Page 48 of 14 Night Tryst

“You can call me Savi, Emily, and thank you for holding down the fort while I got ready. Everything looks great.” Emily nods and hands me the clipboard.

“Okay, Savi, the only thing left is the briefing. Everything else is done just as you requested. If there’s nothing else you need from me I’ll go and check on Mr. Peirce before I leave.”

“Of course, please, thank you again.” Emily bids me goodbye and walks off in the opposite direction to find Logan. I can see why Logan’s life is anatomically in order when it comes to his work. Emily is an absolute godsend.

Just as I’m finishing up with the briefing Suzan strolls into the kitchen. Her very presence demanding attention the moment she walks into the room and sucks the energy right out of it as she does so. Suzan’s gaze falls on me and she gives me a once over and I swear I see her smile drop for a second as she takes in my appearance before she goes back to her usual snooty self and starts barking orders at everyone.

“This event, just as any organized by myself at Glitz and Glam, must run with absolute precision. There is absolutely no room for error. I want everyone smiling and circulating the room as they serve but do not engage with the guests unless you are spoken to. I expect you to be present, but also not be seen, am I clear?”

All eyes in the room turn to look at me and I nod once silently encouraging them to agree with her because the alternative wouldn’t be pleasant for any of us. They’re all familiar with me and how I like to run the events I coordinate, so my briefs are short and to the point. They all know what is expected of them and they deliver impeccably every time so I’m not concerned. Suzan prefers them to serve and not stand out to the guests, like a bunch of robots floating around the room unseen.

“The guests are starting to arrive, grab those trays and let’s get those guests drunk guys.” One by one they collect trays full of champagne served in crystal flutes and go off to circulate.

“Savannah, darling, you look…” I turn to look at Suzan expectantly, waiting for her to finish her sentence. “Well, you look a little overdressed if I’m being honest. Are you here to run the event or join it, sweetheart?” she sneers, placing one hand on her all too tiny hip and glowers at me with those ice globes she deems eyes. “Is that aDolce, you’re wearing?”

I smooth my hands over the dress and smile, “Yes, it is and I couldn’t very well show up to run an event as glamorous as this in jeans and a stained tee shirt, right? That wouldn’t look very good for your brand now, would it Suzan? I am representing you after all.” I reply with a sugary smile, and she just stares back at me with that patronizing smirk on her face that I get the urge to slap off at least eight times a day. “Also, while I have you. I got my paycheck this morning and noticed I only got paid six percent of the commission for the event I coordinated for Mr. Peirce in Istanbul. My percentage for that job as agreed by yourself was fifteen percent.”

“Oh,” she cocks her head to the side and frowns, feigning ignorance. “It must have been an oversight by payroll, I’ll have them look into it first thing Monday,” she says and turns to leave, but I stop her by stepping in her way.

“That’s what I thought. I thought it had to of been a mistake, so I emailed payroll and they emailed me back informing me it was all correct and signed off by yourself. I got six and you got nine percent of the commission.” I point out frankly, crossing my arms over my chest I wait patiently to hear what she has to say for herself.

“Savannah, this not the place to discuss this okay, sweetie.” She croons, placing her hand on my shoulder and giving it a squeeze. “There’s a lot of important people here tonight. So, we need to make sure everything is perfect, so run along and do what you get paid for and make sure those important guests feel very special and Logan Peirce is happy. M’kay hon?”

My insides burn with hot rage, but for Logan’s sake I bury it and force myself to nod and ignore the condescending undertone while she spoke to me like I’m some patsy that hangs on her every command and walk out of the kitchen.

While I wander through the reception area, keeping an eye on the staff to ensure they’re all doing what they’re supposed to I catch a pair of grey eyes watching me. Every bit of annoyance I felt before drains away when I see him across the room dressed in a tuxedo looking like a tall glass of sin.

As hard as I try, I can’t stay away from this man, I just can’t. It feels like there is a magnetic force that’s drawing me to him and the harder I try to resist the stronger the pull becomes making it damn near impossible to forbear.

Logan takes a long sip of his champagne; his eyes remain locked on mine. If he’s not careful, someone’s going to notice these desirous glances between us. The band play an instrumental version of Sway as the guests mingle and chat amongst themselves. In the distance I spot Suzan and Logan’s ex-wife laughing about something. April Lang, as always, is the most beautiful woman in the room. You can’t help but be drawn to her beauty, especially in that silver satin gown she’s wearing. I can’t help but wonder what Logan ever saw in me if April is the type of woman he goes for—actually let’s be honest she’s the type of woman every man goes for and every woman envies.

Willing myself to break eye contact I move across the room, but I can feel his gaze following me.

“Sav.”

Oh shit.

Turning slowly, I face Trent and smile. Just like his father, he’s in a tuxedo and boy does he look good in it.

“Trent, hi.” Trent leans in and brushes a kiss to my jaw. My eyes lift and find Logan’s watching us from across the room while he converses with a group of well-dressed middle-aged men. Well shit, if this isn’t awkward. I’ve been hoping to avoid him tonight but alas here he is, like a rash that won’t quit.

I pull away and take a step back from him putting a safe distance between us. “How are you?”

“I’m good,” I answer passingly, avoiding eye contact with him. “And you?”

Trent places his hand on my arm and leans in to speak into my ear. “I was hoping we could talk.” My stomach sinks deeper into my gut, and I sift through all the excuses I can think of to get out of having this god-awful conversation with him.

“Trent, I can’t right now. I’m working.” I say, pulling away again but his grip tightens on my arm.

“Please Sav, I have so much I want to say to you. It’s my father’s event, I promise you he won’t mind if I steal you away for a couple of minutes.” Oh, I assure you he damn well will mind. Given the steely glances I’m getting from him I can bet my life that he’s fighting every carnal urge to not storm over here. I’m not in the mood to argue with him, the quicker I get this over with the better.

“Okay, but I only have a couple of minutes. Your dad may not mind, but my boss is here and she’s watching me like a hawk.”

Trent takes my hand into his and guides me through the throng of people toward the back entrance where the tables are set and ready for the dinner which is due to be served in an hour. “Don’t worry about Suzan, she’s my mom’s friend. Nothing will happen to you, I promise, babe.”

“What did you want to talk about?” I ask after we step outside. Trent runs his fingers across his freshly shaved jaw, his ocean blue eyes search mine for a moment while he finds the words to start the conversation.

“Sav, I miss you.” And he chooses to go straight in with that. “These last couple of weeks you’ve been on my mind constantly.” I shake my head and go to speak but he silences me by taking my face into his hands and forcing me to look at him. “Don’t say anything, just hear me out baby, please?” With a sigh I nod and let him say what it is he wants to say. “I didn’t realize until I started going to therapy how much of an asshole I was to you. You were so good to me, Sav.” Trent expresses, his thumb stroking my jaw affectionately. “So patient, kind, and loving and I didn’t appreciate what I had with you until I lost you.” I lift my hands and take hold of his wrists to remove his hands off my face.

---