Sylvia shut the portfolio and leaned back. “When do you graduate?”
“Next May, if I take the fast track.” Gina’s hands shook a bit.
“That’s probably a good thing for me.”
Gina’s mouth dropped open.
Sylvia’s lips twitched. “Surely you knew I would see your talent?” She chuckled. “And not to backtrack, but what, exactly, is your last name?”
“Smithers.” The word came out as a whisper.
“Well, Gina Smithers.” Sylvia stood and extended her hand. “A position will be open at the end of May. Would you care to join Bridal Bliss?”
Gina set the coffee down and took Sylvia’s hand. “I’ll be the best designer you’ve ever had.”
Sylvia smiled. “Work hard. Listen to me. Do your best. That’s all I ask.”
Gina scooped her portfolio up and hugged it to her chest. Tears threatened on her lashes. “Thank you, Ms. Masters. Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome, Gina. Now go finish your schoolwork and then come back and see me.”
The young woman left, and Sylvia sat back down in her chair. A good decision. First meeting circumstances aside, it was picture perfect.
Liz came in and brought a warm cup of coffee. Sylvia looked at the logo on the side and scowled.
“Don’t tell me,” she growled. “There’s a butt load of food in the kitchen that my staff is partaking of as I speak.”
Liz nodded.
Sylvia took a sip of the coffee and didn’t let the pleasure show on her face. A small victory. “Fine. We’ll let Mr. Calhoun feed our staff for the duration.” She handed Liz a number. “Call Jon’s mother and make an appointment for me, please.”
“Would tomorrow work for you?”
Sylvia nodded. “I’m flexible on this. Apparently Mrs. McKee has a large business of her own to run.”
Liz glanced down at the number and back at Sylvia. “Maude McKee?”
“Yes.” Sylvia waited for her secretary to speak again. “Well. Don’t leave me in suspense. What’s up?”
“She’s a bit of a lion.”
Sylvia arched an eyebrow. “And I’m not?”
Liz chuckled. “That’s not it. I’m simply wondering if there will be bandages needed after the meeting.”
“No.” Sylvia smiled. “I’m sure it will be completely painless.”
* * * *
Three weeks later, Maude cleared her calendar for a meeting. Her secretary called Liz and left a message. She would meet Sylvia near the end of September at her office downtown. Every bit of the building gleamed. The sun glinted off the huge structure and seemed to caress every beam and window.
Tristan hadn’t been kidding. The McKee Building was a testament to iron and its uses. There were large metal sculptures in the front that boasted a huge lion roaring and several other pieces Sylvia were sure meant to intimidate.
Sylvia admired them and moved on. She wasn’t here for sculptures. The only purpose of her visit was to ascertain Maude’s reaction to the plans she made for the wedding. Iron out a few financial details. Then she wouldn’t have to come across the wonderful mother-in-law until the blessed event. And Sylvia planned to be far, far away on that day.
There were four different guards sitting at the main desk in the lobby. There were also six others who patrolled the first floor.
Sylvia lifted an eyebrow.
None of the couple hundred other people in the lobby seemed to notice. They strode by while listening to their earphones or chatting with co-workers about the latest policy and news. A bustling hive of activity.
Sylvia mentally shrugged and approached the guards. “Sylvia Masters to see Maude McKee.”
The guard in front of her nodded. “ID, please.”
She dug her license out and handed it over. The guard ran it through a machine that made a quick copy and handed it back. “Take elevator three to the twenty-eighth floor. Step out and walk to your right. There will be a desk there. Consult the secretary for directions. Have a nice day.” He sat back down and watched the monitors in front of him.
Summarily dismissed.
Sylvia tucked her license back in her small purse and rolled her eyes. She supposed he could have been a complete ass and patted her down. And the meeting would have been canceled.
There was no way in hell that being felt up would be part of a business meeting. Sylvia strode toward the elevators and found number three. She waited with about a dozen other people for the doors to open. The minute they did, she found herself between two gentlemen who would have looked more at home on a cattle range than in the huge skyscraper made of metal.
