Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
Better Than a Dive Bar
I don’t realize until long after I get home and I’m climbing into bed that I missed a text from Oliver. He had sent it around the time that I drove away from his house, but I didn’t look at my phone until now.
Oliver
Not gonna say goodnight?
I’m not sure what it means or how I’m supposed to respond. Is he upset that I left the way I did? It’s not like I can tell him that I felt too conflicted to say anything else before I left. He wouldn’t understand. He would probably find a way to make fun of me for it. I leave his text unanswered.
In the morning, I look at my phone and reread his text.
I read it again a few more times throughout the day.
It’s not like me to leave a question unanswered, but I still can’t bring myself to respond.
I don’t know what I’m supposed to say. That I wish he had kissed me because he wanted to and not because Eddie might report back to Ryan that we weren’t behaving like a couple?
After having a little space from the events of last night, the thought seems silly.
I can’t imagine that Oliver and Ryan’s mutual friend would care that much about whether or not we kissed, or why he would feel the need to tell Ryan about it.
I close out of the message thread, making a conscious effort to forget about it. It’s late enough that it would be weird to say anything now.
At seven, I park my car outside H.M. Lounge. I spot Malcolm standing in front of the building. He’s dressed in a nicely fitted business suit, which is a relief because now I don’t feel overdressed in my blazer and skirt suit. He smiles when he notices me.
I smile back. I extend my hand to shake his when I reach him, but instead he pulls me in for an unexpected hug.
“It’s good to see you, Priscilla,” he says.
“Oh, uh, you too.” I try to keep my tone even so that I don’t give away that I’m surprised by the physical contact. I guess I didn’t know that Malcolm Ridges was a hugger.
“Shall we go inside?” He holds the front door open for me, then follows me inside.
I’ve been to plenty of bars, but never to one like this.
Malcolm has to check in with the bouncer before we’re let in.
He must be a regular here because the bouncer already knows his name.
The bar has a well-lit assortment of liquor on the back shelf.
There are multiple seating areas throughout the space.
There are couches in one area, high-top glass tables in another, and booths with fine leather benches in the back.
The music is low enough that we can actually hear each other.
I don’t think I’ve ever been in a bar where I didn’t have to shout just to have a conversation.
Malcolm and I take one of the booths. He orders a martini and I get a strawberry margarita.
As soon as the waitress walks away, I wonder if I should have ordered something more professional, like a glass of wine or a gin and tonic.
I force a smile, trying not to overthink it.
I reach into my handbag and pull out a pen and my notebook.
“What kind of event are you looking to coordinate?” I ask when we have our drinks.
He takes a sip, then puts the glass back on the table. “I’m looking for someone I can trust to take the lead on arranging all of ANY-Time’s events,” he says. “That’s what I was hoping to find with Delmar, but I think we both know how that went.”
I nod. “I’m sorry it didn’t go the way you expected. Do you only do charity dinners, or do you plan to do auctions and other types of events, too?”
“Silent auctions, traditional auctions, speeches and seminars. Anything you can think of, really. Does that sound like something you would be interested in?”
“Of course. I have experience with all of those and more.”
“What kind of projects are you working on right now?” he asks.
I take a sip of my drink while I try to think of how to phrase this. I’m not sure he’ll take me seriously if I explain that my main project right now is arranging a flash mob and fireworks for someone else’s proposal. I clear my throat.
“To be honest, my business is so new that I only have one other client right now. I’m in charge of making sure that a marriage proposal and wedding go as smoothly as possible.”
He licks his lips after taking a drink. “Only one other client, huh?”
“I hope that’s not a dealbreaker.” I hold my breath while I wait for his answer. Every word matters in a business deal, and I’m afraid to say the wrong thing.
He watches his martini glass as he rotates the stem between his fingers. “On the contrary,” he says, looking up at me. “If you only have one other client, wouldn’t that mean you have more time for me?”
I smile, trying to hide how relieved I feel. “Of course.”
Malcolm leans back in his seat. He looks more relaxed now.
