Page 72 of Beck and Call

"It's mine or yours. I mean we could start our own company, but–"

Jana stopped trying to pull away. "I like that option. And the first account we are going to land is your hot fiancée's."

* * *

For two weeks we went on as if she was going to train Chad to take over her position. Jana actually tried more than I would have. For example, she demonstrated, several times, how to utilize demographics to target ads, the differences in mainstream versus social media marketing, and how to use test groups to inform both of those campaigns.

"You need to do those things because you don't have the pulse of the market like I do," he told her.

"What exactly is your background in advertising?" I asked while Jana silently fumed.

He waved his hand dismissively. "None. I have a business degree from an online program. It was still super exclusive, but I didn't want to cut my travels short and found a way to do both."

Jana regained her composure and managed a smile that looked less like a snarl than when we first started working with Chad. "What, dear cousin, would you suggest the company do to advertise."

He leaned back in her chair, because he'd taken over her office right from the start, and propped his hands behind his head. "We need to go with a guerrilla marketing campaign. I say we throw a party. Malcolm Graham has some hot locations that would be perfect. We keep the guest list ultra exclusive, and let their social media do the advertising for us."

Jana blinked. "That's it? That's what you want to spend all the advertising budget on? Your idea is to throw a party for your friends?"

I elbowed her in the side. "I think it's a good idea. Since you are going to be taking over the division, we need to make sure you get full credit for it, though. Don't you think?"

For probably the millionth time, Jana bit her tongue. "Of course, Evie is right. I'm just jealous I hadn't thought of it first. You should go and take my father out to lunch. Just, don't let him know all of your idea right away. He really likes to be surprised."

"That's a good idea," he said, and started to text on his phone.

"We are going to go to lunch," I told him. "You know how we ladies are."

"My uncle is ready to go to lunch now, so I'll walk you two down," he said.

Jana and I had taken the car service in to work that morning, because her car needed routine maintenance. Jana walked to the car and jumped in. Before I could open the door, Chad grabbed my arm.

"We need to meet to discuss our working relationship," he said.

I fought against a shudder. "We really don't."

"We'll have dinner tonight," he declared.

"Can't. I've already got plans."

His jaw hardened. "Break them. I want to check out a chef for the party."

I yanked my arm away and followed Jana into the car. He held onto the door and leaned in. "I'll see you tonight."

Jana pulled the door shut and the driver sped off. "What was that about?"

"He thinks I'm going to have dinner with him to discuss," I made air quotes with my fingers, "‘our working relationship.’"

"He's seriously delusional."

"I think it's time to talk to Beckett about Chad," Jana cautioned.

"If I tell him Chad creeps me out he is going to insist I stop trying to help you and come back to work for him."

"You can't go to dinner with him though," she said.

"Without a doubt," I agreed.

* * *

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