Both men wore blue jeans and blue chambray shirts with the sleeves rolled up. They wore black work boots with dust still clinging to the laces.
And for the first time in a long time, not counting Tristan Calhoun, Sylvia felt a spark of attraction.
She glanced at both their hands. No wedding rings. Of course, that may be because of the work they did. Sylvia glanced up and found the man on her right looking back at her. A blush crept into her cheeks.
He was gorgeous. She could admit that. His brown hair cut short and styled in layers. Blue eyes studied her while a generous mouth smiled.
“Ben.” He stuck out his hand and Sylvia took it.
“Sylvia.”
He nodded. “What brings you to the tower, anyway?”
“The tower?” Sylvia chuckled. “How appropriate,” she murmured. “I’m here to see the boss lady, herself.”
Ben arched an eyebrow. “You got in to see Maude? How in the hell did you manage that?”
“I had my secretary call.” Sylvia shook her head. “Is it that unusual?”
“That would be one word for it.” He frowned. “If you don’t mind my asking, why are you here?”
Sylvia mentally shrugged. It wouldn’t be that hard to find it out if he chose to look. “I’m the wedding planner for Jon McKee and Keira Calhoun’s wedding.”
“Ah.” A smile touched Ben’s eyes. “Yes. The Golden Boy got engaged. I remember reading about that.”
The elevator shot upwards. Ben looked at his watch. “How long do you expect the meeting to last?”
“Possibly an hour. More than likely less.” Sylvia’s nerves jumped. “Why?”
“How about a cup of coffee?”
Sylvia nearly swooned. “Coffee?”
Ben chuckled. “I see that’s a good idea.”
“The best.” Sylvia looked at her own watch. “Where will you be?”
“Around,” he said vaguely and winked at her. “Believe me. I’ll find you.”
The doors opened on her floor, and Sylvia stepped out. She wasn’t the only one. All but two of the occupants of the elevator also moved, including the man Sylvia made coffee plans with. He saluted her briefly and took off down the long hall to her right.
Sylvia watched him go and swallowed her sigh. As soon as the meeting was over there would be coffee and a highly attractive man in her future. A smile touched her lips. Didn’t get much better.
She approached the large circular desk. A secretary tapped incessantly away on the keyboard, and Sylvia cleared her throat.
The secretary’s head snapped up, and clear green eyes met Sylvia’s.
“Can I help you?”
Sylvia nodded. “Sylvia Masters to see Maude McKee.”
The secretary glanced down and checked a planner. She picked up the phone and pressed one. Then she repeated what Sylvia said. A second later, she hung up the phone.
“You may go in.” She motioned to the huge set of double doors behind the circular desk.
Sylvia braced herself. She Googled Maude McKee last night and found out what a formidable woman she was. The woman behind those doors was ruthless in her business dealings and suffered no fools.
Sylvia respected that. She strode to the doors, opened one, and stepped inside.
Utilitarian.
The office held none of the warmth that Tristan’s ha
d. The walls were a slate gray with a smattering of business degrees. A large oak desk sat in the center that boasted several plush gray chairs opposite it. And behind the massive desk sat a diminutive woman who looked like she would be better suited to baking cookies. Until she lifted her eyes. Maude’s skin was smooth and unblemished and only a handful of wrinkles showed about her eyes and mouth. Sylvia would have said laugh lines, but somehow she doubted it. The woman sat ramrod straight in her gray office chair and rested her hands upon a stack of ledgers.
The older woman wore a smart black suit with white dress shirt beneath it. It buttoned up to her throat. No jewelry took away the effect of pure power and purpose.
The cool gray eyes measured Sylvia, and then the woman motioned to a chair opposite her.
“Have a seat, Ms. Masters.”
Sylvia inclined her head and sat. “Thank you.”
Maude finished writing in the ledger before she closed it and sat back. Those gray eyes studied Sylvia from the tip of her ebony hair to the black suit that molded the curves she had. They moved back up and met Sylvia’s blue eyes.
“So. You’re the wedding planner.” The voice cool and detached.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Tristan hired you.” It was a statement. Not a question.
Sylvia simply nodded.
