Page 80 of Famous Last Words
“Hey, Fran.”
I look up from my laptop to see Bri, Tadd’s assistant, standing on the other side of my cubicle.
“Hey, what’s up?” I force a smile. It’s not that I don’t like Bri. She’s a sweetheart. Fresh out of college. Innocent. Bright-eyed. Naïve. She’s basically me, three years ago. It’s more that I know the only reason she’s standing here in front of me is because she’s been forced to do Tadd’s dirty work.
“Tadd asked if you could check this to make sure you’re happy with the copy.” She hands me a big piece of paper, nervously avoiding eye contact.
I glance down to see it’s the draft for the two-pager we have running in this weekend’sTimesfor the Columbus Circle penthouse. Why wouldn’t he just send them to me electronically like a normal?—
“Are you kidding me?” I snap my head up, spearing Bri, and she at least has the decency to look sheepish. “Where is he?”
“In his office…” she says reluctantly.
I spin on my heels and storm toward Tadd’s office with Bri hot on my tail. Pushing open the glass door without knocking, the metal handle slams against the wall, causing everyone on the sales floor to look over, because real estate agents live for the drama.
Tadd startles, quickly removing his Gucci-loafered feet from his desk and sitting up straight, smirk ghosting his lips. “I’ll call you back,” he mutters into his phone before tossing it onto the desk.
“What’s up?” He lifts his chin at me.
I arch one brow. “Youknowwhat’s up.”
He plays dumb, even going so far as to offer poor Bri a questioning look.
“The ad in theTimes.” Anger rages through me as I wave the copy in the air. “You didn’t even include my name!”
Tadd licks his lips, and I know that move. He’s trying to stifle his smile. But it’s there. I can see it in his eyes. With another clearing of his throat, he stands, adjusting the knot in his tie.
“Fran,” he begins, cocking his head in an overly patronizing way that makes my blood boil. “For a property of this…caliber,” he continues, talking to me like I’m an idiot, “it makes more sense to have myself as the face of the listing. Buyers at this levelknowme; they’refamiliarwith me. And trust me, you don’t want your details on that ad. You’re going to get calls and emails at two a.m. from the other side of the world. And if you can’t respond at the drop of a hat, you could potentially miss out on a deal.” He shrugs, all smug and condescending like. “This is my business, Fran. You’re not quite?—”
“You are a self-righteous son of an ass.” I scrunch the copy into a ball, throwing it at him. It hits him in his chiseled jaw, rendering him shocked.
Behind me, I hear Bri giggle, which she quickly tries to conceal with a cough.
Tadd stands a little taller, squaring his shoulders.
“Theonlyreason I am even going along with this bullshit farce is because I was practically forced by you and Tony.” I take a step closer, pointing a finger at him.“You put my headshot, my cell, and my email on that copy, or I amdone.”
Tadd scoffs, staring down at me like he can’t believe I’m actually standing up to him at work. And frankly, neither can I. This is the first, and man does it feel good.
“Fine,” he finally relents, rolling his eyes as if I’ve bored him. He returns to his desk, picks up his phone, and ultimately dismisses me.
I keep my chin held high as I turn, flashing Bri a conspiratorial wink as I pass her on my way out. And as I continue through the suddenly silent sales floor with what feels like every set of eyes watching me, I can’t help but feel like a badass.
By the time I sit back at my desk, I release the breath I’ve been holding and grab my phone.
Me: I just stood up to Tadd in front of everyone at work!
Robbie: Not gonna lie… this just gave me a semi.
I roll my eyes at his response, laughing under my breath.
Me: I hit him in the face with a ball of paper.
Robbie: Please tell me you filmed that???
Me: Sadly no. But I will remember the look on his dumb face for the rest of my life.
Robbie: I’m proud of you.
