Page 4 of She Likes It, Hey Micah
If I could start taking over my own events, being at Lila’s beck and call for the last two years will have been worth it. Until then, it doesn’t really feel like it, and days like this make it hard to think positive.
“You’ve got this,” Kinley says and sends me on my way.
Though I’m usually one of the first ones in the office, Lila beat me this morning and is standing at her door with her arms folded. “Taylor.”
She only ever calls me by my last name, and it always makes me feel like I’m less than her. I’ve never figured out why. I glance at my watch, wincing when I see that I’m two minutes late. Probably shouldn’t have spent so much time waiting for Kinley to hype me up.
“Sorry I’m late, Lila.”
She rubs her well-glossed lips together as I approach. “I suppose there are worse things. You’ve prepared everything for Mr. Bradley’s arrival, correct?”
It’s as if I haven’t spent the last two years reading her mind and having things ready before she has to ask for them. Hurrying to my desk, I pick up the file folder that I prepared specifically for our potential new client, complete with cost quotes and pictures of Lila’s ideas.
“Everything is ready,” I tell her. “And I confirmed with Mr. Bradley that he will be here at eight thirty.”
“Good. Let me know precisely the moment he gets here.” She glances at the elevator, as if expecting him to suddenly walk through it.
I’m not sure what it is about this client, but Lila has been extra attentive to their proposed event even though we will barely have enough time to plan it all. Seriously, who hires an event company two weeks before their big night? Luckily, we at Ember Events have gotten used to Lila taking on impossible projects, and I’ve gotten good at sweet-talking vendors into giving us rushed orders.
When she disappears into her office, I breathe easier. She’s not the worst boss I’ve ever had, but…she’s up there. I never feel like I can do anything right with her until an event goes well and she praises my ability to deal with all the details. But then we’re right back into the doubt every time she tells me to keep my head down and stop inserting myself where I don’t belong.
This event, though. This one will prove that I have what it takes.
I settle at my desk and once again run through what I know about the prospective client. Lila had me do some research on Grant Bradley, and I couldn’t find a whole lot of info on the internet. So I asked Chad to look into him. My big brother is the best private investigator in Sun City, and when he told me Grant was one bad business deal away from going bankrupt, I figured I should believe him.
I kept that information away from Lila, knowing she would cut ties if there was any risk that she wouldn’t get paid. And this is one event that I can’t let anyone else handle.
The Greenwood Lodge has been open since 1927, though it’s been remodeled and rebuilt a few times. It’s only a couple of hours from here, high up in a little mountain range where it gets snow five months of the year. Though there’s not a whole lot up there outside of the lodge itself and a nearby ski resort, it’s nestled in such a picturesque place that people go there to get away from the world.
It’s where my parents were married.
I’ve always wanted to get married there too. I feel like maybe if I do, my mom will be there with me.
Basically, I’m going to do everything I can to make sure we get to pull off this grand reopening because I refuse to let anyone ruin the place that means so much to me.
When the elevator dings, I hop to my feet and hurry over to greet Mr. Bradley with the friendliest welcome he’s ever gotten. Make sure he has no reason to find another event planner.
The elevator doors open onto a younger man than I expected. He doesn’t quite look like his picture, but there are enough similarities there that I’m pretty sure it’s Grant. Maybe he lost a bunch of weight recently?
“Mr. Bradley!” I say brightly and hold out the cup of coffee I have ready for him. Black. Disgusting. “Welcome to Ember Events! I’m Micah, Lila’s assistant, and on behalf of everyone here at Ember, I would like you to know that we are so glad you’ve chosen us for this momentous event.”
Mr. Bradley blinks, glancing down at the coffee cup for a long moment before taking it from me and taking a sip. He looks a little shell shocked, which probably means I overdid my welcome.Oops.
I don’t let my smile falter. “I’m really impressed with the work you’ve done, Mr. Bradley, and I can’t wait to see what you do with the Greenwood.”
“Is that so?” He narrows his eyes at me. Goodness, his eyes are dark. They’re practically black, and combined with his dark brown hair and pale skin, he’s quite striking. Like, in a dark and broody handsome morally gray hero kind of way. “What has been your favorite project?”
This feels like a test. Good thing I’m good at tests. I may not always remember facts afterward, but I’m an excellent test taker. “That shopping center that you revitalized a few years ago was pretty amazing.”
Mr. Bradley takes a long swig of coffee. “The center failed. Lost millions. It’s a health clinic now.”
“But it would have remained empty if you hadn’t stepped in and updated everything. That’s one of the best clinics in the city now.”
“Hmm. I suppose you’re right.”
This guy is not giving me much to work with. I decide to try throwing another bone to see if I can improve his mood before I take him to Lila. “And I’ve seen pictures of that apartment building over on Twenty-third Street. It looks gorgeous.”
“It’s half-empty. Can’t find any renters on that side of town.”
