Page 9 of Nerdplay
I opt for the bald-faced lie. “Great. I think I made progress.”
“Then I guess we both had good days.”
I force a cheerful tone. “Congrats to both of us,” I say, tightening my grip on the wheel. If his deal goes through and mine doesn’t, I can kiss that partnership goodbye, as well as any future family gatherings. Christmas, it was nice knowing you.
“Well, you know, there are a couple rounds of negotiations to plow through, but I feel confident,” Matt says.
Confident isn’t the word I’d use. Arrogance is Matt’s whole personality. It irks me to no end. My younger brother is a medical wiz, and my younger sister is already a golf pro at the tender age of twenty-three, but neither one of them acts like Matt. He’s a legend in his own mind.
“Glad to hear it,” I lie. “I’ll see you at the office.”
“You should get here before Ashley leaves. She’s wearing that tight black top with the deep V.”
“I’ll do my best.” I hang up before he can get into detail about his assistant’s anatomy. If I were Ashley, I would’ve filed a complaint with HR long ago. Matt swears up and down she basks in the attention, but I have my doubts. A mere conversation with him makes me want to take a hot shower and scrub myself clean.
The clock inches closer to three, so I call Jeannie to warn her I might be late.
“Then put the pedal to the metal,” she says. “Abby and David are showing up for it.”
Terrific. Two senior partners in my department. Two senior partners with voting power. Tardiness is not an option.
“Thanks for the intel.”
I hit the gas and go. I’m shocked I don’t pass any cops. The parking gods have also smiled upon me. I snag a spot on the street right outside the building and hurry inside.
“Afternoon, Charlie,” the security guard greets me.
“Hey, Gus. How’s it going?”
“Can’t complain. You working late again tonight?”
“You know me. It’s my home away from home.” I press the elevator button and wait.
“You should join a club. Try to get yourself out of the office more.”
“I like the office. I’m comfortable here.”
“Then maybe you should try being uncomfortable for a change. My grandma used to say that the only true growth is through discomfort.”
The elevator doors open. “Sounds like a wise woman.”
“She was. Have a good afternoon, Charlie.”
“You, too.” I hit the button for the fifteenth floor. If I can make it to the conference room without being seen like a true corporate ninja, maybe I can make it to the meeting on time.
The doors open and Joel stands there like Satan greeting me at the gates of Hell. So much for my stealth skills.
“Hey, Charlie. I was wondering if we’d see you today. How’d it go in the Poconos?”
I step out of the elevator. “It was a start.”
“A start? Our client isn’t going to be satisfied with that.” He claps me on the shoulder. “You’re our closer, Charlie, or you were. Don’t tell me you’ve lost your golden touch.”
“No, sir. I think I might’ve caught her at a bad time. There was a missing bat ... or something.”
“Hey, that sounds promising.”
“Sir?”
