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“I don’t know. There isn’t much time until the party. They might already have other plans.”
She wanted the party to also represent some of Graham’s interests. “What do you enjoy about winter? Maybe something you liked to do as a kid.”
He shrugged. “When I was a kid, I’d go sledding.”
“What about going to the tree lighting at Rockefeller Center?”
He shook his head. “My mother hated the noise and rush of the city.”
“Oh.” Alina couldn’t imagine anyone not loving the energy of New York City. There was no other place she wanted to live. Ever.
“About this party,” Graham said, “I just don’t see being able to make it work. There’s too much to do and not enough time.”
“What would you say if I were to tell you I already started planning it?”
His brows rose. “You did?” When she nodded her head, he asked, “But how? This is the party season. Everything is going to be reserved.”
He was right. If she were to pull this party off, it would have to be by nontraditional methods. But then again, when had that ever stopped her? When Mrs. Campbell’s oven had died, their prior landlord refused to replace it per the lease agreement, and Mrs. Campbell didn’t have the money to replace it, so Alina had taken it upon herself to locate a gently used oven. She’d bartered her services to plan the seller’s birthday party for their five-year-old daughter in exchange for the oven. In the end, everyone had been happy. It wasn’t the only time Alina had negotiated to make things work. This would be no different.
Desperation to save her home—and to save the homes of her beloved neighbors—drove her onward. “Let me worry about the details. What would it be worth to you to pull this off?”
His gaze met hers. She saw the doubt in his eyes but she wasn’t backing down. “It’d be worth a great deal.”
“Then I propose I plan your party while you seriously consider another site for your high-rise.”
“There is no other site.”
“You aren’t even trying!”
“Don’t you think we did that before we started buying up property here? I can show you all of the paperwork, if you don’t believe me.”
It was worth a try. And with a heavy heart she said, “I believe you.”
“I’m sorry.” His deep voice sounded sincere.
She wasn’t giving up. She had a backup plan. “Fine. If I do this, if I plan you a grand holiday ball, I need you to find affordable housing for all of the residents of the Stirling.” Her gaze met his. “Can you do that?”
“I... I don’t know.”
She pointedly stared at him. She wasn’t going to back down. This party was going to be the biggest and most challenging of her career.
When he looked at her, she crossed her arms, pressed her lips into a firm line and narrowed her gaze. He had to know that she meant business. She wouldn’t budge from this demand.
After a moment of tense silence, Graham said, “Okay. I’ll get some people at the office started on it, first thing in the morning. But I can’t promise you’ll like what they come up with.”
“All I’m asking for are some legitimate options for people who didn’t ask to have their home demolished.”
“I understand. I’m just surprised you didn’t ask for something for yourself.”
She shook her head. “I don’t need anything special.”
There was a look in his eyes—was it respect? She wasn’t sure. But she hadn’t done anything more than someone else in her position would have done.
“Alina, you’re the most giving person I know, but sometimes you have to slow down and do what’s best for you.”
She waved off his concern. “I’m fine. Prince and I will land on our feet. We always do.”
