“Thanks.” I put the finishing touches on this proposal and send it off to the client. Apparently today is going to be a doozy between Pierce and my boss. There are too many thoughts bouncing around in my head and talking to my boss will only add to the noise.
Deep breath in and out. Whatever Mr. Gardner has to say can’t be bad. I’m a model employee aside from that quick conversation with Pierce. I guess it’s time to find out what he wants from me. Hopefully it’s not to add more to my work load.
My steps are slow and measured across the room. The longer I take to get to his office, the longer I can put off this impromptu meeting.
“Close the door.” Mr. Gardner says as I approach his office. This isn’t a good sign.
“What can I do for you, Sir?” I take a seat in one of the uncomfortable chairs across from him. You’d think he’d have better ones with the high caliber clients he meets. Maybe I’ll suggest it to him assuming he’s not firing me. If clients are comfortable, they are more likely to agree to any plans he offers.
He leans back in his chair and clasps his hands over his chest. It looks uncomfortable, and I don’t know why older men do it. Maybe he thinks it makes him look more important? It doesn’t. He looks like he’s one step away from stuffing his hands under his armpits.
“Cole told me you were putting together two proposals for a potential client.” Of course he did.
“Well, it was more of a favor to a friend. They’re a small business and don’t have the funds to be an actual client.” At least, I don’t think they do.
“I’d like to take a look at them.”
“Why?” The word is out of my mouth before I can reel it back in. Questioning your boss on something you did for a nonpaying client probably isn’t a good idea.
Now he leans forward. Having the attention of my boss is weird. I’m a fly below the radar type of guy. I come in, do my job, then go home. None of this other stuff is needed. Damn Cole for opening his big mouth.
“If both plans are solid, I’d like you to test them both. If we can make it work for an up and coming small business, it’s possible we can garner the same results for our larger clients. But on a bigger scale.”
“They can’t afford both marketing plans. At least not the one on one.” I’m going to murder Cole.
“I understand that. Is this something you’d be helping you friend with on a personal level without company time?”
Absolutely. I’ve always done what I can to help Starlit Fields. “Yes. That was my initial plan. I just wanted to run some numbers up here to give them a ballpark figure.”
Where is he going with this?
“Then do whatever you were going to do. If one of them proves to be successful, I’d like you to let me know. There may be a promotion in it for you.”
This isn’t at all what I was expecting. More money would be great, but at what cost.
“I like working with small businesses, Mr. Gardner. I’m not sure I’d want to be promoted to the larger clients.”
“Then show me how you can do it on a budget.” He reaches for his phone, an indication the conversation is over. “Maybe we can work something out.”
“Okay.” I’m almost certain Cole was trying to get me in trouble. Too bad it seems to have backfired on him.
“Keep me updated.” His attention is one hundred percent on his phone now.
“I will.” Without another word I stand and walk out of the office, closing the door behind me. Now I have to keep Piper from doing anything on socials while also showing my boss the marketing plans can work. What in the world did I just get myself into?
seven
. . .
piper
Pins and needles.That’s what I’ve been sitting on for days. Every time I bump into my eldest brother, I ready myself for a confrontation. Parker said he was pissed, but he hasn’t said anything to me.
Still, I creep around every corner to make sure he isn’t in the area. It’s kind of sad I have to do that while at work with my own family, but I don’t want the confrontation. The fight that would come about isn’t worth it. At least, not right now.
The desk is covered with various papers and I have to sort through them before I can get any work done. We really need two desks in this room. One for me and one for everyone to put their crap on.
A piece of paper slips from the pile. Is that a parking ticket? These fools should know the company isn’t paying for those. I scan the name for who it might belong to.
