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I’ve never had to bounce my ideas off anyone before so this is new to me too. We’re both clearly having to adjust to try and make this work. Deacon having strong opinions is making me see things from a new perspective.
Let me give this flirty tactic a whirl, though, so I can keep him from trying to completely take over. I stand and walk casually to where he's sitting on the other side of my desk. I'm hoping I can pull this off.
I rub my chin a little like I'm really considering what he's said before I respond. I move behind him and give his shoulders a little squeeze. “You’re a feisty one, Mr. Reynolds, but I like your passion. I will definitely take your ideas into consideration.” I make sure not to linger. I don't want to overdo it.
When I come back to my seat, his mouth hangs open in shock. Uh oh. Too much, too soon maybe. But then he smiles. “Uh, okay then, great.” He takes his shoes off my desk and sits up straight.
Flirting for the win. Two can play at that game.
We spend the next sixty minutes hashing out ideas for the project with a continued banter back and forth. If this really was a hidden camera show the audience would love our ridiculous attempts to out flirt each other to get our own way.
Some of his actions at times, though, seem natural. His smile isn't forced and his touch seems genuine. After a spirited discussion on color scheme, when we finally agree, he grabs my hands across the table saying, "That's it! That will look amazing."
I don't even act like like he poked me with a branding iron. Progress.
We're currently at a sticking point, though, about the size of the font because I don't totally buy into his "bigger is better theory." We've gone back and forth so many times it's feels like a never ending tennis volley. So, I'm throwing a Hail Mary.
With a coy smile, I lean across my desk, letting my eyes linger on his for just a beat longer than necessary. His gaze involuntarily wanders lower. I reach out to lift his chin back up. "You know, Deacon," I say, dropping my voice an octave lower, "I've always admired a man who can appreciate a good idea when he hears one."
I'm not completely proud of my actions even though it is kind of fun. There are worse ways to spend a day than flirting with your very good looking boss, even if he is enemy number one. It's a new type of competition for us, but I think I just got the upper hand.
Deacon looks a little embarrassed by his wandering eyes and leans back in his chair, giving me a sheepish smile. "Ok, let's take another look."
We come to an agreement on the font—insert my mischievous smile here— after only a few more minutes of discussion but I also compromise a little myself, maybe from guilt.
Overall, our meeting has gone pretty well. I'm pleasantly surprised by the direction it's taken. It's the most progress we've made after a very bumpy first few weeks.
We decide we have a good handle on the direction of the project, so we call it a day.
"Go get that adorable little girl of yours," I tell him, "I can finish up the rest of the details."
"Ok, thanks. It's been a good day, yes?" he prods.
"For sure, I think putting our ideas together will really help the design." I smile back at him. And for the first time since he's gotten here, it feels genuine.
Chapter six
DEACON
I'm sitting by the resort pool taking in the view. This is definitely not the setting I had in Manhattan, with so many trees and open spaces. I've been taking the time to appreciate the little things more and more the longer I'm here. This place is really wearing off on me, helping me slow down.
Sasha and I come to pool all the time now. She's been a water bug since we arrived, always asking to swim after school. Her adorable face is hard to say no to. She's almost ready to get rid of the floaties and being the one to teach her to swim has been so rewarding. That never would have happened in New York. Any move is hard, but I've seen some positive effects on my little girl's soul already.
Things with Harper are going much better also. We made some great progress on our project, finding a way to blend our ideas together. It was… nice.
While sparring with her certainly adds a bit of spice, there's an undeniable allure in seeing her agree with some of my ideas fora change. Hopefully, she sees the same in me. Plus, seeing her beauty without anger is a refreshing shift.
I'm lost in thought when I feel a hand on my shoulder. It's my dad. I'm happy to see him but can't deny I wouldn't have been upset to see Harper's smiling face.
"Hey, son, mind if I join you? I come bearing food."
He hands me a sandwich and a drink from the restaurant. They hired a new chef recently for the re-opening and it has paid off. The food is amazing. Dad knows my favorite has quickly become the Chicken Pesto Panini, and he's brought it to me.
"Thanks so much, have a seat." This is another perk of agreeing to take over the resort, spending time with him. We had a good relationship growing up. But since I left for the city, we haven't been as close. Being back here has given us the opportunity to build that bond again.
"How's everything going?" he quickly asks.
I feel an involuntary smile curl on my lips. "That good, huh?" he laughs.
