Jones rubbed his chin. “The one on the right looks a little darker. Edgier.”
“And the one on the left?”
“It has a fresh vibe. Completely new and unfiltered.”
“Gah,” Lily groaned. “Making this decision is as hard as deciding between two—” She stopped. “As hard as making a decision between chocolate and strawberry.”
Jones chuckled. “If that’s your biggest problem, you have it pretty good.”
She almost whined. He had no idea what kind of decision she was battling. But this cover was worth a million dollars. It had to be the right choice. She couldn’t go back once it was published. This was the exposure KR needed.
“I think we go fresh,” she declared. “It’s a new beginning here, right? A change. A time to take chances and try new things.”
He plucked the covers from her hands. “Ok, I’ll get the rest of the group on it. I think that’s a good decision. I was leaning that way, but I wanted it to come from you.”
“Why? So I’m the one who falls on my face?”
He shook his head. “No, so you’re the one who gets the credit when this launch kicks ass.”
She smiled. “Thank you. And thanks for all your work on this, Jones. You’ve been an invaluable part of the team.”
“Glad I could help.” He smiled, showing his goofy grin. “We’ve needed you here for a long time. And I hear the bosses are happy with you.”
“Oh?” She stopped fidgeting with her email and looked at him. “Did you speak to them?” Another week had gone by with Sawyer and Jack making themselves scarce. They were particularly good at disappearing.
Jones shrugged as he walked away from her desk. “I hear things from the team. They like you and think you’re the best advertising director they’ve ever had.”
“Really?” She felt the blush on her cheeks.
“Maybe you’ll get a big bonus at Christmas,” he joked.
Lily started coughing. She reached for her water bottle and took a desperate sip.
“You ok?”
She waved him off. “I’m fine. Get that to the team.”
“Have a good weekend, boss,” Jones nodded.
“Oh shit. It’s Friday, isn’t it?”
He laughed. “I live for Fridays. You need to work less and play more. I’m going skiing this weekend with my girlfriend. What are your plans?”
Lily clung to the water bottle. “I thought I’d try something new this weekend.” She smiled. “I’ll see what happens.”
“Have a good one. You can tell me all about it Monday morning.”
“I don’t know about that.” She had to press her lips together to keep from smiling.
He walked out of the office with the biggest advertising decision of her life in his hands. She realized that somehow in that instant she had also made another decision. One that was maybe even bigger.
Fifteen
Lily
She didn’t want to check her phone again. It was well after six o’clock she knew that by the way the sun’s rays glowed across her office. The bookcase opposite her desk was orange with the last sunbeams of the day. She had no idea who had decorated her work space, but it was a dream office. The shelves were stocked with classics. She had the latest tech gadgets.
The leather sofas were a soft white and her accent pieces were touched with lacquered bamboo. Sometimes she liked to take o