Chapter 18
ELI
The multicolored neon Welcome to Safire it’s a work of art.
Intricate, detailed drawings of people’s faces, with a depth I’ve only seen in paintings hanging in an art gallery from the likes of Endee Desree.
Sapphire’s favorite artist. And mine.
Flowers replace hair, appearing to blow in the wind, with the name of the business, and positive affirmations woven into the vines that intertwine with yet another portrait. It’s not only stop-you-in-your-tracks beautiful but it’s also fucking breathtaking.
I brace myself and get ready to face the unknown, praying that she’s in the office today and not hosting an event.
It’s been three days since I last saw Sapphire. Although I barely know her, I’ve missed her. I guess that’s why I find myself standing outside one of the coolest-looking buildings on this side of town, using Jane’s prompting as an excuse to push myself to be here.
“Are you coming in?” A woman brushes past me, clutching a laptop to her chest before tapping a keycard against the security pad to open the door.
“Yes, I am.” I step forward.
Break the chain. Mix things up.
“Who are you here to see?”
“Sapphire Feelgood.”
Smiling brightly, she beckons me to follow her. “This way.”
The moment I step inside, I’m greeted by the low-level hustle and bustle of a busy office and sensory overload. From the paintings on the red-brick walls to the upcycled office furniture in various colors and finishes, it feels more like a modern art gallery than an office.
“Sorry, I didn’t catch your name.”
“Eli Hart from Hart Law.”
She smirks conspiratorially, as if in on a joke I don’t get, and replies, “I’ll let Sapphire know you’re here, Mr. Hart, but I think she’s just gone into a meeting.” She looks across the open-plan office toward a meeting room that resembles a giant glass box in the middle of the room.
And there she is, standing at the end of a conference table, delivering what looks like a proposal to a dozen male and female executives in suits.
“You know, you could sneak in at the back if you want to listen in, Sapphire won’t mind. In fact, I think you’d be interested in what she has to say.” The woman I’ve only just met nods as if encouraging me to do it.
I would feel like an intruder. “Are you sure?”
“Follow me.” She gestures with her whole hand, and I have no choice but to follow her. “I’m Mistee, Sapphire’s lead facilitator.” She adds, “And best friend.”
I knew that the previous smirk she tried to hide said something. Just what the hell has Sapphire said about me?
“Nice to meet you, Mistee.”
She looks back over her shoulder, smiling. “Oh, the pleasure is all mine. I’m glad we got to meet before your event. Sapphire has epic plans, and I can’t wait to meet your team, Mr. Hart.”
As we approach the glass-walled conference room, Mistee waves to Sapphire, signaling to her to get her attention. However, Sapphire continues her presentation with all the grace of a professional, gesturing for us to enter when she clocks me, granting me permission to go in.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Hart.” She doesn’t miss a beat as Mistee pushes open the door. “Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Hart of Hart Law. Mr. Hart, may I introduce you to the executive team from Sew they don’t make me nervous, but somehow Sapphire does. “Afternoon.”
They mumble a chorus of polite hellos in return.
Sapphire points to an empty seat at the back of the room. “We’re doing a post-event roundup for an event we held four weeks ago. Take a seat, Mr. Hart.”
It’s almost funny how formal she is being, and I’m slightly taken aback. The spitfire with the sharp tongue is long gone, replaced with elegance and professionalism.
She looks beautiful today in another long, flowy dress in powder blue, which matches the ends of her hair. She’s cinched her waist with a wide brown leather belt, the same color as her cowboy boots, accentuating her perfect curves.
I don’t get distracted, and I never lose focus, but damn her, with those cowboy boots and quick wit, she’s got my attention, and I can’t get her out of my mind.
“Maybe the statistics I’m about to share will help convince you why we’re the best events company in the state, Mr. Hart.
” There is so much teasing in her comment that I can’t help but laugh as I take a seat as instructed.
“Can you believe this guy has his doubts about hiring us?” she says sarcastically, casting her eyes around the table as everyone chuckles, calling me out on my reservations. I love the way she teases me.
