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I smile. “I’m positive that you did.”
“How are you feeling about your presentation?” she asks.
“Like I was just informed I’m driving a car with no brakes.”
Her brows lift. “Pretty optimistic, then?”
We both laugh, because if I don’t laugh right now, I’ll either vomit or cry, maybe both.
Our desk is packed up, all our personal belongings already taken home so that there’s nothing to lug around when we go out for a celebration later. Job offers won’t go out until next week, so everyone will be able to enjoy the last day together with no hard feelings.
I go through my notes again, clicking through the slides to make sure everything looks perfect. Even if I’m not angling for a permanent position here, I want to do my absolute best. I want Marion to see me as a resource, a businesswoman that she may want to work with someday.
Movement at the door catches my eye. Maxwell is back. He makes eye contact with me and my stomach twists tighter.
It’s my turn.
I grab my laptop from the desk and make my way toward the conference room where Marion and the assistant event planners are gathered.
I plug my laptop into the connection to the video screen behind me and open my slideshow.
Marion nods in my direction. “Ms. Hart, when you’re ready.”
“My presentation shows how aspects of each of the weddings I assisted with this summer could have been made more sustainable by opting for lower waste products and environmentally-friendly practices.”
The room is too quiet and my hand shakes with nerves as I click through the slides.
I go through my presentation, then launch into my business, Sustainable Wedding Chic.
I’m about to wrap it up when Marion interrupts me. “Ms. Hart, is this your internship presentation or a business proposal?” Her lips are pinched, her face discerning.
But then I look over at Johnathan and he gives me a reassuring wink and it calms my nerves.
“Both,” I say as confidently as possible. “You see, I came to New York City, enraptured by the thought of planning luxury weddings alongside some of the best planners in the business under the elite company of Marion Adler Events, but what it reaffirmed is that not only do I want to help couples plan one of the most memorable days of their lives, but I want to do it sustainably. I’m looking to bring awareness of options to those looking to plan a more eco-conscious event and offer guidance to those who may not even know what is possible. There will be couples who want to make their entire wedding zero waste, and there will be those who might opt to focus on a few aspects of their wedding. Like print wedding invitations on seed paper or using recycled décor. And I want to be the person that can help them make those choices.”
“Like a consultant?” Johnathan prompts.
“Yes.” I smile, having his support is the best feeling.
“Interesting,” Marion says with a nod. “Thank you for your presentation.”
I unplug my laptop and leave. On the other side of the conference room door, I let out a sigh of relief.
At my desk, I find a text that Hunter sent before my presentation.
Hunter:Thinking of you. I love you.
I’m about to text back when June sets a plate with a heaping piece of cake on it at my desk.
“I checked and we can’t actually inject the cake into your veins, so you’ll have to eat it like everyone else,” she says.
Along with Johnathan, she’s been so supportive about my new business endeavor and my pregnancy.
“Thank you.” I fork a bite and let the frosting melt on my tongue.
“So, how’d it go?” she asks.
“It wasn’t a presentation to land a job, but it was what I wanted it to be.”