“I have several sons, Ms. Masters. But Jon is the only son I gave birth to.”
Sylvia’s stomach clenched.
“So you’ll see why I needed to meet you and see exactly what you have in mind for my son’s nuptials.”
“Yes.” Sylvia slid a folder from her purse and put it on the desk.
Maude picked it up and thumbed through it. Her face showed no expression whatsoever. She paused in some places and picked through others.
Sylvia waited silently while the older woman sifted through her plans.
Then Maude closed the folder. “This is my copy?”
“Yes.”
Maude nodded. “You’ve done well, Ms. Masters.”
“Thank you.”
“Would you like a drink?”
“Red wine, if you have it.”
Maude nodded her approval. “If you would have said ice water, I would’ve had to kick you out on mere principle.”
Sylvia chuckled.
Maude stood and walked over to the nearest door to her desk and made use of the small bar there. She poured Sylvia a drink and then one for herself.
The wine tasted heavenly, and Sylvia smiled. “If you have any questions, I would be more than happy to answer them.”
“As you are well aware, I will pay for the rehearsal dinner. Jon will pay for all the items the groom takes care of. How goes the search for the wedding dress?”
“Slowly.” Sylvia took another sip. “We have the reception dress.” She arched her eyebrow. “I hope Jon is taking vitamins.”
Maude threw back her head and laughed. “That good, is it?”
“Better,” Sylvia bragged.
Maude shook her head. “I married Jon’s father in a sundress on a hill in the country. We didn’t have anyone there but a preacher, my best friend and his.” She smiled fondly. “I wouldn’t care if Jon had the same type of wedding.” She paused. “But I know that isn’t going to happen.”
“Simple can be exquisitely lovely.” Sylvia nodded.
“But Jon’s beauty wants the whole shebang, doesn’t she?” Maude’s gray eyes measured her again.
“The lot of it,” Sylvia agreed.
“And good for her.” Maude smiled. “It’ll tie Tristan in knots. And that’s a show unto itself.”
At the mention of Tristan’s name, Sylvia’s stomach clenched. “It can be quite interesting.”
Maude leaned forward. “Tell me. Is he losing his mind?” Her gray eyes danced.
Sylvia leaned forward, also. “In more ways than one.” She grinned conspiratorially.
Maude slapped her hands on the desk. “I have about an hour before my meeting. Tell me absolutely everything.”
“Keira is running him into the ground.” Sylvia’s blue eyes danced. “She wants his opinion on everything. The cakes, the decor, the attire. And Tristan has stated that he plans on being a deciding factor in all aspects of the wedding.”
“Really?” Maude’s eyebrows rose. “That surprises me a bit.”
“How so?”
“Well.” Maude cocked her head to the side. “Tristan is as much of a workaholic as I am. We both had no idea of the seriousness of Jon and Keira’s relationship. We both keep our noses to the grindstone at great lengths. I assumed he would turn over the wedding duties to you and wash his hands of it.”
“I wish,” Sylvia muttered.
Maude’s eyes sharpened. “Is he being difficult?”
“Nothing I can’t handle,” Sylvia promised.
Maude’s lips twitched. “Oh. I’m quite sure of that, my dear.” Her eyes measured Sylvia carefully. “I have a feeling that Tristan didn’t quite know what he was biting off, did he?”
“Not. Quite.”
“That’s absolutely delightful.” Maude sighed. “I think you may be just what we need to sort this wedding out and throw it together. Keira’s such a lovely girl. And she needs someone to oversee all the details that her dear mother cannot.” Maude paused. “I’m hardly the type to be of any help. I have no experience in this area. More than likely my secretary would be handling all of it. And I have her overloaded as it is.”
“I will keep you apprised of every detail, Mrs. McKee,” Sylvia vowed. “And every time Tristan teeters on the edge of insanity, I’ll tuck away every detail to share at a later date.”
“Wonderful.” Maude checked her watch and winced. “I hate to shove you out the door, but I have to prepare for this meeting I have next.”
“Say no more.” Sylvia stood and extended her hand. “It’s been a pleasure, Mrs. McKee. I’ll be in touch.”
