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“My office is white. Matches anything as it is.”
“How about your place then?”
“Not the best time to remodel my apartment. I’ve put it up for sale.”
“You’re moving?”
“Mhm.”
Right, of course. Why was I surprised? He had bought a house for his daughters – a palace, according to Joe. Of course, he’d move.
“I’ll tell you what.” Sam sat straighter in his chair. “I gave Joe’s former employees the offices upstairs but they’re the least appealing. How about you bring your ideas for that floor’s livery and depending on how impressed I am, I’ll let you rebrand this floor too.”
“You’re going to make me work hard to earn your trust, aren’t you?”
“Did I ever?”
No, he always trusted me without a question or a sliver of doubt.
“So you’re only giving me this test because you’re bored with all the white in here and want a free remodelling off of me.”
Sam hid a small smile. “Maybe I am.”
That was his yes. I knew it. He was just playing with words. Not wanting to give me an easy yes. I didn’t deserve easy, I know.
“You finally have it all figured out, huh.”
Sam’s words surprised me. They held a tone of genuine pride at me. Something which Sam never failed to show me.
I stood tall, proud at myself too. “Yes, I do. And I’m trusting you with it.”
Could he realize that I wasn’t just talking about my business plan, that my words translated toI’m trusting you with my whole life?
“You’ll be moving back here then?” Sam asked.
“I’m currently splitting my time between the city and here, crashing at Joe’s. If you accept, I’ll go right ahead, sign off my lease at the city and find my own place here again.”
“And what if I don’t accept? What will you do?”
“I’ll come back still and I’ll go solo. Zimmerman will be my investor and his team will help me start up. But speaking of Zimmerman, if you do accept me, he agreed to invest inyourcompany. That means you would have also secured Zimmerman as your client for any of his future ventures. That’s a double deal for you.”
Sam was incredulous. “Zimmerman as my investor?”
“Said he owed you one for having stood you up at dinner.”Ourfateful dinner.
A half smile played on Sam’s face.
I knew Rolf Zimmerman was the cherry on top of this proposal of mine. I saved that news for last on purpose. I didn’t want Sam to accept for Zimmerman only. I wanted him to accept me and my plan for what it was.
“Well done, Lucille. Pack your bags and come home.”
I wanted to hug him, kiss him and thank him. But instead, I remained formal.
“Thank you, Sam.” I extended a hand at him. Got to seal the deal with a handshake, right?
Sam shook my hand very quickly. Then he stood up. “I must run. Joe will iron out the details with you.”
So it was true. Sam was delegating more to Joe. Very unlike him. He was always hands-on, wanting to make part of everything happening within his company. Guess his priorities changed.
