“Adult networking,” he replied.“There’s a bunch of different games and I play a few, but mostly Ash’s.I know other games through Ash though.”
“Jacob’s mentee Ash?”Tom asked.“But wait…you cooked for the gala back in December.It was fun taking dreidl photos.”
“That I did,” he replied.“And I loved seeing all of the art available.It was a great party.”
“And,” Naomi added, “from what I know, it raised a ton of money for some amazing causes.”
“Speaking of amazing causes,” Tom began, “I heard from Samuel that you wanted to talk?”
Naomi nodded.“I assume you got the email?”
Tom shook his head, and out of the corner of her eye, she saw Jason’s amusement at the other man’s reaction.“You know, you two didn’t have to come all this way to talk to me.”
“Two birds, one stone,” Naomi replied, “we got a nice day in Hollowville, and we’re ending it with a gorgeous exhibit of photographs, which is raising money for a good cause.And we’re going to talk to the photographer my cousin wants for her wedding without her knowing we’re restructuring it.”
There was a pause.“Restructure?”
Naomi nodded.“Re-signing contracts under a different agency.”
Tom nodded, as if the information had just occurred to him.“Right.The email.It makes sense, especially considering you don’t want to raise suspicion about what’s going on behind the scenes.”
Naomi nodded.“Yeah.Exactly.So, I figured we’d come by, hang out…”
“New agency?”
Naomi nodded again.“NN Events is the name of the company.”
“Well congratulations.”He paused, looked around.“Anyway, hang out, make yourselves at home.I have to do some setup.”
She was going to let him head off, but it was Jason who said something.
“You want some help?”
Naomi waited, wondering what Tom was going to say.
“When I’m doing something in a smaller space like this,” he said, “I usually have at least one person here to help with setup.But for reasons I can get into later, I’m running solo tonight.Which means I would very much appreciate the help.”He paused, looked between both of them.“I can sign something if you guys want?”
Naomi shook her head.“No.This one is friends helping friends.”
Tom nodded.“I appreciate it, and when I need something big planned, I’ll keep you posted.”Then he turned to Jason.“Can you man the snack table, set it up?”
He nodded.“Absolutely.I can do that.”
“You want me to watch the door?Check the list?”
Tom laughed.“I actually think I have something else you can do for me.”
Naomi snapped into her professional mode, eyeing the room and the photographer for anything he might possibly need, knowing Jason would be at her back.“Okay?”
“Organization.Setup.Help.”
Naomi blinked at the mix of words, but she pulled out her phone and turned on her notes app.“Do you have a plan you like to use with smaller spaces, or did you have any ideas you wanted to try here?”
The deer in the headlights expression settled on Tom’s face in a way that amused Naomi.“My friend who usually comes with me is the one who plans the space,” Tom finally said, as if he was confessing something embarrassing.“But he’s a visual artist as well, and he’s got his own show tomorrow, which means he’s got to do his prep work.”
“Aaaah.”And two things just fell into place.“I’m actually looking for an event designer.Does your friend do that sort of thing?”
Tom nodded, oddly relieved.“He does.He’s done a few things, but his understanding of space and flow is second to none.I can give you his number after we finish tonight, by the way, if you want it?”
