Page 5 of Midnight & Memories

“Do you also handle all the graphics and the slogans used for promotional purposes?”

His tone was sharp, and his gaze was now on Parker to see if the man had any chivalry for the women before him.

“Not all of them. Parker sends me a lot of the slogan verbiage, and I just put the words with the pretty pictures to form the ad. I also handle them when the slogans are too long, and I have more experience than most. Basically, I make them pretty with a graphic that works for the saying. I’m not doing anything special.”

Her eyes finally met his, and they sparkled, but it was only a fleeting moment before she turned away again.

“Then it is settled. You will be present for this meeting and all future ones I will need for this planned gala event.”

Poppy’s eyes finally locked onto his, but they looked like they would fall out of their sockets.

“Okay, um, okay! I just need to go get my laptop. I didn’t bring it because I didn’t think I’d be taking any notes. Would anyone like any coffee while I’m out to get my laptop? Maybe a danish or something too?”

Her eyes were darker and excited, but they were still not meeting him as they should be because she was his equal and not a danish girl.

“I’m certain Parker has a personal assistant that can get us all coffee. You just worry about retrieving your laptop from your office.” Ridge said as he locked eyes with Parker again.

Parker winced slightly and then fumbled with the phone on his desk to ask his secretary to bring in a coffee and danish tray.

In all his years of existence, Ridge had hoped that the men of this era would treat their women as equals. However, it was apparent that they still expected women to care for the male species. And this time, it seemed to be in more degrading ways than he remembered when he was human.

Ridge felt sorry for Poppy because she seemed to be in a time where even her boss thought she should dote on any man of importance. At least when Ridge was human, they only expected the women to dote on their fathers or their husbands. Not both. And indeed, not an employer, too. The longer he spent in the human world, the more he wished to return to a simpler time as a vampire. A time when he could treat Poppy as the queen she deserved to be.

There was a knock at the door before Poppy entered again. Ridge frowned at the gesture. He didn’t think she would need to be this formal with her boss. She was so articulate when they were talking the night before. Her spelling and grammar were impeccable, something you don’t usually see in humans today. She clearly was a go-getter, and he hoped he could help her see herself in the way he did. She had enough brains to run far more than this gala he was proposing. Frankly, Parker might be with one less employee if he wasn’t careful. Because before this project was done, Ridge promised to snatch Poppy up for himself as his own PR person.

Poppy opened up her laptop and started to type.

“Okay! So, since I heard you wanted a gala, you are probably looking to do a fundraiser at this event?”

“Yes, Ms. Lee, I am. I want a live and silent auction for this, and I’d like as many donations as possible. Obviously, I’d also like some high-end ones to entice bids.”

“Of course! How long do I have to acquire these gifts for the auction? I’d need at least six months to get some decent ones from bigger vendors, but I’ll work with your timeline as best as possible. I also have a great program that can catalog each item for us. The one I am familiar with I used for a school auction, and it’s called Bidding For Good. That specific site is for nonprofits, so I’ll start looking at other options for your event.”

“You worked for a school at one point in your career? Excellent! I knew you’d be an asset to this event! I’d like to plan to have the event around the holidays. People enjoy spending extra during the season of giving.”

“It may be difficult to book a hall for such an event so soon.”

“I have more than a few connections, and I’m not too concerned with booking a hall. Worst-case scenario, we can have it at my house. I’ll leave you to your initial work with site planning and drawing up a budget. Money isn’t an object, so please plan this with what you think we will need, and you can brief me on your progress over dinner tonight at Gotham. Is six good?”

Poppy’s eyes widened.

“Um, Mr. Turner, thank you for the invitation, but Gotham is slightly out of my price range. Putting it mildly, I’m more of a beer budget person rather than champagne.” She said as heat rushed to her cheeks.

“This is my treat. Is six, okay?”

“Um, sure. Six is good.” She looked over at Parker, who had his mouth open.

“Would you like me to make the reservations for three, Mr. Turner?” Parker asked as he picked up his phone.

“That won’t be necessary, Parker. The manager and I are on a first-name basis. I’ll make arrangements with him, and the reservation will be for two. Poppy will handle a lot for me these next few months, and I’d like to butter her up beforehand.” Ridge said with a smile. “It’s the least I can do for such talent.”

Chapter Five

POPPY

The air seemed to thicken as Ridge’s last words came out with a glare pointed toward Parker. The whole thing seemed utterly absurd to her. Ridge didn’t need to be acting this way. In fact, the last thing Poppy needed was for whatever this was between the two of them to turn into a pissing match. Ridge appeared to show signs of jealousy towards Parker—which was weird because Parker was still married, and she wouldn’t ever go there, especially not with a boss. But Ridge was picking up on something she wasn’t, making her completely uncomfortable.

Could he really be jealous, though? I mean, we only chatted on a PM last night. And now that he knows who I am, the thought of him acting stalkerish went out the window. Still? Why is he looking at me like he wants to jam his tongue down my throat? God, this is all crazy talk! I’m letting my imagination get away from me.

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