“Oh, Chrissy,” Charles Grayson purred over the phone, a few days after their luncheon, “I have someone who’s very, very interested in you.”
Chrissy slipped off her spiked heels under her desk table and rubbed her feet. “I don’t know, Charles. I’m meeting with Drummond Walker this Saturday to discuss new job duties.”
“That’s fine. But you shouldn’t knife new opportunities in the back. At least, you can walk into your meeting with that old curmudgeon with a position of strength. Your boss isn’t known for paying industry standard. Let him know there are other offers on the table.”
“He’s done all right by me.”
“Can you live in New York on your salary?”
No. She couldn’t even afford a postage-size efficiency. “Point taken.”
“Walker’s lucky to have you. And the person I’m sending you to see is ecstatic to meet you. Come on, girl! You really don’t have anything to lose in going to the meeting.”
Chrissy thought that Charles must have worked his client hard to be this insistent for her to meet him. And she was the one who called him. At least she owed Charles the courtesy of meeting the client. “Okay. When?”
“Today. Lunch. One. Fiorio’s.”
“Are you going to be there?”
“Just for introductions. I have another client to meet now as well.”
“Busy guy.”
“You wouldn’t want it any other way, sweetheart. Later.”
She texted Jessica from her phone: Mark my lunch spot for 12:30 to 2:30.
Jessica: Business lunch? :)
Chrissy: Stop fishing.
Jessica: Mean boss :(
Chrissy: That’s not what you say in your performance evaluations.
Jessica: Only because you hold the power of my paycheck in your hands.
Chrissy: Get back to work. ;)
Jessica was one of the people who made where she worked bearable. Chrissy looked over the latest social media campaign she’d pulled together and sighed. There was nothing new, nothing flashy in this package. Not that Richard allowed her to do anything creative or bold. Maybe it was the right time to get out from under his thumb and find a place where she could spread her wings.
But, said the little voice inside her, you worked hard to get to this point. To be offered a promotion.
But was it a promotion? No one was talking, and through the week Richard was more closed- mouthed than ever. And despite the steady supply of cronuts shunted to Chloe, Jessica was unable to pry out any new information.
So, lunch it was.
At precisely five minutes to one she stepped into Fiorio’s and met Charles.
“Always on time,” he said with a broad smile. “Come on.” He led her to a table where a handsome older man sat. He smiled when he saw Chrissy and stood, which impressed her. Businessmen almost never stood when meeting a potential subordinate. “Mr. Pearson, this is Christine Serafina. Chrissy, James Pearson.”
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Pearson,” she said with a smile as she shook his hand.
“Please sit. Charles, are you joining us?”
“I have other business. Call me later.”
“I will.”