by K. F. Breene
She was proof that her demographic was affected.
When it was over, the lights came back up and Ben bowed slightly as he said, “All graphic art you see here is interpretational. Each image is meant to reach a variety of people. With the help of our Research team, and most especially the Research Manager…” Ben turned his body and bowed to Krista before continuing, “we were able to get statistics regarding the best images to reach our target demographic. All imagery can be altered as needed.”
Tory looked directly at Krista, “I saw you unconsciously reach for your phone. Tell me, what were you planning?”
John could have chewed rocks he looked so mad.
Krista could feel her face go a furious shade of red. “I, uh, have been so worried about the information I was responsible for, I didn’t get a chance to view Ben’s.”
“And your reaction?” Tory prompted with a small smile.
“Well, you saw me reach for my phone. I was about to check prices.”
“How?”
It wasn’t the greatest moment to be completely lost in the conversation, but her social ineptitude had her confused. As usual.
“By searching online? On my phone?”
Tory laughed, “No, how did you search for the prices. Did you use a particular search method?”
“Oh. Well, I didn’t actually get that far because I caught myself, but I would’ve just Googled it.”
Tory looked down his row of expensive employees. They all scribbled a note. “Thank you.” He turned back to Ben, “Your name again, please.”
“Ben Simmons. Did you have any questions?”
“No, I think we have what we need. Thank you.”
John and Sean were once again on spot. They stepped forward like synchronized swimmers. They covered things Krista didn’t even know they were working on. They answered other questions, did timelines, and got down to logistics. They were one hell of a team, their silent partner being Ray.
Whenever Sean groped for an idea or needed a component of what he was saying, Ray was there with information in hand. Sean thought and acted big, with Ray to back him up, just as John thought and acted big with Sean there to back him up. And so it was, the sales team dancing around the matters and money, the execs putting in their two cents, and Mr. Hartling and his team doing battle for the upper hand.
As the presentation wound down, Tory got up and looked at his crew. Sean was there a second later. They exchanged an animated handshake.
“Who put that team together?” Krista just barely heard Tory ask Sean.
Sean stepped so his back was to John and the other executives. “I did, for the most part.”
“Insightful group of people. You’ve delivered here, today. Who was primarily in charge of the day-to-day?”
“Of course I am going to say myself,” Sean laughed, his voice dipping low. “In all honesty, I was largely responsible for managing the team, but my work associate, Krista Marshall, handled the more detailed, operational attributes, which freed me up for more big ticket items.”
“Yes, Miss Marshall. Hmm. Well, good work here today. I loved the final product. There is still work to be done, but you have a good start.”
Sean nodded and, because he couldn’t contain it, smiled.
The next thing she knew, everyone was on the move. The executives were leading the clients out, smiles in plenty.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Sean walked toward Krista with barely contained elation. She was about to comment on how well she thought it all went when he picked her up and kissed her soundly. Tongue and everything! She was too surprised to struggle.
When he put her down she stepped away flustered. “Christ, Sean, I know I look good in pearls, but give a girl a break!” she said breathily.
“Am I next?” Marcus asked from behind her.
Sean was looking at her in a way that melted her heart, turned her to fire, and made her shiver all at the same time. “Krista, you are a genius. We owe this to you. They will go with our idea, I’m sure of it.”
“I’m not a genius alone,” she replied, meaning the whole team.
Marcus hugged her from behind. “You are the geeky genius that shows my awesome genius to boring people,” he laughed. “I would kiss you, but I don’t have as much experience as Sean and I hate being second best.”
It took her a moment to register what he said. Lord knew that Marcus had kissed his fair share of people, women and men included. When it came to sex, Marcus never lost the opportunity to say he was the black Casanova.
So it didn’t take long to realize that in this situation, he meant Sean kissing her, in particular.
She looked at Sean in alarm, and was flabbergasted when he just looked back, unworried. He might as well have had a beer on a beach somewhere he was so calm.
Thankfully, John came back in before things got awkward. “Sean, you and your team go for drinks. After this you’ve earned it!”
“But wait--” Krista said into the applause and laughter. “What about our help? I didn’t do this all alone. Four research people helped me.”
John zeroed in on Krista. “Already with the negotiations, huh? Okay, get them, too, but try to keep it quiet.”
She nodded. Then she was caught up in a hug fest. She was ushered out with everyone else and realized she had forgotten her laptop and lucky mug. She cried out in alarm and ran back to get them.
As she was coming out of the conference room, hardware in hand, she met Sean. He was waiting for her patiently.
“Great job, Sean. You might be an actor at heart, but you would never know it to see you selling.”
“Thanks. You did a fantastic job, yourself. I wanted to tell you...I told Marcus and Judy about...us. Not everything, but I was worried they would find out and spread rumors. I asked them to keep anything they noticed quiet.”
“And they complied?”
“I blackmailed them.”
Krista laughed, “Clever. The only thing is, there is no us.”
Pain lanced his face. “True. But there was. And now there is an absence of us that is just as easily recognizable.”
“Good point. Anyway, let’s go to that bar we had lunch at that one time. I could do with eating and a Guinness. Also, don’t get me get too drunk for tonight.”
