Whisper Privileges (3 page)

“Very good.” He smiled, and a subtle
familiarity entered his eyes. “Are you excited?”

She paused. “Revved as usual.” Always
happened as they closed in on the deadline for an event start.
These final days were the culmination of months—sometimes years—of
planning and it was her job to see that everything came off without
a glitch. Or in this case, assist the Special Olympics people in
achieving the same. She had to admit, their in-house organization
was one of the best she’d ever seen, rendering her almost
extraneous to the process.

“Are you prepared for the number of
volunteers that may show up?”

She nodded. Thousands of volunteers had
signed on to help with the events and even more were predicted to
show up the day of, expecting something to do. It was an incredible
outpouring of support and one the Special Olympics staff made a
point to embrace. They informed the local venues, in no uncertain
terms, that not one able-bodied person was to be turned away.
“We’ve increased the size of our order to almost double the number
of water bottles originally planned.”

“Mayor Cortez wants to be sure his revised
welcome letter has been included in lieu of the previous. I cannot
underscore enough the significance of his request, Sydney.”

She nodded and scribbled a note to remind
herself to make one more confirmation call regarding the issue. “I
forwarded a copy to Lisa. Her printer has already substituted the
new for the old.”

Javier smiled, his manner comfortable.
Personal. “You still sore at me?”

“No,” she replied automatically, tightening
the grip on her pen. Javier knew the assignment she wanted to be
overseeing this month, knew he was showing preference for Morgan
Price over her on this one.

“If it’s any consolation, Morgan is
stressing.”

Ignoring the twinkle in the black of his
eyes, she shrugged. “Sorry to hear that,” she lied and tamped back
the familiar resentment. Morgan wasn’t stressing. She was making a
show of it for Javier, appealing to his ego. She was playing to the
protector in him. Consulting her notes, Sydney continued, “Athletes
will begin to arrive at Miami International about seven thirty
Saturday morning, whereby I’ll greet them and streamline their
contact with the media and subsequent transportation to housing.”
Athletes and coaches were scheduled to stay in the dorms on campus,
while their families were relegated to area hotels. Some families
would be hosted by area residents, though how many she couldn’t be
certain. “Initial events are scheduled for Sunday morning first
thing, continuing until noon whereby athletes will return to their
housing and prepare for opening ceremonies.”

“Did you consult with staff at the arena
regarding their concerns over seating?”

“I assured them they’d have a full house,
nothing more. It’s a ticketed event and the numbers are limited.”
Which reminded her. She jotted down a quick note. Her friend Sam
Rawlings needed four more tickets.

Javier leaned forward in his chair. “Speaking
of opening ceremonies, the Mayor wants you to join the escort for
Team Florida.”

“What?” Alarm fired through her pulse.
“
Why me
?”

“Seems he caught sight of you on the beach
and thinks you’d be perfect.”

The appreciative leer she received was so
unexpected, Sydney drew back in embarrassment. “But I’m a nobody,
Javier. I don’t belong in that role. Besides, I’m needed behind the
scenes.” That was her job, organizing details, making things
happen, not parading into the Miami Arena with a bunch of
strangers.

“You’re a local athlete celebrity which makes
you the perfect choice.” Javier’s grin turned smug. “And didn’t you
say the SO handles most everything on its own? You’re ancillary at
best. You’ll have plenty of time to take part.”

Sydney bristled.
Was Javier insulting
her
?

“Listen, Brooke Simpson cancelled last minute
and the Mayor needs another pretty face to take her place. He
suggested you and I agreed. I told him you’d be honored.”

“Thanks a lot.”

“What?” He chuckled. “I thought you’d be
pleased. Besides, they’re lucky to have you. You’re much better
looking than Brooke.”

Sydney’s chest constricted. What next—
did
he have her uniform steamed and pressed
?

“Don’t worry. You don’t have to wear your
uniform.”

Staring at her notepad, she mused sourly,
gee
,
thanks
.

“Only suits will be on the politicians,” he
said. “You’ll be in some good company, too. Governor’s gonna be
there, US Congressmen, both senators—and that singer, what’s her
name.” Sydney raised her head up to look at him and he frowned at
his inability at recall. With a quick wave of his hand, he
relegated the notion as insignificant. “Anyway, these ceremonies
are a very big deal. A lot of very important people will be there,
including your sponsors. Just wear something sexy,” he added with a
flickering gleam, “to make us proud.”

