11. Riley
Chapter 11
Riley
L ast night, after dinner, Declan asked me if he could talk to the detectives on my behalf and tell them the entire story of what’s happened over the last four years. Of course, I gave him permission and silently I am thankful to have him on my side. I’m anal enough that I have been documenting everything since the beginning and gave Declan copies of the emails, screenshots of the social media posts, pictures of the notes I’ve received, copies of all the police reports I’ve filed, and the timeline I’ve been keeping since this all started.
Having someone on my side is a relief. Even though my parents have always believed me, it’s nice to have someone from the outside looking in that sees what this guy is doing and how wrong it is. I knew that the police in Atlanta could only do so much, but it’s also so frustrating having these kinds of threats against not only me, but my son, too, and no one can do a damn thing to stop it. It’s terribly frightening and god knows how much sleep I’ve lost over it. There have been countless nights I’ve either slept in my son’s room or just outside his room just to make sure he’s safe and protected.
Declan offering for Nicholas and me to stay with him is a blessing and a relief. Honestly, after seeing that note on the inside of the front door at my parents’ house – I wasn’t sure where we were going to go to keep Nicholas safe. I just knew I didn’t want to leave Hibiscus Harbor. I wasn’t lying last night at dinner when I told Declan I was happy to be home again. And I was only half kidding when I mentioned leaving the country and jetting off to Europe or the Bahamas or someplace far away. At what point will this asshat get the hint or get tired of chasing us? I just don’t know, but I do know I’m tired of being scared and of running. Running isn’t going to fix this.
Declan left for work at the police station first thing this morning, taking my car instead of his truck. He expects me to drive his monster truck around. I’m not too sure if I can because it’s so big, but then again, I suppose I could just run over anyone in my way. That sounds like fun.
“Mommy!” Nicholas runs into the living room where I’m firing up my laptop to start sending emails out to potential clients – including Ian’s assistant Mrs. Wilcox – and start planning the Labor Day event at Hooplas. I wasn’t kidding when I told Declan at dinner last night that we’re already behind the eightball to get this thing going in time for the holiday weekend.
“Hey baby. Are you playing with Bella?”
“Yeah, but I’m bored. When can I go back to school?”
“You like your new school?”
“Yeah. They have tunnels to play in and Joshua is nice to me.” My son kicks his feet as he stands next to me.
I don’t want to let him out of my sight, but I also don’t want to keep him from learning and playing. He’s creating roots, too. “How about we go later this morning so Mommy can run some errands? How does that sound?”
“Yay!” He pumps his little fists in the air.
“Okay, we’ll leave when the big hand is on the twelve and the little hand is on the nine.” I point to the clock on the wall in Declan’s kitchen. Everything is a learning opportunity I once read in a book when I was pregnant.
He looks up at the clock and emphatically nods his head. “Okay. I’m gonna go get my fastest shoes and put them on.”
I smile as he turns and runs to his room with Bella hot on his tail. “Okay,” I call out even though he’s not listening to me.
As he gets ready to go to daycare, I fire off an email to Mrs. Wilcox about getting on Ian Gallo’s calendar, making sure she knew I would be grateful for any appointment he has available at any time. As busy as Ian Gallo is, he must be booked for weeks out, but this is the opportunity of a lifetime and getting this contract could be the difference between a small event planning business or a successful and strong corporation. Both of which are nice, but having a corporation with staff and financial security means the world to a single mom.
“I’m ready,” Nicholas singsongs as he runs into the living room.
“Where is the big hand on the clock?” I ask.
He looks up at the clock and his little finger is in the air counting the numbers. “On the two ones.”
“You mean on eleven.”
“Yeah. Eleven.”
“So, we need to wait until it’s on the twelve, right?”
He huffs and flops on the couch. “But I wanna go now.” I hate it when he whines.
“You’ll need to wait, Nicholas.” Patience – for both of us – is another learning opportunity.
I’m about to close the laptop when I hear the alert for an incoming email. It’s from Mrs. Wilcox and she says that Ian can see me at eleven today. I quickly reply and confirm the appointment and then jump up out of my chair. “We’re going to go as soon as Mommy gets ready. Play with Bella for a few minutes, baby.”
I dropped Nicholas off at daycare and reemphasized with the receptionist that only me and my parents can pick up Nicholas from school. When I talked to her, her movements were jerky and her eyes looked a little glazed over, but I suppose with all the noise from the kids screaming and playing, I’d be like that too. Still, my mom instinct told me to call the director of the school later today to make sure that no one picks up Nicholas except me or my parents.
Arriving at Hibiscus Island Country Club fifteen minutes early, I sit in Declan’s truck and give myself a pep talk in the rearview mirror.
“You’re great at what you do, Riley. You’ve got this and it’s yours to lose. You know what you are doing, and this will benefit not only you and Nickels, but the country club as well. They need you as much as you need them. You’ve got this, girl.”
With a last swipe of nude lip gloss across my lips, I climb out of this monster truck and make my way into the lobby.
“Hello. Welcome to Hibiscus Island Country Club. I’m Lily. Can I help you?” a young woman behind the front desk says as I walk inside the lobby into the air conditioning. I forgot how hot and humid Florida can be in August.