He scrutinized her for changing the subject so soon. He wouldn’t admit it, but he wanted her to be more upset so he felt more guilty. He wanted her to punish him so he wouldn’t have to bear the punishment he gave himself, which was infinitely worse. Krista wasn’t going to bite.
“Sounds good,” he said as he led her to the elevator. “Krista--”
“Leave it, Sean. Let’s just leave it and move on. Maybe it won’t hurt as bad down the road, huh?” She was in good spirits and wasn’t about to let their drama spoil that.
“Maybe,” he said quietly.
With all researchers in tow, Larry and Camille as happy as a pig in poop, they hit the bar, which was called Harrington’s. They got a big booth in the back and spent the next couple of hours eating, drinking and celebrating on the company dollar. There was no final word, but chances were good that they would get the account.
At one point in the merrymaking, Krista found herself sitting next to Marcus. Since the seating arrangements were constantly in flux as bathroom and beers were needed, the booth was mostly empty. She thought now was a good time to satisfy her curiosity.
“Marcus, why haven’t you gossiped about what Sean told you? And do you think me totally ridiculous?”
Uncharacteristically, Marcus got serious. He looked for Sean, saw him at the bar then turned back to Krista. “If I didn’t hear what Sean said from his own mouth, I would think you ridiculous, yes. But he said he loved you, didn’t sleep with you, and was no good for you, so in the interest of keeping your reputation intact, could we please keep quiet for your sake.”
“Oh.” Holy crap! He told Judy and Marcus he loved her? That was something. Not something that would help their
current predicament, but it helped the pill go down.
“Did he?”
“What? Sleep with me?”
“Obviously! I thought that was hogwash, but Judy believed him.”
“You just said the word ‘hogwash’ first of all. Secondly, no. His ban, not mine. I would have jumped on that from the word ‘go!’”
“I hear that! I’ve wanted to get him alone in the Dark Hub for years! I wouldn’t have thought it of him, though. The way he looks at you--boy wants to gobble you up. I thought he would’ve done the deed by now. What’s going on with that? You not as charming as you look?”
“Wish I knew. He has shit to work out, or whatever.”
“Don’t we all.”
“Right? I know. He needs Dr. Phil, I think.”
“Drink to that! I knew all along, though.”
“What do you mean?”
“You know…” Seeing that she didn’t, he went on: “Well, I heard he was always dropping everyone mid-sentence when he so much as smelled you coming. But then he practically had no time for you. He’d follow your every move, but then he would shrug you off. At first I thought he was just a diva, but then whatever happened in the stairwell…”
“I bit him.”
Marcus stopped and gave her an ogling eye. “Did you just say you bit him?”
Krista sighed and leaned back. “Yup. I bit him. I don’t know what came over me.”
Marcus doubled over laughing.
“What’s up?” Jasmine said as she slid into the booth.
“I told Marcus how I bit Sean.”
“Oh,” Jasmine was unimpressed. It was old news.
“I can bite,” Marcus said with a leer.
“Doesn’t matter. You have the wrong equipment,” Krista reflected.
“Eww! He is so square!”
“Oh really?” Jasmine asked with a dry voice. “Square? Are you saying you’d do me if I was head-over-heels for you?”
Marcus looked at her, eyes skimming up, then down. He shrugged, “If I was drunk enough.”
Krista and Jasmine started laughing and threw napkins at him, “Liar!”
Marcus just laughed.
Sooner rather than later they all had to go home and get ready for dinner, except Krista, of course. She had her stuff at work, having gone shopping in the middle of the week, and knowing it would take too long to get home and back. Since Ben was a last minute add-in, and Judy still hated that he showed her up, no one pushed to have him go to the dinner.
Everyone was starting to leave when Sean sat next to her. “Do you need a ride?”
“No. I’m going to have one more then get ready in the office.”
“In the office?”
“It’s a cab ride away from the swanky hotel. A short, quick cab ride.”
“I can drive you home and back if you want to get ready at home.”
“Oh nah, that’s fine. I’m going to have another drink with Jasmine, Kate and Ben then go get ready. I’ll see you at dinner.”
“Are you still going solo?”
“I didn’t think we had a choice.”
“We do. Have a choice, that is.”
“Oh. Are you going with someone? Because I can ask Ben to come with me. We’d have to find him something to wear real quick, but he is basically one-size-fits-all so it shouldn’t be too big of a problem. Although, he might poison my drink. Or Judy might.”
“I am not going with anyone,” Sean said quietly, looking at the table.
“Oh. Well good, we can hang out together. Are Judy and Marcus bringing anyone?”
“Judy and Ray are bringing their spouses. Marcus is bringing one of his boyfriends.”
“Then we can be dates. It saves poor Ben from having to dress up, and saves you from finding someone last minute.”
“Great. I’ll see you there then,” he said, obviously relieved. As was Krista. She could play blasé, but inside she was all knots.
Krista stayed for another one, went to the office and got glammed up, then hailed a cab to the hotel. She walked in by herself, which she hated doing but was unhappily getting used to, and headed straight to the bar. When in doubt, head to a place where standing around doesn’t look weird.
