“We’re good,” he assured. “I’ve set up the light cues to automatic, so if there’s any delay, I just need a heads up so I can stall it.”
Elle nodded once, thankful for his skillful resolve. “I can do that.”
“Awesome, I’ll keep the volume up on this thing.” He tapped his mic.
Elle let out a breath and raced away. “Mimi, we’re good on the stage lights. How’s the kitchen?”
“Right on schedule.”
Someone else came onto the mic. “Ladies, we have a situation with a missing place card.”
“What’s the name?” Elle scanned her last-minute guest list as the venue’s concierge repeated the name she heard mumbled in the background. “Not on my list. Did they have an invitation or a ticket?” Elle pulled out the blank spare place cards she had requested in the initial order and her calligraphy pen, ready to transcribe, if needed.
“Ticket.”
Elle thought quickly and pulled out her own ticket sample. “What does the back say?”
He sighed. “It’s blank.”
Elle shoulders released. “Please let him know he was sold a fake and tell security to check this at the door.” Elle shut off her mic. “Amateurs.”
She hadn’t seen Scott anywhere on the floor; then again, she was too focused on the overall operation to notice.
Once the reception had begun and all guests were seated, Elle felt free to roam and focus on the evening’s schedule. It was much easier to keep track of nearly three hundred and thirty people when they were stationary and all facing one direction.
A speaker was up on the stage and by the sound of it, wrapping up soon. Elle searched from her hidden spot for the next speaker and he was nowhere in sight.
She hit her mic. “Ryan let’s hold on that next cue until we find the next speaker.”
“Holding,” he answered.
“Mimi, could you look for a Robert Saint Patrick. I think just ask Rebecca out on the floor. Andrew, could you please play some light music as soon as this one’s off the stage so it doesn’t look like we’re waiting for anybody,” Elle suggested.
“Ready,” Andrew assured.
Elle breathed out another sign of relief. She fought the urge to glance over at the table she knew Scott was seated at.
It’ll only throw you off. You’re at work.
“Elle,” Mimi found her and raced up. “There’s someone asking for you.”
Elle held up a finger, focusing on the stage. The next speaker was walking up the aisle and climbed the stairs just as Elle instructed Ryan to release the light cue. Once he was set, she turned to her eager partner. “Who, Starr?” She knew Starr was planning to attend, but not for the entire evening.
“No. He said he was going to wait for you by the gift bag table in the back of the hall,” Mimi explained. “He said you’d know who he is.”
“Thanks,” she murmured and stalked through the side doors to cross to the back of the hall.
Elle spotted the waiting old man and sighed. “If you’re looking for someone in a lacey black dress, you’re not going to find one here.”
Her old boss tossed a compact back into one of the gift bags and turned to face her. He scanned her black suit with a smirk across his face. “Elle, my dear.”
A smile escaped her. “How are you, Ron?” she asked before glancing at the seated crowd facing the opposite direction.
“We’re out of sight from his table,” he reassured.
Elle let out a shaky breath. “Thanks,” she paused and looked at him. “You never told me you had a family.”
“I didn’t really have them anymore,” he said grimly. “I’m sure Scotty told you the only version he chooses to believe. That I never wanted a family and ran off to build my empire.”
“He told me the only version that counts. That you’ve reconnected and he enjoys spending time with you,” Elle fibbed.
“You made up that last part.”
Elle laughed “He didn’t have to say it.”
Ron snickered. “I planned on coming back, you know.”
Elle shook her head facing away. “It’s none of my business,” she murmured.
“In that case, I’ll withdraw the question I was going to ask you,” he arched the same brow whenever he questioned her tactics.
“Good.”
“I’ll just skip to my advice. Elle, I made the mistake of putting my career first. And I lost everything in the end.”
Elle frowned, still facing the crowd. “It got carried away,” she mumbled, then shook her head. “I was going to tell him after the event tonight,” she watched Scott at his table, listening intently to the speaker. “But now I’m not so sure.”
Ron followed her eyes. “Don’t mind where he’s sitting and where you’re standing. I’ve never agreed with the persona you always thought you needed.”
She shook her head, doubt consuming her the past few days. “At this point he’ll just see me as a liar. And I’d only confirm his initial theory that the working class can’t be trusted.”
Ron huffed. “Or he’ll see the same Elle Rybeck that is able, brilliant and forceful all on her own.”
She turned back to him and gave him a bitter smile. “You still think I’m worthy of your son?”
“I think you’re more worthy of him than he is of you,”
“You’ve always given me too much credit.”
“Somebody has to.”
“Get back to your table. Runway’s about to start.” Elle turned on her ear piece as her old boss mouthed good luck and walked back to his seat.
On her way back, she was stopped by yet another guest. Rebecca.
Elle threw on her best smile. “Hey, everything okay?”
Rebecca pulled her aside. “Yes, listen before the last model is presented, we need to pause the show for an announcement from our CEO regarding the designer she’ll be showcasing. Could you make sure the stage crew and the last model knows.”
“Of course, so she should be cued to enter when she speaker is done.” Elle confirmed.
“And the applause.”
“Right.”
