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And then there’s Charlee. Beautiful, sexy Charlee.
Within one day of work, she’s already proven that making her marketing director is the right decision. Her ideas and strategies are actually mind-blowing. Her confidence when addressing the team, her expertise when fielding questions from the interns, her cordiality and kindness when on-boarding our first business owners–everything makes me feel even less worthy of such an incredible woman.
Under normal circumstances, today should have been a really good first day. Everyone looked up at me expectantly during the briefings, and judging by their reactions afterward, I know I aced it. Six small business owners with fledgling startups came in throughout the day and they all signed contracts with us. A massage parlor owner in Astoria; a software developer building recyclable coffee cups; a florist experimenting the most mind-blowing new flower combinations; a dance school proprietor; a cryptocurrency mobile app builder; and a hair salon owner in Harlem.
Building Bridges welcomed them all. We gave a listening ear to their ideas. We didn’t try to sell them fake promises of exponential profits in no time and hitch-free rides to success. We pulled up real, practical growth curves for each business and its host industry. The analytics team presented statistics and a few harsh truths, but we made up for all the stinging realities with solid strategies. The finance team gave each business a breakdown of how their loan should be implemented across the next six months. Building Bridges will also provide backup and support every step of the way. Our repayment plans are fair and flexible, with reasonable interest rates–far better than the banks could ever deal.
The marketing team would eventually swoop in, led by Charlee, to discuss visibility-boosting strategies. To each entrepreneur, Charlee presented different ideas on building public trust and social media followings that I’ve never even heard before. Wow. Her mind is a phenomenon and there’s so much more we haven’t seen.
Without thinking it through properly, I leave my office and head into Charlee’s office–again. I don’t want to leave things shaky, especially after seeing today how much we have to work in close proximity.
Tapping on the door, I step back and shove my hands in my pockets to keep them from shaking.
“Come in.”
Her voice goes straight to my head, and when I open the door and step in, the sight of her red hair does the trick. Like clockwork, my headache is instantly gone. Maybe one day, when I’m old and wrinkly, I’ll tell the tale of how I was obsessing like a lunatic over a lady’s hair in my thirties. Gorgeous, silky, wavy, and flaming auburn hair.
“Hey Charlee,” I say, taking a seat before she changes her mind and kicks me out. Her face isn’t welcoming and a scowl immediately creases her forehead, but she’s cordial, nonetheless.
“Hello, Harrison. Do you need something?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. What can I do for you?”
“I need you to stop being mad at me.”
Thankfully, my words come out like a genuine request and not an order. I’ve already screwed things up enough.
“I’m not mad at you.” Charlee looks away and resumes typing on her laptop, and I know she’s only doing it to keep from staring at me. My goodness! Her eyes are so perfect.
The awkwardness settles in the air again. I don’t like the feeling it builds up low in my stomach.
“Charlee, I’m not here to offend you any further. I’m sorry. Really deeply sorry for everything that has happened. I take the blame. I should have been attentive. You didn’t have to spell out everything for me. And I messed up by leaving you like that this morning. I’m so sorry. I’m also assuring you that I did not mean to just be with you and vanish. I respect you, Charlee, and I’m honored that you gave me a chance.”
I’m paying attention to every emotion that flicks across her face as I speak. Annoyance. Indifference. Uncertainty. A blush.
“Charlee, we have to put this behind us and move forward. Do you see how closely we have to work now? It’s so important that you and I are in good terms because Building Bridges has to excel at all costs. It’s not even negotiable. We can’t afford to fail.”
Shooting her head up to stare at me, a frown spreads across Charlee’s face and I realize I’ve gone off track. I’m apologizing one minute, and the next, my nervousness about flopping the company takes over. I must have come off too strong on that final note.
I’ve done a great job of hiding my self-doubt the whole day, and just when the day is over, I’ve given Charlee a full view into my messy head. Great.
Sighing tiredly, Charlee clasps her laptop shut and folds her hands under her jaw. If she noticed my mini breakdown, she doesn’t say a word about it.
“I understand. It’s all right. And I agree. It’s in our best interest to put this behind us. We have to make things work. This is very important to me, too.”
Nodding briskly, I extend a hand toward her.
“So, we’re good?”
She smiles and takes my hand. “We’re good.”
I watch in silence as Charlee packs up her things. Apparently, Mr. Philips had sent her car over from BB27. She grabs her work bag and I take the cue to rise, holding the door open for her.
“Thank you,” she says.
I flash her a smile.
