In this small space, I catch the scent of his cologne, and for some reason, it surprises me. He’s obviously looking to date again since he was on the app, but his life seems too busy to want a woman entangled with it. Oh, unless he only wants one thing from the women. I shake my head to stop my line of thinking because we’re not ever venturing into that territory again.

“I said I’d see you out.” He presses the button and stuffs his hands in his pockets.

Once the doors shut, I immediately turn to face him. “You didn’t tell me the last planner quit. And I can see why. Her expectations are completely off base.”

He massages the bridge of his nose with his fingers. “I know, believe me. But maybe there’s a way to figure it out?”

I stare at him blankly for a moment. “She wants it to be snowing the entire time the party is going on. Even if you used fake snow, she’s given no thought to how much that will accumulate on the floor throughout the night. And her idea to force the guests into a sing- or a dance-off? I mean, I don’t want to stereotype all lawyers, but I’ve never gotten the impression that you’re all a bunch of exhibitionists. And don’t even get me started on wanting actual reindeer present.”

What is it with all these rich people and their need to have live animals at their parties?

“You said you were trying to grow your business, right?” He raises an eyebrow.

“Andrew, the only thing worse than not having a job as an event planner is doing an event that you don’t have enough time or resources to pull together. Regardless of the crazy she wants to pull in, this is that event.”

His hands slide out of his pants and he takes mine, squeezing them. “There’s got to be something you can do. I’m desperate, Kenzie. I need you.”

I ignore the way my skin tingles from his words.

The elevator dings at a lower floor. Andrew drops my hands, and a middle-aged man steps on with a tight smile and a nod at each of us. Andrew and I step to the back of the elevator to give the man room and the usual awkward silence of an elevator ride begins.

When we reach the main floor, the stranger steps out and Andrew motions for me to go first. He follows me out and we step off to the side of the foyer to continue our conversation.

“I’m a one-woman operation. I don’t have enough business to have a staff. I really don’t think I can pull this off in time for the party. I’m sorry.”