“I’m really glad you’re working on this event with me, Mimi.” I smiled, re-inviting my one rule that I wasn’t here to make friends. That’s how distractions happen. That’s how people learned your weaknesses and ultimately, used them against you.
“It’s an honor, and don’t worry; I’m not an amateur. You won’t need to babysit me. Just tell me when and where you need me.”
Instantly, I felt bad for comparing Mimi to the rest of the staff here. She was clearly different, and noble. “I appreciate that,” I said. “I have a lot of calls to make this afternoon, maybe we can split them up?”
Mimi jumped off my desk. “Let’s do it.”
I glanced back at my screen. “And you know what? I think you’re right—let’s go with the classic.”
“No, I need this on better paper. Triple cardstock won’t do. It’s too thick. It needs toscreamluxury. I want the guests to pick up the place-cards and do a double-take. Do you understand what I’m asking for here?” I growled into the line.
The man on the other line muttered a response, but I was already drafting my next email for an entirely different item on my to-do list.
“Great, send me samples,” I demanded before hanging up.
This is good. This is where your mind needs to be.
Always.
It was Wednesday, and I was busier than I’d been in months working on the details of this event. After I had an earful from Claudia Heart on Friday evening about everything needing to be perfect and she couldn’t afford mistakes, I’d been a nervous wreck. Even planned on working through the weekend just to make sure I was on track.
But of course, Scott had better plans for us. We’d spent the entire weekend together, both in and out of his bed, shower, and the kitchen counter. We’d gone out to dinner on Saturday night, but on Sunday, he’d taken my phone from me and showed me what radio-silence for a day feels like.
I had no idea what it was like to go silent on your own, but having spent one with him, without thinking or checking on work, I had a feeling I’d been missing out. Though I doubted it would be the same if I pranced around my apartment half naked, making eggs, and watching Cheersalone.
But now, it had been two days since I’d spoken to him. On Monday he called to ‘hear my voice’ and apologize in advance for the upcoming busy week he was going to have. The gesture was sweet, even though I knew I’d miss him, but it had also set off red flags.
He was apparently closing that deal this week he’d been working on and needed to spend every bit of his time reviewing contracts and negotiating terms.
Just as well. Besides, I needed my focus too. I finally snapped out of my moment of weakness from the other day when I’d spent hours thinking about Scott and how I couldn’t bring myself to tell him that the night he’d met me was all a big…misunderstanding.
Or…you know, a flat out lie.
Last Friday was a close one. I trusted Mimi, but what if it got around that I wasn’t thoroughly engaged or being inefficient? The gala was less than four weeks away and I needed to get with it.
There was still so much to do.
I 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.
I shook my head again and stood. “I don’t care who’s in there, I need to get these signed so I can move forward.”
Marching to Dean’s office with the file, I raised my knuckles to the door but was interrupted by his assistant.
“He’s in a meeting,” Layla said.
I turned to the young blond behind the desk by his office. “I get it. But I’m sure he won’t mind if he knew why I needed these signed asap.”
She rolled her eyes. “Look, I can ring you when he’s out so you can sneak a peek.”
My brows drew together. “What?”
“All the girls on this side of the floor are gossiping about the hottie who went in there to meet with Dean and Starr. It’s like the third or fourth time he’d been here and they’re still acting like school children.” She rolled her eyes again, “I mean if you like that stiff suit type.”
Curious, I looked back at the door, not that I could see anything. The blinds were down, and it was quiet as hell in there. I shook my head. “Whatever, just have him sign these when he’s out and I’ll pick them up later, okay?”
“Will do.”
“Soft-touch in matte,” Mimi said when I returned.
