Her Boss by Arrangement

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“I knew this matchmaking thing was going to bite us in the butt someday,” Lauren announced in the car on the way to an impromptu meeting with Obsidian Studios.

“Yes,” Tori agreed. “But I always thought it would be a failed relationship that caused the problem. I mean, really, we have a 100 percent success rate. You’d think one of the couples would experience troubles.”

“True. Even Kate and Brad from high school are still going strong. I was talking to Mom the other day and she mentioned they’re expecting their third child.”

“That’s so cool.” She pleated her skirt and thought about her gift. “How does it feel for you?” She glanced at Lauren. “When you know two people belong together?”

For a full heartbeat, her twin met her gaze before turning back to the road. “It’s a warm glow, like a surge of happiness, when I see them together.”

“Me, too.” Tori nodded. “It’s a total sense of rightness. But I have to see them together. I never get a sense someone would be good with anyone else.”

“No, me, neither,” Lauren confirmed. “And we’re stronger when we’re together.”

“I’ve noticed that, too. And only with people who are open.”

“What do you mean?” Lauren frowned at her.

“Some people are more open than others.” Tori tried to explain what she’d always felt but never expressed. “Sometimes I can actually pick up on moods if they’re strong enough—happiness, sadness, fear, anger, guilt.”

“Sorry to tell you this, sis, but those emotions are pretty easy to read.”

“Ha-ha.” Her sister completely missed the chiding glance Tori sent her. “I mean from across the room. People I don’t even know. Do you ever get that?”

Lauren lifted the shoulder closest to Tori and let it drop. “Yeah, I guess. If I concentrate. I choose not to concentrate.”

“I know, me, too.” It was uncomfortable picking up on other people’s emotions. Made her feel intrusive. “But if they’re close I get blips of emotion. I think that’s what we’re cluing into when we feel the connection.”

“Okay, that makes sense. Why all the psychoanalysis?” A touch of irritation crept into Lauren’s voice.

“Because Black is as closed up as a teenage girl’s locked diary. Standing or sitting right next to him, I got nothing.”

“Really?” Lauren sounded surprised, drawing Tori’s gaze to her profile. “You get no feeling from him at all?”

“No. Why? Did you?” Tori turned as much as the seat belt would allow. “You didn’t mention you saw Black at the party.”

“There was no reason to since you’d already advised me it was best not to introduce ourselves. But I saw you chatting with him before he left.”

“Did you see him steal my candy?” Jerk. Lauren gave her “the look,” the one that said “focus.” “Okay, not relevant. Still, it wasn’t nice.”

“Tori.”

“Right. So did you get a read on him with anyone? It would really help if you did, because the starlet trio is counting on us.”

Quiet filled the car for a moment and then she muttered, “I’m not sure.”

Tori started to ask what she meant but they’d reached the studio. Lauren turned into the drive and up to the guard station. She gave their names and was directed to a building two down and one over, top floor.

Once they were in the elevator, Tori demanded her sister explain her comment.

“I just meant we told Jenna, Cindy and Olivia we’d try to find someone for Black. We didn’t make any promises. They don’t know how it works for us.”

“No, but they’re going to be looking for results. And there’s no dodging them, either. We’re working with them on the engagement party, the bridal shower and the wedding. We need to keep them happy or life will be miserable.”

“I hear you. But we aren’t responsible if we don’t have access to the man. They think we will because we’re handling the events for Obsidian at the film festival, but the likelihood of us actually interacting with Black is very slim.”

Tori liked the way her sister thought. It was the perfect out. For the matchmaking and for her. She wasn’t looking forward to encountering Garrett Black again. He bothered her in a curious way. It was the brooding. She never did well with brooding.

Her chest constricted as memories rose up. The slow pulling back, the moodiness, that tragic final call.

Shane. She hadn’t purposely tried to tune into anyone since she tried to read him at the height of his withdrawal. The pain and anger had overwhelmed her to the point she never tried again. And she really had no interest in putting any feelers out to Garrett Black. She’d learned her lesson there.

