Page 76 of Vixen's Guide to Christmas
Declan smiles. “Yes, that’s why we wanted to meet with you this afternoon. And why we also wanted Grayson here.”
The two of us make eye contact, clearly both lost.
“Both of you made excellent presentations,” Howard begins. “Katherine, you had a way of opening our minds to things we had never even thought of before.”
“And Grayson, you had such a specific plan of attack,” Declan says. “Your ideas of how we could get the Timberline into national conversations really left us hopeful.”
“And while I know that if we went to either of you with the other’s ideas, and asked you to implement something like that, you would do it for us. But it felt wrong. We want both of you to bring your own visions to life with us.”
“What are you saying?” I ask, because I think I know, but until he says it, I don’t want to assume.
“We’re saying, and that is, if this can be arranged with Sterling Strategies, we want to work with both of you.”
Grayson starts rapidly blinking. I tilt my head back and forth. Because what?
“That’s…I mean…thank you,” I say. “But that’s a lot of money to put forth to hire us both. Are you sure?”
Declan nods. “Dad and I agree, if you both bring to the table what we want you each to focus on, the money will make itself back almost instantly.”
“We can work out the finer details after the holiday, but for now, what do you both think?”
Grayson and I share hopeful, and slightly confused, looks. Sure, this has happened before. People have different needs and different strengths; therefore they need multiple people to handle different situations. But never in my wildest dreams did I think that this could be an outcome.
“What do you think?” I whisper.
“I think it could be great,” he says. “I’m not sure what this means if I take the promotion, but either way, you have the finalsay. Areyouokay with this? You say the word and I back out. No questions asked.”
My heart warms, knowing he’d do that for me. “I think it could be great too.”
Grayson squeezes my hand before turning back to Declan and Howard. “Thank you both. Verbally, we accept. However, I’ve been offered a promotion with Sterling, as well. Therefore, there’s a lot to think about.”
“Congratulations!” Howard exclaims. “And yes, take your time and let us know. We’ll talk after the New Year.”
The four of us stand up, each shaking hands before Declan and Howard say their goodbyes, leaving Grayson and I standing in the lobby with a whole lot of information to process.
“That was…a lot.”
He laughs as he wraps his arm around my shoulder. “I feel like I need a debrief just to write out everything that’s happened in the last four hours.”
I laugh and turn to him. “Yes, but can we not debrief here? While this place has come to feel like home, I’d really, and I mean really, like to leave.”
“Say less. Where would you like to do this at?”
Even though I’m ready to leave, the room does sound good for one more round. However, I get a better idea.
“I don’t know if I told you, but I’m going to St. Lucia on a private jet. A jet that happens to have desks to work at. And beds to lay down in. Perfect for debriefing.”
Grayson smiles as he pulls me into his arms. “Is that all it’s perfect for?”
I pull him into me, our lips inches apart. “You’ll just have to find out for yourself.”
guide to new year’s (and love) rule #105
You have to kiss someone at midnight. And if it’s your forever person? Even better.
epilogue
Kat
