Page 1 of Worth the Wait (Worth It All #2)

“Remind me again why we’re nervous?”

I glance at my business partner Amanda Gardner and scoff. “Who says we’re nervous? We’re not nervous. We’re simply focused for a two-million-dollar contract negotiation on short notice.”

Which means we’re nervous—petrified, in fact—as we stride down the hallways of Sterling Industries, the floor-to-ceiling windows to our right showcasing downtown LA’s skyline.

This two-million-dollar anniversary gala could make our careers—especially after taking over from Morrison Events with only three months to pull everything together.

“Right,” she says, chuckling. “Is that why you’ve reorganized your presentation materials three times this morning?”

I ignore her teasing because she’s not wrong.

This morning, I stood in my Santa Monica apartment’s walk-in closet for twenty minutes, rejecting outfit after outfit until I found the perfect combination, a gray suit paired with a silk blouse in deep- emerald and heels that put me at eye level with most men in boardrooms.

That’s because today isn’t just another pitch. Today is the culmination of everything we’ve worked toward since Amanda and I started Luminous Events three years ago with nothing but determination and a business loan that terrified us.

“Sterling Industries represents everything we’ve been building toward,” I say, more to myself than to Amanda.

“Fortune 500 client, unlimited budget, society guest list, media coverage. This contract won’t just pay our bills.

It will establish us as the premier luxury event company in Southern California. ”

“Which is why we’re going to get it,” Amanda says firmly. “Your presentation last month was flawless, and the follow-up meeting two weeks ago sealed the deal. Today’s just a formality.”

I flip through my leather portfolio one more time, reviewing the key points that have gotten us this far.

Sterling Industries’ 50th Anniversary Gala needs to honor their legacy while showcasing their innovation.

Five hundred guests, mix of investors, clients, and LA’s social elite.

Venue suggestions ranging from Beverly Hills Hotel to private estates in Santa Barbara.

Three different theme concepts, each more spectacular than the last.

Already, we’ve been through three rounds of presentations.

The preliminary meeting where I outlined our capabilities and vision, the detailed proposal session where I walked them through logistics, timeline, and budget breakdowns, and the third meeting simply reiterating the same details as the second meeting.

Each time, the Sterling Industries team—marketing director Jennifer Cooper and communications manager Sidney Chambers—responded with enthusiasm and follow-up questions that suggested genuine interest.

Today’s the final decision meeting. The moment when they either sign the contract that changes everything for Luminous Events, or politely inform us they’re going with someone else.

“Confidence, Lianne,” I mutter under my breath. “You’ve earned this.”

And I have.

Four years ago, I was planning small corporate retreats and anniversary parties as a junior planner for Morrison Events, working eighteen-hour days and sleeping on my office couch to save money on rent.

Now I’m walking into a Fortune 500 boardroom as a business owner carrying a portfolio that showcases events for tech moguls, charity galas that raised millions, and weddings featured in Los Angeles Magazine.

The girl who grew up bouncing between foster homes, who was told she’d never amount to anything, is about to land the contract of her career.

“Conference Room B,” Amanda says, pointing toward glass walls that reveal figures seated around an oval table.

Through the transparent walls, I can see three people waiting for us.

Two women I recognize from our previous meetings—Jennifer and Sidney—and a man sitting at the head of the table with his back to us.

He’s wearing a navy suit that fits him perfectly, his dark hair styled in a way that suggests expensive barbers and regular maintenance.

For a moment, I’m reminded of someone. Same hair style, same bearing, same?—

Stop it, Lianne. It’s been four years.

“Jennifer mentioned they’d have executive approval today,” Amanda whispers as my stomach flutters with anticipation.

This is it. This is the moment that determines whether Luminous Events joins the ranks of LA’s elite event planning companies or remains a successful but mid-tier operation.

I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of my journey in this moment. Every foster home that made me feel unwanted. Every scholarship application that let me prove my worth. Every late night building a business that reflects my vision.

I push open the conference room door with my brightest professional smile.

