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There was a storm forecast, but all the signs were that it would arrive after the event had ended. If it came early, then she was prepared for that, too. They would close the glass doors and bring everyone inside.
“I am never making a round canapé again,” Eva moaned, coming over to join Paige. “I will be seeing ones and noughts in my sleep.”
“It looks incredible. So clever, Ev.”
Frankie joined them, her eyes tired. “I have climbed that scaffolding so many times in the last two days my pecs are going to be bulging.”
“It’s all brilliant. All we need now is guests.” Paige reached out and wiped off a dirty mark from Frankie’s face. “And maybe we need to change because right now the staff of Urban Genie are looking a bit, too, er, urban. We need to make it look effortless. As if we did all this while filing our nails.”
Nerves fluttered and danced in Paige’s stomach as all three of them escaped to the private room that had been reserved for their use.
Eva and Paige wore the same short black skirt teamed with heels, but Frankie, who hated skirts, had opted for tailored black pants. Each had a different-colored shirt with Urban Genie picked out in silver on the front pocket.
Paige’s was black, Eva’s was midnight blue and Frankie’s was a deep forest green, the color in her outfit complementing the fierce blaze of her hair.
Paige looked at her friends and her eyes filled.
“I’m so proud of you. Of us. Can you believe we’re doing this together? It’s our business. You’ve worked so hard. We’re going to make this company the biggest success. Thank you for taking the risk and saying yes.”
Frankie flushed. “We said yes because we trust you. I don’t know anyone as driven and focused as you are. Or as determined. If anyone could find a way to make this work it would be you.”
“You trust me because I’m your friend.”
“You’re more than a friend. You, Eva and Matt—even Jake. You’re family. The family I would have loved to have.”
It was an unusually emotional speech for Frankie, and Eva reached for her hand and then Paige’s.
“It’s going to be incredible. Let’s knock them dead.”
“I hope that’s a figure of speech,” Frankie said, “because we don’t want to be sued for manslaughter on our first event.” But she gave Eva’s hand a squeeze before walking to the door.
Paige wondered if she was the only one whose knees were shaking.
She wasn’t sure if she was more nervous for Urban Genie or because Jake would be there.
She so badly wanted everything to be perfect.
The moment they stepped out of the door they were swept up in last-minute preparations for the event. The trickle of early arrivers became a steady stream and soon the terrace was filled with laughter, conversation and oohs and aahs as heads were tilted upward toward the eye-catching lighting and floral designs. Lips moved in conversation and hands were busy with food.
The interactive areas where people could try out the technology proved very popular, with small crowds waiting for a turn.
Paige checked and double-checked everything.
She’d forgotten how much she loved this part of the job. The moment where it all came together, all the work, the discussions, the angst in the past. Now it was about checking tiny touches and detail. She loved the circulating—looking for smiles, conversations, spotting problems before they happened.
She loved the buzz and the responsibility.
And this time the responsibility was all hers.
It was a surprisingly good feeling.
She spotted when a female guest suffered a broken heel, and replaced the shoes with a pair they had in their “emergency” supplies. Plain black, mid heel. A perfect substitute. When a male guest had a red wine accident on his partner, she dealt with it promptly. In her store behind the scenes she had Band-Aids, spare bow ties, white shirts in different sizes and her phone, which had every contact she’d ever need to solve any problem. She could call cabs, doctors and dry cleaners if necessary, but so far everything was running smoothly.
The weather was still good and a light summer breeze cooled the terrace after a day of hot sunshine. In the distance a few storm clouds were gathered, but they were far enough away that Paige didn
’t need to worry yet.
The dance floor was a blur of color. Silver, red and blue shimmered alongside tuxedos and gleaming white shirts.