Maude shook her hand. “I’ll make sure my secretary knows that you are always welcome here, Ms. Masters.” She smiled. “And I do have three other sons.”
Sylvia threw back her head and laughed. “I’ll keep that in mind.” She nodded her head once and left through the same door she came through.
The secretary looked up once and then dropped her head back down to rapidly tap on her keyboard.
No sooner than Sylvia walked past the large desk, than Ben showed up at her elbow.
“Ah, Sylvia. Just the coffee drinker I was looking for.”
Sylvia let him guide her to the elevator and inside. She glanced up at him and smiled. “We are talking great coffee, right? None of that watered down stuff?”
“You wound me.” Ben clutched his chest.
Sylvia snickered. “And what is it you do here that you can come and go as you please and take coffee breaks when you want?”
“I’m in construction.” Ben put his arm around her when the elevator doors opened.
Sylvia enjoyed the feel of his arm around her shoulders and let him steer her through the throng of humanity to the outside sidewalk. “And where are we headed?”
“Just a little cafe on the corner.” Ben smiled down at her. His blue eyes sparkled.
Sylvia inhaled the clean smell of him and ducked her head to smile. It was nice. And how strange is that? Usually she avoided men like the plague. But this attractive construction worker wanted to take her to coffee. She had at least another hour before she needed to be back at the office.
Why shouldn’t she enjoy it?
Ben stopped at the corner shop and opened the door for her. Sylvia murmured her thanks and stepped inside. The aroma of coffee beans wafted over to her, and she inhaled deeply.
“Like that?”
Sylvia smiled up at him. “I’m convinced this is what Heaven smells like.”
Ben chuckled. “Have a seat. I’ll grab us a couple of shamelessly large coffees, and we can relax for a bit. You do have time, don’t you?” His blue eyes searched hers.
“Yes. I have a bit
of time.” Sylvia tucked her hair behind her ear and moved to a booth in the corner.
A lovely shop that catered to the coffee faithful. There were biscotti and cookies in glass jars across the top of the counters. Specialty coffee beans and mugs in a small store to the side. The entire store a lovely light brown that fed into the coffee motif.
There were only a handful of people inside the cafe. The shop obviously supplied wireless Internet. At least three people tapped away on the laptops and inhaled their lattes.
Ben walked over to her and put an enormous cup in front of her with a wink.
Sylvia arched an eyebrow. “Thanks.” She dragged the cup over and took a drink. “I suppose sleep is overrated.”
“That’s the spirit.” Ben took a sip of his and sighed in delight.
“This is fantastic.” Sylvia licked her lips. But it tasted familiar to her. She knew she’d never been to the cafe. So where did she taste it? It would surely come to her while she attempted to sleep tonight. Sylvia took another sip. “You do construction at the McKee building?”
“Yes.” Ben smiled at her. “Maude is a dragon when it comes to her building and details.”
“I like her.” Sylvia smiled up at him. She traced the rim of the coffee cup. “What are you working on?”
“A couple of offices on the north side of the building.” Ben glanced at her. “So. You buy into the marriage theory?”
Sylvia chuckled. “Why don’t you enlighten me? What exactly is this ‘marriage theory’?”
“You know.” Ben gestured vaguely. “Someone for everyone. Happily-ever-after. All that good stuff.”
“I believe in happiness.” Sylvia shrugged. “And whatever gets a person there without hurting anyone.”
“Ever been married?”
“No. You?”
Ben shook his head vehemently. “Not so much.”
Sylvia’s lips twitched. She took a sip of coffee. “So you didn’t invite me to coffee to discuss nuptials and weddings?”
“Not hardly.” Ben blinked once and moved closer. He picked up her hand and stroked the palm of it with his fingers. “I invited you to get to know you better.”
The shock ran through Sylvia before she had a chance to stifle it. Ben was interested in her. Sylvia warred with herself. Is this what happened when people actually stepped outside of their offices? Possible dates? She found herself excited and nervous. Her limited dating skills didn’t prepare her for what may lay ahead.
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