Page 16 of Worth the Wait
As we pull into the parking lot of Luminous Events, I do a quick check of my current state. With my shirt wrinkled despite my best efforts and my hair doing that thing it does when I’ve spent too many hours in recycled airplane air—private jet or not, it’s still the same recycled air—Lianne is going to take one look atme and wonder if I’ve forgotten basic grooming. I mean, I don’t look that bad. Just not the usual “together” Cameron Judd she’s known.
But then, the Cameron she used to know was an immature asshole who traded her love for the security of the family name.
Still, I’m here, because missing this meeting would mean waiting another week to see her, and apparently my self-control has limitations I’m only now discovering.
I take the elevator to the third floor, grateful for the few seconds of quiet before I have to pretend I’m a competent businessman instead of someone who’s struggling to remember what time zone he’s in.
“Mr. Judd, welcome back,” Amanda says as I step into the lobby. “How was Europe?”
“Productive,” I manage, though the truth is more complicated. The acquisition went through, Sterling Industries expanded into new markets, and I spent most of the week thinking about a woman who probably wishes I’d stayed in Europe permanently.
“Miss Peralta’s ready for you in the conference room. Can I get you some coffee? You look like you could use it.”
God bless Amanda for her diplomatic phrasing.
“Coffee would be perfect. Black, please.”
She nods and disappears toward what I assume is a kitchen, leaving me to find my own way to the conference room. Through the glass walls, I can see Lianne arranging what looks like a small forest of floral samples on the table. She’s wearing a burgundy dress that hugs her curves in ways that make my jet-lagged brain forget how to form coherent thoughts, her hairpulled back in a neat bun that emphasizes the elegant line of her neck.
Beautiful. Even exhausted and running on fumes, that’s the first thought that hits me when I see her.
She looks up as I approach, and I catch a flicker of something—concern?—before her professional mask slides into place.
“Mr. Judd, you look tired,” she says. “How was your trip?”
“Long. But successful.” I settle into a chair across from her, grateful to sit down before my knees decide they’ve had enough of supporting my weight. “Thank you for accommodating my schedule. I know the timing isn’t ideal.”
“Of course. Time-sensitive decisions can’t wait for convenient scheduling. You did receive the contract, yes?”
I nod. “I did. Thank you.”
“Good.” She gestures to the floral arrangements spread across the conference table. “Now, about the floral arrangements you wanted to be involved in, I’ve put together several options for the centerpieces and accent pieces. Each represents a different aesthetic approach while staying within the budget parameters we discussed.”
I try to focus on what she’s showing me, but the combinations of colors and textures blur together in ways that have more to do with my current mental state than the quality of her work. There are roses and lilies, something that might be orchids, and arrangements that range from classic elegance to contemporary minimalism.
They’re all beautiful. They’re also all completely interchangeable in my current condition.
“These are excellent,” I say, which is true even if I can’t quite process the individual merits of each option. “You’ve covered the full range of possibilities.”
Lianne studies my face with the kind of attention that suggests she’s noticed my lack of specific feedback.
“The roses represent traditional corporate elegance,” she explains, moving to stand beside an arrangement of white and cream blooms. “Classic, sophisticated, appropriate for Sterling Industries’ established reputation.”
I nod, trying to look like I’m processing this information instead of thinking about how her perfume smells like jasmine and something uniquely her.
“The orchids are more contemporary,” she continues, indicating an arrangement of white and green flowers. “Modern, innovative, forward-thinking. They’d complement the ‘legacy and innovation’ theme we discussed.”
More nodding. I’m becoming an expert at looking engaged while my brain runs on autopilot.
“And the mixed arrangements offer versatility.” She moves to a display that combines several types of flowers in what looks like carefully orchestrated chaos. “Different textures and colors, visual interest without overwhelming the space.”
She’s good at this. Even in my current state, I can appreciate the thought and strategy behind each option. Lianne doesn’t just arrange flowers—she creates experiences, tells stories through design choices that most people wouldn’t even notice but would definitely feel.
“What about peonies?” I ask, the question coming out before I can think better of it.
Lianne freezes, her hand hovering over the mixed arrangement she was adjusting. “What about them?” she asks, her voice carefully neutral.
“They’re elegant. Sophisticated. They’d work well with the overall aesthetic.” I’m improvising now, trying to justify a suggestion that came from somewhere deeper than business strategy. “Soft colors, interesting texture.”
