Page 91 of Idle

Still chuckling, she replies, “Not really a boss. I didn’t have any sway with the decision-making, which was left up to the judges one hundred percent.”

Anxiety I didn’t realize I was still carrying dissipates. Bo truly was barking up the wrong tree. “Good to know.”

We continue to chit-chat until my phone rings.Shit. I’d almost forgotten about this call. I hold up my finger. “I need to take this.”

Quinn nods and stands. “I’ll run to the ladies’ room.”

She walks away from the table, and I answer my phone. “Ms. Kennedy?”

“Paige. I’m happy I caught you.”

I swallow. Rather, gulp air since no moisture is left in my body. “I’m all ears.” I slam my eyes shut, hoping for good news.

“I presented your proposal to the committee, and they were impressed. I pulled up tape fromNYC Viewsso they could experience Jesse’s work firsthand.”

Blinking, I rub my hands together. I’ve never been this nervous. Not even when I turned over my flip to the real estate agent. “I hope they liked it.”

“Very much. They want to meet Jesse and have him design his own line of furniture for Arch Pointe.”

I sag in my chair. They accepted my proposal! I knew Jesse was destined for more than banking. Here’s proof. “Thank you so much,” I gush.

I open my mouth, but Ms. Kennedy leaps into the conversation. “However, we have one stipulation. The management committee enjoyed how you worked together as a team. We saw flashes of brilliance when you were collaborating, and we’re positive the show didn’t do your partnership justice. So, we want both of you as a team.”

My mind blanks. I never considered this. “Well, I, ah.” I shake my head. “Jesse is the carpenter of the group. It’s his designs you want.”

“We do. But your aesthetic added something special on top of his great designs. We want you both.”

I bounce against the back of the seat. Not only do I somehow have to sell Jesse on this leap of faith, now I have to tell him I’m part of the package? “I’m shocked.”

Quinn returns to the table and retakes her seat.

“We understand that your proposal was for Jesse alone, so let’s all meet next week and hammer out a new pricing strategy. Say, next Wednesday. Is that good for you two?”

My head nods before my mouth engages. “Yes. We’ll be there.”

“Great.”

I disconnect the call and stare at my phone. “What was that all about, if you don’t mind me asking?” Quinn’s soft voice intrudes on my silent freak out.

I force my eyes in her direction. Focusing on the woman in front of me, I flip my cell from head to tail, over and over.

Quinn snaps her fingers. “Earth to Paige.”

I blink once more. “That was a furniture store. They want to hire us to design a new line for them.”

She claps. “That’s awesome. I’m not surprised. You make a great team.”

“Yeah.”

Now to convince Jesse of this.

27

Jesse

Ireview the memorandum I’ve been working on for my new boss, setting up new protocols. I think I’ve covered all the bases. Stifling a yawn, I perform one last spell check and press “save.”

I’m good at banking—guess it’s in my blood. Homer’s over the moon at my promotion. My new subordinates kiss up to me, which is weird. The title “Executive Director” doesn’t represent a big deal to me, however.

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