“This was nice.” Kate stopped on the corner, looking at me expectantly. “I didn’t think stopping on that park bench would lead to a coffee date.”
The word ‘date’ fired off signals in my brain … ones that told me I had some kind of shot with this chick. “Well, you know … I could drop Olivia off at the sitter’s to nap. And maybe you and I could continue this? Over a few drinks?”
She glanced at her watch again, tightening her lips that I wanted to kiss so bad it hurt. “I have to get back to work. But I would like to see you again. Maybe we can grab lunch one day this week? Here. I’ll give you my number.”
She reached out for my phone, which I handed over willingly. But inside I was thinking a lunch date was the last thing I wanted. First, coffee. Then lunch? That was way more work than I was typically used to putting into a score. Especially since lunch would probably end the same way, and leave me at the mercy of a third date, which would hopefully mean dinner. I didn’t mind putting in the effort and working for the prize, but Kate gave me the feeling that she was old fashioned … and might require more work than I was willing to sign up for. Getting too invested was how feelings got hurt … and filled my phone up with angry texts and voicemails from girls claiming I had “strung them along.”
But I waited patiently for Kate to put her number into my phone and took it back with a smile. I called hers to complete the exchange, thinking I would probably never see her again.
“It was nice to meet you, Ben.” She flashed a perfect smile that threatened to make me break all of my rules. “And good to meet you, Olivia!”
Phew. Thank god I had this giant lie of a child hanging between us to stop me from taking any chances.
I watched her walk away down the street before turning to Olivia, who was growing restless and whiny again. “Alright, don’t worry, kid. Let’s get you back to your dad where you belong.” I looked up one last time to see Kate’s perfectly rounded ass striding away from us and clicked my tongue, shaking my head. “What a damn shame. Nice try though, kiddo. Better luck next time. Or maybe … next time I’ll just keep a picture of you in my wallet and use you as bait that way.”
“Bait,” she repeated again with a laugh.
“That’s right, kid.” I pushed the stroller onward and headed back for the warmth of our car.
1
Kate
The only thing better than getting to go back to a job that I truly loved was going back to it after a long lunch that involved a coffee date with an extremely hot, kind, sweet, caring man. I couldn’t believe my luck in stumbling on Ben and his daughter in the park … or rather, them stumbling onto me. He was tall and muscular with gorgeous blue eyes and a heart melting smile, and I was certain I’d be hearing from him again soon.
It definitely put an extra pep in my step as I rushed into the boardroom to meet with my boss and our firm’s other executive marketing agent, Chuck. They were complaining about their wives when I walked in, like always.
“Diane bitched me out about the garbage again. It’s like … isn’t it easier to just take it out yourself rather than nagging me about it for days on end?” Chuck groaned.
Both men joined together in a hearty, sympathetic laugh before Greg turned to me. “Oh good, Kate. Glad you’re here.”
Nevermind that I had been sitting there for a good three minutes before they suddenly noticed me. But I was used to that kind of thing.
“Let’s get started, shall we?” He slid out his rolling chair and made his way to the front of the room, flipping on a slideshow on the white wall behind him. “Nesters Toy Company. Ever heard of them?”
“No, I can’t say that I have,” I replied.
“I was talking to Chuck,” he barked. “Of course you haven’t heard of them. They’re a toy company, and you don’t have any kids.”
I tried to hide my bitchy expression. They were always putting me down for not having a family. It wasn’t enough that my mother was on me all the time about when she could expect grandchildren. I had to hear it at work too.
“The name doesn’t ring a bell,” Chuck answered.
“That’s exactly why they’ve come to us and requested a presentation about what we can do for them,” he explained, flipping through images of various toys on the screen. “They’re revamping their brand, launching a new line of toys for the holiday season later this year, and they’ve acquired a number of new investors. They need to make sure all of these changes don’t go unnoticed, but in the mainstream … they’re still relatively unknown.”
I studied the packaging and branding of their products on the screen and instantly began jotting down notes and ideas. I loved working in marketing and advertising. Every time we picked up a new client or account, I could feel the excitement in my bones. It felt like the work I was built to do, and I was never at a shortage for ideas.
As soon as I could, I raised my pen in the air. “Greg, I would like to take a crack at this one.”
The two shot each other a pitying glance, which I’m pretty sure was meant for me.
“Um, actually...Kate,” he cleared his throat, sliding his hands into his pocket as he dipped his chin, scrunching up his face. “Of course, as my top two executives, I want you both to be apprised of all projects. Especially bigger ones like these. But I already planned on giving this one to Chuck. You know, he’s got the wife and kids and all. He has a more relevant understanding of the market and what families are looking for.”
I wanted to argue that you didn’t need to be a parent to do a good job on the account … if you were actually good at your job. I didn’t have a beard to shave, but I could still market the hell out of mens’ razor and skincare products. Just like Chuck sometimes took on accounts for womens clothing or cosmetics. But leave it to Greg to find any excuse to shame me for not having offspring of my own and use it to shut me out.
But the two immediately began a rapid fire of ideas and meetings and timelines. They were particularly skilled at conversation that was so jam packed it was impossible for me to interject, and I was almost positive they did it on purpose.
I had sunk so far down into my seat by the end of it, I could have easily slid right out onto the floor. But then Greg said something that made me perk up in a heartbeat.
He walked over, patting Chuck on the shoulder. “This could be huge for us if we land it. So let's really wow them. And if you manage to land us this account, I think it’s safe to say that would seal the deal for you on that Vice President position that I’ve been trying to fill.”
I wanted to cry. I had been working my ass off harder than ever in hopes of getting that promotion. And now it was all slipping through my fingers … over some project I hadn’t even been given a chance at.
I swallowed down any hint of tears and watched Greg as he strolled out of the room. “You two keep up the good work.”
Ignoring Chuck’s smug stare, I jumped up from my seat and went running after Greg. “Um, Greg? Actually … I was hoping I might talk to you for just a moment. You left before I really had a chance to …”