“Good morning,” I say, my voice projecting as much confidence as I can muster without appearing too brash. “I’m Lianne Peralta from Luminous Events, and this is co-founder Amanda Gardner. We’re thrilled to present our final proposal for Sterling Industries’ anniversary?—”

My world stops as the man at the head of the table turns around, my breath caught in my throat.

“Lianne.” His voice is deeper than I remember, rougher around the edges, but it still sends an unwelcome shiver down my spine as my portfolio slips from my fingers, papers scattering to the floor.

Suddenly I can’t breathe. I can’t think. I can’t do anything but stand frozen in the doorway as my past collides with my present, four years of success and security crumbling in the space of a heartbeat.

Cameron Phillip Arthur Judd. Pacific Palisades royalty. Trust fund baby. The man who chose his family’s money and approval over what we had together.

The man who taught me that love isn’t enough when faced with social expectations and inherited prejudices.

He looks exactly the same and completely different all at once. The same devastating combination of dark hair and hazel eyes that used to make my pulse race, the same broad shoulders that once made me feel safe and protected.

Once.

“I...” I start, then stop, because what do you say to the person who destroyed your faith in love so completely that you spent four years rebuilding yourself from scratch?

Jennifer and Sidney are looking between us, confusion on their faces, the tension in the room thick enough to cut with a knife. Amanda steps forward, ready to take over but I force myself to move before this becomes more of a spectacle.

“I’m sorry,” I manage, crouching to gather the scattered papers with hands that shake despite my best efforts. “I didn’t realize you’d be personally involved in this project, Mr. Judd.”

Mr. Judd. As if we’re strangers. As if he didn’t once know every inch of my body, every dream in my heart, every insecurity from my childhood.

“It’s good to see you again, Lianne.” Cameron’s voice is carefully neutral, professional, but I catch the slight tremor underneath. At least I’m not the only one affected by this ambush.

I straighten with whatever dignity I can salvage, clutching my portfolio like armor. Four years. Four years since I’ve seen his face, heard his voice, felt the devastating pull of attraction that made me believe fairy tales could come true.

He looks older. More serious than the charming twenty-six-year-old who swept me off my feet during his sister’s wedding planning.

There are lines around his eyes that weren’t there before, though they do nothing to detract from the fact that he’s still devastatingly handsome.

Still capable of making my pulse race with nothing more than a glance.

I hate that about myself.

“It’s nice to see you again, Lianne. Amanda,”Jennifer says as she shakes my hand, then Amanda’s, as if trying to move past the awkward moment. “This is it. The final meeting.”

“We’ve been looking forward to this,” I say, falling back on professional autopilot while my mind races with the new facts before me.

So Cameron is involved with Sterling Industries. Not just involved—based on where he’s sitting and how Jennifer defers to him, he’s the ultimate decision-maker. The person who will determine whether Luminous Events gets this contract or walks away empty-handed.

“Mr. Judd is Sterling Industries’ primary investor and board chair,” Jennifer explains, confirming my worst fears. “He takes personal interest in all major company initiatives, especially something as significant as our 50th anniversary celebration.”

Primary investor. Board chair. Of course he is. The Judds have their fingers in every profitable enterprise in Southern California. Why should Sterling Industries be any different?

“I see,” I say, though my voice sounds strange even to my own ears. “Well, I’m confident Luminous Events can exceed your expectations for this milestone celebration.”

Cameron’s gaze never leaves my face. “I’m sure you can. Your company has built an impressive reputation.”

There’s something in his tone that catches me off guard. As if he’s genuinely proud of what I’ve accomplished, which is ridiculous because Cameron Phillip Arthur Judd stopped caring about my achievements the moment his mother made it clear I wasn’t suitable for the family bloodline.

“Thank you,” I reply stiffly, taking the seat across from him. Distance. I need distance and professional boundaries and absolutely no eye contact that lasts longer than necessary for business courtesy.

Amanda settles beside me, her presence a comforting reminder that I’m not the same vulnerable girl who let Cameron’s family make her feel small. I’m a successful businesswoman with a company to run and a reputation to maintain.

“Shall we begin?” I ask, opening my portfolio with steady hands. “I believe you’ll find our final proposal addresses all the concerns raised in our previous meetings.”