Staring at him across the desk, Sydney ground
her jaw. The man never quit.

“And prepare a few nice words to say to the
crowd.”

Her heart stopped. “
Javier
—you know I
don’t do public speaking.”

“I know,” he said, his tone assuming a
placating intimacy. He picked up the pen from his desktop and held
it suspended above his paperwork. “But the Mayor made a personal
request. Think of this as your big opportunity, Syd. You’ll be
sharing the stage with some famous people. Think of the exposure it
will bring to you.”

She didn’t care about famous people. She
cared about looking the fool.

“Hey, you want the promotion, don’t you? I’m
giving you an opportunity here.”

She stared at him. Her breathing grew tight
and shallow. What she ever saw in the man escaped her at the
moment.

“Now listen,” he continued, heedless to the
untenable position in which he was placing her. “After all the
athletes are seated, the Mayor wants you to join him on stage and
give a general welcome to the audience, sort of a rah-rah Miami
spiel.” He gave her a genial smile, one she wanted to rip from his
face. “I know public speaking isn’t your thing but you can say a
few words, keep it brief, let the people see you.” Javier tried to
lighten her mood with an encouraging smile. “You’re a local
celebrity around here, one of our very own VIPs.”

“That’s a bit of a stretch, don’t you
think?”

“Me? Stretch?” He shook his head as though
she were being ridiculous. “Aw Syd, you know you’re a celebrity to
me and always have been.” Javier’s demeanor softened, but if he
were trying to soothe her ego, he was failing. Miserably. “With
your recent volleyball win, you’re a perfect fit. And if you ask
me, the Special Olympics people are lucky to have you.”

“The focus should be on the athletes, not
me,” she protested, ignoring his paltry attempt at kindness. “Don’t
you think my presence will only serve to take away from them? After
all, these are their events, not mine.”

“Not at all. All the teams are bringing
famous people along with them, many of them athletes. Some are even
gold medalists. You’ll be in very good company, trust me.”

Sounded more like pressure, to her.

“And think of the visibility you’ll gain. It
will do a lot for your career.”

Straight for the jugular. The man took no
shame in using her own ambition against her, despite knowing how
much she hated being in front of a crowd. “Is this mandatory or
optional?”

“Why Sydney...” Javier’s eyes flicked toward
his office door. “You don’t want to disappoint the Mayor, do
you?”

“Disappoint me?”

Sydney whirled at the sound of the incoming
male voice. “Mayor Cortez,” she blurted. She quickly rose to her
feet, the notebook nearly tumbling to the floor. Clutching the pen
and book, she held them to her chest.
What was he doing
here
?

“Sydney and I were just discussing your
appearance at opening ceremonies this weekend,” Javier told
him.

The Mayor came to a stop and extended his
hand toward her. She swapped hands with her pen and shook his,
keeping her barrier firmly in place.

“I heard the word ‘disappoint’.” His chubby
chin dipped as he peered at her over his glasses, black hair
slicked straight back over a balding head. He maintained firm hold
of her hand and asked, “Is there a problem?”

At six-two, she stood taller than him in
heels, but legs locked rigid, all nerve fled the scene. “Uh,
well...” She referenced Javier with a glance, “We were just
discussing my contribution and...”

“I’m looking forward to it,” he said
smoothly. “How could I not with a beautiful woman by my side? An
athlete of the utmost skill.” He brought her hand to his lips and
kissed it. Sydney recoiled inwardly at the manipulative touch. “Am
I right?” He checked with Javier.

Her boss smiled. “Absolutely.”

Glancing from man to man, she felt like a
piece of meat sandwiched between the two. She pulled her hand away
and took a step back, her calf hitting the chair cushion. Suddenly
her legs felt brittle and thin beneath her as she cleared her
throat. “I’m sure there’s someone more qualified for that honor
than myself,” she deferred, hinting for a way out.

“Oh, you are too humble, my dear. Having the
Special Olympics in my city is a great honor, yes, and you are one
of our best and brightest athletes.”

