Permanent Ink (Something to Celebrate #1) by Laura Simcox Read Free Book Online

folder. “Since I’m not the perfect candidate on paper, I printed some things out…some ideas that I think would demonstrate how serious I am about doing a great job for the town of Celebration.”
    “Blair?” Ivy smiled. “Did you hear what I said? You’re hired.”
    As Ben watched, Blair’s head dipped down and her hair fell forward to form a rippling, soft curtain around her face. She was still for a moment, and then her shoulders began to shake.
    Ivy looked up and met Ben’s gaze. “Is she laughing or crying?” she whispered.
    Ben lifted his shoulders and spread his palms. “Dunno.” A sob tore out of Blair’s throat and he stepped forward on instinct. “Uh-oh.” He walked around the sofa and crouched next to her. “You okay?”
    She nodded, her head still bowed. After a few deep breaths, she held up a finger. “Hold on a sec,” she whispered. “I’m in shock a tiny bit.”
    Ben glanced over at Ivy, whose hand was splayed over her chest. Tears were forming in her eyes, too, and he froze. Two crying women? Talk about uh-oh. “You want me to leave?” he asked hopefully.
    “No way,” Ivy answered. “She’s fine. You’re fine, right, Blair?”
    Blair nodded again and lifted her face. She swiped at her eyes and two streaks of mascara followed the path of her fingers down the sides of her high cheekbones. “It’s just that I’ve been looking for a job for six months.” She nodded. “So, I didn’t expect to react like that.” Her face crumpled again, but she forced her lips into a smile, even as her chin wobbled.
    Ben wanted to kiss it. Instead, he got up and scanned Ivy’s desk for a box of tissue. All women had boxes of tissues…and…there it was. He grabbed it and offered one to Blair. She took it with a small smile and he crossed behind the sofa, stopping near the opposite end. Should he sit down? Maybe he should leave. Clearing his throat, he glanced at Ivy, but she shook her head. He stayed put.
    “I’ll stop crying in a second.” Blair reached for another tissue.
    “It’s perfectly okay,” Ivy said in a soothing tone. “You are going to take the job, though, right?”
    A laugh burbled up in Blair’s throat. “An event-planning job for an entire town? Yes. Yes, I will. Thank you very much.”
    Before he realized he’d done it, Ben sank down on the arm of the sofa. She was staying in town? Things really were about to change. He grinned.
    “You’re welcome.” Ivy patted her hand. “So what did you bring to show me?” She lifted the folder from the sofa and offered it to Blair, who cleared her throat and took it.
    She flipped it open and pulled a flyer out. “I printed this from the state of New York’s website. It’s a contest that I think Celebration should enter.”
    Ivy scanned it. “Oh, wow. A parade contest.” She smiled down at the paper and read. “Sponsored by Macy’s Parade and Entertainment Group…grand prize is…oh, holy shit! Fifty thousand dollars?”
    “Yes.” Blair glanced at her. “The prize money will go to the winning town’s parade-budget account.” Blair pointed at the paper. “And I’m assuming that Celebration meets all of the qualifications. Population under ten thousand, no corporate sponsors, volunteer participants only.”
    Ivy nodded. “Yep. That’s us.” She elbowed Blair. “I knew there was a reason I hired you.”
    With a laugh, Blair stood and took a small bow. “Thank you. So you want me to sign us up? The deadline is Friday.”
    “Absolutely,” Ivy answered. She stood up and began to walk to her desk, but paused.
    “I’m assuming it’s going to be a lot of work, Blair, on top of your job. You’ll have a part-time assistant.”
    Ben frowned.
    “Er, I mean a consultant. Someone to help you get to know Celebration.” Ivy smiled.
    “Thanks, that will be nice,” Blair responded.
    Ben stepped forward. “It’s me.”
    She stared at him, not saying a word.
    He waited for her response, his stomach flipping over in a