Page 137 of Sunshine

“Thank you.” Ginny watched Logan leave.

I didn’t sense a hint of attraction between either of them. I waited to feel insecure, to feel jealous. But Logan treated her like his kid sister if anything, and Ginny kept stealing glances at me.

She was nervous. She wanted the job, and she wanted to impress me. I straightened up and sat down at the table. The banquet room was wallpapered a deep red with oak wood accents. The tables were covered with white linen and sparking glasses. It felt fancy but also relaxed.

I almost pinched myself, feeling like the adult in the room. I’d had professional meetings with clients before, that was part of the job, but I’d never felt like an adult before. Like, a real adult. Who presumably had their ducks in a row.

I didnothave my ducks in a row. I didn’t even know where half of them were, and the other ducks were doing laps on the pond.

“It’s nice to meet you on short notice,” I said, sitting down. “Logan speaks highly of you.”

“Thank you.” Ginny sat down opposite me, smoothing her hands over her slacks. “He’s highly sought after to cater at Azalea Acres.”

“Is that where you work?” I smiled. “I’m sorry, I haven’t even looked at your resume.”

Ginny blushed. “Yes, I help coordinate the events at the club.”

I picked up her resume and scanned it. “That’s a good place to start. Why not tell me about your current job, and why you’d want to make the transition to being a full-time assistant?”

There, that sounded professional. I’d stolen the “make the transition” phrase from Raina and it sounded right.

The waiter brought us bread while I listened to the young omega talk about her job. She was barely twenty, so only six years younger than me. But despite her shy personality, she opened up as she talked about her work.

She called and scheduled service providers like caterers, flowers, and décor. She double checked on the orders, made sure things were delivered properly, and oversaw during the event.

In short, she did everything I did except the actual planning piece.

“Do the owners ever take your suggestions?” I asked. Logan had brought us some chef salads, and it was hard not to squeal at how yummy the vinaigrette was.

Ginny’s eyes widened. She’d sounded surer of herself as she talked about her job, but some of her shyness returned. “Oh, no. I’ve suggested ideas before, but they said it wasn’t my job to have opinions.”

“I like suggestions,” I said. “You don’t have to make them, but I like bouncing ideas off people so I wouldn’t mind.”

Ginny looked relieved. “Whatever you’d like.”

“I have to warn you, I’ve never had an assistant before.” I buttered a piece of bread. “It was Logan’s suggestion. I keep trying to do everything myself and I’m realizing I can’t.”

“You have a standard of quality,” Ginny said, sounding a little awed. “I was at the last two events Cosmic Bonds organized. I loved how you tied the botanical theme to the menu and the outdoor garden.”

I smiled, remembering the bright outdoor party. “I loved doing that garden show.”

“Whatever sort of help you need, I’m your girl,” Ginny said firmly. “I want to plan events like you do.”

“In a panic and at the last minute?” I laughed. “I have really great ideas, but I’m honestly struggling to prioritize.”

The pretty young omega was looking at me like I’d hung the moon, and it made me feel like an imposter. I was not this rock star planner like she thought. I was three raccoons in a trench coat barely holding on.

“That’s why you need an assistant.” Ginny still sounded firm, like when Ember talked about her computer program. “I can help you get things scheduled, check on orders, walk the space with you, whatever else you need. I’m very organized.”

“Good.” I swirled my salad around, just as Logan walked in with the entree. Salmon in a lemon butter dill sauce, and rice pilaf. “Oooooo.”

“Ladies.” He nodded at us and left.

Logan was bringing us our food himself, and it made warmth sparkle inside me.

“I’ll work very hard,” Ginny said. “Even during my heat, I was able to schedule some things from home. I promise, it won’t be a problem.”

She said the last bit like she was facing a firing squad.

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