He gave a patronizing smile. “That’s cool, kiddo, but I’ve been in this business a long time and I’m used to dealing with the principal architect. When Eli’s around, have him stop by my office? I just think it’ll be easier for everyone.”
The wordkiddolanded in the room like a dropped plate, and she almost didn’t hear the rest. She could have sworn Connor stood a little straighter, then went very still in front of the filing cabinet.
Meredith didn’t flinch. She’d heard it before—kiddo, honey, darling, even sweetheart once from a site manager who was roughly her age. The vocabulary of men who couldn’t reconcile a not-yet-thirty-year-old woman with the wordarchitect.
“I appreciate that, Vance,” she said. “But Eli’s?—”
“Right here,” her father said, strolling into the room. “You must be Vance. I just heard you came down from corporate.”
He reached his hand out and got a much heartier shake than Meredith had.
“Eli! Great to finally meet you,” Vance crooned. “I’ve heard nothing but praise on the proposal that got Acacia this business.”
“That goes to her,” her father said, tipping his head toward Meredith. “But I take it you’ve met.”
“Oh, yeah.” He managed a slightly embarrassed smile in Meredith’s general direction. “I just wanted to hand off this change order to you.”
For a second, her father looked surprised, glancing at Meredith with a question in his eyes.
“I’ve got it,” she said. “It’ll be done by Friday.”
Vance looked miffed. “I think you should review it, Eli.” He angled his head. “It’s…”
“Wonky,” Meredith supplied dryly, vaguely aware that Connor bit back a laugh.
“Wonky’s her specialty,” Dad said without missing a beat. “Meredith’s the project manager who will do the day-to-day design work, change orders, structural reviews, permitting. You’ll find she’s very responsive and detail oriented.”
“I’m sure…she is.” He actually looked like he didn’t want someone responsive and detail oriented. Or female, but that was obvious. “I’ll check back on Friday.”
“And the weekly meetings?” Connor chimed in. “I’d like to get them on the calendar.”
He hesitated for a moment, then turned to Eli. “What day works best for you?”
Eli gave a soft laugh. “Again, I’m not your man.”
“I am,” Meredith said with just enough humor for it to be polite.
Vance gave a nod and walked out, leaving the three of them exchanging silent looks.
She held up a hand before he could say a word. “It’s fine, Dad.”
“He called her kiddo,” Connor said, taking a few steps closer. “Which is man-speak for…child.”
“I don’t care, Connor,” she said, returning to her desk. “I’ve been the only woman in the room enough times to know that the best response is doing the job better than anyone expects and letting the work shut them up.”
Dad’s smile grew. “And it always does,” he said, reaching for a file on his desk. “You handled it like the pro you are, Mer. I have to go back to a Phase One meeting. Infrastructure is on schedule, and they’re thrilled with the Alastair floor plan. Two more buyers requested it this week. We’re about to do a walk-through on the clubhouse and public areas. You want to come?”
She knew it was a show of strength and the idea tempted her, but the work on her desk was more pressing than proving herself right now.
“Nope. Just come back with clean specs because I want to start the design when I finish Lot 47.” She made a face. “Three days ahead of schedule.”
Eli chuckled and shook his head. “The guy’s a fool,” he said quietly. “And you know how I feel about them.”
She’d heard him quote Proverbs enough to know exactly what he thought, and she didn’t disagree. “No big deal, Dad. Comes with the territory.”
After he left, Connor sat back in his chair, his good hand resting on the desk. “I agree with your dad. You were very professional and mature and I respect it completely.”
She tried not to let the compliment melt her, sensing there was more. “But?”