“This is actually perfect. I’m looking for someone who can be exclusive to ANY-Time.
When this wedding you’re planning is all over, would you consider signing on with me?
It would be guaranteed, steady work, and you wouldn’t ever have to worry about competing against other event planners. ”
The idea of not having to compete is nice, but I’m not sure if this is right for me.
“Would it be enough work?” I ask. “And why would I need to be exclusive as long as the other events I’m planning aren’t for your competitors?”
“I want to know that you’re always there when I need you.” He waves to one of the cocktail waitresses, who promptly brings him another martini.
“Anything for you, Priscilla?” he asks.
I shake my head. I still have half of my margarita left. “I’m fine for now.”
“I can make sure the pay is more than worth your while,” he says. “If you feel like there’s not enough work, if you get bored, just go on vacation. You’ll be able to afford to.”
I think about the money that Tina gave me already.
I can afford to not have to work for the rest of the year if that’s what I want, but I’m not going to be able to count on Tina to fund the rest of my life.
I wouldn’t want to, anyway. She’s my friend, not my bank.
I want to know that I’m earning all of the money I make from being good at my job.
And here is Malcolm, a man with a lot of money and power, offering me a similar deal that’s longer term.
I wouldn’t have to worry about finding new clients when Tina’s money runs out, or stress about needing to meet deadlines or whether I’ll be able to pay rent next month.
I want to jump at this chance and take it.
I would be stupid not to. Still, something holds me back.
As weird as it is, maybe I enjoy the stress of meeting deadlines. I was looking forward to putting myself out there and meeting new people. I want to know that I’m able to do it all on my own without any handouts, but an offer like this is hard to resist.
“I want you to think about it,” he says. “Don’t feel rushed. We can talk about it more later.”
As we talk a bit more about the ideas he has for his events, I catch movement out of the corner of my eye.
I look across the room and notice Tina and Ryan sitting by the bar.
I should have known that this is the type of place where the two of them might go for a casual drink after work.
They’re too far away to have heard any of my conversation with Malcolm.
Their backs are facing me, but Tina has her head turned to look at me over her shoulder.
She frowns and mouths something that I can’t quite make out.
I frown back and shrug. She picks up her phone and points to it, then types something out. A moment later, my phone buzzes.
“Excuse me,” I say to Malcolm. I pull out my phone to see what’s so important.
Tina
Does Oliver know you’re on a date with another man?
Priscilla
It’s a business meeting, not a date.
Tina
Business meeting??? You have other clients?
“Something the matter?” Malcolm asks.
I realize that I’m frowning, so I try to put on a neutral expression. I shake my head. “Everything is fine,” I say. “My other client had a question, that’s all. I’m all yours now.”
I tuck my phone into my handbag and try to ignore Tina waving at me from across the bar. I can hear a faint buzz as she sends several more messages, but I don’t pick up my phone this time. I pull my focus back to Malcolm. I cross my legs, and my foot bumps his under the table.
“Oh. I’m so sorry.” I pull my foot away from his. He chuckles, and bumps his shoe into mine.
I smile politely, but I’m caught off guard. For a second, I wonder if he’s trying to hit on me. Maybe that’s why Tina thinks it looks like I’m on a date. I shake the thought out of my head. This man is all business. That’s the only reason he invited me here.
My thoughts wander to the hug he gave me on our way in.
I hope I’m not misreading the intent of this meeting.
My body feels hot. I sip on my margarita to cool myself down.
My head feels light as the alcohol starts to hit me.
Maybe I shouldn’t be drinking when I can’t even tell whether the person sitting across from me thinks this is a date.
I push my drink aside so that I won’t feel tempted to keep sipping on it.
“So, tell me, Priscilla,” Malcolm says, leaning back. He rests one arm over the back of his seat, and with the other one, he holds his martini up to his lips. “What do you do when you’re not planning events for other people?”
I clear my throat. The immediate thoughts that come to my mind make me sound like I have no life: I watch a lot of Netflix, drink wine with my best friend, and think about all of the events I can plan for other people… which probably isn’t the answer he wants to hear.