Deal Breakers (Dealing with Love 1)

We walk down the hallway that bisects the art department from the copy department until we reach the glass-enclosed conference room towards the end. Mr. Styles…er, Gary, pulls out a chair for me at the long, rectangular table.

“Please, have a seat.”

I notice that Norah from Human Resources is here as well. What the heck is going on?

“Is everything okay?” I ask.

r /> Gary takes a seat. “Of course. I just wanted a little privacy.” He sees me eyeing Norah and adds, “Norah is here to help make things official.”

I scrunch my brows. “Make what official?”

Gary folds his hands together on the table. “I spoke with the people from Sage Management this morning.”

That’s the account I’ve been working so hard on. Did something go wrong? “And? Did they decide to go with someone else?”

He chuckles. “On the contrary. They’ve agreed to a three-year contract with the possibility of renewal. They were incredibly impressed with your ideas. They said, and I quote, ‘You’d be a moron not to do everything in your power to keep that one happy.’”

“They did?”

He nodded. “Indeed. So…that’s why I’ve invited Norah to this meeting. You’ve been with us for almost three years now and we’ve been nothing but impressed with your work ethic, creativity, and drive. As you know, Rena Schwartz recently moved over to the media department which leaves us with an opening for Creative Director. We’d like to offer that position to you. Should you accept, you’ll take the lead on the Sage account as well as a few other long term clients. You’d have your own office complete with administrative assistant. You will lead the art and copywriting team you work with now and report to me directly. In addition to this, there’s a substantial salary increase. So what do you think? Do you want the job?”

I’m smiling so wide my cheeks hurt. “Of course, sir. I’d be honored.”

He stands and shakes my hand. “Great. I need to head into another meeting so I’ll leave you here with Norah to work out the details. Congratulations, Devyn. You’ve earned it.”

“Thank you so much. You won’t regret it.”

“I have no doubt,” he says as he walks out of the room.

RILEY

I’M WALKING INTO THE production plant for a meeting when my cell phone rings. I duck into a small alcove and pull it out of my jacket pocket. I smile when I see Devyn’s face on the display.

“Hello, beautiful.”

“Hi,” she says excitedly. “I have news. Do you have a few minutes?”

I look at the time. “I have a meeting in about ten minutes so I can spare a few. What’s this news of yours?”

“I got the job!” she squeals. “It’s effective on the first of next month. I can give you the details later but there’s a huge raise, I get an assistant, an office, the whole nine yards. It’s not normal to jump into this position for at least another couple of years but the position opened and they offered it to me anyway!”

“That’s great, baby. Congratulations.”

“Thank you,” she says. “God, Riley. I can’t believe how perfectly everything is falling into place. It makes me nervous. It almost seems too good to be true.”

“We should celebrate tonight,” I suggest.

“I can’t,” she says. “I’m meeting the guys at Kelly’s for Monday Night Football.”

“So I’ll join you. I should be able to get out of here in time.”

“Really?” she asks.

“Sure. Unless…you don’t want me to?”

“No, of course I want you there,” she insists. “It’s just...well, it would be our first official outing together. Are you sure you’re ready for that?”

“Did you change your mind? About being all in?” I hold my breath waiting for her reply. Fuck, I don’t know what I’ll do if she says yes.