I took the elevator down to the hotel lobby after I texted my driver to meet me out front in five minutes while I got coffee from the hotel’s tiny coffee shop. Cradling a cup, I stepped outside to greet the warm and busy morning as people streamed by me in their down directions of work. My driver pulled up in an SUV a minute later, and I hopped in the back passenger seat while I mentally ran the marketing idea over again.
The investors were already waiting in the conference room when I arrived twenty minutes later. It was tempting then to text Molly, to go over the idea one last time in her words, but I forced that thought away. This was my business. I needed to do something to protect it there in the States.
“Alfie. Good to see you.” One of the other gentlemen stood, the ring leader of the pack.
“You as well, Richard. Thanks to all of you for coming by.” I extended my hand and shook all of theirs, taking the time to look them each in the face. They needed to know that they could trust me, and they could.
My father had started our company when I was a baby, and I’d done everything in my power to not only maintain the name of it but to grow it into a developing, forward-thinking corporation. My father would have been proud. Hell, I was proud.
“Of course.” Douglas shook my hand last. “We want to make sure that you’re prepared to launch this next product as well as you launched the last.”
“I’m only as good as my last miracle, hm?” I chuckled, and they joined me. After walking to the front, I took a few seconds to set everything up and then launched into the marketing presentation without missing a beat. I was in my element, and I had full confidence in Molly’s idea. It was brilliant, as was she.
By the end, a room full of grey heads were bobbing back and forth in agreement. I got a quick round of applause as I wrapped up questions on the plan and bid the guys goodbye. Douglas Marx met me at the door.
“Excellent job.” He smiled broadly and shook my hand. “I have to say that it is exceedingly rare to find an innovative entrepreneurial type that can also sell the hell out of something, but you seem to be doing it.”
Guilt raced through me. Where I understood marketing, it wasn’t at all my strong suit. The marketing idea hadn’t belonged to me, and though I owned it during the presentation, the truth sat on the tip of my tongue. It was Molly.
It’s not that I wanted credit for the plan. I didn’t. I just didn’t want to ruffle any features by talking about an outsider. It would have been different if it were Bill or one of his team members. That would have been an easy thing to deal with. I’d just have given them credit. Always.
“Thank you, sir. I do believe this next product is going to take the company to a new level. You should see some forward momentum by Friday this week.” I shook his hand once more before releasing it and walking out of the building. I reached up and tugged my tie loose as I let out a long sigh.
For such a great turn out and response to the plan…I sure felt like shit.
*
“So? How did it go?” Logan met me at the door as I walked in with a small suitcase in my hand.
“Good.” I nodded and walked down the hall to the bedroom to deposit the thing. “They love it. The product is being well received, and Molly’s marketing plan was a huge hit.”
“That’s great news, man. I know that has to remove some weight from your shoulders, right?” He stood behind me in the doorway, his hands up on either side of the door as he leaned in, stretching.
“Yeah, but I feel like shit about not giving Mol credit. I just couldn’t. Those guys are so sensitive about bringing in anyone that isn’t part of the company or the shareholder family. Talking about a product to anyone outside of that tight-knit group is a big no-no.” I let out a sigh and walked toward him.
He backed up. “Damn. I can understand that from both sides.”
“Right? I’m picking her up for dinner in an hour or so, and I feel like I should apologize the minute I see her.” I walked to the kitchen with him and took the beer he handed me as he moved to the fridge and pulled a few out.
“No, don’t do that.” He took a sip of his beer. “She’s not trying to get a job with you guys, right?”
“I don’t think so, though having her join me wouldn’t be a bad idea at all.” I shrugged. “It’s something I might bring up to her, but no. She’s applying to get her old position back, I do believe.”
“Then leave it alone. You didn’t do it for nefarious reasons. It’s all good.” He sat down at the table. “Come on. Take off a load.”
I walked over and dropped down, letting out a long sigh. “You’re right. I need to just let it go.”
“There you go, buddy. Finally listening to a wise man’s advice.”
I glanced around and smiled. “I don’t see a wise man. I see a wise ass. Same thing?”
He laughed and launched into telling me about his day. The next hour flew by with us shooting the shit, and I found myself rushing around like crazy, trying to get ready for my date with Molly, which I should have had plenty of time to do.
I waved at Logan and walked out of the house as my heart fluttered. Had I done wrong by her? It wouldn’t have mattered so much if I weren’t falling for her. I didn’t want anything to come between us just in case we had a real chance at something.
I must have gotten good and lost in my thoughts because I looked up a few minutes later, and I was sitting in front of Peyton’s townhouse. My phone had directed me the whole way, and luckily enough, the voice on it hadn’t been a cheeky bitch and landed me in the middle of the field.
It had happened many times before.