Chapter Three
Dante
Elisa’s recommendation might have been a large factor in the contract I received from Animals, but as she said when I called while driving home to thank her, “Now it’s up to you to take full advantage of the opportunity. You can handle the event, I have no doubt, but…”
“But it’s Animals, and gives me a lot of exposure.”
“That’s right. You’ll be listed on the website and in other promotional materials as the event manager, and a lot of people in our world will see your name. A large crowd is expected, some from out of town.”
“So, you’re saying no pressure.”
“I’m saying a lot of it. But use it to your advantage. I’ve seen you in action when things get tight, and you only get more efficient. Do that again.”
“It was easier when I knew I had you as backup in a crisis,” I grumbled.
Her laughter came over the line. “And you never once took advantage of that backup, did you?”
“No,” I admitted. “I always made it work.” So far.
“Why do you think if you called me, now, I wouldn’t help out?”
“Because we’re competitors,” I blurted before thinking what I might be saying.
Silence.
“Hey, Elisa, since we are competitors, or at least we have an agreement in such things, can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.” Her voice was soft, as if she knew what I was about to say and didn’t want to embarrass me. “Go for it.”
“Why do I have this job? You are related to the owners, and if they were going to make an exception to their in-house planning, wouldn’t you be the one they ask?”
“Oops, I have to go. Call me if you need anything. You’ve got this, dragon boy.
” She disconnected without answering my question, but did she have to?
She’d tossed this potentially lucrative and high-profile event my way.
Up until now, since moving to Arizona—where I’d assumed Elisa wouldn’t be bidding on anything—all my jobs were more standard, personal events.
Birthday parties, anniversaries, one wedding, showers, and of course the infamous gender reveals.
My first big contract was an important one.
It could make my career or break it if I screwed up.
Which I wouldn’t do.
By the time I pulled into the driveway, ideas were crowding my mind. A charity function for an animal rescue required a lot of thought. And input from the client.
I scheduled another meeting, this one with only Karma.
Aware of her tight schedule, I made a list of questions I needed answers to and messaged them ahead in case she wanted to fill them out in writing and save time.
Then I made lists. During my short time in town, I had begun to find various contractors and suppliers, but none of my requests from them had been this big.
Even the wedding had been on the small, elegant side.
Something my dragon and I could do in our sleep, since it was the only kind of celebration—small, elegant, with ample top-shelf alcohol—our den ever held.
I liked to think the one I planned was more fun, even if it did require formal attire and the table settings had more forks than anyone should ever have to navigate.
But the food was delicious, and I planned to speak to the caterer about the finger foods and mini desserts I had in mind for Animals’ event.
Table linens, cute silverware I’d spotted in a rental catalogue, centerpieces.
So many details to input into the spreadsheets I’d designed, proud enough to pass them along to my mentor for her use.
Unfortunately, Karma was out of town at one of their other clubs, but she was glad to work with me on Facetime and messaging, and to fill out my questionnaire, and to approve many of my ideas, requesting a few changes as well.
The caterer’s menu was set, the baker hired, a small charcuterie shop near Animals signed on as well.
Each of the food vendors offered a discount for the function, since it was for such a good cause.
As had most of the rental companies. And me.
I also discounted my fee by a percentage when Karma told me about the specifics of the benefitting organization.
Via FaceTime.
“How is San Diego?” I asked. Although the reason for hiring me was to save Karma time, we’d taken to speaking nearly every day for at least a few minutes.
Karma, like Elisa, had a whole lot of experience with working on events of many kinds.
As we brainstormed and shared ideas, I began to think the two of them had done more than give me an opportunity.
They had arranged for me to have another level of mentorship.
Lucky I didn’t have a big ego. Rather, I had a thirst for knowledge.
“It’s great. We have some new employees, and I always try to pop in and introduce myself, let them know my office door is always open, all that stuff. Even if we are growing, I like to think we’re still a family. Or at least a friendly management structure.”
“I will have to visit the San Diego location one day. I hear the beaches are nice down there, too.”
After another thirty seconds of small talk, I confirmed for my client that we had everything lined up and ready for the day of the event.
Which was a week out at this point, and I was pretty proud of my work.
Karma told me to call if anything came up and thanked me for everything I was doing, and we hung up.
I’d been burning the midnight oil for such a long time, I decided I deserved an evening off.
Dinner out maybe. A steak. Or fish, which my dragon thought was a better idea.
Having nobody at home to celebrate with took a little out of the experience, but I told myself I’d only been here a short time and would make friends soon.
The other places I’d lived, I’d listened to a lot of people’s stories but never planned to stick around so never made long-term friends.
Except Elisa, who was a mentor/employer and maybe now evolving into a friend.
And now Karma? I looked forward to our conversations. To her wisdom and humor, and while she was currently a client, and hopefully would be again if I proved myself worthy, I’d really like to be her friend.
Now that I’d put down roots in Phoenix, it was time to connect to people on a deeper level, maybe, years from now, even find my mate?
It was impossible to spend time around Karma and Warren without wondering if there was someone out there for me.
I didn’t dare hope for a bond like theirs.
I’d never known a single other couple who were like them, able to shut out the entire world and see only each other.
With such pleasant thoughts of friends and mates and business success in mind, I drifted into the kitchen for a cold drink. As I held my glass under the refrigerator dispenser, enjoying the “premium” ice balls clunking together, my phone buzzed with a notification.
Maybe Karma forgot to tell me something?
I popped a can of sparkling water and poured it over the ice then moved back to the living room to check my phone.
Maybe I’d fly tonight. My home at the edge of town backed onto open fields, and in the dark of the moon, with cloudy skies, I should be safe from human eyes.
Out in the desert, maybe. Still lots of places there where humans didn’t travel, where no roads or highways crossed. I could hike in and then…
Oops. Forgot about the notification. Humming softly, I trotted over and picked up my phone.
I’m so sorry to do this to you with less than a week to the event, but…
Shit. I’d lost my baker.
My part-time assistant would help with this. The one I hired right after signing the contract with Animals.