Chapter 24

Cole

Two weeks later…

I can’t wait to see what Haley’s pulled together for tonight’s company party. And knowing the people on the invitation list? Well, if she knocks this out of the stratosphere, like I know damn well she will, Haley will have events booked out for the next five years.

I can’t wait to watch my girl soar.

These past two weeks have been a dream and I’m counting all my motherfucking blessings.

Grabbing a decent parking spot in the lot, I see Haley’s beat-up car in the corner, under a bright light. I know she got here early to set up, but I hope she still found time to eat something today.

Heading into the Gantz Plaza, I’m eager to see my girl.

A woman in a black pantsuit greets me immediately. “Good evening, sir. Are you here for the NGC Architects event?”

“Yes.” My gaze sails around the lobby, looking for Haley.

“You’re a little early,” she says, like she’s not about to let me in. “We’re still setting up.”

“I’m here for Haley, actually.”

“Oh!” Her eyes round. “I’ll take you to her.”

The front of the lobby only has a reception desk and small sitting area. This place used to be a cannery, which turned into an art gallery, and now it’s a quirky place that focuses mostly on weddings and conferences.

The woman opens a set of double doors and I’m suddenly awestruck.

Holy. Shit.

It’s like I just stepped into a fantasy realm. Swaths of fabric, green garland, and white lights drape across the ceiling, giving the huge, cold space a cozier feel. The tables are covered in snow white cloth with pinecone laden evergreens running along the center. Instead of typical circular tables, they’re rectangular and each chair has dried oranges and evergreens with silver balls hanging off the back. Candelabras stretch across the tables, along with these crazy looking white flower arrangements. I smell rosemary and cloves, too.

“Put those over by the bar, please,” I hear Haley say.

She’s hunched over a table in the corner with her back to me.

“Thanks,” I whisper to the woman who escorted me in. “I see her.”

What an understatement. Haley’s all I see. She’s in a winter white cocktail dress and a pair of slippers. Her hair’s pulled back in a low ponytail.

I sneak up behind her and tug her hair.

She turns around with a mean mug that quickly shifts to absolute joy. “Damn, Cole.” She steps back and gives me an exaggerated up and down look. “You look amazing.”

“So do you.” I point at her slippers. “Nice touch.”

“I can’t wear my fancy shoes all day. I’d die. I only put the dress on a half hour ago, then got right back to adding the final touches to the room.” She sweeps her arm out. “What do you think?”

“Amazing,” I say, grinning. We both know I’m not talking about the room. “Stunning.”

She giggles and slaps my arm. I notice her cell phone is on the table with a timer going. “Does this place blow up in twenty minutes and…” I look at it again. “Sixteen seconds?”

“That’s my get ready timer. I have until the alarm chimes to get all the final details in order and then I disappear behind the curtain with a half hour to spare before guests arrive.”

“Haley, what would you like us to do with the podium?”

She turns to the young man dressed in black pants and a button-down. “Can you put it to the side, over there? And check the mic for me, please?”

“No problem.”

Her eyes suddenly widen with panic. “The high-tops!” Haley rushes towards the lobby. “Alyssa, are the high-tops set up in the other room yet?” She doesn’t wait for an answer. My girl marches in and I follow. “Oh, phew.”

This room is much smaller but has two bars set up with more garland everywhere, and several high-top tables. The caterer is setting out the charcuterie stations. Haley looks around, her lips in a tight thin line, as she assesses the room. “I still need those lights turned on,” she announces. Then she picks up a huge, gilded frame that says, “NGC Architects thanks you for your support and hard work. May the new year bring much joy to each of you!”

Noah is going to love it.

He wouldn’t think of thanking his clients and employees, but he’ll damn sure take the credit for the gesture.

Haley scurries around and turns on all these little battery-operated lights in glass cylinders filled with more wintery decorations. This room is beautiful too, but it’s not a showstopper like the main room is. I’m sure Haley’s designed it that way on purpose.

Both rooms are elegant, classy, and cozy without being ostentatious.

“I went for a more casual feel in this room. It’s better for icebreakers and warming up into conversations.” She points at the bar. “There’s also three signature drinks this evening.”

My girl has thought of everything.

She escorts me over to the bar where a man’s setting out napkins. “What can I get you, sir?”

Hmmm. I don’t normally drink at these things, but tonight’s a good night to celebrate. Scanning the framed menu, I gawk at the signature cocktails.

Cranberry Mule, Mistletoe Martini, and the Cole Crush.

“What do you think of the menu?”

Shit, shit, shit. “Very cute.” I don’t have the heart to tell her she spelled coal wrong.

“It’s not a mistake,” she says with a wicked little grin, as if she can read my mind. “Cole is spelled correctly. It’s why the name is in a different color than the rest, too.”

What the—

“Can he get the Cole Crush, please? Thanks.” Haley’s smile is all kinds of adorably wicked when she looks up at me.

The bartender places a milky white drink with a candy cane rim in front of us. “Enjoy.”

I’m still stunned. “You named a drink after me?”

“Hey, I’m still celebrating your success. And since I’m the one in charge of this crazy operation, I get to do what I want.” She tilts her head and puts her hands on her hips. “How’s it taste?”

I take a little sip. It’s smooth, and the mint isn’t overpowering at all. I think there’s white chocolate in it too. “Delicious.”

She winks and walks away from me to get back to work.

I snatch her arm before she gets too far from me and kiss her hard. When we draw back, I love that I’ve smeared her lipstick. Dragging my thumb across the bottom of her lip, I fix it and say, “I’m really proud of you, Haley.”

Her cheeks turn pink and eyes get a little glassy. My girl still doesn’t know how to handle compliments. Especially when they come from people she cares about. And the fact that she’s getting emotional over a single crumb of praise speaks volumes for her growth. At least it does to me. I’m glad she shows me her vulnerabilities. I love that she trusts me with them.

“Thank you.” Haley gives me another peck on the mouth. “Now if you don’t mind, I have to switch my shoes, fix my hair, and get ready to make NGC have the best party ever.”

I smack her ass as she leaves me and smile behind the tumbler filled with liquid courage. Tonight’s going to be amazing. The place is stunning, everything’s in order, guests are going to roll in any minute, and I’m on cloud nine.

Nothing can possibly go wrong.