upselling by clerks in the Anterdec fast-food chains, I realize why.
Because Steve should be sitting at a table like this. Probably is, right now, in fact. Negotiating some business deal with a group of smirking suits who view every woman they work with as a coordinator.
I watch Declan watching Amanda, and really look at him. He’s serious now, eyes tracking the PowerPoint slides as she clicks through, graphs and charts aligned beautifully to nail the entire point of this meeting:
We know our stuff.
You want to improve customer service, cut down on employee theft, help raise retention, and grow your customer base?
Let me lurk in your men’s rooms and report back what I see.
What I saw this morning is suddenly staring back with a wolfish look so deep that I feel raw and vulnerable, like our suits, the rugs, the business paraphernalia is all just a prop to cover up the fact that we’re primal beings who simply want each other.
This is new.
This is too much.
Someone says my name. They say it again. Then I feel a massive pain in my ankle.
“Ow!” I utter. Amanda’s glare is even sharper than her ankle as it crashes into mine again. She’s kicking me.
“It’s your turn, Closer,” she whispers. I look around the table. James, Andrew, and Greg look at me expectantly.
I stand, completely rattled. The deck I prepared is on the same laptop Amanda’s been using, but it’s like I’ve lost all organizational capacity in my mind. Declan won’t stop looking at me like that.
Like that . Like he’s watching me naked and he’s nude and rising up to meet every square inch of my…
James starts to frown while Andrew gives Amanda a knowing look. I clear my throat, but before I can say anything, Declan interrupts.
“We have another meeting to get to,” he says.
“We do?” Andrew interrupts, then, “Ow!” I get the impression Amanda’s not the only one kicking ankles, because Declan gives his brother a fierce look.
“We do. And as the new vice president of marketing, I’m the decision maker here, right?” He looks at James with a hard stare.
All the friendliness drains out of the room. Greg looks like he’s about to throw up, then pastes on a sad smile.
“Is there a reason why you won’t have me finish the presentation?” I ask, my voice spiked with ice. If he’s going to be an asshole and cut me short, and this has all been some kind of game, I’m not leaving without having my say. I’ve been through enough presentations like this to know that if you can get the senior executive on board, even if the other two don’t like it, you have a fighting chance.
“Oh, you’ll finish it.” Declan's voice is dismissive. It makes my jaw ache, and I bite my tongue. “But I can’t now.” He becomes a smartphone zombie, avoiding eye contact. He’s blowing hot and cold like the old heater in Greg’s office.
James stays quiet. I get the sense it’s not his normal state. His eyes flick over me, then back to Declan. “Of course, it’s your call.”
“But my presentation has some hard data that could really affect your decision,” I say. I’m not going without a fighting chance.
“I’d like to reschedule your presentation,” Declan says as he strides toward the door. Andrew follows him, slowly and with the stance of someone who is not accustomed to being the follower.
“When?” Greg asks.
“Tonight. Shannon and I will have a dinner meeting. Seven. Wear something nice,” he says over his shoulder as he walks out.
Fury washes over me and I stand, crossing the big room in seconds. My hand reaches out for his shoulder and he turns around, eyes cold, looking down on me.
“You can’t just order me to go on a date with you!” I cry out. The receptionist cocks her head, listening.
“Who said anything about a date?” His face is inscrutable. “It’s a business meeting. Leave your address with Stacia and she’ll have a driver sent to your home.”
And with that, he stalks out. I start to
Because Steve should be sitting at a table like this. Probably is, right now, in fact. Negotiating some business deal with a group of smirking suits who view every woman they work with as a coordinator.
I watch Declan watching Amanda, and really look at him. He’s serious now, eyes tracking the PowerPoint slides as she clicks through, graphs and charts aligned beautifully to nail the entire point of this meeting:
We know our stuff.
You want to improve customer service, cut down on employee theft, help raise retention, and grow your customer base?
Let me lurk in your men’s rooms and report back what I see.
What I saw this morning is suddenly staring back with a wolfish look so deep that I feel raw and vulnerable, like our suits, the rugs, the business paraphernalia is all just a prop to cover up the fact that we’re primal beings who simply want each other.
This is new.
This is too much.
Someone says my name. They say it again. Then I feel a massive pain in my ankle.
“Ow!” I utter. Amanda’s glare is even sharper than her ankle as it crashes into mine again. She’s kicking me.
“It’s your turn, Closer,” she whispers. I look around the table. James, Andrew, and Greg look at me expectantly.
I stand, completely rattled. The deck I prepared is on the same laptop Amanda’s been using, but it’s like I’ve lost all organizational capacity in my mind. Declan won’t stop looking at me like that.
Like that . Like he’s watching me naked and he’s nude and rising up to meet every square inch of my…
James starts to frown while Andrew gives Amanda a knowing look. I clear my throat, but before I can say anything, Declan interrupts.
“We have another meeting to get to,” he says.
“We do?” Andrew interrupts, then, “Ow!” I get the impression Amanda’s not the only one kicking ankles, because Declan gives his brother a fierce look.
“We do. And as the new vice president of marketing, I’m the decision maker here, right?” He looks at James with a hard stare.
All the friendliness drains out of the room. Greg looks like he’s about to throw up, then pastes on a sad smile.
“Is there a reason why you won’t have me finish the presentation?” I ask, my voice spiked with ice. If he’s going to be an asshole and cut me short, and this has all been some kind of game, I’m not leaving without having my say. I’ve been through enough presentations like this to know that if you can get the senior executive on board, even if the other two don’t like it, you have a fighting chance.
“Oh, you’ll finish it.” Declan's voice is dismissive. It makes my jaw ache, and I bite my tongue. “But I can’t now.” He becomes a smartphone zombie, avoiding eye contact. He’s blowing hot and cold like the old heater in Greg’s office.
James stays quiet. I get the sense it’s not his normal state. His eyes flick over me, then back to Declan. “Of course, it’s your call.”
“But my presentation has some hard data that could really affect your decision,” I say. I’m not going without a fighting chance.
“I’d like to reschedule your presentation,” Declan says as he strides toward the door. Andrew follows him, slowly and with the stance of someone who is not accustomed to being the follower.
“When?” Greg asks.
“Tonight. Shannon and I will have a dinner meeting. Seven. Wear something nice,” he says over his shoulder as he walks out.
Fury washes over me and I stand, crossing the big room in seconds. My hand reaches out for his shoulder and he turns around, eyes cold, looking down on me.
“You can’t just order me to go on a date with you!” I cry out. The receptionist cocks her head, listening.
“Who said anything about a date?” His face is inscrutable. “It’s a business meeting. Leave your address with Stacia and she’ll have a driver sent to your home.”
And with that, he stalks out. I start to
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