Page 41 of Last First Date

"Is this it?" I asked, my voice laced with triumph.

Knox's eyes narrowed as he looked at the file in my hand. He got up from his desk and walked over to me, snatching the file from me rather roughly. He flipped open the cover, scanned the contents, and then slammed it shut abruptly. Without a word of thanks or even acknowledgment of my effort, he turned and stomped back to his desk.

"I knew I left it here." His tone was decidedly defensive and I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

"Of course, you did," I said sarcastically, earning me a sharp glare. I straightened, forcing a smile onto my face. "Anyway, I'll let you get back to work."

His dark eyes flicked over me, his expression unreadable before he gave a curt nod and turned back to his desk.

"You know, I could get some kind of file holders or something if that would help keep you organized."

"I don't need to get organized."

"I think it would save a lot of time if you could find what you needed without a manhunt."

"It was one file."

"And yesterday it was two files," I reminded him.

"I have my own way of organizing things," he muttered.

"If you mean scattering things all over, that's a very unique organization system," I said sarcastically.

He frowned at me. "I have it under control."

"Yes, I can see that. Do you need anything else?"

"No."

"Will you need me at your meeting?"

"No," he answered without looking at me.

"Very well."

Sighing, I made my way back to my own desk. It was a haven of neatness. I pulled open my drawer to grab a pen and saw the postcard. His cheery, supportive words were such a stark contrast to Knox's abrasive manner.

I missed the old man. I wished there was a way I could turn back the clock and give Richard another twenty years. I longed for his easy-going ways. But there was no use in wishing, I realized. Richard was gone and Knox was my present reality. I could either make the most of it or quit. Period. Two options. Lots of people worked jobs they hated. I supposed that made me an official adult.

18

KNOX

The planning meeting with a few of my head event planners was moving along. I jotted down notes and tried to stay focused on the plans for some of the biggest clients. I appreciated how organized everyone was. One planner, Kate, was very efficient. She was planning a fall event for a major company based somewhere in Nebraska.

All the details were coming together perfectly, and I could tell she was going to nail it. These were the kind of people I needed. People who took the initiative, who had their own way of working, who didn't need constant supervision or handholding.

Kate finished presenting her plans and sat down. There was a lull in the room, a brief moment of respite as people shuffled their papers and prepared for the next presentation. While the next planner outlined a wedding that included hot air balloons, I was calculating numbers. Numbers and publicity. The balloon thing was going to be a huge hit.

"I'd like to put together a new brochure," I said at the end of the last presentation. "We need to update the stuff that was put together ten years ago. Get releases from your clients so we can use their photos on our updated website."

There was a collective nod around the room. I glanced around at their attentive faces and found it somewhat amusing how they all immediately nodded in agreement. That was what I liked about this team—their capability to adapt and follow orders without a fuss. Waverly could learn from them.

Turning my attention back to the meeting, I continued to explain my vision for the new brochures, going into detail about the styles, colors, and content that I wanted. As I spoke, I noticed Kate jotting down notes meticulously, her brow furrowed in concentration. That was why she was one of the best. She paid attention to every word.

"I'd also like to encourage each of you to pitch more unique, exciting themes," I said. "I know the traditional stuff is always a hit, but it's stale. I want to wow the people in this area. I want them to see what New York and LA are doing. We have an amazing climate to work with. Let's use it. I've seen some pictures from your last events, and while they are successful, they aren't exactly fresh."

My words hung in the air, and I could see some of the planners shift a bit uncomfortably in their chairs. Some of them had been with the company longer than I had and were probably set in their ways. It didn't matter. They'd either catch up or get left behind.