“I’m listening.”
“We select a few products and put them out in an advert that drums up the public’s interest. Once they can test the authenticity of these products, they will come back for more.”
“Freebies don’t work.”
I pause. Did she just speak? I turn in Maddie’s direction. Everyone is looking at her as I am.
“Sorry.” She presses a hand to her lips. “That just came out.”
“No, no.” I face her. “I want to hear more. What are your thoughts on Ramsey’s proposal?”
She looks around the table but focuses on me. “Freebies don’t work,” she reiterates. “My former boss tried it and it was a nightmare. You don’t want to cater to people who don’t have purchasing power for your product at full price.”
“So? That’s the point!” Ramsey says. “They’ll tell the people they know who will buy.”
“It doesn’t work like that. A friend to a person who can’t purchase, most likely can’t purchase too. It’s just—”
“What do you know?” Ramsey snaps. “You’re just a mere—”
“Ramsey,” I cut in before he tempts me to fire him. “This is a civil discussion.”
“But she’s not even from my department!” He’s red in the face. “How does she dare to advise me? I’ve been doing this for years!”
“And clearly, you’ve run out of fresh ideas. Instead of defending the old ways that don’t work, maybe it’s time to find something new.”
He sits back, chastised but I don’t miss the annoyed look he throws Maddie’s way.
It’s harmless. His pride is hurt, that’s all.
I meet her eyes to ensure she’s all right. She’s looking at me, a soft look in her brown gaze.
Uncertain what that’s about, I move the meeting from marketing to another department. The meeting ends an hour later.
I make my way into my office. I’m supporting a semi and I need to get rid of it now, as well as the thoughts of Maddie tumbling through my head.
How she chewed on the bottom of a pen. How her slender fingers moved over the keyboard. How she tucked her lip between her teeth when typing very fast.
I want her and I can’t wait.
I press the intercom. “Send Maddie in,” I tell Julia.
“Straightaway, sir,” Julia replies.
Not two minutes later, Maddie walks in. She stops halfway across the room, her gaze lowered. “You called for me?”
“Yes.” I’m sitting behind my desk. I’d rather be standing next to her. But the semi has gone full steel again. “Have a seat.”
She takes the spot opposite me.
Before I can speak, she blurts, “Sorry that I came in late and I interrupted the meeting. I will make sure to avoid doing both again.”
“That’s not why I called you in here.”
Her gaze whisks up. “Oh. Why, then? I was sure I was getting a slap on the wrist.”
My lips twitch. “No.” I sit up, fighting the urge to adjust. “I can see you’re having some trouble.”
“Trouble?”
