Chapter 6
KENYA HOBBLED OUT of the elevator onto the third floor of the Surge office building.
“Oh dear, what happened?”
Clutching her computer bag, she waved away her coworker Dedra, whose blue eyes widened the closer Kenya came.
“I will say that this is the slowest you’ve ever arrived on a Monday morning.
Instead of a whirlwind, you came in kind of like a clunky breeze.
Which is unusual, especially on a day where you should be ready to totally rock this presentation that we rescheduled.
” She pursed her lips, taking Kenya’s bag from her without her asking. Kenya fell into step—hobble—with her.
“What is it this time?”
Kenya whipped her head toward her friend, instantly regretting it when her balance shifted.
Her ankle protested sharply despite the pain meds she’d taken this morning.
She placed a hand against a wall, the metal bangles on her wrist pressed against her skin.
“What do you mean, ‘this time’?” She sucked in a shaky breath before resuming her forward motion.
“This is the first time I recall twisting my ankle.”
“From the way you’re laboring along, I would say ‘twist’ is an understatement.”
Kenya focused on her steps and the presentation she had thankfully memorized before her wicked fall.
“I’m just saying that you are not one to back down from adventure or activity, and you always seem to do so in the wrong shoes. So, what was it this time? Did you go for a run on Saturday? Hiking to Monte Sano yesterday?”
“Not you too. What does everyone have against my attempt to be adventurous and stylish?” She liked shoes, and she liked to be on the move.
“Well, at the very least, I would have worn sneakers or flats with that thing.”
Kenya glanced down. Okay, she had to admit that wearing a platform bootie with her Aircast probably wasn’t the best decision she’d ever made. But in her pain-med-induced haze, it’d seemed like a good idea to match the height that the boot was giving.
“Okay, Dedra, enough about me. Hi, how was your weekend? How is your boyfriend? Thank you for covering for me. And leave me alone—”
“Hey, not so fast. I need details about this wedding that we literally moved heaven and earth for. Hello, celebrity planner and cousin to Huntsville’s most famous couple.”
“That’s not saying much, considering they met in and will actually make their home in Hope Springs.”
“Yes, well, we can still claim them.”
“I honestly don’t want to talk about the wedding right now.” Kenya pinched her nose, fighting off a wave of nausea. Did she eat this morning before she took her pain pills?
Dedra grasped Kenya’s arm.
Kenya flinched but felt a tad grateful for the momentary stability.
“Wait, that’s it, isn’t it?” Dedra shifted to step directly in front of Kenya, her face and curly bob filling her field of vision.
“Oh goodness, Kenya, please don’t tell me you busted up the wedding with whatever caused this accident.
Especially after you busted up the dinner with the Bellon Group for the wedding. ”
Kenya gritted her teeth. Was it the memory or the pain making her feel like she was being tossed at sea? She shut her eyes, hoping that would help her reset and that the pieces of information floating around her head would settle back into the pathway she’d formed for today.
“Dedra. Can we focus, please? I promise I’ll share all the juicy details with you later, but right now we need to get through this presentation so I can get the go-ahead for the convention.
” She eased herself away from the wall, sucking in a breath.
“That’s the priority. I need thirty minutes to get everything set up. ”
Dedra nodded, adjusting Kenya’s bag so she could offer her other hand to her. Kenya waved her off, stretching her face into what she hoped was an easygoing smile. “I’m good. At this rate, I’ll be brand-new by the afternoon.”
“By the looks of it, it will take us all afternoon to walk down the hall.”
Dedra led the way to their shared office, a rarity on a floor full of cubicles.
Kenya had protested leaving the bustle of the communal office space when her position changed from event runner to planner and then to one of two event managers.
She’d enjoyed being in the mix, the swirling mass of conversations and opinions adding fuel to her creativity.
But perhaps the change was worth it for this moment.
She only had a few minutes, but she would sit at her desk and pray that the nausea subsided long enough for her to prepare for the Zoom meeting.
Dedra hung Kenya’s tote on one of three chunky hooks attached to the wall. She pulled out the rose-gold laptop and placed it on the desk while Kenya eased herself into her chair. The sigh barely left her mouth when someone stepped into the doorway.
“Kenya. Good morning. Have you checked your messages yet?” Vance Cothrane had a knack for popping up at the worst times, and this morning was no different.
Kenya considered herself skilled at interacting with most people.
But she struggled with him the most because he was also everything she wasn’t.
She was confident in her abilities, but he had an edge that she knew she would never have.
She hoped one day she’d shake off her propensity to compare and greet her fellow event manager with an unforced smile.
He’d combined his bachelor of event management and special events certification into a thriving career.
She’d thrown herself into every opportunity and thankfully had the experiences and unique successes to show for it without the college degree. Well, and the wounds, it seemed.
As if reading her thoughts, Vance glanced down at the foot she didn’t have enough time to slide under her desk. He let out a whistle. “That’s not good.”
“No, it’s not.”
He opened his mouth to say more but shut it.
She could see his wheels turning, calculating dates and project needs and probably wondering how in the world she would pull off one of their major events in eight weeks.
The North Alabama Investors’ Tour she was heading up for the city that would have everyone on their whole floor with feet on the ground. Ugh, the irony.
