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I lick my lips, taking in her honest assessment. “I’ve been working with Mrs. De Luca for the past five months. If you’d like a list of the events?—”
“Mrs. De Luca is a socialite, not a professional event planner. Granted, she throws exquisite parties, but there’s always someone else doing all the legwork to organize the details of those events.”
“Yes, I know. And that’s been me.” I fold my sweaty palms in my lap.
Tarina studies me as if she doesn’t believe it.
I lean forward. Chances are good that Tarina runs in the same circles as the rest of us since she’s the lead planner at Leonidas. “Did you attend her summer soirée in July?”
She nods.
“What did you think of it?” I’m really putting myself out there with that question. What if she hated the event? Then this will be a very short interview.
I mentally shake away that thought. I’m damn good at what I do. I am and I know it. Now I have to prove that’s true to this woman.
“Honestly…” Tarina considers her response. “It was the best one she’s hosted in years. The flow was better than usual, the formality of it was edged down just enough to make the event feel more welcoming, and the catering was a pleasant surprise.”
“The caterers are new in town. I took a chance on them to change it up a bit and I would certainly hire them again. As for the rest, I made some suggestions and Mrs. De Luca took them to heart. She let me take the lead on that soirée and I planned it down to the finest detail.”
Tarina sits back in her chair, her gaze reassessing me after receiving this new information.
“What about the Kennedy wedding last month? Mrs. De Luca had a hand in that, if I’m not mistaken.”
“Yes. She found the venue and I planned the rest. Were you there?”
“I was. The groom is a friend of a friend. Plus, it was the wedding of the season, no one wanted to miss it.”
True. Manhattan Wedding Magazine had named it the wedding of the year. They even did a full piece on it for their next issue, including an interview with me. With that kind of publicity, I could make a name for myself as a wedding planner, but I have loftier goals.
Leonidas Gentleman’s Club kind of goals. If I get a job at a club that’s this exclusive, I can literally work anywhere in the world and for anyone.
Tarina crosses her arms. “Planning a wedding, even a massive wedding like the Kennedy’s, is an entirely different beast to the New Year’s Eve celebration at Leonidas.”
“Oh, I’m very aware of that. But that’s why I’d be part of a team here, instead of on my own. That is correct, isn’t it, you have a team of planners?”
“That’s right. I’m the lead event planner and normally I have five assistant planners working under my direction.”
“Normally?” I ask, curious.
She sighs, dropping her arms. “I have less than four months to put on this year’s grandest event at Leonidas, and one of my planners is on maternity leave, and another was fired last week. That leaves me with three, two of which seem to only be able to do one person’s job. So…”
“So you’re short staffed.” I look her in the eye, summing up every shred of confidence. “If you give me this chance, I won’t let you down. I promise. I’m a hard worker, smart, and resourceful. Just tell me what you need and I’ll get it done. And not just get it done, it will be stellar.”
A more genuine smile graces her lips. “You seem quite sure of yourself and your abilities, Miss Pontrelli.”
“Problem solving is in my nature. I’m also very detail-oriented, and have a good aesthetic sense.” I’m trying desperately to win her over, while not coming on too strong and seeming desperate. It’s a tricky balance. But, in truth, I know what I’m good at, and this job is where I excel.
Tarina types on her keyboard. “I will be following up with Mrs. De Luca and the Kennedys to verify your experience. Do you have any other references?”
My stomach dives, then floats up into my throat. She’s taking a chance on me, isn’t she? Is this really happening right now?
I nod. “Yes, my first event was Mrs. Tiller’s spring ball. I will send you her number.”
“Good.” Tarina stands up. “Know that this is a trial run, an internship, if you will. You’ll get paid, but you’re not a club employee. Impress me, make it so I can’t do without you, and your employment status will change. Fail and you’ll be let go of in an instant. Do you understand?”
“Perfectly.” I can’t keep the grin off my face. “Thank you so much.”
She shakes my hand. “Don’t thank me. This job is a nightmare. You’ll see soon enough.”
