Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 112701 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112701 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
“Got it.”
I relax a little, knowing that Charles can put out all the charm in the world, and it won’t do any good.
Not that I care. I don’t. This is work.
It’s strictly about Diosa.
Keep telling yourself that, Raven.
“You should talk to her. She’ll appreciate your viewpoint on the campaign. If anything, I think you’ll be the one to seal the deal with her, and not for any reason other than your passion. She’ll see it, and I know it’ll excite her. It’s contagious.”
I smile widely at the huge compliment.
“I wonder what they’re talking about,” I say, watching as Charles’s eyes lift to the ceiling in what appears to be thought.
“Holly had a list of questions for him. She’s very excited about working with Diosa, but she won’t sign on the dotted line unless she feels she can do the brand justice and the brand can, in turn, benefit her brand. Money isn’t everything for Holly. Images are important. Representation is important. And the values of the company are most important of all.”
I nod. “I can’t wait to talk to her. I have a lot of ideas, and I think she’ll be very happy with the direction I’d like to go.”
“I saw your initial mock-ups, and I have to say, I’m impressed. What did you do before working at Cavendish?”
“I finished up my MBA and did an internship with Saks Fifth Avenue. I also worked part time in the Bloomingdales corporate office. After that stint, I helped with a couple of the boutique brands that Macy’s has picked up recently.”
He whistles. “How did you land those?”
“I was at the top of my class, and we had to do pitch wars. Mine came out on top.”
“Very impressive, Miss Bennett.”
My eyebrow rises. “Now I’m Miss Bennett?” I chuckle. “So formal.”
“When entertaining clients, I need to be semi-professional.”
I snicker. “Good luck with that.” I stand, smoothing down my skirt.
“Where are you off to?”
Smirking, I lean in. “I’m going to give another go with the VIP, VIP, super-secret restrooms.” I look around, playing at mysterious. “But nobody can know.”
He laughs. “I should wish you good luck. Keep clear of the metal door.”
I press my lips together. “No worries about that. It was a once-in-a-lifetime mistake.”
“Sure was,” he says, and something in his gaze tells me he doesn’t believe that for a second.
I shake my head, making my way from the private room.
The club is packed, like the Wednesday night we first met. The bass is thumping, and bodies are pressed together on the dance floor. The air is thick with perspiration, perfume, and pheromones.
I’m headed toward the secret hallway when I spot a familiar face standing with a group of men at a tall table. Asher has his head bent in, talking with a man with facial hair trimmed neatly.
Three other men are huddled around, watching Ash and the beard with interest. They’re all dressed in their suits from the day, likely having come here straight from work.
Asher has been working late hours, according to a text he sent the other day. Ever since Summer Smith took the contract, they’ve been in full swing, shooting commercials and arranging interviews with popular publications.
He didn’t share much about the campaigns, but it’s probably for the better.
I don’t want to inadvertently steal his ideas because it’s easy to do. It happened many times during pitch wars when friends who’d been study partners had pitched to each other.
It was inevitable that something was going to end up in another pitch. It wasn’t even done maliciously.
I wonder whether I should interrupt what looks to be an intense conversation and decide against it.
I miss my friend, but it appears we’re both here with colleagues, and if I’m really being honest, a part of me doesn’t want him to find out about Holly Morgan.
Not that I believe he leaked the information about Summer, but because, like the incidents with pitch wars, the same thing could happen. It could be a slip of the tongue that he mentions to someone else within the office, which leads to Bauer coming after yet another collaboration.
I remember Charles having mentioned that the men behind Bauer were shady, and I know it’s best to keep my head down and pretend I didn’t see Asher.
It makes me sad, but I’m an adult working in a competitive field, and whether I like it or not, he works for the competition, making us on opposite sides of the line.
Just as I reach the back hallway and the first door that actually is a bathroom, another hand reaches for the handle at the same time. Jumping, I step back and look up to see Charles.
“What in the world are you doing here? Go away. I need to use the restroom.”
“Not happening Raven.” He looks at me all serious while I stand gaping at him.