Page 36 of The Holidays with Mr. Mitchell
“Of course.”
“Next, legal and acquisitions. I want the de la Vega files compiled and ready—digital copies on my laptop, hard copies delivered to the plane before departure. Four days of negotiations means every angle, every precedent, every clause at my fingertips. I’ve confirmed the meeting at seven tomorrow morning. That jet can leave no later than ten this morning, as I will not walk in late.”
“I’ll handle it.” Her voice didn’t so much as waver.
“Finally, clear my calendar. Push everything non-critical, and notify Spencer and the board that I’ll be overseas until this deal is finalized. He’ll handle everything while I’m gone.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll update them immediately.”
I exhaled through my nose, tension bleeding into a wry smirk. Brooke’s efficiency had become more than serviceable these days, and I was impressed, which was saying a lot. Instead of walking into my office with freshly brewed pumpkin spice lattes, she was now sharp, all business, and seamless—the kind of precision I expected from my secretary. Who knew, maybe I’d keep this one on.
I had a couple of minutes to review any morning emails that I would be forwarding to Spencer to handle, so I went through them first after texting him to meet me in my office before I rushed out. After that was completed, I glanced over at the files that had been placed on my desk by Karen. Goddammit. I had no time for Christmas planning shit right now. I hadn’t even called Avery to tell her I would be leaving.
Karen had stacked the Paramount folder right on top, as if it were meant to ruin my morning.
“Paramount?” I muttered, flipping it open. “Why the hell does Avery need Paramount Studios to be approved? What in God’s name is she planning?”
The first page was a parade of line items that made no sense. “Horse-drawn carriages? Andonthe lot? Who the hell is she planning to cart around, the King of England?”
Spencer walked in just as I shoved the sheet aside. “Brooke said the jet is on standby.”
“Excellent. I need to get my ass out of here,” I grumbled, flipping again, “but instead, I’m signing approvals for carriages, snow machines, and fake cobblestones like I’m underwriting Disneyland.”
“Sounds like business as usual,” Spencer said with a grin.
“Figgy-fucking-pudding?” I said, staring at the first item fromVelvet Crumb. “This shit is impossible.Velvet Crumb, the bakery I ordered from formyevent, is now apparently partnering with Thomas Keller’s team forfiggy pudding?”
I glanced up to see Spence’s lips tighten to prevent him from smiling, “If Marquee is merging her incredible skill with Keller, that might be some of the best damn dessert we’ve ever tasted.”
“That’s not dessert. That’s my next quarterly bonuses baked into a fruitcake.”
Spencer smirked, folding his arms. “Sounds like Avery’s planning something big.”
“She’s planning something, and it’s all beyond absurd.”
“Well, she is working with Veléz, dude. That woman doesn’t fuck around with her events. She’s got a name for that reason.”
“And no thanks toyour wifefor introducing her to Avery. Now, I’m at war with a highly sought-after event planner.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t have been such a bastard with the holiday events this year, and a stubborn egomaniac to try and cover for that, and we wouldn’t be having this discussion.”
I rolled my eyes. “I don’t have time for this shit,” I said.
“I’ll go through it and make the approvals I know you’d confirm.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “How am I to believe you wouldn’t cross me?”
“Why the fuck would I cross you?”
“Because you’re being a little bitch like the rest of them, offended that you were getting a charcuterie board and champagne?”
Spence smirked. “If there’s one thing I don’t get sideways up my ass, it’s hurt feelings over holiday bullshit. So long as my wife and daughter have smiles on their faces come Christmas morning, I’m easy like that.”
“Then why did it seem you were on their side with this?”
He shrugged, “Because it’s always fun to watch you and Avery do the stupid shit you’re doing now to prove points to each other.”
“God,” I said, rising from my desk.
