“There’s been a development with the Whispering Grove council,” Giuseppe says, cutting across whatever Scot was about to launch into. “They’ve hired Confetti and Meatballs for this year’s Whispering Grove Christmas Tree Lighting celebrations. Carols, markets, everything for the night.”
My heart stalls, then takes off at a sprint. Oh. “That’s… huge,” I breathe.
“It is,” Giuseppe agrees. “The council committee has made it clear that if this year goes off without a hitch, they’ll lock inConfetti and Meatballs to run the event for the next five years. It’s a massive contract. Good money, good profile. Exactly the kind of thing that can secure the future of this business.”
Five years. My brain starts doing frantic math: income, stability, the kind of portfolio piece other councils drool over.
“Perfect,” Scot says smoothly. “I’ll start drafting a proposal for the program and we can?—”
“No,” Giuseppe cuts in, voice suddenly sharp. “You won’t.”
Silence crackles down the line.
Kane’s hand finds the small of my back, warm and steady, as if he senses my spine trying to liquefy.
“What do you mean,no?” Scot’s tone tightens. “Uncle, this is exactly what I’ve been waiting for. You know how hard I’ve worked for this business. I’ve always been here for you.”
“I’m very aware of who my family is,” Giuseppe replies, and there’s an edge there I’ve never heard before. “I’m also aware that profits have been sliding for the last few years. Bookings down. Costs up. Reputation… tired.”
My stomach twists. I know those numbers. I’ve seen the spreadsheets. Lived in those late-night panic emails.
“And in the last six months?” Giuseppe continues. “Since Hannah came on board? Profits are finally goingupagain. New clients. Better reviews. People talking about Confetti and Meatballs like it’s exciting again. That’s not an accident.”
My cheeks heat, and I stare at the floorboards. Compliments feel strange when they’re wrapped in this much pressure.
Scot scoffs. “With respect, Uncle, she’s been here five minutes. You’re really going to rewrite the entire future of the company based on a couple of decent months and some social media hype?”
Anger flares low and sharp under my ribs. “Pretty sure the social media hype includes the three council members who personally emailed asking for a quote,” I say before I can stopmyself. “But sure, let’s pretend that had nothing to do with landing the event.” I just hadn’t known that Giuseppe had been personally meeting with the council.
Anyway, the words taste reckless the second they’re out. I clamp my lips shut, immediately regretting that I’ve stooped to sniping.
Kane’s thumb moves in a slow, grounding stroke along my spine.Breathe, his touch seems to say.
“You fucking bi?—”
“Enough.” Giuseppe’s voice cracks like a whip, loud enough that even Kane startles.
Silence hums.
“My decision is made,” Giuseppe says. “The contract is oursthis year. After that, it depends on how we deliver. So here is what’s going to happen. Hannah will be leading the entire Whispering Grove Christmas Celebration for Confetti and Meatballs.”
The room tilts.
“What?” My voice comes out thin. “Giuseppe, that’s?—”
“You’ll have full control,” he pushes on, as if I haven’t spoken. “Budgets, schedules, vendor coordination, client meetings. Everything goes through you.”
My mouth goes dry. Full control. Over such a huge event and whether this business has a future or whether I lose everything I’ve just started to build.
“And me?” Scot demands. “Where exactly do I fit in this little fantasy?”
“You’llnotbe involved in this one, Scot,” Giuseppe says. “You’re sitting the celebration out. Completely. No client emails, no vendor calls, no advice. I need to see what Confetti and Meatballs can do with Hannah at the wheel and no interference from you.”
I almost choke. Scot banned from the biggest event of the year? That’s like telling a shark it has to watch someone else swim in its feeding grounds.
“You’re kidding,” Scot says flatly. “Tell me you’re kidding.”
“I’m not.” Giuseppe lets out a breath that crackles with tired disappointment. “I’ve watched you, Scot. You work hard, but you don’t listen. You don’t adapt. You ignore advice that doesn’t come from your own head, and you’ve treated Hannah like a temporary problem instead of an asset.”
