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When she gestured for me to come into her office, I stood up and grabbed my tablet, plus the remnants of the green juice I made at home every morning. Hustin had tried it once, almost spitting his tiny sip straight back out before choking out, “Is that just pure kale?”
I did tend to go heavy on the kale, but on the mornings when I fancied something sweet, I added half a banana. When I told Hustin that, my tone bordering on defensive, he’d just patted my arm and said, “Oh, honey.”
“Thanks so much for sorting out the catering already, darling,” Corva said as I closed her office door behind me and sat.
I shrugged. “No problem. Wanted to make sure we got them before someone else snatched them up. We know how in demand they are.”
“Yes, quite.” She tapped on her phone for a few seconds before setting it aside and smiling at me. “Now, as we discussed before the meeting yesterday, you’re going to lead on the Rorik + Stimis event if you’re still feeling up to it.”
I tried not to stiffen. Why wouldn’t I still be feeling up to it? Did she think I couldn’t handle it? “Yes. Of course I am.”
“Great.” Corva paused. “You know I trust you completely, darling, but as always, please feel free to come to me if you need anything. I’ll be tied up with the NADC gala at first, but I’ll always make the time.”
I smiled tightly. “Thank you, Corva. It shouldn’t be necessary, but I’ll keep it in mind.”
She pursed her burgundy-painted lips and hesitantly said, “I only say that because… well, we both know you’re better suited to the corporate-type events, and I get the feeling these boys might be after something a little more… flashy than we’d anticipated.”
My mouth twitched. “You mean like flaming shots?”
We shared a look.
“Mm, yes. Well, if that’s what they want…” She shrugged, but didn’t sound too convinced as she added, “I’m sure you’ll find a way to make flaming shots… elegant and understated.”
“Will I be to blame if they start pounding their fists on the table and screaming, ‘Shots! Shots! Shots!’ during Sir Vili var Hynt’s speech?”
Corva laughed, reaching for her mouse as she turned to her computer monitor. “Well, hopefully you’ll build up enough of a rapport in the run-up to gently talk them out of getting too rowdy at their own event.”
I made a face. “I doubt I’ll be speaking to either of them that much during the planning. They’ll hand it off to their assistants.”
“I wouldn’t be too sure.” Corva nodded at her monitor. “Nuni var Rorik emailed me this morning—I saw it on my way to the office. He wants to be involved.”
Sudden tension made my spine snap straight, and I wasn’t even sure why. “Oh?”
“Yes. I’ll email him back now and copy you in to let him know you’re leading.” She grunted as her long, painted claws tapped at her keyboard. “He seems like the type to struggle with letting others take control. Good luck with that one.”
I licked my lips, throat suddenly dry. “I can handle him. It. I can handle it.”
Corva shot me a knowing look. “Just try not to clash with him too much, yes? There’ll be a lot of big names at this event. It needs to go off without a hitch, flaming shots and all.”
My armpits prickled with sweat. Wondering if I’d be able to fit in a quick spin class on my lunch break, I nodded. “I won’t. And it will. I’ll try to rein them in on some of their… wilder ideas.”
Corva cocked her head. “Well, a few flashy but tasteful details thrown into the mix could work in our favour. Make it memorable. Like I said, I trust you, darling.”
“Okay.” I stared down at my blank tablet screen. “Flashy but tasteful. I can do that.”
By the time I got back to my desk, var Rorik had already responded to Corva’s email letting him know I’d be leading on the event. Trying to ignore the squeeze in my gut, I clicked on it but immediately scrolled down to the beginning of the email chain so I wouldn’t have to read his response first.
He’d first emailed Corva at 6.02 a.m.
Hi Corva,
Great to meet you and Anita yesterday. My PA Lipa (CC’d) will be working with you on the event, but I’d like to stay involved. If you could make sure to copy me in on any emails, I’d appreciate it.
Look forward to working with you,
Nuni
I scrolled up a little to read Corva’s reply.