My suspicions were right about her being magic; she’s bewitched everyone at the table and is holding their attention like a moth to a flame. They’re captivated. As am I; any nerves I felt have long disappeared.
“I’m ready when you are, Ms. Feelgood.” My confidence is now full to the brim.
Dropping in was a great decision; she lives up to her name. Just being around her makes me feel instantly better. I unbutton my suit jacket and settle in to watch whatever is about to unfold.
For the next hour, I sit glued to my seat, enraptured by Sapphire’s presentation.
Her confidence and her ability to blend humor with professionalism are truly inspiring.
That’s something I find challenging, especially considering the industry I work in.
Losing a court case is never good. Not that I lose many, but when I do, it feels terrible and I’d rather walk barefoot over Legos.
It’s not as if I can suggest dance therapy to my client to recover from a major loss.
Sapphire continues to share positive statistics, facts, and figures from the post-conference survey.
Not only did the staff at Sew & So Apparel love the event, but the board members confirmed that motivation is higher, staff morale has improved, and productivity in their clothing factory has increased by twenty percent since the event.
It’s incredible. She’s incredible, just like her team.
“And last but not least, the final question that I both dread and welcome in equal measure.” She points to the question on the screen, and I recognize the doodles, the same ones that were scattered around the presentation she showed me the night we had dinner, and on her website, around the question that now seems obvious.
I feel foolish because I realize that it’s clearly part of her branding.
From the back of the room, I can see what the doodles are: spirals unraveling into a straight line, surrounded by lightning bolts, stars, and light bulbs.
I’m having my own light-bulb moment… she’s unraveling me, one enlightening encounter at a time.
Sapphire reads the final question aloud. “Would you like to have Safire & Spark host Sew & So Apparel’s future events?” Using a clickable pointer in her hand, she moves to the next slide to reveal the answer. “Ninety-nine percent yes. And the other one percent?”
Everyone bursts out laughing as she reveals three quick-witted responses, then proceeds to read them out loud: “No, because by this time next year, the team and I will have set up our own Boomwhacker band with Sapphire as the lead singer, so she’ll be busy.
” She chuckles before saying, “The next one is good… No, because Sapphire won’t be here next year, because I plan on marrying her and whisking her off into the sunset.
” Shaking her head, she smiles, filling the room with radiance.
“And last but by no means least, no, because I’m certain Sapphire Feelgood will be running for president next year.
” Sapphire raises her hands in the air in celebration.
“You are looking at the first female president, ladies and gentlemen. Get your autographs now.”
A round of applause sounds like a clap of thunder from the team around the table.
God, she’s fucking good. Great.
I don’t even care that she’s proved me wrong. I’m a dick for ever having doubted her and her abilities, and that look of satisfaction on her face is a look of I told you so, and I want to see more of it.
Sapphire finishes her meeting, and I zone out, just watching, observing how she tucks her hair behind her ear, the ease with which she laughs, and how she’s built a business targeting stuffy people in suits, yet has them eating out of her whimsical hand. They are charmed by her.
Me too.
I want to take part in everything. Anything that involves her.
Anchored to the chair, I nod politely as the team from Sew & So Apparel leaves, and Sapphire sees them all out, until it’s just Sapphire and me remaining.
Neither of us says a word as she takes the seat two away from me. It’s not uncomfortable silence, not even a little. She might make me feel unsteady, but I feel alive when she’s around.
A smile tugs at the corners of her mouth. “So,” she starts, “what did you think?”
“That was impressive.” Mind-blowing. She’s astonishing.
“We are very good at what we do.” Confidence beams out of her.
“You are brilliant at what you do.”
“Was that a compliment?” She feigns shock, pretending to gasp, shaking her head with a smirk. “Thank you,” she says softly, accepting my praise, her cheeks flushing pink. Leaning forward, she then asks, “What brings you here today, Eli?”
“Two reasons.” I clear my throat. “Firstly, the venue we viewed on Monday will work. Book it.”
To my surprise, she glances behind me and asks, “What have you done with the indecisive Eli Hart?” Her eyebrows lift toward her hairline.