Page 16 of Embracing Love

Chapter 8

“Couldn't sleep?" Nadine asked.

“I just got back.” Tanya confessed, as she leaned against the kitchen worktop, drinking a glass of water. “It was Thierry’s birthday. We all went out for a meal.”

“Ah. How old is he now?”

“I don't even remember. I don't think he wanted to declare it—which I completely understand.” She let out a laugh.

“It’s good you all went out. How's it going anyway?” asked Nadine. “We didn't get a chance to catch up last time.”

Tanya put down her glass and wondered exactly what Nadine knew of the ‘Gabriel situation’. “Thanks for the warning.”

“No problem. Michael mentioned what had happened with Gabriel Valois. I managed to send you a quick email while I was on my way to meet Nobel Vintage.” Yeah, Nadine was right up there with Michael. Not a lot went on that she didn’t know about.

“He called right after.”

“I bet he did.”

“Told me how important the deal is and blah, blah, blah.” She paused, the wine was loosening her tongue and she needed to watch her words, especially around Nadine.

“He’s keeping a close eye on things. I don’t understand Mr. Valois’ hesitation,” said Nadine.

“He seems reluctant to want to work with us. But he seems to like the brochure you put together.”

“What do you think his beef is?”

Tanya wondered whether to share her thoughts with Nadine. "I’m not completely sure. And I’d rather not make assumptions and then get into more trouble with Michael—"

Nadine laughed. “You’re not in any trouble with Michael; this deal is huge for him. He wants to expand the European base and what better way to do it than to have a top client and show them what we can do for them? He’s hoping the work we do with Flight Europe will help attract more business in Europe.”

Tanya didn’t need to be reminded yet again how important the proposed business with Flight was and she’d already begun to feel the pressure of the deal that now seemed to rest on her shoulders.

She took another sip of her water. Nadine’s relationship with Michael was tight; she was fast-tracking her way up the career ladder with speed that Tanya had never possessed. Not even when she’d been as driven and as focused as Nadine.

“I know Gabriel Valois seems hard to bring around, but I also don’t think we can completely blame him. After all we've come along and imposed ourselves on him, or rather Russell Trent did." She found herself in the unusual position of defending the man’s actions.

“What happened?” Nadine asked in a quiet voice.

“Nothing happened. We met again today and he got…interrupted and then he had to head off to another meeting. We barely got around to discussing much.” Tanya proceeded to tell her how today’s meeting had gone.

“A rival ad agency?” asked Nadine in surprise. “Do you want me to get Russell to put pressure on him?”

Tanya thought about it. She was used to dealing with these high up managers and she wasn’t so incapable that she needed Nadine’s help. “Leave it with me for now and if I find that I’m not getting anywhere, I’ll let you know.”

“Sure. You’re not alone in this, Tanya.”

Aren’t I? Tanya wondered. It was all very well for Nadine to be tucked safely away in San Francisco and to take the limelight when the thing all worked out. But she was in the firing line, dealing with Mr. Valois and having to explain to Michael Zimmerman what the problem was.

And the whole project wasn’t even her responsibility. Nadine should be over here dealing with it all. It was unfair, and it was getting to her.

“How’re things over there with you?” She asked Nadine, needing to take the heat off her problems.

“Mad as always. You know what it’s like over here. Something’s going on with Sandra but I’m not sure what. I think it’s personal stuff. She’s been off work for a few days.”

“Does she do personal?” Joked Tanya, taking another sip of her water. Sandra was high-up, although Tanya wasn’t so sure that she was now any higher up than Nadine. And Sandra Donnelly didn’t make friends easily.

“She’s easing up a little. We’ve been out to lunch a few times, discussing the things going on in Paris, talking about Flight Europe and the expansions—you know Michael is set on opening a London office soon. But, as I was saying, Sandra’s not too bad once you wittle away at her exterior.”

---