Rise - Part One (Rise #1)(25)

My gaze falls to the table as I try to quiet my emotions. I don't have a lot of experience with babies but I know what it takes to be a good parent. I have two of them. "She's going to be so proud of you."

"Of me and her Auntie Tess."

I look up to face her. "Can I come over and see her tomorrow? I need to go away for a few days next week and I'm going to miss you both."

"Will you bring me back something from California?" She motions towards me with her wrist. "Maybe a bracelet from a street vendor?"

I know how much she loves jewelry. I already have Ivy working on something special for Lilly's birthday even though it's still months away. "I'll bring you a bracelet and one for Haven too."

"Come over tomorrow and bring Landon with you." She pushes her hands against the table. "I want to meet him, Tess."

"I want you to meet him too." I pick up my purse from where I'd rested it on the floor. "Dinner is my treat. Tomorrow you can cook for me and Landon."

***

One of the advantages of being an event planner is that you meet a wide range of people. After I'd walked Lilly to her condo, I turned to the street to hail a taxi to take me home. Just as I raised my arm I heard my name being called. Before I had a chance to register the voice, a woman, who I'd met at the Liore lingerie fashion show, had pulled me into a warm embrace.

Now, twenty minutes after she invited me into a café for a cup of coffee, I have my smartphone in hand, jotting down ideas for a special event she's planning for her bakery in mid-town. The budget may not rival what I'm going to make for the Foster Enterprises or Corteck events but it's yet another job and another name to add to my growing list of clients. I'm definitely on the path to success. I just need to keep working hard to grow my business even more.

"I can't stay much longer," Nancy, the baker, gestures at the clock on the wall behind me. "My daughters want me to take them to Hotel Aeon in Times Square. Ansel Rinaldi is staying there tonight and they're dying to get his autograph."

I actually had his autograph at the bottom of a letter he wrote to me. It's ironic how one person's trash is another's treasure.

I feel relief when I realize that the mention of his name stirs up absolutely nothing inside of me. "I'll let you go then. Why don't you give me a call in a few days and I'll come down to the bakery and present you with a few ideas for a customer appreciation event?"

"I'd love that, Tess." She grabs one of my hands in both of hers. "I'm really looking forward to working with you."

I stand when she does and as she turns to walk away, I dial my dad's number, wanting to tell him about my new client.

I wait for his voicemail to pick up. I leave a long, rambling message about the bakery, Lilly's friendship and what a great father he's always been. I hang up, glance at my watch and decide that my bed is the place I need to be.





Chapter 22


One of the major disadvantages of living in Manhattan on a limited budget is that you can't afford a building with amenities. It doesn't break my heart that I don't have a gym I can work out in and although a swimming pool would help soak away the stress after a long day, I'm not going to stomp my feet and complain.

The one thing I do wish I had is a doorman. A doorman is priceless for hailing a taxi, or to help carry bags when you've bought more groceries than you'll need. Beyond all of that, a doorman is the hero who can get you into your apartment when you've forgotten your keys at your lover's place.

It's now shortly past midnight. I'm standing outside my building and even though I've buzzed all of my neighbors, not one has thought it necessary to let me in to the foyer. It's not as though that matters. Even if I could get in the building, I don't have a key to actually get into my apartment.

I pivot on my heel and stare down the street. As I wait for an available taxi to make its way towards me, I call Landon to ask him to meet me in the lobby of his building with my keys. I don't want to make any assumptions about spending the night in his bed.

I curse silently when he doesn't answer. He may already be asleep. I text him a quick message telling him I'm on my way over because I need my keys. I make a note in my phone to get another set of keys cut to give to my cousin, Ivy, for safekeeping just as a taxi pulls up next to me on the street.

***

"You've been here with Mr. Beckett several times now, haven't you?"

Is the doorman actually judging me?

"We're friends," I say matter-of-factly with a tap of my shoe on the floor. "I left my keys here earlier and I need them now so I can get into my own apartment."

"Your own apartment?" he cocks a brow as he crosses his arms over his chest.

"Can you help me, please?" I ask patiently. "I've tried calling Landon but he's not answering."

He glances down at my smartphone. "May I suggest you try again now?"

Is this some kind of test? I'm all for trying to reach Landon on my own but this is ridiculous. I've called him twice already. It's obvious he's either busy or asleep. "Fine. I'll try."

I skim my fingers over the phone's screen again. I push his contact info and initiate the call. I press the speaker icon for good measure and within seconds the sharp sound of a phone ringing fills the silent air in the lobby.