She was an amateur beach volleyball player.
That’s it. “I’m no big deal” she wanted to tell him, but suspected
his true intention for including her had nothing to do with her
volleyball talents. The Mayor had a reputation in town—and it had
nothing to do with honor.

“I’ve submitted your name to the committee,”
Mayor Cortez said. “They’ll announce us as we enter the arena and
once the athletes find their seats, you and I will head to the
podium. Team Florida will be the last team to enter, so festivities
will begin upon our arrival,” he said, pulling the cuff of his
white shirt toward his wrist—pinky extended—so it extended fully
past his coat sleeve. “You and I will say a few words of welcome to
the visiting athletes and visitors, and touch upon some of the
finer points of our city.”

The muscles in her shoulders tightened.

Javier rose. “No problem, Manny. We’ll write
something up and submit it to your office by Friday.”

The Mayor held up a hand. “It’s not
necessary. I have full faith and trust in Ms. Flores. I know she
won’t disappoint me.” He turned to her with an air of presumption.
“Whatever she decides to say will be fine.”

“I agree.” Javier looked to her in silent
conference.
You getting all this
?

Sydney nodded, but the fine hairs on the back
of her neck prickled in revolt. How could she refuse his very
forward request without insulting him, not to mention jeopardizing
her position at JL Conventions? By the tone of his voice, it seemed
Javier’s reputation was on the line as well. But this was not a job
she wanted. While it was an important one, one that would look good
on her résumé, she wanted nothing to do with it. Because if she
flopped—her heart thumped hard in her chest—it would prove a red
slash across the same.

“Ceremonies begin at three o’clock. They’d
like us to be there at least an hour ahead of time. Does that work
for your schedule?”

“Yes,” she heard herself say.

“Shall I send a car for you?”

“That won’t be necessary. I’ll meet you there
at two.”

“Perfect.” Mayor Cortez waited expectantly
and Sydney realized that was her cue to leave. Seemed the Mayor and
Javier had other business to attend.

“Okay,” she murmured. Sliding the pen back in
place, she closed her leather folder and tucked it under her arm.
“Well that settles it then...” But it can’t be the end of it—there
had to be some way around this fiasco! She only had to find it.

“Sydney?”

She turned to Javier and clamped notebook to
her body. “Yes?”

“You’ll be meeting the planes this Saturday
as they arrive, yes?”

“Yes, Javier. It’s on my schedule.”

“Oh really?” The Mayor perked at the news.
“I’ll be there as well. Perhaps you’ll join me for a bite of lunch?
That way we can discuss Sunday in further detail.”

Was that really necessary? Didn’t you just
stand here and profess your trust in me not to disappoint? But
staring at him, ignoring the leer in his eyes, she refrained. No
sense inciting the matter. “Perhaps,” she said and forced a smile
but fumed under her breath,
no way in hell
. Unless it was to
deliver an excuse out of Sunday’s speaking event.

Chapter Three

Sydney stood outside the entrance of Olives,
the martini bar located in a hotel lounge on Brickell Key,
convenient for both her and her friend Samantha Rawlings. Arms
crossed, she tapped her foot as three more women entered, avoiding
their appraising glances. Olives had become the place for urban
singles to gather after work and was already hopping. She craned
her head toward the interior, dismayed by the number of people
collecting around the bar. Even a Monday couldn’t keep this crowd
away. At this rate, they might not find a seat!

She sighed heavily. Or maybe because it was
Monday, everyone felt the need to pile in for a drink. If their day
was half as bad as hers, they would. The meeting with Javier had
only been the beginning. Business soured from there with Lisa’s
call informing her that five hundred of her info packets had gone
missing.

Missing? They were there Friday! How did one
lose five hundred info packets in the space of a weekend? Lisa
blamed it on the cleaning crew, but Sydney had her doubts. From the
shallow tenor of Lisa’s defense, Sydney suspected it may have been
a miscount on All American’s part. But the reason behind the
discrepancy didn’t matter. Getting the packets assembled and
organized did. To be on the safe side, she planned to hand deliver
and oversee said packaging herself. She heaved a sigh. As though
she had time for such baby-sitting.