AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Rachel just barely stopped herself from rolling her eyes.
Robert dropped into the chair next to her, tugging his pants straight as he crossed his legs. “I’ll just jump in, shall I? Rachel, I know you’ve been interested in a promotion.”
“Yes, I am,” she said, suddenly alert. Total understatement, but she didn’t want to burn any bridges with Hailey. Hailey didnotlike what she viewed as competition.
“Do you know Margaret Finnegan?” Robert asked. “She’s leaving to go to New York, and her position as account manager is opening in four weeks. Management wants to promote from within, so I’ve suggested you.”
Rachel sat forward, her heart beating with hope. “How many other people are being considered?”
He made a dismissive gesture. “No one as qualified as you. Unless you royally mess up in the next weeks, you’re guaranteed the position.”
Dare she hope? Gosh, it’d be a great birthday present. “Thank you, sir,” she said with cautious enthusiasm, trying not to picture her own office again. Or the extra money. Or the respect.
Hailey cleared her throat. “Rachel is a valuable member of my team, Robert.”
He nodded. “I know she is. Don’t worry. We’ll find someone to fill her shoes.”
“Great,” Hailey effused, not sounding like she meant it.
“Now, the next reason I wanted to meet with the two of you was because we’ve signed Threshold Properties as a client.”
Hailey sat up, her eyes widening. “The real estate developers?”
Robert nodded, clearly elated. “Yes.”
“They’re huge,” Hailey said, leaning forward.
Rachel frowned at them each in turn. “I’ve never heard of them, and I thought I knew every large real estate development firm in Chicago.”
“Threshold is one of the largest development companies in New York,” Robert explained, facing her. “This is their first Chicago project, and they want us to launch a campaign on a new development they have going on the South Side. In Hyde Park.”
“I see,” she murmured, trying to look as enthused as they were. The thing was, Chicagoans didn’t take kindly to people coming in and redeveloping their city—especially outsiders—and there was a lot of controversary around Hyde Park as it was. Doing a project there was going to be a tough sell to the locals.
“I’m told you’re an expert on that area,” Robert continued.
“That’s my neighborhood.” Lottie’s house was on the fringes of Hyde Park, a mishmash of already revitalized properties and old places like her grandma’s where the owners were trying to hold on to their homes as long as they could. That was what Chris was facing as well—an influx of trendy businesses that were pushing out the old guard.
“Good. Then you’ll definitely be an asset.” Robert rapped his knuckles on the chair’s armrest. “You’ll know exactly how to promote the new development project. They like what we did with the Bell Tower downtown and want a similar treatment. I’m told you had a hand in that campaign.”
“Yes, I did.” She’d had more than a hand—she’d had her whole heart. She’dlovedthat project. Chicago was a wonderful old town, and the revitalization they’d done celebrated that instead of tearing it down.
But development by an out-of-state company… She shook her head in doubt.
“I’ll be lead, correct?” Hailey asked, baring her teeth in what she probably meant as a smile.
“Of course,” Robert replied easily. “But since Rachel has more intimate knowledge of the city, I expect that you’ll work together very closely on this project.”
She looked at Hailey. Her boss didn’t look thrilled.
That was okay—she’d figure out what everyone wanted and help them get it. That was what she did, and she was good at it.
Plus, the promotion. Focus was all she needed.
Robert stood, hands in his pockets. “This client is very important. He and I roomed at Harvard together. We have a meeting scheduled with his team next week. I’ll send the details in the meantime. Make me look good, ladies.”
They watched him stride out of the office.
Rachel turned back around to find Hailey staring at her. She smiled assuredly. “This sounds like an exciting project. I can’t wait to get started on it.”