The hotel was one of the most prestigious in San Francisco. It wasn’t as swanky as the Ritz, but within San Francisco it was royalty of its own class. The room was decorated as a fine-dining restaurant might be, with white linens, low lights, soft music, and waitstaff standing by. Flowers adorned tables and corners, twinkling lights outlined the bar, and the colors were mute, but vintage posh. She hoped the food was as good as the décor.
At the bar with a splatter of other waylaid individuals, mostly with dates, Krista got an awesomely free champagne. She turned away from an overly chatty bartender to survey the scene, and see if she knew anyone.
She didn’t.
She figured she might hang tight and wait for Sean to show up, or Marcus, or anyone she knew, when Mr. Hartling walked up, drink in hand.
“Miss Marshall, glad you could join us. I truly enjoyed your presentation today.”
“Oh hi, Mr. Hartling. You can call me Krista. And thanks. Truth be told, I was nervous at first. You lot are an intimidating bunch.”
“Yes, I saw Mr. McAdams talking to you. You looked fearful, certainly. I thought it might be that you were underprepared.”
“Oh no, that is usually the least of my problems.” Krista laughed and raised her hand as she said, “Over achiever.”
“Yes, it would seem. And good under pressure. Come meet my Emily.”
It was so cute how proud Tory was of his wife; a suave, high-powered man gaga over his wife of however many years. It was almost a fairytale.
But then, Krista was constantly almost crying over her breakup, so anyone staying together longer than a weekend caught her eye.
Emily was a gracious woman in her late fifties who was elegantly dressed and styled. Her dress was expensive and tasteful. Her hair expensive and immaculate. Her glittering diamonds and jewels expensive and sparkling fabulously. She was congenial and sweet, and probably the perfect host. She received Krista like she might a long-lost friend.
Krista barely got a salutation out before Tory was accosted by a young business type. He excused himself politely, even though normal people would have been put out at the brash interruption, leaving Krista alone with uncertainty and a stranger. She fidgeted nervously for a second, wondering if she should wander away, when Emily leaned into her with a smile and said, “I’ve heard a lot about you, of course. I hear you collect swords?”
Emily had such an easy way about her. She might have been on top of the world in her life as she stood there, the boss’ wife, probably with a handful of her own pursuits, but she was down-to-earth and friendly. She didn’t begrudge Krista her less-than-designer dress or her considerably lower status in life.
Which was good, because Krista rarely thought of those things herself. The person put out would have been Emily.
“I have a sword, but definitely strive for more.”
“Yes, Tory was tickled with his chat with you. He was expecting a dull evening, and instead he was entertained by an enthralling young lady.”
“Enthralling?” Krista said with a laugh, “Wow. I don’t know about that. He was probably flabbergasted that someone like me was allowed to go.”
Emily leaned in, “I think he was flabbergasted, as you say, that someone like you was left to the corners of the event.”
“He was probably the only one,” Krista laughed.
“Apparently you are quite ahead of things for being so young.”
“Oh, I don’t know about ahead of things exactly. I think I just present a younger point of view.”
“Yes, I figured it was something like that. If you were a young man, you would be called ambitious. Because you are a woman, you are an anomaly.”
“Better an anomaly then ignored completely.”
Emily laughed and nodded in a knowing way.
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It was at that moment that Sean walked in, looking as dapper and gorgeous as ever. And while he was stunning in his tailored suits, you just couldn’t beat him in a pair of threadbare, faded blue jeans, and a snug-fitting shirt. Krista missed that.
“That must be the illustrious Sean McAdams I hear all the women talking about,” Emily said, following Krista’s gaze.
Sean saw Krista and smiled. He started in her direction immediately, but didn’t make it far before John nearly barreled into him with limitless energy. It was either drugs, or mass quantities of Red Bull.
“Yeah, that’s Sean.”
“And how is working with him?”
“You mean, does he hit on me constantly?” Emily smiled guiltily. “He isn’t the womanizer I once thought. Or maybe, he isn’t if you get to know him, which probably very few women actually do.”
“But you did.” It wasn’t a question.
Krista smiled into her probing gaze. “Get to know him, yes. He’s great to work for and a good friend of mine. It took me a second to figure that out, but life is in the journey, right?”
“I think you may be old beyond your years.”
“Oh no. Only in the ways of men. I’ve lived a long life in that arena. With all other things, I am definitely still a twenty-something.”
“Well, your dress is fabulous!”
When in doubt, talk fashion. Emily was exactly Krista’s speed of woman!
“Thank you! It’s new. Great find, too. Sale rack!”
It was then that Sean finally joined them. Both women turned, and even though his eyes were delving into Krista with an intensity hard to ignore, she still made the introduction like a champ. “Sean, this is Emily Hartling. Emily, this is our Team Lead, or Captain as we call him, Sean McAdams.”
Sean pleasantly shook her hand in greeting with a dazzling smile. “I know you by reputation, of course, Mrs. Hartling. It is a pleasure to meet the prettier half.”
She laughed and looked at Krista, her eyes twinkling. “Scoundrel, this one.”