Page 18 of Sunshine

I’d stopped taking on every client that asked me to work with them after learning my lesson the hard way. Multiple times. I was twenty six, and someone like Mrs. Cullen wouldn’t takemy opinion seriously unless I established early on that I was a business professional.

Logan had done me a solid by suggesting my services. His word carried a lot of weight.

“Of course.” Mrs. Cullen straightened up. “I’ve elected to help with a charity event this year. It’s in four months?—”

I hid my wince. Not a lot of time.

“And I am at my wits’ end. I have been part of the charitable circuit for years.”

I nodded, trying to look interested and sympathetic.

“Every event feels the same. The same glitz and gold. It’s part of why I stepped back. But this event is personal to my charity, the Cantilever Foundation, and I would like for it to stand out.”

I pulled out a pen and paper. It made me look professional, but I also needed something to focus on while she talked. I could already picture golden halls, and if I didn’t focus, I would space out while she was talking.

Found that out the hard way.

“Stand out how?” I poised my pen over my notebook.

“That’s what the event planner is for, right?” She huffed. “I want something unique. Grand. Not just the same fancy party where everyone wears the finest dress and makes small talk for hours.”

“You know part of the reason that charity galas emphasize wealth and status is to remind you that you can afford to donate money?”

Mrs. Cullen snorted. “Money is not an object to these people. I would rather give them an experience they will remember for years to come than simply stroke egos.”

I nodded, biting my bottom lip. I considered and discarded ideas one after the other, until I had been quiet too long. Anything I could think of off the top of my head would be the exact opposite of what Mrs. Cullen wanted.

“Well?” She arched a perfectly sculpted eyebrow. “What are your suggestions?”

“I don’t have any yet.” I smiled. “I haven’t gotten to know any of your personal likes and dislikes?—”

“How I like things decorated is irrelevant.” Mrs. Cullen cut in, waving her hand. “I need something with vision.”

I gave the pushy older beta a bright smile. “Begging your pardon, but I disagree. This is your pet charity, right?”

She nodded impatiently, her perfectly coiffed hair shining. “This event needs to be a one-of-a-kind experience. Something for the donors to truly appreciate. I’m tired of the same balls, galas, and art shows.”

She was here expecting to be disappointed. She had come here on Logan’s word, but she assumed she would be leaving just as soon as I confirmed what she’d already assumed—I couldn’t do the job.

She was of the belief that no one could, because what she wanted was just too avant-garde. She was the only one with any vision and the rest of the world was just trite and so last year.

Unfortunately, that was the default attitude of most of the clients that came to me for event planning. I’d learned how to deal with them. Mostly I found out what they were personally interested in and tailored that to the specific event. It was how I’d built up a reputation.

“Which is why I need more personal information.” I tapped my pen. “Let’s say you hate Monet. If I create a beautiful event for you, and use his watercolors to tie everything together, it will feel impersonal at best. At worst, you’ll feel like a stranger at your own event.”

“I’m mature enough to put my own tastes aside, Ms. Sullivan.”

“Of course you are,” I said brightly. I could bulldoze right over her too. I pulled some glossy photographs out of my book. “This client wanted sheer opulence.”

Mrs. Cullen glanced at the photographs.

“The event raised record breaking profits for the charity. We made the guests feel like they were in the Tudor Era, complete with historically accurate clothing.”

“It doesn’t need to be that on the nose.”

“Which is my point.” I gestured at the photographs. “My client wanted something rich and luxurious without being garish. We found what worked for her, and she beamed during the entire event. At Cosmic Bonds Planning, we tailor the event to suit everyone’s needs.”

Mrs. Cullen nodded, tapping the photographs against the book. I could tell she wasn’t convinced, but she was at least thinking.

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