Page 12 of A Billionaire Abroad

He nodded. Was that approval or simply acknowledgement? He was usually more complimentary.

“Are you unhappy with the arrangements?”

“I’m sure it’ll be fine,” he said.

Thiswasodd. “If there’s something specific you’d like for the event, now is a good time to let me know, while I’m still finalizing everything.”

He smiled a little. “I’m kind of in a bad mood this morning, I guess. I shouldn’t worry about this event. You pulled off the last one and did great.”

“That’s why you brought me here.” She lightened her tone so he would know she wasn’t offended that he’d been grumbling.

“It is why,” he said. “And I know you’ll do great. Are plans solid enough that I can mention it at meetings today, or is it still up in the air?”

She shook her head. “No reason you couldn’t. I’ll have invitations printed up today and distributed tomorrow so it’sofficial and professional, but you can tell people. I don’t anticipate any of the big details changing.”

“This is a very important event,” he said pointedly. “Striking deals here means getting a foothold in the European market. That expansion is a multibillion-dollar opportunity.”

“The mingle will help with that goal,” she said. “Just like you want it to.”

Where was this coming from? He hadn’t been directly critical, but there’d been a heavy hint of it.

“And has Conall been doing anything to plan this?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm.” It was a sound of mingled surprise and doubt.

“He has. He had a good list of venues that we checked and discussed. He knew the type of music that would be most appreciated. And he’s going to find and hire the band.”

“He’s a multitasker.” Sterling spoke a little dryly.

“We’ve gotten a lot done,” she said.

“Apparently.” He rose, coffee cup still in his hand.

“Are you upset with me?” she asked.

He shook his head. “I just want this to go well.”

“It will,” she said.

“You promise?”

“I promise.”

He gave a quick nod and left. Keighley pushed out a breath, but it didn’t relieve the tension.

She had her phone out the next instant and texted Conall.

DEFCON 1

Keighley grabbed another cup of tea on her way back up to her room. She needed to make calls, finalize things. Design an invitation and find a printer. By the end of the day, the big bits needed to all be in place. She would not have another morning meeting with Sterling like the one she’d just had.

She’d laid out her bullet journal, pens, the menu the hotel had given her the night before, and the list of information she’d gotten from Sterling on her first day in Dublin. She opened her laptop. Before she could even start designing the invitation, her phone buzzed.

A text. She glanced. It was Conall. Perfect.

What’s happened?