She leaned back in her chair, tapping the fingers of her left hand on the table. "On one condition. You call me Natalie."
"Natalie," I said.
"As a matter of fact, this is my first event."
I froze. "What?"My grandmother hired a newbie to cater a party in my home?
"Oh, I see that judgey expression on your face. You think I'm going to trash your house?"
"No," I replied. “I have concerns, though.”
"What are they?"
"That you don't know what you're doing."
"You doubt your grandmother's hiring capabilities?"
"I think my grandmother has her heart in the right place. Sometimes she likes people and makes important decisions based on that."
Natalie blinked rapidly. "I'm not incompetent, Mr. Whitley."
"I thought we were on a first-name basis?"
"I'm reconsidering that," she replied coolly.
"Natalie, I didn't mean to offend you."
"It just comes naturally to you. I'm starting to see that. I told your grandmother the truth, and I'm going to tell it to you as well. And I would like for you to refrain from making comments. She's my employer, not you."
I burst out laughing. I couldn't help it. She looked at me as if I'd lost my mind. Maybe I had.
"What's so funny?" she asked.
"The way you continuously give me shit. I haven’t ever met anyone who did that."
She gaped at me. "And you’re enjoying it?"
"No, I'm merely amused by it."
She waved me off. "Anyway, as I told your grandmother, I've been unofficially throwing parties for quite some time. My mother owned an event business until three years ago. Due to... unforeseen events, I need to do this for a living. At least for a while.”
"Due to unforeseen events?" I asked. "Who’s being cryptic now?"
Her face fell. It was the first time she’d truly lost her spark since I met her, except when she'd been sick on the plane.
"Yes. Well, it's of a more personal nature, and I don't feel comfortable sharing it with a perfect stranger. One who seems willing to use everything I say against me."
"Natalie," I said, looking her straight in the eyes because I wanted her to know I meant every word. "That would be a low blow. I would never use any sensitive information against you. I was simply shocked that my grandmother would hire someone who doesn't have years of experience in the business. Especially since the party is taking place in my home."
The wicked smile was back. She shimmied in her seat. "So, youareafraid I might trash your house. Admit it."
"That thought did cross my mind," I said, cutting through my steak.
"Don't worry. I’ll run the detailed plan of the party by you so you're aware of every single thing that will happen here."
Fuck me. That seemed like a nightmare. How many hours of my life would this party planning cost me?
"That sounds like a threat more than a promise."