Wedding Planner's Deal with the CEO by Nina Milne

Author:Nina Milne
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2023-06-14T15:58:00+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

POPPY TRIED TO focus on the view, on the motion of the Ferris wheel, the brightly coloured balloons above her head, but all she could hear was the rustle of the pages as Nathan turned them. Why on earth had she shown him? Because he was right—he had no axe to grind and she did trust him to give an honest opinion. An opinion she cared about from a man who cared. Another page turned. Focus on the dusky blue of the sky. Because he did care—she’d seen his outrage at her mum’s actions, his frustration that she wouldn’t fight. And another rustle. Too much caring going on. She could not, would not, start caring for Nathan. He’d made it more than clear they were going separate ways.

The Ferris wheel lurched to a stop and he closed the book and now the butterflies returned with a vengeance as they disembarked, walked away towards the bench they had recently vacated.

She made an attempt at nonchalance. ‘So what’s the verdict? It’s fine if you don’t like them.’

‘I do like them. I really like them. I more than like them. You are definitely a fashion princess.’

The sincerity in his deep voice warmed her, brought a smile to her lips. ‘Really?’

‘Really. I’m not an expert but I am a designer, albeit of cars, and I can recognise talent and lines and flair. The big question here is why can’t you see it? Why are you questioning your own talent? That’s not who you were years ago. Back then you believed in yourself.’

‘That was then—maybe it was the arrogance of youth. Or perhaps the belief was in the fact I had a guaranteed place, a position in the world of fashion.’ But it was a valid question, one that Poppy hadn’t even asked herself. Looking back now to those olden days, she did remember that core of belief. Could almost feel the solid steel of it in her tummy. A core that had somehow been eroded. By facts and by life and by her decision to start anew. Because it was... Easier. Was that really it?

‘And now you won’t be part of the Carruci empire you don’t think you can make it?’ There was no judgement in his voice, more a question, and she sensed he was trying to understand. ‘Is it because you feel your mother judged you?’

‘I don’t feel it.’ The words a snap, as she relived the meetings with her mother. ‘I know it. I did try to change her mind, to fight. I told her I believed I’d be an asset to the company, asked for the chance to prove it. Asked for a job the same as she was giving my siblings. I showed her a portfolio of my sketches. Back then I had a real collection, a serious one, not a few sketches. She looked at them, took them, showed them to the board. The verdict was that I wasn’t good enough.’

The words had hurt, been a verdict, really, on her as a daughter, a person and a talent.

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