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“Yes,” I sigh, leaning back in my chair and crossing my arms over my chest. “Apparently that’s a necessity. The woman can’t havejust anyonewalking in on her child’s first birthday party.”
“Does she live in a building that has access to a garden?”
“Of course not.” I roll my eyes. “That would be too easy. And trust me, this lady could not afford a place like that.”
“Does it have a rooftop?”
“I think so.”
“You could bring the garden to her. Like you did for that wedding you worked on.”
He was actually paying attention to that? “That’s… that’s an amazing idea.” The gears in my head spin, imagining how we could transform her rooftop into a garden. Astroturf everywhere, huge potted plants and trees, garlands of flowers strung up. A green paradise along the city skyline. “Wait, no. That would be way too expensive. And I don’t have the staff to set that up.”
Denise hired ten guys to help with setup when we did that wedding, and the budget was way out of Danielle’s league.
“All right.” He mulls it over some more, and I’m just about to tell him he doesn’t seriously have to come up with a solution when he turns to me with a devilish smile. “They want exclusive? How about Worthington Place?”
My nose wrinkles. “That’s a little too elite. Only residents have access.” Only the ultra rich can afford one of the twelve apartments in that building smack dab in the middle of the Upper West Side.
“I know someone who lives there. And she owes me a favor.”
I sit up, at attention now. “Who?” The word comes out more demanding than I meant it to, but I can’t help it.
“Talia Doukas.”
The name takes a moment to click. The only daughter of a Greek shipping magnate, she’s regularly featured in the Manhattan Herald and set to inherit alotof money. “What the hell kind of favor could you owe her?” The question slips out unintentionally before I realize that of course he personally knows someone like her. His family’s on the same level as hers.
He grins, not taking offense at my rudeness. “I set her and her husband up. They owe me their everlasting happiness.”
I stifle a smile. “I-” I shouldn’t accept his offer, right? It’ll put me in his debt. And make it look like I can get future customers into places I truly can’t. “Thank you, Gabriel. That’s incredibly generous of you, but I can’t have you cash in your favor for me.”
“Even if it would impress your clients beyond belief? And then they’d tell everyone about their amazing event planner and create a ton of business for you?”
I consider his words, tapping my fingers against the desk as I think it through. Ineedmore business, and marketing has always been my weakness. I’d rather spend my time planning events than finding new customers. “Why would you go to the trouble of doing this for me?”
“You need help,” he says simply. “And I have connections. I can get you into most anywhere you want to go. I always know a guy who knows a guy. It costs me nothing other than my time, which I have plenty of. Let me help you.” I’m momentarily caught up in the blue of his eyes, shining with warmth. “Besides,” he continues, “you’re a damn good planner. You deserve the boost in business.”
My cheeks flush at his compliment. “Thank you. If you can make it happen…” I shrug helplessly. “That would be beyond amazing.” It really is too good of an opportunity to pass up.
“Leave it to me,” he grins. “I’ll reach out to her tonight and confirm it’s doable, then give you the details.”
He turns to go, almost to the main shop door before I call out to him from my office doorway he just vacated. “Thank you so much.”
“Your wish is my command.” He bends down low, waving his arm in some exaggerated manner, making an idiot of himself, and I hide a smile behind my hand, watching him exit and head down the street.