I sigh and drag a hand over my face. “The Bouviers are organizing a charity for children with orthopedic issues, and we’re one of the major sponsors.”
Perri claps her hands beneath her chin. “Oh, I love that. Little Jane is such an inspiration.”
“She is,” I agree because the kid is just a ball of freaking sunshine.
“And the problem is?” my sister prompts.
“The other major sponsor is Carlisle Jewelry,” I say flatly, and her face falls.
“Oh no, and you can’t complain about it because you would look like a shithead who cares more about a century-old feud than literal babies who are disabled.”
“Right,” I heave out on a long breath. “And I have to come up with a person to run this along with Gianna Bouvier and Grant Carlisle.”
Perri gnaws the corner of her mouth and swirls a chip through the queso dish. Finally, she says, “I could do it.” Her eyes are big and hopeful on mine.
Taking a drink of my iced tea, I say, “This is a huge deal, Per. Like astronomically huge. If I know Bouvier, there won’t be a single donor there worth less than five hundred million dollars.”
My sister straightens her spine and squares her shoulders. “Are you forgetting I’m a Hale? I’ve been going to events like this since I was seven. I probably know most of the attendees anyway, so I’d be the perfect fit for this job.”
I stare at her, working it over in my head as she continues making her case. “I know you still think of me as a kid, Remi, but I’m twenty-three now, and I’ve been employed by the company since I was a teenager. And I’ve been full time in the PR and marketing department for two years. Just ask Phoenix. I’m reliable, organized, and I work well with people.”
“I don’t have to ask Phoenix. He’s told me several times what a good job you’re doing.”
She beams a smile at me. “So I can have the project?”
Dipping a chip in the warm queso, I take a bite. “You really think you can do it?”
“I know I can,” she says confidently. “Plus, since this is an important sponsorship for the company, it makes sense that someone from the Hale family is in charge. And I’m the least likely to punch that Carlisle dude.”
I laugh. “That’s a good point.” Rolling the idea over in my mind again, I think this might be the solution I was looking for. I could actually see Perri shine with an event like this, and she’s arguably themost personable of the Hale siblings, with Phoenix a close second. “My only issue is that I don’t like you having to be around Grant Carlisle. I want you to promise to come to me if he puts a single toe out of line.”
“I promise,” she says earnestly, and I smile.
“Then congrats, sis. I know you’re going to do a great job.”
As long as Carlisle doesn’t start any shit. Because I will fucking end him if he’s mean to my sister.
CHAPTER FORTY
Abso-fucking-lutely not
Remington
Mindy appearsin the door to my office later that afternoon, and my eyes go directly to the gold-and-black scarf around her neck. The one covering the mark I left on her this morning. I try not to smile.
I saw her talking to Spectacles Magoo, a.k.a. Dave from accounting, in the lobby when I came back from lunch, and a very stupid part of me wanted to rip off that scarf and show him what I did. That would teach him to stay away from her.
“Did you need something, Ms. Espinoza?”
She enters and sits across from me, crossing her legs. I keep my eyes firmly on her face, but my peripheral vision allows me a view of her tanned skin and the way that skirt rides up her thighs just a bit.
“I’m booking everything for your trip in January, but when I called the pilot, she wanted to know how many would be on the flight.” She poises a pen over her notebook. “Will you be taking a guest?”
Without my permission, my mouth blurts out, “Yes, I’d like you to go with me.”
What. The actual. Fuck.
“You want me to go to Florida with you?” she asks, pointing at herself with the end of the pen.