a living. Not in the least. I’d had a successful career that in no way would ever make me a millionaire, but I enjoyed my job. I enjoyed working a color palate and running with not-your-everyday themes just as much as anyone else in the business. The last-minute changes that sent everyone into hysterics while I problem solved—that was getting closer to why I went into the business.
Not just the typical “florist is late” and the “bakery delivered the wrong cake” kind of problems. I had a reputation of makingmiracleshappen. There was a solution for nearly every scenario. And when there wasn’t; that was when I had the most fun. To put it simply; I loved it when shit went wrong. My old boss, Ron once joked; “I’d love to see what you’d do in a runaway bride situation,” Clearly implying if I’d go as far as taking the bride’s place just to save the day.
Needless to say, and considering I was twenty-nine, single with no children; my career waseverything. Busy as a bee was how I liked it.
And now...him.
I huffed out a short laugh. I hated to admit I enjoyed these encounters—all of them. The last three days. In a row. I couldn’t remember the last time I saw a man that often that I was actuallydating. Much less, someone I needed to stay the hell away from.
Even though I teased him about it, there was nothing heartless about the man; at least not when he smiled. And he had a show-stopping smile—the kind that made a woman focus on it and stop breathing for a good four seconds while everything else became hazy. His voice was smooth and always seemed game for anything I threw his way.
And had I really called himSuperman?
I shook my head and rubbed my eyelids.
Charming to all hell…and not meant for you.
Someone snapped their fingers near my desk making me jump.
“I’m sorry hun, didn’t mean to startle you.” Bobby didn’t sound apologetic at all.
“There’s a team meeting in the main conference room. Five minutes.”
I clicked on my calendar. “I don’t remember seeing…”
“Just popped up. Starr asked me to make the rounds—make sure everyone is aware and can accommodate.” He looked me up and down. “Good thing you got back from your extended lunch break in time,” he sneered and sauntered off.
What was that supposed to mean? I never had to justify my lunch breaks before to anyone. Least of all, a co-worker who was by no means someone I reported to.
Moments later, I stepped in to the larger of the two conference rooms on the entire floor. The room held an extended shiny wooden table and was surrounded by at least a dozen black leather chairs. All of which had already been occupied. I lined myself against the back wall along with a few other employees. Every soul in the room was babbling away. But the undertone was easy to pick up.
They were nervous. Exchanging rumors heard.
Some asking about a man they’d seen walking in and out of the office a few times in the last two weeks.
Mimi’s warning email from the other day came into mind.
The chatter quieted almost instantly when Starr and Dean walked into the room a moment after.
“Thank you all for meeting on short notice. We appreciate you—” Dean started.
Mimi hurried in and muttered a quick apology as Starr shot her a look.
Dean clapped his hand once. “I believe that’s just about everyone, now. Let’s just get started. As you all know, Starr-Bright Events has been moving up to be well known and respected as one of the industry’s lead non-profit charity event planners. Now the fact that we offer non-profit services is what got us the recognition.” He glanced at Starr. “That said, it is important we remember that it is notallwe are. Our organizational reputation for corporate and social events is just as important to maintain.” Dean paused for a deep breath. “Starr and I noticed that over the last two years, nearly sixty percent of our staff—yes, you guys—picked upsolelynon-profit charity events during the holiday season.”
Either I was imagining it, or at that moment, approximately sixty percent of the room shifted and glanced around the room.
Starr took a step forward. “As grateful as we are to your commitment to prioritizing these charities that depend on us—it is simply unacceptable to make them youronlyfocus during the holiday season,” she added. “We have been losing hundreds of projects for large-scale events because we’re just not making them a priority.”
“Well, that is changing this year.” Dean stepped in again. “In order for us to continue doing well and helping charities run their events at little to no cost, we need to back up our revenue. So, starting November, when the calls start coming in, unless you have a profitable corporate or social event project, you are strictly prohibited from accepting any non-profit events until January.”
One of the staff members I remembered as Brian called out. “So what are we supposed to do when they call us to plan their event again this year? Returning customers is another thing the firm takes pride in, isn’t it?”
Good for you, Brian.
“Yeah, like the Children’s Hospital Santa Party,” the blond sitting next to him called out.
“Or Hillard’s gift wrapping bash?” Someone from the other side of the room called out.
