Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 95311 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95311 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Hannah agreed to let James get her a glass of wine though she had no intention of drinking it.
When he left, she felt awkward standing there in front of EM for a moment in silence. "Thank you for letting me use the bathroom," she said, shifting from foot to foot.
Elliott waved the hand with his drink. "Don't mention it."
"Is everything all set up? Did Mary have enough time to get all the food ready? And how is the band's sound? I wasn't sure about setting them up in that room."
"Everything is fine," Elliott said, his tone reassuring and firm.
"Did the bartender finally..."
"Hannah," Elliott said, walking closer, "I have everything under control. Just relax."
Relax? How was she supposed to relax? This was her event. Well, fine it was his event, but he had placed her in charge of overseeing it. Why should she just trust that he had handled everything the way she would? And why would he encourage her to step back from the job he had appointed her to? But before she could try to clarify everything, Elliott had walked out of the room and disappeared to the other sitting room.
James came back a second later, a glass of white wine in his hand. "I figured white was a safer bet. You'd never get red out of that dress."
"You've given this an impressive amount of thought," she said, taking the glass from him but not taking it to her lips.
"You did a great job, you know that?" At her shrug, he shook his head. "I know Elliott would never say so but you did. I snuck a few of the finger foods and they're some of the best I've had."
"Mary is a genius."
"You are a genius," he smiled and gestured to her glass. "Drink."
"I'm working tonight," she said, shaking her head.
James smiled, a big smile that reached his eyes and made them crinkle at the corners. "No you're not."
"Mr. Michaels told me..."
"I don't care what Elliott told you. And I don't know why he invited you, but it's not to work," he winked at her. "Maybe he just wanted someone to distract me so I don't embarrass him."
"He told me he wants me here to oversee..."
"There's nothing to oversee, Hannah," James interrupted her again. "There have been many of these parties put together by many assistants. None of them have ever been here to oversee anything because there is nothing to do. I honestly don't know what Elliott's motives are here. It's out of character for him. But you can relax, have a drink, and stay away from the business d-bags that are going to want to be all over you tonight."
"Oh, please," Hannah rolled her eyes, but finally took a sip of the wine.
"You obviously haven't spent any time around these men. Their money and power makes them think they can have, and are entitled to, whatever they want. And they are going to want you."
"Great," Hannah mumbled. So there was no work for her to do and she would have to politely dodge half of the guests at the event so she didn't get groped and flip out on some important guy.
James took her chin in between his thumb and forefinger, forcing her to face him. "Don't freak out. I can see the wheels working in there. I'll keep an eye on you. If anyone gets too involved in your business, I'll come over and be my usually charming self so you can politely excuse yourself. Elliott doesn't actually want me here to help him discuss business. He makes me come so it looks good."
"Why would it look good?" Hannah wondered. "What, exactly, do you do at the company?"
"Ouch," James winced, holding a hand to his heart. "Easy, princess. I am actually the guy he sends out to other companies. People have a tendency to receive me better. I'm more of a people person I guess. Elliott can be difficult to deal with. He's great at sealing the deals, but I'm the one who brings them to the table."
Hannah was surprised. She had always figured James was a lackey that Elliott put up with out of family obligation. It was intriguing that James had such an important role in the company, despite not doing near as much work as it seemed Elliott did daily.
"Interesting," Hannah murmured, looking around at the servers moving to and fro, getting used to the floor plan. It was an equal mix of male and female servers all dressed in black slacks and tucked-in black button-up tops. They all looked neat and efficient despite their young ages.
She watched the goings on for a few minutes, standing in companionable silence with James. Then the doorbell rang and Hannah jumped. Was she supposed to play hostess? But these people wouldn't recognize her if she was the one greeting them. What would she say?