“Excellent, let’s go!”
“What, right now?” she gasps. “It’s barely eleven!”
“Right now,” I repeat. “I’m afraid I’m going to have to insist. It’s good for you.”
“You are so bossy,” she mutters, but she is smiling.
I desperately want to take her hand as we leave the building, but I have to be satisfied with brushing her arm with my arm in the elevator. Normally she would pull away, but today it is a special occasion.
I could spend the whole afternoon with her, but even though I convince her to have a glass of champagne with me, I can’t convince her to stay longer. She eats her grilled tuna Caesar salad with gusto, relishing the capers and washing them down with more champagne.
By the time we get back to the office, I guess we are just a little bit tipsy. To my chagrin, though, we run into Lou in the reception area.
“I was just looking for you two,” he scowls, crossing his arms. “Where have you been?”
“Out to lunch,” I answer with a smile. “I take it you heard the good news?”
He seems determined to be cross with us, but a man like Lou can’t be upset with that kind of professional fee.
“You are damn right I heard the news!” he replies, grinning. “Let’s head back to my office and toast to this relationship!”
I know that he is referring to the relationship with Raj, but I can’t help stealing a secret look at Clarissa. She blushes and follows him, barely wobbling on her stiletto heels. Another glass of champagne will put her right up to the limit.
“To Maxwell Kent!” Lou announces, raising his champagne glass in the air.
“No, not exactly,” I shrug.
Lou scowls. “Not exactly? What’s that mean?”
“It’s Clarissa’s deal,” I answer simply.
“Well, Maxwell brought it in but—”
“But Clarissa closed the deal,” I interrupt.
Lou seems suspicious and slowly lowers his champagne glass.
“Okay, so Clarissa? You’re giving your commission to her?”
“She did the work, she gets the commission,” I explain. “That’s the deal, right? Or, it should be. The reality is, Clarissa’s been overlooked and underappreciated almost the entire time she’s been here.”
“Maxwell,” Clarissa interjects, surprised.
“Now, nobody’s ever complained to me,” Lou objects. “Clarissa? Is this true? Are you unhappy?”
“Clarissa never complains to anybody,” I reply. “You were just supposed to know, Lou. Which is why I need to resign.”
Clarissa gasps.
“What are you talking about!” Lou barks, suddenly furious. “What kind of nonsense—”
“She is twice the VP I am, Lou. She’s worth it.”
Clarissa is shocked, and if Lou wasn’t here, I would kiss that expression right off her face. But since he is here, I have to hold back.
“Well, Clarissa?” he grumbles sullenly. “I guess there is an open vice president position here now…”
“Vice president?” she gulps in response.