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When you wear a size fifteen shoe, custom-made is the only way to go if you want to buy anything other than American.
“I did a little shopping when I got in town. After all, you know what they say?”
“No, but I hope you fill me in.” She purses her lips and crosses her arms over her chest.
“‘People will stare, might as well make it worth their while.’ Let’s just say I always do.” I wink mischievously.
Riley’s booming voice breaks through the room. She tilts her head back and roars laughing. “Damn, I missed your wicked sense of humor. Come on over to meet everyone,” she says, grabbing my arm and dragging me to the middle of the conference room. “Everyone, this is Hunter Evans. He’s co-owner of Totally Natural Meats with my big brother Jake.”
“Hello, everyone,” I say, waving across the room at four eager faces.
“Hunter, I’d like to introduce you to Jamie McPherson, the director of supply and acquisition. He’s the head honcho. He’s also the one suppliers are flirting with shamelessly in order to get their brands or their food products on Food Network.”
“Hunter, it’s a pleasure meeting you. Riley has only had amazing things to say about you.”
“Jamie, the pleasure is mine. I hope I can live up to your expectations. Who knows how much Riley has built me up?” I joke, shaking the hand of the man standing in front of me.
“Oh, don’t get me wrong. I love Riley, but I rely entirely on Georgina, my tough-as-nails assistant. Nothing gets past her. I mean nothing.” You don’t need to convince me. “To date, she hasn’t found one negative thing to say about your company. And knowing her, I’m pretty sure she’s gone through your proposal and your background like an FBI agent in charge of a top-secret operation.” Jamie chuckles. I’m sure she did.
“I just had the pleasure of meeting Georgina and she’s definitely something else.”
“She is. I can’t imagine functioning without her,” Jamie says, tapping my shoulder with his other hand like a politician.
“I have to agree with Jamie,” Riley starts. “Georgina interrogated me like a drill sergeant when I suggested the ranch as a purveyor of meats for the different shows.” She pauses to make sure all eyes are on her. She really can be so dramatic. “It was so intense, I swear I thought she was going to ask me for DNA samples for all my kids,” she mocks.
“She does gives off the vibe of being the type of person who does everything extraordinarily thoroughly,” I add.
“You have no idea. I keep petitioning to have her as my assistant, but the studio keeps turning me down. They keep saying Georgina is entirely devoted to Jamie. Bullshit.”
We all laugh at Riley’s colorful comment.
“Let me introduce you to the other members of Jamie’s team. This is Joanne Chisholm. She’s the inventory and stock selection and replenishment manager. In plain English it means she’s the queen bee when it comes to buying food for the different shows.”
“Hunter, I’ve been looking forward to this meeting.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Joanne, but I doubt you’ve been anticipating this meeting as much as I have.” I smile, gripping the hand she’s extending my way.
“As Jamie said, you’ve already gotten the thumbs up from Georgina, this is the easy part.” She smiles back at me. “We’re big pushovers compared to her.”
Good one. The convincing way she says that, I almost buy it. If that were the case, we wouldn’t be here for the rest of the afternoon and I wouldn’t have had to spend an hour going over a mountain of contracts. I’m sure she’s trying to make me feel comfortable, but I’m fairly certain they’ll grill me.
“Let’s hope so.” I laugh and she does the same.
Riley pulls at my arm so that I focus my attention on her. “And these two lovely mavens over there are Joanne’s assistants—Kristie Conway and Misty Drabble.”
“Ladies, pleased to meet you.” I nod at the two women standing side by side before stepping forward and shaking their hands.
“We’re almost all here. I have one more person to introduce you to. My new assistant should be here any minute now.”
Riley had to hire a new assistant? Again?“What happened to Tim? I thought he was really good.”
“He was extraordinary. But working for me wasn’t nearly as attractive as the opportunity that landed in his lap a couple weeks ago. He got a role in a small-budget production so he’s a goner.”
“Wow, he wasn’t here all that long.”
“Nope. He quit only six weeks after Derek, my former assistant, handed in his resignation. Both these guys were working for me while waiting it out until Hollywood came calling. Tim only gave me one week’s notice, since the production he’s part of had already started shooting. He was brought in as a replacement for another actor who severely broke his leg,” Riley laments.
“I’m sorry to hear that, Riley.”
