I know I’m the newest member of the marketing team, but I feel I have a lot to offer, so I’ll remind my boss of that every chance I get.
“That would be very helpful.” She drops her gaze to her phone’s screen. “We’ll have a brainstorming session next week. Everyone is welcome to toss out any ideas that pop into their heads.”
Excitement nips at me.
I plan on starting on a list of ideas right away.
“I want you to take a look at our social media accounts this week, “ she says. “I know there is room for improvement there.”
“I’ll get started on that today.”
“Are you free for dinner tonight?” she asks with a smile.
I’m going to hop on the subway headed to Queens after work to have dinner with my sister and her kids. Harlan is working late, so I volunteered to drop by to help prepare dinner and read bedtime stories.
“I’m only asking because when I mentioned to Sean that I wanted to take you out for a welcome aboard dinner, he mumbled that he thinks you have a date.” She laughs. “I don’t know how he would know that. He’s not a mind reader.”
I didn’t realize Sean was paying that much attention this morning when I told him I had plans after work. It’s amusing that he assumed those plans involve a date.
I glance at Delora. Something tells me that if I give her a detailed accounting of where I’m going after work, she’ll report that back to Sean.
My personal life is none of his business, so I nod. “I do have plans tonight. I’m free tomorrow night if you are.”
Her face brightens with a wide smile. “I’m free as a bird. I’ll make a reservation for tomorrow night after work.”
“Works for me,” I say.
She pushes back from the table. “I think you’re going to be a perfect fit for Wells, Callie.”
I take that as a good sign.
“I’ll get to work on looking over the social media accounts.” I move to stand too. “Thank you for giving me this chance, Delora.”
She starts toward the conference room door. “There was something about your interview that stuck with me. Before you walked out the door, I knew that you would be my pick.”
I take pride in that.
I couldn’t have anticipated that I’d be living next door to my boss, but that’s temporary. There’s a chance I can build a long-lasting career here at Wells. I want that, so I need to stay committed to doing the very best job I can.
“Shut the front door.” Naomi’s eyes widen. “You’re telling me that the hottie that lives next door to Grady is the underwear model?”
I knew having a glass of wine was a bad idea.
When I got to my sister’s house, she was pulling vegetables out of the fridge that she said she needed to use up. She decided to throw it all on a sheet pan and roast it. The crusty bread I picked up on my way over here was a perfect accompaniment to that.
The last item she yanked out of the fridge was an almost empty bottle of red wine.
I offered to finish it off.
Wine always makes me relax. Today I may have had one sip too many because when my sister asked if I’d met the Times Square billboard model, I blurted out that he’s not only my boss but my neighbor too.
“I live next door to him now,” I remind her. “Technically, he’s my temporary neighbor.”
She glances to where her kids are playing with a stack of wooden blocks. “Technically, he’s fuckable as fuck.”
Grateful that she’s lowering her voice so her kids can’t hear, I shake my head. “He’s my boss, Naomi.”
“He’s also a hot as hell man.” She giggles. “Why not mix business with pleasure? What do you have to lose?”
“The best job I’ve ever had.” I push the wine glass away from me. “Besides, he’s not my type at all. He’s loud and obnoxious. He’s an egomaniac. He put himself on a billboard. Who does that?”
“A smart businessman with the body of a model,” she says with a straight face. “I think it’s a brilliant move on his part.”
I slide the glass closer again but don’t pick it up. “How so?”
“Why hire someone to wear your product if you look that good?” She steals a glance at her kids. “He made the right choice, Callie. That billboard gets a hell of a lot of attention.”
Not convinced by her argument, I shake my head. “He’s full of himself. I’ve sworn off men like that.”
Pushing up from the table, she sighs. “Don’t let your past dictate your future. Not all rich men are like Dagen.”
I don’t want to talk about my ex, so I change the subject. “I’m on cleanup duty. Why don’t you play with the kids?”