Page 30 of Hard to Resist

“And how did that happen?”

Davina’s eyes slip to Jenna, who looks a touch green. Celine doesn’t miss it.

“Jenna?”

“We accidentally submitted one of the earlier PSD files to the printer, and the CMYK values were off.” Her voice has a slightly higher pitch to it than normal.

Celine’s eyes narrow. “And I’m just now hearing of this?”

“We were able to contact the printer and get replacements within the timeframe. There won’t be any delays for the event, and everything will match the branding kit Mr. Kelton and you approved. It will all be cohesive, I promise.” Jenna is trying to smooth everything over, but the vein popping in her neck is giving her away.

Jenna all but had a heart attack the other week when she opened the box. It had taken an hour to get her to calm down. I’d never seen her like that before. The PMS was barely different, more a cerulean than a cobalt, and not something we would’ve normally freaked out over. Except, Celine is putting a lot—and I meana lot—of pressure on the Kelton contract.

We’ve never taken on a client like this before, one that goes beyond the scope of design and plays into event marketing. Celine is looking to expand her repertoire and boost her reputation, and tapping into the event space seems to be where she is headed. There will be a lot of eyes on the event, especially with the who’s who of Manhattan elite in attendance. Celebrities, athletes, CEOs—honestly anyone of top status from around the world is flying in for it. Celine refuses for even a hair to be out of place. We have to be perfect. Delute has to be perfect. Incorrect color swatches arenotperfect.

“And how much did that cost?”

“Four thousand.”

Celine cuts back to Davina. “And you approved this?”

“We had money in the budget.”

“Mhm.” The judgement is clear in her tone. “I want all hands on the Kelton project until it’s over. No new projects.”

“But—” The word leaves my lips before I can stop myself.

Shit.

“But what, Verity?”

Celine’s scrutiny shifts to me, and I can see Anne smirking out of the corner of my eye.

“But I have a client proposal.”

“Your team has already been leading the Kelton project. I will not have any of you shifting that energy elsewhere. Your proposal can wait.”

It can’t. Not really. The client is looking for a company to help with their new product launch but needs initial conceptsby the twentieth—which is in ten days. If we don’t take this on, someone else will, and I really freaking want this.

Celine seems to clock my lingering hesitance and she raises a thin brow.

“Is this client larger than Kelton Hotels, Ms. Moore?”

“They’re—”

“Yes or no.”

“Technically, no, but—”

“But nothing. The Kelton project is our most visible client right now. The crème de la crème will be attending the grand reveal for their special little honors club, a branding that we are responsible for. Nothing can go wrong, do you understand?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Then we are done here.” Celine shuts her laptop, and her assistant jumps up to collect the rest of her belongings before they file out of the meeting room.

The entire agenda for the meeting has been thrown out the window, but no one dares question it. If Celine is done, we all are.

The rest of my coworkers trickle out, but I remain rooted to my seat, staring at my screen and the presentation I’d put my whole heart into.

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