Can I Get It

A Bouquet and a Breakthrough

CHAPTER FOUR
A Bouquet and a Breakthrough

Eliza sat in the conference room of Press Pate, her fingers drumming on the polished wood table as she stared out the floor-to-ceiling windows at the city below.

The morning sunlight filtered through the glass, casting a warm glow over the room. The space was sleek and modern, lined with minimalist furniture and framed photos of their most successful clients—proof of the journey Eliza and Kayla had taken to build Press Pate into the respected public relations firm it is today.

Today, however, was a new kind of moment. It was a turning point, the day they would present their bold expansion plan.

Kayla, seated across from Eliza, glanced up from her laptop and offered a small smile. Her eyes were tired but determined, the dark circles under them evidence of countless late nights and the tireless work that had brought them here. "Nervous?" she asked, her voice low, but laced with the same unwavering confidence that made her an essential part of Press Pate's backbone.

Eliza took a deep breath and pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "A little," she admitted. "But excited. This is the next big step, Kayla. I can feel it." Her pulse quickened at the thought, the room seeming to vibrate with anticipation.

They had been working for months to prepare for this day—assembling data, refining their presentation, and meeting with potential partners who could help bring their vision to life. Press Pate had always been more than just a PR firm to them; it was a promise to their clients that they would go beyond the typical, shallow image management.

Now, they were preparing to introduce a new level of service: booking agents and management, giving their celebrity clients not just a polished public persona but the support they needed to grow their careers and stay grounded in the ever-changing entertainment industry.

The door to the conference room opened suddenly, interrupting Eliza's thoughts. Ruby, their receptionist, stepped in, balancing two vases of flowers in her hands. The flowers were bright and cheerful, a sharp contrast to the muted tones of the room, and Eliza's heart skipped a beat. She wasn't someone who typically received flowers, at least not at work. The unexpected gesture made her smile in surprise.

"Flowers for you, Eliza," Ruby said, giving her a knowing look as she set the vases down on the table. One was clearly for Kayla, with a card attached that read, From your favorite man, and the other was for Eliza. Her brow furrowed. Who would be sending her flowers at work? The thought pulled her attention away from the upcoming meeting, a curious mix of excitement and curiosity bubbling up inside her.

Kayla's eyes lit up as she noticed the expression on Eliza's face. "Someone's making moves," she said, winking and teasing with a playful smile.

Eliza rolled her eyes but couldn't stop the small smile that tugged at her lips. She reached for the card in the vase and carefully pulled it out. The handwriting was bold, confident, and instantly familiar. Her heart thudded in her chest as she read it aloud.

You told me to apply pressure, so I got you! –Arthur.

Eliza's eyes widened, and a laugh escaped her lips before she could contain it. Arthur. The man who had made her feel things she couldn't quite put into words. The man whose confidence, charm, and humor had captured her attention weeks ago and kept it since. This note was a playful reminder of their flirtation, of the way he seemed to always show up when she least expected it but wanted him most.

"A fool," Eliza muttered, but the fond smile on her face betrayed the sentiment.

Kayla leaned forward, eyes full of teasing. "A fool who got you smiling," she said, and Eliza felt a warm flush creep up her neck.