Thankfully the elevator opened into a reception area. From sheer force of will, she pushed the past back where it belonged and followed Lauren to a wide glass desk. Lauren gave the thirty-something blonde manning the desk their names.

“Welcome.” The woman immediately bounced to her feet. “Mr. Black is expecting you.” The woman came around the desk to lead them toward an inner door.

Behind her back Lauren mouthed, “Black?”

Tori shrugged, no happier than her sister at the prospect of a meeting with Black. Mystified, Tori followed Lauren toward the inner sanctum. What was this all about? They received a call at By Arrangement yesterday requesting this meeting regarding the film festival. There had been no mention of Black’s involvement.

She stutter-stepped, dread filling her. Had he called them here to fire By Arrangement? Had she not been fast enough, humble enough in her acquiescence to his demand for payment? She suddenly regretted the jab about the cat.

If it were just her, she’d suck it up, take the loss and move on. But there was Lauren. The contract with Obsidian Studios was the biggest and most prestigious By Arrangement had earned. It was the first true step on the road to their goal of staging the ultimate Hollywood party, the Governors Ball after the Academy Awards.

Plus they’d already put a lot of time and effort into the plans for the film festival. She hated confrontation, but for Lauren she would fight.

She wouldn’t let Black blow them off over a set of toe prints.

“Ms. Randall, Tori.” Garrett stood up as she entered the room behind Lauren. Gone were the ill-fitting suits. He looked imposing in an impeccable black suit custom-made to fit the broad stretch of his shoulders. He waved them to a conversation area near windows overlooking the back lots. “Please have a seat. I’m expecting Kira, who you’ve been working with, but I’ve also asked the head of the PR department to join us.”

“I don’t understand, Mr. Black.” Lauren gracefully sank into the corner of a black leather couch. “Do you have a problem with the plans we sent over? We received notice they’d been approved.”

Tori felt the weight of Garrett’s pale gaze as she sat down. She released the button on her navy blazer and crossed one bare leg over the other, meeting him stare for stare.

“I’ve seen the plans,” he said, turning his attention to Lauren. “They are quite ambitious, but I want Obsidian to make an impression at the film festival, so yes, I approve. I’ve asked you here because I want to add an event to those already contracted.”

Another event? Tori was already anticipating the end of the film festival and putting Black behind them and he wanted to add another event?

Tori met Lauren’s gaze. As he’d stated, their schedule was already ambitious. Lauren gave a slight nod. Tori sighed. What the heck, go big or go home. It was a lesson they learned at their father’s knee.

“Of course,” Lauren stated with confidence. “What did you want to add?”

“A ninetieth anniversary celebration.”

CHAPTER FOUR (#ulink_83f49c25-d5c3-5743-a165-8788eefffb45)

“WOW.” TORI FOUGHT to control her expression. “How many people were you thinking of for this event?”

“I don’t know.” He shrugged. “Maybe three hundred.”

She met Lauren’s gaze, saw the figures were already running through her head. Really? A small, intimate affair would be one thing, but an anniversary party? That sounded huge.

Time for a dose of reality.

“It’s going to be really difficult to find a venue for a party that size. Between the film festival and the holidays everything is booked up.”

A knock sounded and the door swung open. A plump redhead with amazing skin and a slender African-American woman with a mass of braids drawn up in a high ponytail entered the room. Garrett stood and introduced the public relations manager, Irene Allan, and Kira respectively, and then caught them up on the details discussed.

“I don’t understand, sir.” Kira sat braced on the edge of her seat as if ready to hop into action or flee at a moment’s notice. “We have a yearlong campaign planned for the ninetieth anniversary ready to launch in January.”

“Yes, and the film festival gets a lot of national coverage. The anniversary is actually in December. I want to take advantage of the celebrities and exposure already provided by the event.” He focused his silver eyes on Tori. “Surely something is available.”

“Possibly,” She tried for optimism. “If you’re willing to go outside of Hollywood Hills—”

“No.” Black gave an emphatic shake of his head. “It has to be in Hollywood Hills. I want there to be no doubt the party is part of the film festival. And we have to find a place quickly. I talked to the head of the film festival. We have a week to provide the venue information for it to be included in the program.”

