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“I’m waiting to see your designs,” Monique said. She might as well have added “dumb ass.”
“Oh, sorry,” Tess said, opening the attaché and pulling out a folder before placing it in Monique’s hand.
Monique riffled through the designs, her eyes narrowing, occasionally turning the paper this way or that. “These are good.”
“Thank you,” Tess murmured.
“But let me be honest,” Monique said, tossing the copies onto her immaculate desk. “I’m not looking for an art designer so much as I’m looking for someone who can bring in new business. That’s why I left you a message yesterday.”
Tess didn’t know what to say to that. She’d wanted to do design work only. Felt less Benedict Arnold.
Monique smiled. “You intrigue me. Even more than having considerable experience in the float decorating business, I like what you’re doing—a little revenge, if I’m not mistaken. Your old man pissed you off by hiring Graham, and you want him to pay. I love that kind of emotion. It burns holes in things. It makes things happen. Know what I mean?”
“You’re saying you want to hire me because one, I’m an Ullo, two, I’m pissed at my father and three, you love the idea of stealing from your ex-husband.”
“Not my ex-husband. I was smart enough not to marry Graham. That would have been disastrous.” Monique snorted and it was cute. When Tess snorted it wasn’t cute. More like a sinus infection.
“But—”
“Yes, we have a child together. But that’s all. Graham and I are water under a bridge with a fast current.”
Tess relaxed a little. She didn’t really know what to think about Monique. Part of her didn’t like the relish showed at one-upping not only her competition but her ex-lover. Like a predator, Monique smelled blood on the trail. Yet part of Tess warmed to the same idea—she wanted to make her father pay for his mistake… and Graham, too. Nothing wrong with that, right?
Still, Monique put her on edge. There was something untamed about the woman, and Tess knew she wasn’t one to trust.
So who went to work for someone like Monique?
Someone reckless. Someone fueled by emotion and not thinking clearly. Someone who needed to prove herself.
Someone exactly like Tess.
“I can put you on as co-director of art and design and I will pay you well, but I want something in return.”
Tess raised her eyebrows.
“Some of Frank Ullo’s business.”
Tess’s gut heaved at the thought of tearing clients away from the company she’d helped build over the last few years. Her name was attached to that business. Tess couldn’t take from the company that had given her so much. She set her feet on the floor, intending to leave, but then that same inner voice that had prodded her to contact Monique Dryden whispered to her now.
Didn’t seem to matter to your father, did it? Daddy doesn’t think you’re vital to his business. He thinks Graham can do better. Prove him wrong, Tess. Tell her yes.
Tess tossed her hair, her confidence returning. “My plan was for design work—”
“If that is all you have to offer, I’m not interested,” Monique said, crossing her arms. “I have a designer and I oversee all proposals. It would be overkill. But I’m willing to pay for your ‘experience’ with the krewes.”
Tess stared at the hot pink stapler sitting on the desk, realizing Monique desired what Joe Rizzolo and every other company would desire—her ability to snag business. This wasn’t about her talent. “Well, I have the keys to the kingdom. As point woman for the krewes we did business with, I have a list of contacts a mile long and a good relationship with each captain and art director.”
“Which is why I’m happy to pay you handsomely,” Monique said, her mouth stretching into a grin over white teeth. Passing Tess several papers, Monique sank back into her chair. “This is my offer along with contract terms.”
So formal. Tess allowed her gaze to flicker over the salary which was more than fair.
It all felt so final.
If she signed on with Upstart, she’d be betraying all she’d been. An Ullo working for the competition? Tess could hardly fathom the thought, but she needed a job. Her father might have covered tuition and helped finance her loft, but Tess paid her own way. She had two months’ rent in her savings, but that was it. She needed a job sooner rather than later and once she signed on, her designs would convince Monique she was an asset in more than one way. “Can I have until Wednesday? I need to have my attorney review these.”
“Of course, but no longer. Your service to Upstart is valuable right now. We have a month or so to pin down these krewes and set our contracts for next season. I still need some floats rented for the upcoming one.”
Rising, Tess extended her hand. “I’ll be in touch. Thank you for taking this meeting and for the offer.”
