Page 27 of The Holidays with Mr. Mitchell

“You really think you can pull this off?” I asked.

Her dark eyes gleamed. “Darling, this is what I do. I’ll even arrange for Marquee to cater, if that’s your wish.”

I hesitated. “I don’t want to overwork her.”

“Not to worry,” Cat said. “I’ll bring in pastry chefs and a full team to support her.”

Nat winked at me. “That’s the voice of a champion.”

“Also,” I looked at Cat, “Jim and I are very much about helping those in need. Anything or anyone hired, we both would actually like our events contributing toward their growth for their businesses.”

“Beautiful approach,” she answered.

“Thanks,” I smiled, “I know there are a lot of businesses out there struggling and so does Jim, so his approach has always been with any expenses for his company parties is to give them a boost financially. Jim has actually helped expand many small businesses this way.”

“Consider it noted and done,” Cat said, “A perfect way to not just throw money around and create grand events. I’m looking forward to seeing the smiles on many independent contractor’s faces when I hire them.”

I grinned, adrenaline buzzing. “Then it’s official, ladies. Christmas planning has officially begun.”

Suddenly, I wasn’t dreading Jim’s little stunt anymore. I was excited. This would be fun, this would be festive, and somehow, it was the perfect way for all of us to come together, even if it were through some silly competitions to give everyone under the Mitchell and Associates’ umbrella the best Christmas event they’d ever attended.

ELEVEN

Jim

I staredat the stack of contracts on my desk like they’d multiplied overnight…hotels, private jets, drivers for party buses, catering. They were logistics so detailed that it looked like my company was staging an invasion, not a holiday party.

I opened the top folder and nearly choked. Four hotels were booked solid for December: The Beverly Wilshire, Waldorf Astoria, Bel-Air, and Century Plaza.

As if it were possible, the next page was worse. Mitchell Air fleet allocated for domestic routes. Supplemental capacity booked with Stonecrest Aviation for my international offices.

Everett Stone? My wife had somehow roped in Everett, my personal fucking competition in the aviation industry.

I leaned back, pinched the bridge of my nose, and hit the intercom to my secretary. “Inform Karen she’s needed in my office. Now.”

“Right away, Mr. Mitchell.”

My event coordinator appeared as swiftly as the elevators could transport her from the second floor to the top, where my office was located. She walked in, tablet in hand, and looking far too calm for someone standing in front of a man whose wife had just hijacked his Christmas planning in the most insane way.

I stood next to my desk and tapped the contracts. “What the hell is this?”

She didn’t flinch. She sat across from my desk, bringing me to take my seat once again. “Phase one ofthe Winter Extravaganzaplanning, Mr. Mitchell.”

“I’m sorry,phase one?” I sighed. “Are we suddenly building a goddamn hotel instead of planning a simple Christmas event?”

“This isn’t our portion of the planning,” she confirmed.

“I’ll say,” I answered. “Please tell me, then,whoseportion is this, and why does it seem you know more about it than I do?”

“Mrs. Mitchell’s planner has been coordinating through me to streamline approvals. This is the first phase of your wife’s plans for her event.”

First phase, my ass.

“Her planner,” I repeated flatly. “That being Catalina Veléz, I presume?”

“Yes, sir.” Karen kept her voice steady. “She said it would be more efficient to work through the channels you already trust instead of directly with you.”

For a second, I just stared at my longtime event planner. Then I laughed under my breath. “Savvy woman. This was most likely Avery’s idea, though. Keep the general away from the battlefield while she pushes the pieces across the board.”