Sleepless in Manhattan (From Manhattan with Love 1)

“New York when the snow melts, warm beer, people who lie, being crushed on the subway with a million other people—”

“I meant in the way of food or decor.” She smiled. “You haven’t been crushed on the subway for years.”

“I try and eliminate the things I hate from my life.” He stretched his legs out in front of him. “You know me, Paige, and I trust you to make all the right choices. I’m putting the whole thing in your hands.”

“Thank you. We’ll make sure you don’t regret this.”

“I know I won’t.” He watched as Paige tucked her tablet back into her bag. “Are you still working from Frankie’s kitchen table? How is that working out?”

“It’s been all right. Mostly because we don’t have any work.”

“And now you do. You’re going to be busy. We have vacant office space next to my mobile development team. It’s yours if you want it.”

“Seriously?”

He didn’t blame her for being surprised. He was, too. He wondered if he’d inhaled something and blown his brain. Inviting Paige to work out of his offices? Right under his nose?

“If you’re based here, it will be easier to update me on the progress of our event. It’s a temporary solution until you’re on your feet or until we need the space.” Which gave him an exit clause. He might have to expand his company just to give himself a reason to reverse his decision. “Come back to me when you have a plan.”

“We’ll put it together.” She stood up and he walked her to the glass door that separated his office from the rest of the team. “Thank you.” She touched his arm gently. “This is good of you and I’m grateful.”

“Don’t thank me.”

His actions might be good, but his thoughts were all bad.

CHAPTER SEVEN

When putting your best foot forward, don’t forget to wear gel inserts.

—Paige

PAIGE FOCUSED ON her laptop, putting the final touches to her presentation.

She wanted everything to be perfect. There wasn’t going to be a single question she couldn’t answer.

“This view is truly spectacular.” Eva gazed, mouth open, and Frankie grunted, her head buried deep in a box she was unpacking.

“We have three weeks to put together this event. You don’t have time to look at the view.”

“The view is energizing. It’s exciting, Frankie. All over the city deals are being made, people are falling in love.”

“People are not falling in love, Eva. This is New York. All over the city people are shoving each other out of the way while they sprint to the next bit of their life.”

“You’re wrong. Magic happens in this city. It’s full of hope and possibilities.” Eva leaned her head against the glass window, her expression dreamy. “I think I’m going to love working in a fancy office with the world at my feet. Now I know why Jake works such long hours. Why would you ever want to leave this office?”

Paige didn’t look up.

Jake had given them a chance. It was her job to make sure they didn’t blow it.

She’d worked nonstop for three days and most of last night before putting together a plan. At four o’clock in the morning she’d fallen asleep with her laptop open on the bed and had been woken at six thirty by a sleepy Eva with a mug of strong coffee and a blueberry muffin she’d risen early to bake.

Knowing how Eva struggled with early starts, Paige had been touched.

And now the meeting was only minutes away.

Frankie looked at her. “I can’t believe you’ve done it. When you told us that he wanted an event within a month I didn’t know who was crazier—him for suggesting it or you for agreeing.”

“I wanted to prove we could do it.”