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Dani managed to sink into her seat at the rectangular-shaped wooden table before relief swiped her knees. She didn’t know why Barbara was worried or what she’d wanted to tell her and Andrea, but as long as they were still on track, Dani could roll with anything else.
“And at family reunions,” Greg was saying, “sometimes you meet long-lost relatives, right?”
A smattering of laughter circled the room.
Oh, snap! He was good. As someone who spent years engaging in rap battles, she appreciated someone who was quick on his feet.
“But enough with the metaphors,” Greg said. “Let’s get to business. How does it feel to be the woman of the hour?”
“Oh, you underestimate me, Greg.” She shrugged the blazer off her shoulders and sat back, crossing her legs. “I’m planning to stretch this out way longer than that!”
Greg’s smile was playful. “I’ve been doing my research and I’ve learned it would be a mistake to underestimate you. Case in point,your trip to London. I have to say, you’ve definitely exceeded our expectations. The coverage has been phenomenal. Focus groups are overwhelmingly positive and all anyone can talk about is your real-life fairy-tale romance with Prince Jameson.”
Her stomach fluttered at the mention of Jameson. “Going to London changed my life. I guess I have you guys to thank for that.”
More laughter from around the table but when Dani’s gaze landed on Barbara, the executive’s mouth was pinched, like she’d tasted something sour.
What the fuck was going on?
“Duchess? Please—” Greg directed her attention to the large digital screen built into the wall behind her.
It came to life and Dani gasped, thrilled to see enlarged versions of the Mela-Skin and Genesis logos. There was also a third logo she’d seen before but couldn’t place; however, her elation at her dreams finally coming true dulled the sharp edge of her normally suspicious nature.
“We’re excited about Mela-Skin and the place it can occupy in our portfolio.”
“You won’t regret your investment,” Andrea said. “We have some fantastic ideas for the company moving forward and Duchess has come up with a new campaign we think will kill. Be Your Own BAY.”
Greg frowned and glanced at Barbara. “I don’t get it.”
Of course. Dani clarified. “Bae. B-A-E. It’s slang for a person’s significant other. But our bae will be spelled B-A-Y and it’ll stand for Be Authentically You. We’re encouraging women to love themselves.”
The wattage of Greg’s smile dimmed slightly. “Uh, okay. We can definitely... consider that, but I think we’re getting a little ahead of ourselves.”
“What do you mean?”
Greg cleared his throat. “Duchess, everyone in this room is privy to information that you and Ms. Thompson do not have.”
“Really?” Andrea pushed her shoulders back and set her jaw. “Because my job is to ensure that rarely happens.”
That’s right. Get him, Andrea!
“You couldn’t have had this information. If you did, someone would be getting fired.” This time he was the only one who laughed. “So let me let you both in on the secret. I’m the VP of Mergers and Acquisitions for Parcellum and our company recently acquired Genesis.”
Parcellum?
“The real estate company?” Andrea asked.
“Yes. I should’ve been clearer in the beginning but it isn’t every day I get to chat with a rap icon.”
The muscles in Dani’s cheeks eased as her smile faded away. She didn’t bother peering over at Barbara.Thiswas why the other woman had tried to warn her.
“I don’t understand. I thought Genesis was investing in Mela-Skin.”
“It is. It’s just thatweacquired Genesis. And this deal—”
Dani couldn’t decipher another word Greg said. He might as well have been Charlie Brown’s teacher.
Wah-whoa-wah, woah-wah-wah.
