Page 130 of Party Favors

I knew what I would do when I got back to New York, and I had weighed out the pros and cons of each action. I couldn’t control other people, but I was in charge of my life. I had needed this trip home to catch my breath. To be able to hear my own thoughts and to pay attention to what I wanted.

While I didn’t know how things with Max would go, I would give him a chance to explain himself.

I wanted to smile and laugh again. And I knew the only way that would happen would be for me to hear him out.

CHAPTER FORTY

After I got home and dropped off my suitcase, I went directly to Elevated. There was a new receptionist at the front desk, and she looked overwhelmed. “Can I help you?” she asked.

“I’m here to see Franny.” She was the HR manager and had some paperwork for me to sign and a box of my things for me to collect. “I’m Everly Aprile.”

The receptionist’s eyes widened. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.”

It was very strange to be left in the lobby. This had been my second home for so many years that it was weird to be an outsider.

When the receptionist returned, she had Claudia with her, which I had not expected.

“Everly! I was hoping that we could chat. Would you mind coming into my office?”

“Sure.” I nodded.

When we got into her office, she closed the door and we both sat down. I felt a bit nervous, which was silly because it wasn’t like she could fire me.

“I want to hire you,” she said.

It was probably the last thing I would have predicted she would say. “What?”

“You will get the title of event planner and you’ll be reporting directly to me.”

“But what about Mr. Crawley?”

She narrowed her eyes. “What happened to you was wrong and ridiculous. I’ve already spoken to him and let him know that I would be doing this. You are an excellent employee and team player. It’s always been important to me to help other women succeed. You deserve that chance.”

A week ago I would have leapt at this opportunity, but now I had different plans. “Thank you so much. I really appreciate the offer, but I’ve decided to strike out on my own.” This had been one of the things I’d been planning over the last week. I knew starting my own company was a big risk, but I was ready to take some really big leaps. And thanks to the money Sunny had given me, I had enough to do it.

“Good for you, Everly. I would be happy to mentor you and help you get everything started.”

“Thank you!” Again, I hadn’t expected her response. “I will definitely take you up on that. And if you get any clients looking for a baby or bridal shower—”

“I will send them your way,” she said before I could finish my sentence. “Not that you’re going to need my help.”

She reached over and grabbed a pile of paper and pushed it toward me. “The word’s already spread, thanks to the work you did for the Belmont baby shower.”

“You mean the shower that got me fired?” The irony of that was not lost on me.

“I mean the shower that put your name on the map. Clients have been calling here and asking for you by name. This is a bunch of the messages and emails we’ve received and I’m giving them to you. This should help you get started.”

“But why don’t you keep these leads for yourself?” I suspected that it was what Adrian would have done.

“Because that’s not the kind of person I am,” she said. “Plus, like I told you, we’re not doing showers. But we would be happy to partner up with your new company for any clients who may need different types of events.”

I took the papers. “Thank you.”

She stood up and offered me her hand, and I shook it. I said, “I wish I’d been your assistant instead.”

“I wouldn’t have let you. I’d have promoted you within three months.” We walked over to her door. “Best of luck to you, Everly. You are going to be wildly successful.”

Wildly successful. The words pounded themselves into my brain as I walked toward HR.

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