“Hi Lily. I’m Riley Ashford and I have an appointment with Ian Gallo at eleven.”
“I’ll let Mrs. Wilcox know you’re here. Please have a seat. Can I get you some water or coffee?”
“No, thank you.” I hear Lily call Mrs. Wilcox and let her know I’m in the waiting room as I take a seat. There are pictures of hibiscus flowers in all different colors on the wall and a model of a yacht under glass sitting on a pedestal in the center of the room. All I can think of is what my four-year-old could do to that display in a matter of seconds. Splat. That’s what. All over the floor - glass and little parts of a model yacht.
The frosted double doors next to me open. “Miss Ashford? I’m Mrs. Wilcox. It’s nice to meet you.”
I shake her hand. “Riley, please, and it’s nice to meet you, too.”
“Follow me.” She turns to the receptionist, “Thank you, Lily.”
I follow Mrs. Wilcox through an office full of fancy cubicles to the end of a hallway to a large wooden office door. She knocks twice but doesn’t wait for an answer and opens the door. “Miss Riley Ashford.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Wilcox,” he says to her as she ushers me into the massive office with views of the million-dollar yachts in the harbor. “Riley. Nice to see you again.”
I shake his hand. “You as well. Nice view.”
He looks over at the boats, “I suppose I should be more appreciative of the view but to be honest, I hardly even notice now-a-days. My focus is usually on my computer. How sad is that?” He motions for me to have a seat in one of the guest chairs in front of his desk.
I pull out my day planner. “So, you’re in the market for an event planner. Tell me what your needs are here at the country club.”
“I’m in need of the best event planner, Riley. After what you did for our engagement party and then Mia’s grand openings of Mia’s Corner and Magical Moments, I’m convinced you’re the best.”
I can feel the blush on my cheeks warm my face. It’s always wonderful to hear clients tell you how great you are – it doesn’t get old at all. “Thank you. Working with your mother and Mia was wonderful. Now, what are you looking to do here?”
His executive chair creaks a little as he leans back, “Well, I’m hoping to hire you full time. Are you interested?”
I’ve been my own boss ever since I graduated college, and I have no intention of changing that set up. “Sorry, no. I’m looking to build my portfolio as a business owner.”
He nods, “I figured as much, but you can’t blame a guy for trying, right? So, I’ll settle for the next best thing. An exclusive contract between you and Hibiscus Island Country Club.”
“What does that look like to you, Mr. Gallo? Exclusive how?”
“Ian. Please call me Ian. Mr. Gallo is my father.”
“Okay, Ian.”
“Well, exclusive as in you plan and orchestrate all Hibiscus Island Country Club events – weddings, dinners, the annual regatta, parties, reunions, et cetera.”
“And what about my other clients? I have other obligations and clients. I can’t work exclusively for you, Ian.”
“I understand that, and respect that, but when I say exclusive, I mean you would be our only event planner.” This takes me by surprise, and I struggle to school my facial expression unsuccessfully. “Riley, I believe in working with local talent and supporting our small community. That means bringing in local business owners. Now, if you plan on staying in Hibiscus Harbor, then that means you. Do you plan on staying?”
Dinner last night with Declan and talking about recreating roots for both Nicholas and I comes flooding back. “Yes, Ian. I have moved back to Hibiscus Harbor for good. I have no plans on leaving. This is home and this is where we belong.”
“Good. There’s one other caveat.”
“What’s that?”
“This would include being the event planner, exclusively, for Magical Moments as well.”
“So, let me make sure I’ve got this right. You want to hire me as your exclusive event planner for both the country club and Mia’s bridal shop and I would still be able to have other clients. Do I have that right?”
“Yes, but I’d expect our contract to take precedence over your other clients insomuch that there would be no lack in service or performance. I’m sure you’ll have to hire staff or subcontract out services, I just want to make sure our members here at the country club and Mia’s customers get that service and attention they’ve come to expect.”
I nod, “That’s a lot to think about.”
He pulls out a manila folder from the credenza behind him. “I’ve taken the liberty of drawing up a contract, including the pricing that I think is more than generous, to have you on retainer.”
I take the contract and place it in my lap under my day planner. Everything in my being wants me to open it up and see what this pricing is listed as, but the professional in me holds me back. “Thank you for this opportunity, Ian. I’ll have my attorney review the contract and get it back to you quickly.” Note to self – get an attorney.
He stands indicating that our meeting is over and I’m good with that as I want to look at this contract. It could mean that I could buy a place for Nicholas and me to live on our own again one day. “Thank you, Riley. You’ve been a godsend for both Mia and me and I’m looking forward to working with you.”
I stand with my contract held tight against my chest. “It’s been my pleasure, Ian. We’ll talk soon.” As if she was listening in, Mrs. Wilcox opens the door for me to exit and quietly walks me to the front lobby.
“Have a nice day, Riley.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Wilcox.” I walk out into the heat and beeline it across the hot parking to Declan’s truck. Cranking up the air conditioning as soon as I climb in, I open the contract Ian gave me and almost have a heart attack. With this rate for just one client, I could retire. He’s crazy to offer this much, but then again, I don’t know exactly how many events he plans on hosting. One thing is for sure – I’m going to need to hire staff if I have any chance of staying afloat.