Page 3 of Executive Benefits

“I don’t know how you can sound so chipper about that.” I couldn’t stop my smile at her pixie-like voice. She was my best friend for a reason.

“I’m not, but having a manipulative bastard trash your reputation to the point that you had to move to a new town and start fresh isn’t a good way to keep things, Julia.”

“No, but that’s what you’re supposed to do, make things better so people will want to keep working with me.”

“They will. We just need to put out a really good press release about this upcoming client?—”

“I don’t have the job yet,” I reminded her. It stung, having to start over, but it really was… well, I didn’t know what it was, but I was trying to be more level-headed. If it hadn’t been for Jared messing things up after he decided to cheat on me, I would still be in Buffalo with clients reaching out to me.

Jared decided that he would trash my work reputation because I left him when I found out he was enjoying other ladies’ company besides mine. The problem was that he was a client, a big one, and unfortunately, that made me look a bit shady. As a second burn, he’d introduced her to a lot of clients in the year they were together, then promptly said the worst things about me—I was sleeping with him to get a leg up in the business world, that all of my ideas were childish, and a bunch of other things that were garbage but seemed to do the trick.

I left Buffalo for a fresh start, and I wasn’t excited by the reminder. But I squared my shoulders and gave a tight nod. “Okay, I will get this client and we’ll get a press release and you can send it to everyone in Buffalo who had the nerve to badmouth me, and other people who might not know.”

“That’s more like it. We will. Get the client, and when the rebranding is a smashing success, we’ll send out so many press releases that Jared will start to choke on them.” She laughed.

I turned into the parking lot of The Bridge and chuckled with her. “Alright, I’m here and I’m going to go. Thank you for the good news and the image of Jared choking on press releases. That’ll keep me happy for a few hours, at least.”

“My fun imagery should last you for two days, maybe three.”

“I’ll get there. Let me land this client and we’ll see how long it lasts.”

“You’re going to kick ass!”

“Thanks, Mia. I love you.”

“Love you too!”

I hung up the phone with a smile on my face and looked at myself in the rearview mirror, fluffing my brown hair and tucking it behind my ears. I shifted my bangs to the side and made sure there was nothing in my teeth. After a good once-over, I reached into my bag and pulled out some light-pink lip gloss with a little bit of shine.

I dropped it back into my bag and took out the schematics of The Bridge.

I was meeting Nicholas—Nick—Grayson. Mia even pulled a picture, which was a great one. He had a head of thick hair that was longer and bright blue eyes. The dossier said he was in his forties and was the sole owner of The Bridge but would like to rebrand as his business partner was no longer around.

“Well, Julia,” I said to myself, “let’s go land the client.”

I stepped into the stark white area that was decked out with white decorations, large white centerpieces, and different hues of white, silver, and shimmering blue Thanksgiving decor that was far different from what I would have thought I’d find in Hearts Creek.

Someone moved behind the bar, and I smiled. “Hello,” I said. They stopped and looked at me. A younger guy with a white vest smiled back.

“What can I help you with?” His nametag readJohn.

“Hi, John. I’m here to see Mr. Grayson. I’m Julia Day. I’m here to discuss the marketing for the restaurant.”

“I will get Nick for you,” John said. “Feel free to take a seat at the bar. Would you like anything to drink while you wait?”

“No, thank you.” John nodded in response and turned, walking through a door behind him. I assumed it was the kitchen.

I chewed on my cheek and looked around the restaurant. If I didn’t know he was trying to rebrand because of a missing partner, I wouldn’t have thought the restaurant would need anything done to it. It was decorated with crisp, clean lines in a modern aesthetic of fine dining.

It rivaled anything I’d seen in Manhattan for sure.

“What do you think?” I heard a voice from behind. I turned, and my heart leapt into my throat as Nicholas Grayson smiled at me. Even in a chef's coat, I could see the tight lines of his physique under it. His blue eyes were the color of sapphires, and his thickhair was brushed back in thick salt and pepper hair. I looked him over feeling my smile widening. He was a very attractive man.

My cheeks heated with my thoughts.

I hoped that they weren’t as red as they felt.

“Hello,” I said, tucking my hair behind my ear. I held a hand out to greet him. He wiped his hands on the dishrag and walked closer to me. “I’m Julia Day,” I said.

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