Page 46 of Last First Date
"Come in here. It will save me an email."
I almost laughed at the idea this man wanted to skip writing an email. "Yes?" I asked.
"We're going to New York."
"Excuse me?"
"You," he said. "I need you to go to New York with me. This is too big for me to manage on my own. I want you there. Can you arrange it?"
"New York?" I echoed.
"Yes."
"I thought, I mean, I already made arrangements for you to work with Patrick."
"I understand that, but I'm still the CEO. I can't just do this one thing. I have to manage the company and plan the event. That means I'm going to need your help."
I had a feeling I wasn't really being given a choice. I was his assistant, and where he went, I went. "New York," I said again. "You need me there."
"Exactly. Pack your bags. We're leaving in two days."
"Two days?" I squeaked.
"Yes. I assume you've traveled with my grandfather before."
"Yes, but—"
"But nothing." Knox cut me off, a touch of impatience in his tone. "This isn’t a debate, Waverly. This is a huge opportunity. We can't let this get screwed up. I need you there."
"Alright," I conceded, regaining my composure. "I'll make the arrangements."
"Good. Do you have the pilot's information?"
"Of course." I nodded.
"You'll want to make sure you pack for at least a week. Evening wear as well."
"A week!" I gasped.
"We're putting together a major event that will include some very important people. I'm not going to risk this falling apart."
"Right. A week." My mind was already whirling with the logistics of it all. I was going to have to check his calendar.
"That's all I have," he said.
With that, he dismissed me and turned back to his desk, effectively ending our conversation. I stood for a moment in the doorway, my mind reeling with everything he had just told me. New York. I hated the city. Not that I had ever been, but I didn't like cities in general. It was too loud, too bright, and just too much of everything.
20
KNOX
Icould not wait to get back to Manhattan. I wished I could go back to my penthouse, but I had sublet it to a couple. I couldn’t kick them out on such short notice. But I didn’t care. I was going to be in Manhattan and that was all I cared about.
I watched Waverly exit my office, her face a mask of composure. Underneath that though, I could see the faint glimmer of panic, the worry about leaving the comfort of her desk. But I knew she was capable, more than capable actually.
Once she was out of sight, I leaned back in my chair and stared at the ceiling. If only I could find a way to stay in Manhattan.
I went home feeling better than I had since I first stepped off the plane in St. George. Mom was sitting in the kitchen at the breakfast counter when I walked into the house. She had her usual glass of wine in front of her. I could smell something good.
