Chapter Twenty-Three
Jane
“Are you sure we put the research and stats in the right place?” He’s pacing behind his desk the way his father does, hands clasped behind his back. I decide it’s better to keep that observation to myself at the moment.
I tried my best to help him relax, but I know how much he has riding on this, so there’s only so much I can do. Right now, it’s time for some reassurance.
“We’ve gone over it a million different ways. It’s perfect as it is. Everything is exactly how it should be.”
Including him. If there’s one thing he’s good at, it’s looking like a million bucks. His suit fits like it was made for him, which I’m sure it was. He definitely plays the part of a self-assured, skilled advertising executive even when I know he’s plagued with doubt.
“I’ll go first with the big ideas, then you can come in with the facts and figures. I’ll close it out. What do you think?” He glances at me as he continues to pace.
“You want me to present with you?” My knees feel watery all of a sudden. Hell. No.
“Why not? This is just as much yours as it is mine.” He looks genuinely perplexed by my surprise.
“I don’t think so.”
It’s a terrible idea. He just doesn’t see it at the moment. If we were to present together, he wouldn’t be able to take full credit for the work. He needs to get the credit if he’s ever going to be taken seriously. I’m sure I’ll have my time, someday. I didn’t do any of this thinking my name would be on it.
“You want me to go in there on my own?”
Suddenly, that little boy I see from time to time is back, and this time it’s as much fear as vulnerability that brings him out.
I go to him, smoothing my hands over his lapels before resting them on his chest. A surge of emotion goes through me, strong enough to make something inside me hurt. I haven’t said it to him yet, but I’ve known it since the first time we slept together.
But now’s not the time to tell him.
“Yes. That’s exactly what I want you to do. This is your baby. Go in there and prove yourself. Not just to them, but to you.”
He smiles and his eyes go soft and warm. I like him better this way. “Do me a favor, then,” he murmurs, taking me by the waist.
“What’s that?”
“Come in with me, at least. You don’t have to present, but I would feel a lot better if you were in there.”
“Okay. I don’t think that would raise any eyebrows.” After all, I’m his assistant. It’s a little thrilling, too, the thought of watching our work on display. Of seeing all the effort pay off.
He checks his Rolex. On anyone else, the move would seem pretentious, but on him, it’s natural. “Okay. Time to go in.”
We both take a deep breath and stride out of his office like there’s not a worry in the world. I’m so proud of him, and he hasn’t even started the presentation yet. As we walk past other James employees, eyes follow us, and a part of me wishes I could tell them all that he’s mine.
It’s as much my choice as his that we aren’t going public yet. Neither of us wants to deal with the stigma of the boss and assistant sleeping together. We want to wait until we’re a bit more established. That’s the smart thing to do, but it doesn’t change the desire to stake my claim. At least when we pass Chloe, she gives me a conspiratorial wink, and I remember that there is at least one person with whom I can be completely honest.
The conference room is full of suits when we arrive. Mr. James is there, too, an expectant look on his face. I recognize the man sitting to his right as well. He reminds me of a weasel, which is probably why his face has made an impression on me. I remember Anthony pointing him out to me a couple days ago. His cousin, Jerrod.
And he hates me. Or, at least, resents my presence in the conference room. He stares as we walk in and Anthony introduces me as his assistant. I can just about feel the waves of displeasure coming from him. Terrific.
Anthony doesn’t seem to notice, which is for the best. He has enough on his mind. I have to remind myself over and over not to mouth the presentation along with him as he runs through it. I don’t want anyone in here to know how much of a hand I’ve had in it. The Chambersmith guys might take it as me just having heard the presentation several times, but Mr. James and Jerrod would probably suspect more.
From time to time, I tear my eyes away from Anthony and glance over at Mr. Chambersmith to find him smiling and nodding. I can see he loves our commercial ideas, the social media outreach plan—YouTube ads, Instagram campaigns, the whole nine yards. Together, Anthony and I came up with an entire series of posts that created a story from beginning to end, a series which will ideally influence followers to keep up with the story’s progression. Something to tug at the heartstrings while selling lots and lots of stationery.
By the time he finishes by throwing out competitor numbers and their history in the markets we’re trying to connect with, Mr. Chambersmith is about ready to jump out of his chair. I can tell he wants to get started immediately, if not sooner. Mr. James, meanwhile, is trying as hard as he can to keep from beaming with pride. Jerrod looks like someone ruined Christmas, Santa Claus, and his birthday all at once.
And Anthony. He shines like the sun. He’s in his element at the head of the table, commanding an entire room like he was born to do it. I can’t deny that it’s a major turn on. Then again, I find pretty much everything about Anthony a turn on. In less than two weeks, I’ve gone from virgin to sex fiend.
Mr. Chambersmith stands, holding out a hand for Anthony to shake. “Young man, I’m impressed with you. I think I speak for all of us when I say that, too.”
“That’s a yes, then?” Anthony asks with a dazzling smile.
“Show me the contract, son.” They shake hands and the rest of the room, including me, breaks out into applause. Well, everyone except Jerrod. He looks like he’d rather swallow glass than congratulate his cousin. But no one’s looking at him. All the attention is on Anthony.
I slide a copy of the contract out from the folder in my lap and pass it across the table. My hands shake a little as I do. There are some pretty big numbers involved, in the multi-millions. Chambersmith signs like he’s signing a check in a restaurant.
Oh, to have money like that.
I look up and my eyes meet Anthony’s. I know the satisfaction in them is reflected in mine. He did it.