“Let me know when he’s here,” I tell my assistant.
“Of course.”
I check my email, answer a few requests from clients and my team, and run through my points one more time before my assistant comes to get me, even though I can see through the glass walls.
“Mr. Vane.” I greet him warmly with a smile and a handshake.
“Richard,” he insists. “It’s good to see you, Daisy.”
At his side is a woman I’d judge as my age, fidgeting with the sleeve of her tailored jacket. She’s beautiful, with unblemished caramel skin and shrewd eyes. Her dark hair is straight and falls in glossy, social-media-ready waves over her shoulders.
“I apologize. I didn’t realize someone was joining us," I say.
Her eyes warm a degree. “I’m Camila.”
I hold out my hand and she shakes it. “What’s your role in the company?”
“I’m not involved in the company. Yet.” She cuts a look at Richard.
“She’s my future daughter-in-law.”
I show them to the conference room where I’m all set up and introduce them to Kendall. Once that's done, I square my shoulders and begin the remarks I've prepared.
“Although the Vane hotel empire is established and impressive, your acquisition of these twenty properties is a huge opportunity—if you play your cards right. But the focus of a romantic couples’ getaway is different from a regular high-end business hotel chain. I have a number of ideas for how to enhance your connection with your customers to help you know them better and serve them better.”
I don’t need to look at my notes. I have ideas on how to make the resorts more inclusive, welcoming, and feeling personal all at once.
Richard holds up a hand. “Actually, I’m here for a specific request. My son is getting married in a month. Our publicity lead quit last week and we need someone to liaise with wedding publications. There’s already an interview scheduled with People. An exclusive photographer. You’d need to oversee the execution of the brand and events.”
Surprised, I straighten in my seat, smiling. “Mr. Vane. Richard," I amend at his look. "I appreciate that this is a special day. For both of you,” I say to Camila. “And I understand the need to get this right. I handle corporate publicity and marketing, not personal brand. But I can find you the right person on short notice.”
“This isn’t a request. It’s an interview. To see if you’re the right person to take my business,” Richard say. “My resorts are personal for me, so I need to know you can take care of my family. I would, of course, compensate you fully for any expenses.”
He slides a number across the table and I try not to let my eyes widen. Even in New York, it’s big money. More than enough to fix my sister’s tuition problem.
“A few interviews, plus the rehearsal dinner and of course the wedding itself. Babysit the media crews, act as a filter between us and them. Ensure the right things get through.”
And the wrong things don’t, he says without saying it.
"I'd need to discuss it with my staff," I hedge. There's no way they have extra bandwidth for this, and I wouldn’t ask them to do something like this on such short notice. Which means I’d need to do it. Which means my staff would have to take over all of my current projects.
Richard laughs, leaning forward. “I haven’t offered it yet.”
I can't help bristling. “I assure you, my team is extremely capable.” Kendall smiles, but I can tell she’s as surprised by this turn as I am. “And I’ve personally managed campaigns for dozens of major and emerging brands.”
“Which is why this wouldn't be a job for your staff. It would be a job for you.” His gaze flicks to my hands. “I'll admit, when my team did a background check on you, it seemed strange you're not in a relationship. I assumed someone in your line of work would be the biggest advocate for love.”
It takes a moment for me to grapple with the pile of bullshit he’s dropped on the table, to remind myself it’s a common misconception of men of a certain age that women must want to be married.
“Maybe this isn’t the right fit.” He retracts the sheet of paper.
I see the number slipping away. Shit. I want his business. It’s the next step I’ve seen for us for months.
A figure emerging from the stairwell into the foyer beyond the glass wall has me frowning.
“Would you excuse me, please.”
I head into the main office, pulling the conference room door behind me.
Ben’s determined expression softens when he sees me. “Delivery. Hold out your arm.”
I do, and he clicks the bracelet around my wrist. I heave out a sigh. “How’d you find this?”
“The waitress found it under the table after brunch. The restaurant called me because my name was on the reservation.” He looks past me. “How’s the pitch going?”
“He wants a spin doctor for his son’s wedding.”
“You’re not taking it?”
“I want his resort business, not to play PR babysitter. But,” I relent. “It doesn't help that Lil told me she lost her scholarship today. I could use the extra money.”
“I thought she crushed her exams.”
“She did.”
He brushes a piece of hair from my face.
I need to get back to the clients. “Thank you for this. You happened to have a spare hour to return it personally?”
“My assistant canceled two meetings so I could.”
My chest tightens. I’m caught in his eyes when a throat clearing from behind us has me turning.
“Benjamin! I had no idea you knew each other.” Richard extends a hand, which Ben takes.
“Daisy and I went to school together. Met through a mutual friend.”
“Congratulations on your award nomination,” Richard says.
Of course Vane would know Ben and Xavier. They'd run in the same circles.
Richard looks between us. “You make a striking couple. If I’d known you were a team, I wouldn’t have questioned my offer, Daisy.”
Ben starts to correct him, but I grab his wrist before he can speak, squeezing hard.
Because Vane's face lit up. In it, I see paying for my sister’s tuition now and landing his company on retainer later, which means the ability to take on more staff—plus maybe even interns, people a couple years older than Lil, graduating school with brains and ambition.
I see the ability to grow my business and help more people.
“You caught us,” I say, smiling.
Ben recovers so fast, I’m left wondering if this was his plan all along. “I thought you didn’t want to tell anyone.” He brushes a hand down my bare arm.
I’m going to eat so much shit for this later. “Well, since we both know Richard, I suppose it would be hard to keep it a secret forever. But just as the right publicity is important, so is the right privacy.”
Vane looks between us before offering a grin. “Camila said I should give you another chance, and it seems her intuition is right. I appreciate your discretion and I trust you understand what I require—what we require—of this arrangement.”
“Of course. I’ll draw up an agreement immediately. If you could send the schedule of activities and contact information, plus any contracts with media or other partners, I’ll review those today and be prepared to move forward.”