I know I’m almost out of time. Royce, the Bliss4ul CEO, approaches the glaringly empty table. He seems confused as he glances left to right, around the room, as all these other vendors are ready for the event to start while I am not. There’s a small group of people with him.
“This is a different approach, Ivy.” He reaches for a handshake and makes eye contact for a second before he’s looking at the table. “Veryminimalist, which is usually something I care for—”
“Royce! Good morning. I know, I know,” I interrupt him before he can continue down the path of how this isn’t what he expected. I shake his hand, even though my palms are sweaty. “We’re currently on the search for all the boxes. Logistics situation. I’ve got it under control.”
“The event starts promptly at 10 a.m., which is in fifteen minutes.” He glances down at his watch. “We’re expecting heavy traffic at your table around 11 a.m. I have some VIPs I brought to the vendor area early.” He gestures to the unimpressed cluster of people around him. “What’s your backup plan?”
“I’m going to ask everyone to share their email address with me, they can write it on the back of my business cards here. If worse comes to worst, I can send everything by hand, when I’m back in the city. Sparks would obviously cover the cost.”
“While that’s not a very environmentally friendly solution, it could work. Still seems like a lot to manage. Where’s Jack?” Royce looks around for someone he’ll never find.
“Jack had something come up and couldn’t make the trip. No worries— everything’s under control,” I reassure him, proud of my ability to mask the distaste for my ex.
“It’s a shame Jack couldn’t make it. I’ll check in with you in a bit—I have to deliver our welcome message.” Royce’s voice is stern, like when a parent tells you they’re disappointed.
“I’m hoping we don’t need the backup plan, but no matter what, I’ll find a solution.” The fake enthusiasm burns my cheeks.
The current pit in my stomach is something I go to great lengths to avoid. What was once a small divot is now a canyon of uncertainty.
Royce nods silently and walks away with the VIPs following. My skin is itchy and hot—this isn’t what I’d planned. This also looks haphazard and reflects poorly on my team. The trip here was quite the investment for ourcompany and the leadership was only on board due to the visibility our table would have.
Jack worked some magic regarding getting our table placed in a high-traffic area and including a few blurbs about our services during conference sessions. I know Royce won’t want to do the last part if I’m sitting behind a table that could give you a sliver.
In panic level four of five, I pace outside of the conference room. People slowly move through the hallways in front of me. The welcome message is wrapping up and people are moving on to what’s next on the agenda. I wonder what it must be like to be having a day like this… where you can just be and not deal with something that’s bringing you actual stomach pains.
I should’ve checked the boxes yesterday. Physically checked. I should have touched the cardboard, opened, and touched the quarter-zips. Why didn’t I do that? Why didn’t I see this through?
I’m usually so prepared and I can’t believe I let this happen. If I would’ve known this was an issue when I arrived, I could’ve found a solution faster and been ready for today. Why didn’t I have a better back-up plan? I could’ve at least packed a tablecloth and branded notepads from the office.
My hands are sweaty and my heart beats fast. Thudding rushes through my ears. This was an idiotic decision. I had nothing but time yesterday. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Careless.
Stupid and careless.
Chapter Five
THE BEEP OF THE two-way radio wakes Slate up from his precious slumber. The dog loves to sleep.
I must’ve left the radio on after I had coffee. Sometimes, even on my day off, I listen in to make sure everything is going smoothly. It’s easier to get a hold of me on the radio than my cell phone. I’m always forgetting to charge the dumb thing.
“Cool it. It’s just the radio.” I pick it up and put it towards him to sniff. He stops barking when he realizes there’s no intruder to protect me from. Oh, what would I do without the big bad French bulldog?
On the other end, I hear Brad mumbling about missing boxes for the Bliss4ul event.
Shit. I’ve only met Royce once but he’s someone I’d like to have minimal interactions with. When he came to walk through the lodge, to see if it was a good fit, he insisted on making a show of wiping down his loafers with Clorox wipes. I didn’t understand it then and didn’t want to ask and then have to talk to him about it.
It’s better not to know. He seems like someone who likes to hear himself talk. Pass.
He reminds me of my old life in the city. Before everything. I hate it.Guys at my firm were just like him. I could tolerate anyone to an extent, but even then, I kept to myself. I had a small group of friends for a few social connections.
Before I can respond, I hear Bea on the radio. “Holland—are you there?”
“Hey, Bea. What’s up?”
“Hate to be a bother on your day off. Did you run around already?” This is how Bea jokingly asks if I went running yet.
“I’m that predictable, huh? What’s going on?” I make a mental note to find another hobby.
“We’re searching for some missing packages.” She sighs. “Brad is the go-to this morning because we thought this would all be taken care of. We didn’t think we’d need him for anything.”
