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“I’ll give her a call, but can we not talk about your mom while we’re lying here naked? It’s awkward,” she said, and we both laughed.
She pulled me toward the bedroom, where we drifted into a deep sleep pressed against each other.
Chapter 17
Reyna
ThethoughtofmeetingJoanne still made me nervous. I wasn’t sure how it was going to turn out. After I had scheduled a meeting with her about a week ago, she kept me waiting and scheduled the meeting at her own convenience with no regard to me.
But I had started setting up my PR firm. Even though I was a one-man band for a start, I was okay with it because the Taylor Foundation would be my first and only client.
I asked Bryce for his opinion on what he thought I should wear, since my first impression didn't go that well with Joanne. At least he knew his mother's taste in fashion. I didn’t want to try too hard though, or maybe she would think she could always get her way with me. Bryce advised me to stand my ground and prove to her that I was capable of handling a huge project on my own.
As Bryce’s driver got close to the restaurant where I was meeting her, I felt my palms get sweaty and I quickly swiped them down the skirt of my dress. He stopped at the entrance and I got out of the car, making my way inside the restaurant. I strode confidently — it was a little fake — to the table where Joanne was waiting. I was a good fifteen minutes early and yet she was already sitting there waiting for me.
“Hi Joanne. I’m sorry, did I get the time wrong?” I apologized frantically.
“Hi, my dear. No, I was meeting someone else before you,” she responded with a warm smile. Why was she being so nice today? It put me even more on edge.
“You look great, by the way,” she complimented me, and my nerves somehow ratcheted up.
“Thank you. You look great, too.”
She chuckled politely.
“I always look good, honey,” she said with a pompous tone. She did look like someone who always looked good. Joanne gestured for the waiter and he quickly came to our table to take our order. I wasn’t hungry or rather, my appetite was a little off because of the nerves. We both ordered salads. The waiter left our table, leaving us in a brief, uncomfortable silence.
“You don’t have to order a salad to impress me. When I said you didn’t look like a model, I didn’t mean you were fat,” she said. I knew in her own way she was trying to be nice, even though it came out very wrong.
“Oh, I ordered a salad because I prefer to eat lighter at lunch to keep my energy steady throughout the day,” I responded with a lie.
“Good, I wouldn’t want you starving. Bryce would kill me,” she said as she smiled. I could tell she was insinuating something, but I decided to act coy.
“Again, I’m really honored to work with you, Joanne.” I tried to move away from the subject of Bryce.
“It’s all because Bryce speaks highly of you. I have never had him speak so highly of a woman, let alone an employee.” She looked at me thoughtfully, taking a long sip of water. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think he’s in love with you.”
I felt the heat rise up to my cheeks. I hoped that it didn’t show that I was blushing, but obviously Joanne noticed.
“Bryce and I are just doing this for show. Nothing more.” It was a lie, and she knew it.
“I know that look all too well. You’re in love with my son, but it’s okay. I don’t need to meddle. I’m sure you two will figure it out.” She paused. "Eventually."
I was speechless for a moment, but was saved by the waiter setting our food in front of us.
“This is so good,” Joanne said, swallowing a bite of salad. “I don’t know what they put in this dressing, but it’s addictive.”
I prayed that the conversation wouldn’t circle back to Bryce. I didn’t want Joanne telling Bryce anything that would push him away from me.
“I have a benefit coming up this weekend,” Joanne announced as she stabbed a cucumber. “I think you should come and take a look and get a feel of things. I'll introduce you to a few of the people I work with and after that, we’ll get you set up with an office on Monday.”
“I would really love that, Joanne,” I said gratefully.
“I knew you would. This is a big opportunity. The Taylor Foundation has existed long before you were born. We have a good reputation and we’ve done a lot of work in the philanthropy department,” she explained. I knew it was a big deal and after much thought, I realized that Bryce was already following through with his end of the deal.
“One more thing, Joanne,” I said with hesitation. “I was hoping I could come in as an independent contractor.” I kept my voice confident, forcing down the nervous bubble that threatened to pop.
Joanne’s expression didn’t change, and I almost wondered if she didn’t hear me. I couldn’t tell what was on her mind.