“Garrett.” Pale eyes narrowed. She cleared her throat. “Ah, Mr. Black, nothing is available in Hollywood Hills. I received two calls this week asking if our plans were finalized because they were looking to take over our space.”

“I got the same calls,” Kira confirmed.

“Mr. Black,” Lauren began in her conciliatory tone, “considering our time constraints, perhaps we can compromise. There are some very nice hotels in Beverly Hills within ten miles—”

“The Old Manor House,” Tori blurted.

“—of the film festival.” Lauren turned an inquiring glance Tori’s way. “Excuse me?”

“Sorry.” She sent her sister an apologetic smile. “I just thought of the perfect place. The Old Manor House.”

“Absolutely not.” Black cut her off. “That’s not an option.”

“Thanksgiving is this week, which means we really only have four days. The Old Manor House is perfect,” she repeated. “It’s in Hollywood Hills. It’s iconic Obsidian Studios. And people will flock to the event to see it.”

“I said no. The place is in no shape for a party.”

“We have three weeks. If we start now—”

“You have my answer.” He stood and buttoned his jacket. “Find me a venue close to the film festival.”

* * *

“Mom and Dad will be here in an hour.” Lauren propped a shoulder against the door of Tori’s office. “We should head home. Any luck with the venue?”

“Two. One that exceeds our approved budget and one that’s below our usual standards. I have a third but it’s outside the perimeter Black set. The man is beyond stubborn.”

“Look, I agree The Old Manor House is no-brainer the best option for the party. But Black is living in the house now and according to you his father was living there at the time he died. I can understand why he might not want to have a party there.”

“I suppose.” Okay, Tori grudgingly acknowledged she hadn’t considered the father angle. Hard to when Garrett appeared so closed off emotionally. “That doesn’t change the fact he’s set an impossible task.”

“He’s the client.” Lauren crossed her arms over her chest. “Have you gone over the pros and cons of the venues with Kira?”

“Yes. She’s as frustrated as I am. This has been a colossal waste of time.”

“Tell me about it. Forget the need to know for the program, we need to know what we’ll be working with.”

“You’re right.” Tori turned to her computer, picked up the email she sent to Kira with the venue links, made a couple of changes and hit Send. “It’s in his hands now.”

Lauren rolled her eyes. “Tell me you didn’t do something rash.”

“Just gave our client his options. Besides tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Time was up.” She closed down her computer and felt around for her shoes. She refused to think of Garrett Black and his impossible demands any longer. “Let’s go home. I’m anxious to see Mom and Dad. I’m really looking forward to a family Thanksgiving. I thought we were going to miss it this year.”

“Me, too.” Lauren linked her arm through Tori’s and drew her over to Lauren’s office, where she grabbed her purse from the corner of her desk before they headed for the door. “Are you sure you’re up to cooking? I can still call in a favor and put in an order for turkey and all the trimmings, but tomorrow it will be too late.”

“No.” Tori locked up. “I miss cooking. Plus I did a bunch of prep work here today. It’s already packed in the car. And I plan to put you to work to give Mom a break.” She laughed as Lauren cringed. “Relax, I’m keeping it simple.”

“Good. Because I plan to be on the couch watching football with Dad and Nick.”

Tori’s turn to send her eyes rolling. Her thing with Dad was cars, Lauren’s was football. “You can peel potatoes while sitting on the couch.”

“Oh. You’re too kind.”

“Remember that when it comes to cleanup.”

* * *

“Mom put that knife down.” Tori took a paring knife from her mother on the way to removing the turkey from the oven. “You’re a guest this year. Oh, this smells great.” She set the roasting pan on a wooden cutting board on the granite island.

“I want to help,” Liz Randall protested. “I’m family, not a guest. What a beautiful bird.” Mom squeezed Tori’s shoulders.

“We need to let this rest. You always cook.” Tori turned and gave Mom a real hug. The kitchen light bounced off the golden highlights in her new short bob. Tori thought her mother was beautiful. Young and vital, she took good care of herself and Dad. “I want you to enjoy yourself today.”