Sleepless in Manhattan (From Manhattan with Love 1)

Jake seemed impressed, too. “So food is covered. I’ll leave the detail to you, Eva. What else?”

Paige stepped in again. “Frankie will deal with decor and flowers. It’s a rooftop event so lighting is important. I mentioned that when we first met.”

Frankie pushed her glasses up her nose. “We work with a company who are experts at lighting outdoor events. I also have a team of florists and floral designers. They’re freelance, but I’ve worked with them all before and their work is the best there is. The roof terrace is already stylish and well lit. We’ll add to that and create touches that will make sure this is the party people are talking about for the next six months.”

Paige knew presenting was Frankie’s least favorite thing, but she did a good job, outlining all the key points she thought Jake needed to know.

And then it was her turn. “We’ll deal with any audio-visual needs and transportation. I’ll also need to know if any of your guests will need accommodation.”

“They won’t. I’m feeding them and giving them champagne in one of the most exclusive rooftop venues in Manhattan,” he drawled. “If they can’t find their own way, then that’s their problem. Anything else?”

“Client gifts?”

“Yes. But Dani can deal with that.”

She was used to dealing with clients who fussed over every tiny detail, and then changed their minds. “There’s nothing you want to change? No requests?”

“No. When I hire people to do a job I like to let them get on with it. I do need to see the venue though, because that will help me decide on how to best display the technology.” He glanced at his phone. “I have meetings today and a project I need to work on tonight. Does tomorrow at nine work for you?”

“Nine in the evening?”

“It’s a nighttime event. I need to see the roof terrace in the dark.”

Paige flushed, feeling foolish. “Of course. I’ll just need to check with the venue that they don’t have a private event.”

“They do. And the reason I know that is because I’m invited. I wasn’t planning on going because it’s black tie and posing, but maybe we’ll show our faces for a short time.”

“We? You’re taking Dani?”

“No.” He stood up. “I’m taking you.”

“Me?” The blood pulsed in her ears. “Why me?”

“Because you’re the one running the event,” he said gently. “If there are issues, I want to discuss it with the man at the top. That’s you.”

“But I’m not invited.”

“The invitation said ‘plus one.’ You’re my plus one.” He turned to Dani. “Call and accept, and arrange for a car to pick up Paige at home and take her straight to the venue. I have a meeting in Boston tomorrow, so I’ll meet you there, Paige.” His phone rang and he answered it as he walked out of his office with Dani following close behind.

Paige waited until the door closed, and then let out a long breath. “That felt scary.” She couldn’t remember ever being so nervous in a meeting before. But maybe that was because no meeting had ever seemed as important as this one, and not just because it was Urban Genie’s first real piece of business, but because it was Jake. She’d wanted him to be impressed and she was confident that he was. “Great job, team.”

Eva was smiling. “He loved your ideas. Now we have to hope he loves the venue. Lucky you, a date going to a romantic rooftop glitzy party with the sexiest bachelor in New York City. Jake wearing a tux and Manhattan wearing lights. Who knows what might happen.”

Frankie stuffed her papers into her bag. “You are such a romantic. What does it take to cure you?”

“Being a romantic isn’t an illness, and if it was I wouldn’t want to be cured.”

“It’s not a date.” Paige closed her laptop. “And I know what will happen. We’ll visit the venue, he’ll make some comments, probably sarcastic ones, I’ll

take notes, then we’ll leave.”

That was it.

It wouldn’t even be awkward because there would be so many people there.

“Cinderella thought she was just going to a ball and look what happened to her.”

“She lost a shoe, that’s what happened to her, which is what happens when you’re stupid enough not to carry flats on a night out.” Frankie stood up, too. “Better take a spare pair in your bag, in case.”