Temptation on Ocean Drive - Jennifer Probst Page 0,98
cookie-cutter celebrity without personal thought or care. This disturbed me, so I looked deeper and found something that was running rampant, like a disease.”
“What?”
“Complacency. The more planners I spoke with, the more I realized no one was excited about their job. Oh, sure, I still had some gems who’d been promoted along the way, but I realized my employees had lost the fire and needed restructuring. I’ve spent the past few weeks weeding out the deadweight, installing some new classes to ramp up creativity, and am excited about the new direction this company is taking.”
Gabe nodded. “Sounds wonderful. I think if more companies took the time and effort to make hard changes, the market would be much better.”
“Agreed. But you have to be willing to fail in order to succeed. You did that with Adele’s wedding. You reached into corners the average planner can’t even see and made it uniquely personal. That’s why I want you on my team, Gabe.”
“That’s very flattering, but I did have a full partner on Adele’s wedding. Bella Sunshine-Caldwell is one of the owners.”
Delight lit the man’s gaze. “Honest, too, huh? I like that. Yes, we knew from the beginning you were on a team, but I’m not interested in the owner. I’m interested in a top hire who has no family strings or responsibilities that can get in the way. If I hired Ms. Sunshine, I’d always be competing with her family business. You have the best of both worlds—experience, loyalty with a family firm, and a vision with no limit. You’re the one we want.”
Pride cut through him. His father’s voice withered silently in his head. The top agency in New York City wanted him. All his work had paid off, and finally, he had hard evidence of his success. He was at the top of the chain, and he’d done it all on his own. “I appreciate the vote of confidence. But I’m still unsure what you want me to do here. I’m not interested in leaving a thriving business where I work on equal terms with the owners just to take a job to be a cog in the wheel.”
Palmer laughed, resting his hands on his knees. “Agreed. And I don’t need another full-time planner. I’m talking about a management position with your own team to run. I want to offer you full gratis—the ability to pick your people, pick your clients, and run your own schedule.”
His brain flashed over the possibilities. “What type of clientele?”
“Celebrities, billionaires, reality stars, even the power couples who rule New York. It may be a welcome change for you. Small towns seem to keep planners under a microscope, but here, it’s the clients they judge. I’m creating an entire position just for you, Gabe. Now, you’re going to tell me this doesn’t interest you?”
Gabe stared at the man across from him. His heartbeat sped up, and the full implication of this job offer struck hard.
This was an opportunity of a lifetime.
He’d have the ability to create his own world at the helm. A team underneath him, ready to do his bidding and help him carry out his vision. No more small-town gossip. In the city, attractive men were plentiful. He could re-create his life with one word.
Yes.
“I’ll need more details,” he finally said, keeping a strict poker face.
Palmer grinned. “I figured. Let’s talk.”
An hour later, he headed back to Cape May, his head spinning. If he took the job, he’d be forced to give up Bella and Zoe, and a life he still loved. But what if Bella would never be ready to commit? Already, she’d distanced herself over the ridiculous rumors of Devon. What if he gave up an important work opportunity to chase someone who’d never truly be his? Could he take the risk, or was it time to be real with himself?
The questions battered his head and his heart the entire drive home.
“Bella, I can’t make a decision. Do you think I should go with the vanilla, the eggshell white, or the butter?”
Bella shook her head and refocused on her bride, Winifred, who had three invitations laid out on the table. It took willpower to study each of them honestly and make a choice. The bride was a bit of a PITA, and every decision was not only lingered upon but obsessed over, accompanied by a painful whining that edged her nerves. Her partner, Sophia, was much more free flowing and relaxed, but had promised Winifred full control of the wedding planning.