Page 29 of In The Game

After securing the event tickets for some of the Method Marketing staff, Micky and I end up on the phone chatting more about her business plan and what Method does. I lose track of time until Rob shows up at my desk. I give a small wave to acknowledge his presence and wrap up the call.

Micky continues. “Be sure to come find me at the opening. Red hair, tattoos. Ask somebody there and they’ll find me. I’ll set some tarts aside for you!”

She seems like a lot of fun. “Thank you so much! I’ll be sure to do that. Looking forward to introducing you to some of the team next Tuesday. Congratulations again!”

I’m energized after hanging up. I spin to face my boss with a big smile on my face. Rob’s had a thing for me for a while, though, not sure why. He’s nice enough, but sometimes he can be intense. I try to keep a professional boundary, but he likes to push it. Sometimes I wonder if that’s why he keeps giving me raises. Probably helps him sleep at night.

I can’t leave, the pay is too good and we need the money. Besides, their health insurance is out of this world, and includes visionanddental. And two free massages every month! The benefits alone are enough to keep me. And I love my job. I especially enjoy working with women-owned startups. Give me all that independent-badass-boss energy. I’m looking forward to meeting the owner of Sugar and Ice.

“Where are we going next Tuesday?” he asks.

“I have fifteen tickets to the Sugar and Ice soft launch. A few blocks down, near Citra Brewing. Remember that dump that shut down last year? The woman on the phone, Micky, bought it and turned it into a patisserie cocktail lounge mashup. Cool, huh?”

“Oh, yeah. I overheard Patterson talking about it yesterday. Sounds great. Who are you thinking of giving tickets to?”

“Figured I’d send out an email; first come, first serve. Though, she mentioned getting an ad campaign set up, so we should reserve a few for Sales. Sounds like it’s got a unique, upscale vibe, so it could be a great location for networking.”We’re always looking for new places to meet with prospective clients.“Definitely one for Emery, I think she’d be a good fit with the owner if we end up taking her on as a client.”

He nods. “Are you going?”

“I was planning on it. We hit it off on the phone.”

“Great, set aside one for me too, then.”

“You got it, Boss.”

He leans over my desk, invading my personal space. Every time he does this, I get flustered.

“Rob.” He corrects.

He’s closer to my face than usual. “You got it, Rob Boss. Bob Ross. I mean, Rob. Ugh, sorry.”Fuck.I scoot back in my chair and turn back to my computer screen, randomly clicking around to look busy.Did I call him Bob Ross?

“Why are you so nervous around me all the time?” He chuckles.

I don’t know, you’re two inches from my face! Why do you think?

“Not nervous!” I respond cheerily. “Just want to make sure everything is perfect for the…”

“The Lakes partnership?”

I point my finger at him. “Yes, actually! I have a few more questions about that.”

“Raleigh, we’ve been over this a hundred times already.”

“I know, I just want to confirm, it’s only our staff and their marketing team that will be present at the banquet?”

“And their families, correct.”

“We’ve booked the Lake Superior box and there’s no tour of the arena or anything after, right?”

“No, but that’s a good idea! Would you want to arrange something?”

Thanks, I’d hate to.“Sure, I’ll reach out to their event coordinator while you’re in your eleven o’clock.” I lie.

The only thing I’m doing during his meeting is going on a date with the vending machine down the hall. I’m starving. He’ll probably offer to buy me lunch but then he expects me to eat with him too.

“Would you like your lunch in the conference room or your office today?”

“Save it for after the meeting, I’ll take it in my office. Grab something for yourself. Feel free to join me if you’ve got time. You don’t have to work so hard for me, Raleigh.”

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