“Thanks much,” Rebecca stalked away, and Elle rolled her eyes.
She found Mimi, relayed the instructions and scanned her schedule. “Could you please let...Adrienne know to listen for her cue and then take the stage. They’re moving kind of fast, so she’ll already be standing by.”
“Start her strut when the applause ends...I’m on it,” Mimi confirmed before sliding back stage.
Elle turned her mic back on and instructed Ryan to pause on Adrienne’s light cue.
“Noted. Just give me the signal to release,” Ryan acknowledged.
Elle shut her mic off and breathed a sigh of relief. The night would be over very shortly after the final showcase. Dessert was already being served. She focused on the CEO’s speech and praise on the extraordinary work of this last but not least designer who they plan to feature quite a bit in the coming new year.
Ugh, get on with it.
Unable to control herself she looked over at Scott’s table but he was gone. It unsettled her that she didn’t have eyes on him. Especially since she was already spotted by Ron. Her eyes searched and found him leaning by one of the pillars. She froze.
He wasn’t alone.
A striking blond woman in a gold and black dress was with him. She reached up, dusting the shoulder of his suit jacket. He didn’t seem to welcome it but didn’t walk away either. Instead he gave her a wicked grin and leaned in closer only to disappear behind a crowd that stood and applauded.
Elle’s heart stopped. The noise in the room was like thunder and she looked for an escape.
How could she be so foolish? That was the kind of woman Scott belonged with. Prominent, elegant, upscale; a genuine version of Isabel.
Finally, the thunderous applause stopped and the room returned to a light chatter, which stopped almost abruptly with confusion spread across the guest’s faces. It took all but her name being urged twice i
n her earpiece before the adrenaline flooded and Elle’s eyes were wide as reality hit her.
Her head spun to the stage. A flushed and angry model stood on a dull lit runway.
Chapter 32
Scott
The last model emerged onto a desolate stage.
Scott tore his eyes off the frozen woman showcasing the evenings most talked about designer, and glanced around at the confused audience. Empire Fashions’ CEO stood from his chair and waved at the DJ who just shrugged at him.
Beside him, Claudia, who was just very politely reminded she wasn’t free to touch him whenever she felt like it, rushed forward, grabbing Rebecca. “What the hell is going on? Where are her lights?”
“I don’t know, I gave Elle very clear instructions. I’ll go find her.”
Before Rebecca could get away from Claudia’s wrath, the lights came on suddenly, in full effect. The model recovered and moved gracefully down the runway, posing a bizarre yet remarkable gown with confidence.
“Forget it, Bec, I’ll go find her,” she turned on her heel then swiveled back, “Which one is she again?”
Scott rolled his eyes and approached Claudia, placing both hands on her shoulders. She froze at his touch and looked up at him. “Why don’t you leave my staff to me,” he spoke coolly.
She breathed heavily and released herself from his hold. “Come on,” she turned to Rebecca, and they both raced over to a hysterical CEO and someone Scott assumed was the eminent designer.
Scott rubbed his forehead and checked his watch. He was not in the mood to deal with this tonight.
“Friend of yours?” Ron walked up to him handing him his drink.
“More like a foe.”
“Sure didn’t seem like it,” Ron cocked his head and turned to wave at one of the parting guests.
“It’s not what you think,”
“I’m not thinking anything. I’m just letting you know,” he turned to face him, “what it might look like to someone.”
Scott shook his head and finished off his drink. “Right. Like it matters to me if someone got the wrong idea here.” He set his drink down and rubbed his eyes, considering the tempting thought to call it a night and deal with the problem in the morning.
“I need to get out of here. Get some rest so I can fire someone in the morning,” Scott mumbled.
Ron pointed his glass at him. “Good luck with that,” he chuckled and walked away.
* * *
Scott took a long hot shower. The evening’s disaster played over in his head. What are the chances that Starr-Levy Events logo being displayed on every table would turn out to be something he now regretted?
He threw on a clean shirt as his doorbell rang. It was well after midnight at this point but it didn’t matter. A smile spread across his face before he opened the door and saw the miserable expression on hers. She stood at his doorstep dressed in a pantsuit, which she in fact looked amazingly sexy in. She opened her mouth to say something but then hesitated.
He frowned, pulling her inside. “Hey, what is it? Did something happen?”
She nodded. “I had a long night.”
The pained expression on her face tugged at his heart and he wrapped his arms around her. She released a breath and melted into him. After a moment she tensed and stepped back.
“Scott, I don’t think this is going to work.”
He glared at her. She was here to break up with him? He felt his heart start to tear at the seams.
He shook his head. “I don’t understand. You came here, after midnight...to end it?”
“I was afraid I’d change my mind tomorrow,” she said softly
“Still not making sense, sweetheart,” he snapped.
“I can’t explain it. Not tonight anyway. Maybe someday.” She shook her head. “I just realized tonight that...we’re not compatible. Your lifestyle. It’s very different from mine.”
He couldn’t believe her excuse. “This is all very funny, Isabel, because I’m unable to agree or disagree with you. I have no argument since you’ve told me so little about yourself to begin with,” he barked.
