Page 75 of Stuck On Them

We’d all mutually decided we needed to find a level of sustainability we could be happy with. Since both Garrett and Ryker were emotionally invested in the decision to pivot, I’d been tasked with making the final decision. On one side of the coin, I didn’t necessarily need money and, on the other, I wanted Garrett and Ryker to earn the most possible without burning out.

“Well, that looks great.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “I feel like you’re about to give me a big but.”

“And I cannot lie...” She cleared her throat, and I grinned. “Sorry. There is a projection without securing that client.”

She clicked and a new graph appeared. My eyes widened at the difference. Millions of dollars difference.

“That’s if we don’t secure the client?” I knew there would be a drop in profit, but not that significant.

“It’s a huge account with the potential for continued growth over the next several quarters without adding too many additional clients. That’s what you want, correct?” She clicked to the next slide to show the entire year with the major client and without.

“Shit.” I tapped my finger across my lips. “I mean, it won’t break us if we don’t secure them, but it will freak Ryker right the fuck out.”

“It will open the doors for even bigger clients, which would allow you to take on less.” She slid a folder across the table to me. “I printed all of the projections for you.”

“Thanks.” I flipped absentmindedly through the folder before looking up at Ophelia. “So, we need to secure that client.”

“Correct.” She closed her laptop and stood. “It’s not like the company is going to go bankrupt if you don’t.”

“Right.” But even though I’d reassured Ryker I’d always have his back, he wouldn’t stand for that big of a decrease.

Part of the issue with the way we’d been securing clients, was that we were the draw. They wanted our hands on the projects, not just our employees. Several of our employees were more than capable of taking the reins, but the big clients got what the big clients wanted.

No wasn’t in Ryker’s vocabulary when it came to pleasing a client.

Ophelia left my office, and I took the folder to my desk, opening it to stare at the figures more closely. We would just have to nail negotiations when the time came.

My phone dinged with a message, and I swiped to open it, a grin spreading across my face. Sometimes it was worth the name-drop to get an appointment at an exclusive boutique that was booked months out.

I picked up my office phone and pressed the speed dial button to Paige’s office.

“Paige speaking.”

“Hi, beautiful. Want to take off early today and go shopping?” I shut down my laptop.

“Shopping? For what?”

“For a gown. Remember I mentioned the gala a few weeks ago? I got us an appointment at a really great boutique that I think you’ll love.” My cousins always went on and on about how much they loved Enchanting Silhouettes.

She was quiet. Way too quiet. Shouldn’t she have been squealing in delight about leaving early on a Friday to go shopping?

“Paige? You there? Don’t worry about your work. It can wait until Monday.” I grabbed my bag, slipping my laptop into it.

“I... okay.” She sounded so uncertain that my heart squeezed.

“Look. I’m your boss. You’ve worked your ass off the last few weeks. Ryker and Garrett aren’t going to get mad. They aren’t even here anyway. I’m coming to your office.” I hung up the phone and grabbed my cellphone off my desk before leaving my office.

It would be nice doing something just one-on-one with Paige. Don’t get me wrong, I loved how much time we’d all been spending together over the past few weeks, but I hadn’t really had the chance to hang out with her by myself. With Ryker at his newly established Friday therapy appointment and Garrett at some hockey thing for his brother, it would just be the two of us for a few glorious hours. I couldn’t wait to see her try on dresses and pick one that was perfect for her.

When I got to Paige’s office, she had her laptop closed and was straightening some papers. Sue had been absolutely right about her being perfect for us. She was efficient, figured most things out on her own or with very few directions, and had even started slowly taking over Ryker’s tasks. He might have been enamored with her, but he was still working through his fears of life imploding. Her working with us was a good push for him.

I leaned against her door frame, and she looked up. “Your office is really coming together.” I gave her a smile as I took in the new desk accessories she must have just gotten. She’d also added a few plants and pictures to the surfaces making it not look as bare.

She blushed and looked away, opening her desk drawer and pulling out her purse. “Thanks.”

Something was off, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on what. “What’s wrong? Do you not want to go?”

Her lips twisted to the side and then she sighed. “I like to shop alone.”

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