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But in the evenings, my mind was always on Reyna. Who was I kidding? I thought about her all the time. I was surprised I had enough brain cells to continue on the negotiations. Good thing I brought our Director of Business Development along. A young man named Scott Turkett. He was young, ambitious, was super business-savvy, and could start a conversation with anyone.
After a particularly long day, Scott and I stopped for drinks in the hotel bar. We shimmied up to the bar, loosened the ties, and unbuttoned the top few buttons. I leaned on the bar and exhaled.
"What a day, what a day. Who knew that our work at Raven would be noticed by these California firms? Hey," I punched Scott on the shoulder, "thanks for coming out here with me for so long. I hope you're not missing too much back home."
"Wouldn't pass up this trip to California! I don't get out much in Atlanta. Work is so busy sometimes. Probably the most I'm missing these two weeks is a couple games of softball in the beer leagues."
"No one special in your life?" I asked.
"Nope. I just got out of a relationship. She said I was working too much, didn't make her a priority, blah blah blah. You've probably heard the same song and dance. Some women don't understand the pressures we're facing on the job. There are a lot of moving pieces that you just gotta keep juggling. Pfft. Doesn't matter anyway. Loads of fish in the sea."
I kept silent, pondering on what he just said. I took a sip of my whiskey that had just arrived.
"How about you? How's the 'engagement' going?" He put air quotes around the word "engagement". Part of me wanted to punch him, but I knew that was all everyone on our leadership team knew. That it was all fake.
He continued. "Boy, that Reyna is a complete looker. I understand she's pretty smart too, but wow, I'd fake it with her all night long."
I cleared my throat.
"Yes, she is indeed a gorgeous and extremely intelligent woman. I would ask that you not refer to my fiancée, fake or not, in a disrespectful manner." I suddenly felt uptight, and I know Scott felt it too. He raised up both his hands in a surrendering stance.
"Whoa, whoa. Yeah, you got it, boss. I apologize. It's just that you fell into a real catch there, even if it was by accident."
"I sure did."
Right at that moment, two ladies approached us. You couldn't have made a more stereotypical scene. One blonde, one brunette, tight short dresses, high heels, plump lips and eyelashes that probably went into their own cocoon at night.
"Hello, gentlemen. We noticed you from across the room and were wondering if we could join you tonight?"
Scott's eyes bugged out of his head.
"Uh, sure. You don't mind, hey boss?" I could see Scott was extremely eager.
"Ladies. I actually have some work to do tonight, but please, entertain my good friend Scott tonight." I winked at Scott.
They made some sounds indicating their disappointment.
"Hey, yeah, I'm up for some entertainment, if you gals are. You're sure you don't mind, boss?"
I shook my head, and Scott left with the two young ladies.
I faced the bar and swirled my drink. The shittiest thing is that I knew I had been Scott and it wasn't that long ago, either. I rubbed my eyes.
Fuck.
What the fuck was he doing that was "so busy" that he couldn't have a life? And the fact that he was telling me like it was a badge of honor? I knew damn well why he was telling me that. It's because he thinks that's what I value and what I demand out of my employees.
A quick gulp of my remaining glass and I headed up to my room.
"Hello?"
It was the voice I needed to hear.
"Hey."
"You ok?"
"Yes. And no."