“I didn’t see the email either, Vance. What’s up?” Dedra asked, not even bothering to check her computer.
“It was just sent but is urgent. Evelyn already talked to the reps and has to move our presentation up an hour. She got a call from the mayor’s office and needs to meet with him. And they were eager to adjust to avoid moving their other meetings.”
Kenya sat up, swallowing the bile rising in her throat. She didn’t like the familiar way he referred to her clients or the tone in his voice that let on that he knew all about her little—well, huge—mistake. “Our presentation? For next year’s tech convention?”
A slight smirk crossed his face. Oh, he was enjoying this. “That’s the only presentation scheduled this morning. You good to go?” His eyes flickered to her foot. “Or do you need me to take it over for you? Again.”
“Again?”
“She’s good!” Dedra spoke up, rising from her chair across the room.
Vance’s gaze bounced from Dedra to Kenya. She wanted to wipe that look off his face. Too bad for him, other people’s doubt was fuel to her fire too.
Kenya waved him off. “Thanks for the heads-up.”
As soon as he walked out the door, Kenya shifted to Dedra, planting her hands on the table. “What does he mean, ‘again’? Did he—”
“Yeah, girl, Evelyn called him in for that dinner on Saturday night. I thought there was no point in telling you since you were at the wedding and I didn’t want you to focus on that.
But you better pray because we are doing this now.
” Dedra took Kenya’s computer off her desk and placed her own tablet on top.
“I’ll go make sure the system is on. I know most everything is in your head, but I’ve got my notes if you need me. ”
She started to walk out but then paused to glance back at Kenya, concern in her eyes. “But you also don’t have to do it either. The convention possibility is one of many that will come up. It’s not like you’d intentionally be skipping out if you need to step back.”
Kenya pushed herself up, waiting for the room and her stomach to settle before straightening.
“You know why I must do this. This meeting gets me one step closer to becoming a creative director. I messed it up already. I can’t do that again.
” Kenya wanted—no, needed—to leave some of the mundane tasks behind so she could focus more on the visionary aspects of event planning.
That was the part that gave her life. She’d worked too hard to take a step back.
Having trouble with her steps didn’t change who she was or what she could do.
She’d grown up dealing with obstacles her whole life.
Dedra nodded and Kenya followed her out, grateful for this coworker and friend who cheered her on.
The path to the conference room was not as long as the walk from the elevators to her office, but Kenya still felt the strain of the movement. It was barely 9:20 and she felt like she’d done a full day’s work.
“Good morning, everyone,” she said breathlessly, swallowing her annoyance over Vance joining the meeting.
She flashed a smile at the two reps from the Nashville-based company who nodded at her from a large screen on the opposite end of the room.
One was a middle-aged woman in a sharp tweed blazer who had a neatly trimmed gray bob.
The other was a man who looked to be around her age, his serious face framed by a trimmed goatee that gave off Tony Stark vibes.
“Oh, good.” Evelyn clasped her hands together and grinned.
“I was hoping you would come in even earlier. I apologize for the last-minute change, but I knew you could handle it. We are good at managing changes, aren’t we?
” Evelyn’s wink didn’t put her at ease. “And you are always so quick on your feet.”
“Ha, that’s funny,” Kenya said with a sheepish smile. Her director’s smile dimmed slightly as she followed Vance’s pointed gaze.
She looked back up in concern, but before she could say more, Kenya gave her a thumbs-up.
“Nothing stops me, as you can see. Just a little sprain, but what I have for you today is a big concept idea. I apologize for the scheduling mistake from this past Saturday, and I appreciate your flexibility.”
“We are looking forward to it,” the woman responded. “We’ve heard nothing but great things about this agency and your capable planners. Which is why we decided to continue with this pitch.”
Kenya pressed her palms together in acknowledgment of those words and motioned to Dedra, who had already hooked up the laptop and queued the slides. Kenya picked up the clicker and used that moment to place her hand on the lacquered board table for balance. Lord, steady me, please.
She hobbled backward to keep clear of the display.
She tensed her core and willed it to anchor her.
At the click of a button, the screen changed into the agency’s logo.
“At Rose-Hued Events Management, our goal is not just to help you plan an event but to invite you and your clients into an experience.” She paused, letting the next image come to her mind before it appeared on the screen.
“As the most innovative and experienced tech companies and vendors are gathered from the southeast for your convention, we want them to feel pampered and catered to as well.” The slide shifted to a collage of photos representing picturesque locations in Huntsville.
“North Alabama not only offers versatile and stylish presentation space but also relaxation and inspiration for attendees.”
She paused, but instead of a clear image of the picture she’d memorized floating to her mind, her thoughts fuzzed out.
“I . . . uh.” She swallowed down a wave of nausea.
Taking a deep breath, she continued. “We want your vendors to arrive at your convention and leave with more than they came for.” Inhale.
“More leads, increased bookings, on-site and potential sales.” Gulp.
Spots filled her vision. “And, of course, networking and experiences that inspire.”
She placed a hand on the table.
“Are you okay?” Dedra’s words floated somewhere around her, but the only response she could give was a moan. Then with sudden urgency she turned, momentarily ignoring her throbbing ankle as another issue took priority.
“Oh, I think she’s going to—” Vance’s voice was drowned out by the sound of her non-breakfast making its way into the trash can.