Page 49 of Clock Strikes Paradise

“Would you two shut up?” My tone came out exasperated, but when they started laughing, I joined in. "Okay, fair point. About the event planning, not the bathroom schedule! Usually, I'd rather be anywhere else. But…" I paused, my gaze drawn back to Elise, who was now adjusting the microphone on the stage. "This is a special occasion.”

As our eyes met, a smile touched her lips, and I couldn’t help but grin back. Very unbusiness-like thoughts began running through my head, and I blinked, making a determined effort to concentrate on the gala.

I turned as Camille clapped her hands together. "This isso great," she said, her voice filled with genuine happiness. "I'm so happy for you both."

Nate, his usual playful grin replaced by a sincere smile, stepped forward and shook my hand. "Me too, brother. You deserve a little happiness."

My mind drifted to what I had planned for tonight. All of it. "Tonight is going to be very special," I said, unable to keep the excitement from creeping into my voice.

"Oh, I’m sure it will be," Nate said with a big smile full of mischief.

A few minutes later, Elise approached us, clipboard in hand. Her cheeks were flushed but her eyes sparkled, even in the midst of controlled chaos.

“Everything’s on track,” she said, her gaze sweeping over the ballroom. “The catering staff is setting up the buffet, the band is doing their sound check, and the guest list has been confirmed. I talked to the Podium staff who flew in for the party, and everyone is here and getting ready. Just a few last-minute details to finalize.”

“Excellent work as usual,” I said, my gaze meeting hers. I couldn’t help but reach out, my fingers brushing lightly against her arm as I took the clipboard from her. It was a subtle touch, barely noticeable in the bustling activity of the ballroom, but she tipped me a wink in response.

“Look at you two,” Camille teased, her gaze darting between Elise and me. “Who knew fairy tales could happen in real life?”

Elise laughed, shaking her head, but her cheeks reddened. “Maybe happy endings. Fairy tales are still a stretch.”

"Give it time, honey," Camille said, a twinkle glinting in her eye. "One of these days, you’ll be trading in that practical clipboard for a magic wand."

Elise laughed and shook her head. “Honestly, Camille, I can’t imagine anything more magical than what’s happened over the past few days.”

A giddy, ridiculous happiness spread through me at her words, and I found myself wanting to pull her close, to kiss her right there in the middle of the bustling ballroom. But I held back, my gaze catching Nate’s knowing grin. There would be time for that later. Tonight was about more than stolen kisses and whispered promises. Tonight was about… everything.

“Mr. Harmon?” Evan Markham appeared nearby wearing a hesitant smile as he stared at me.

Nate burst into laughter. “It’s funny. There are two Mr. Harmons here, yet I never have any question about where I stand.”

Alarm filled Evan’s eyes, but I just waved him off. “Ignore Nate. He’s just trying to play on your sympathy. Don’t take the bait.”

Nate shrugged unapologetically and grinned at Evan. “Speaking of sympathy, or lack of—what happened with our dear Laurent DuBois?”

The general manager’s face took on a pained expression before he quickly covered it. “He and his companion just left the resort a short while ago. Housekeeping is, uh, cleaning up his room.”

I allowed a grim, satisfied smile to rise on my face at the vision of the insufferable jerk wrecking his surroundings in a fit of rage. “I assure you I’m happy to pay for any damage he caused. Perhaps we should discuss it in private?”

“Of course. I’m at your convenience.” Evan held my gaze, his manner giving no indication that he’d picked up the signal I was sending. The man was a pro—I had to give him that.

I glanced at my watch and nodded as I swept my gaze over our little group. “Whatever damage Laurent did, the end result was worth the cost.” My eyes halted on Elise’s and my heart gave a little jump. “See you in a few hours.”

Then I followed Evan out of the ballroom, the busy, festive atmosphere fading behind me as I stepped into the quiet hallway. As soon as we had privacy, he and I got to work. Tonight, more than just Podium’s future was at stake.

Tonight, I was betting on a different kind of magic.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Elise

As I steppedacross the floor of the private ballroom at Orchid, the atmosphere enveloped me like a warm embrace—the results of our afternoon. Shimmering gold and black streamers adorned the walls, meeting in the ceiling and announcing New Year’s Eve in all its grandeur. The white marble floor shone beneath my feet, reflecting the twinkle of the chandeliers above. Black-and-gold helium-filled balloons danced across the ceiling, blown by a gentle breeze wafting through the open windows. Tropical hardwood ceiling beams arched elegantly overhead and framed the lush potted orchids that graced the walls. In one corner, a band played soft calypso music while couples swayed on the dance floor.

As I walked through the room, my gaze fell upon Clay, looking as if he’d just stepped off the cover of a magazine in his tailored Brioni tuxedo. Hair perfectly groomed and the definition of tall, dark, and handsome, he was the walking embodiment of raw power and success. That small voiceinside me tried to speak up, but I quashed it. Clay had proven himself to me. What more convincing could I possibly need?

I’d continued with the ball preparations after he and Evan stepped out. Then I got dressed and arrived at Orchid early, just to make sure nothing was amiss. As I panned my gaze around the room, I had to admit it was all perfect. I didn’t know what the future held, but I couldn’t believe the changes just a few days had brought. The new position I’d been working toward. And best of all, Clay.

The man, not the mogul.