She flinched and he softened his tone.
“All I can do is stand here and try to convince you that we sure as hell do belong together because I’ve never felt this way about anyone and I know you feel it too.”
She looked at him bitterly. “You’re wrong.” She turned to leave and he grabbed her arm.
His voice was low. “Give me a reason I can hold on to.” He searched her eyes. “Is there someone else?”
“Definitely not.”
“Then it’s not good enough,” he whispered.
She looked utterly exhausted so he refused to pressure her any further. He released a deep breath. “Can we at least talk tomorrow? When...we’ve both had some rest?”
God how he wished he could kiss her and it’d be enough to convince her to stay.
She nodded. “Okay. Let’s talk tomorrow afternoon. At the park across the street from Blue Reserves.” She pulled his door open and he placed a hand over hers.
“I don’t know what’s going on. But I hope we can figure this out tomorrow.”
With one last weak smile, she turned away and left.
Chapter 33
Elle
She avoided the text from Ron that morning checking in on her. The last thing she needed was a lecture from her old boss when she was no doubt about to endure one as soon as she got upstairs. She chugged her coffee cup before even hitting the elevator bank at the lobby.
No matter the load of caffeine or mascara, her eyes still felt like glass. She was more than tired. More than annoyed at herself for last night’s screw up. There was a black cloud over her that even the best of problem solvers couldn’t fix. She was heartbroken.
She took a breath and rubbed the back of her neck as the elevator reached the floor to her office. She reminded herself why she always put her work first; distractions were a hazard. And she let it happen because of a man.
Worse, because of jealousy.
Surely no one would take her planned perfection meetings seriously anymore. She laughed to herself as she reached her desk.
Mimi rushed over to her desk. “Are you drunk?”
“What?”
“What are you laughing about? We’re going to be in serious trouble today. I’m astonished that someone didn’t hunt us down last night,” Mimi whispered.
“Oh it’s coming Meem, don’t you worry. But seriously; don’t worry. Last night was on me.”
“No. We’re partners. We stick together.”
Her new friend warmed her heart. “Thank you. But you did your part flawlessly. And mine would have been too...” she trailed off.
“You’re human,” Mimi shrugged and gave her a soft smile and then frowned. “Not that you don’t look terrific otherwise, but I’m going to recommend an eye cream that does wonders,” she offered, sliding back to her desk and reaching for a notepad.
Elle groaned. “Thanks.” She glanced at Dean’s door expecting anxiety to consume her. Instead she felt irritated that after everything she’d accomplished in her adult life; she had to explain herself to anyone.
She was better than this. And maybe it was time she stopped being afraid to declare it.
Her office phone rang.
Elle bit her lip. Maybe today wasn’t the best day to claim her Godliness.
Scott
A few minutes earlier…
“What the hell happened last night?” Scott barked when he walked into Dean’s office first thing Monday morning. After barely sleeping the night before and being in the mood he was in, he needed a reason why there was a major screw up at one of the biggest deals he’d handed this struggling company. Now that his name was all over this firm, he had a great deal to lose.
Dean jumped out of his chair. “Scott, Starr called me this morning and told me about the fumble last night. Look I can’t imagine what happened, but this never—”
“Where the hell
was your team? Where was she? I didn’t see anyone working the floor last night.”
“That’s how we like it, Scott.” Starr walked in and hung her coat up. She appeared so casual and unaffected.
“What? That doesn’t make any sense.” He turned away from her and faced Dean. The only one who seemed to care about the business at all.
“It’s part of our image,” Starr defended.
Dean eyed her tiredly, then turned back to Scott. “Look we will find out what happened and we’ll fix it.”
“And how do you typically fix something that happened at an important event, which you can’t take back?” Scott shouted. Knowing full well where part of his frustration was coming from, he stalked to the window. “Dean, I just signed to protect you guys from sinking as a firm because you showed me that you could handle anything after Donovan’s party.”
“Same person,” Dean mumbled, staring out absently out the glass door, regardless of the shades being down.
“I don’t give a damn.” He turned to Dean and pointed a finger at his own chest. “Do you know what she cost me last night? Why don’t you both show me you mean business; I want her gone. Now.”
Dean looked alarmed. “I don’t think that’s necessary. We don’t fire people for a mistake,” he held his hands up; “I get it, it was a big one, and I’m not sure why, but I’ll talk to her.”
Scott glared at his new partner and hitched up the warning in his tone. “This is my firm now too. Those are my employees just as much as they are yours until I feel like you can handle it on your own, Dean,” he seethed.
After a moment of hesitation, Dean looked at Starr. “Fine. Call her in,” he turned back to Scott. “I’ll do it.”
Starr picked up her phone and dialed a few digits. “Oh hi, Elle. Would you mind coming by for a moment?” her eyes flicked to Scott. “Great, thank you.”
Scott crossed to the sofa and sat, rubbing his hands together to control his anger. He didn’t typically get like this. Screw ups happen and perhaps his anger was displaced. But he didn’t care. If this Elle would be on the receiving end of his rage—then so be it. Someone needed to be.
The door opened swiftly and a breath caught in his throat when she walked in.
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