“It’s a good idea,” he said finally.
I folded my arms, satisfied.
“I know.”
“I’ll have accounts look at the budget,” he continued. “Give them a day.”
“I already did it,” I said. “It’s within budget.”
“With what system?”
“I’m working on something.”
His jaw tightened just a little.
“You? You’re putting something together?”
“Don’t sound so shocked,” I scoffed. “I’m not stupid, Marlon. Just expensive.”
Hartland let out a quiet laugh this time and immediately looked down like he regretted it when I shot him a look.
Where was this energy when I needed back up, Hart?
Marlon didn’t even blink. He reached for the iPad, adjusted his glasses on his face with the heels of his palm, and scrolled through my numbers himself.
“It works,” he admitted. “On paper.”
“Everything starts on paper,” I said.
“The team isn’t ready for this,” he replied. “This is a big shift. They’d need time.”
“I’ll get them ready,” I said.
“That’s not how that works.”
“That’s exactly how it works,” I shot back. “You give people something new, they adjust.”
He leaned back again, studying me like he was trying to figure out if I was serious or just stubborn.
Both were the correct answer.
“I can have this ready by the end of the month,” I added. “I just came to let you know.”
His expression didn’t change.
“You’re not launching anything without approval,” he said.
“From who?” I asked, even though I knew.
“Me.”
I smiled. “Well, you like it.”
“I said it’s a good idea.”
“Same thing.”
“It’s not.”
