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Thirteen

Kayla

All week she went back and forth, trying to decide what was the best approach for the launch. If they rolled it out over a series of weeks it had a better chance to make a lasting impact, but with the consumers’ attention spans, Kayla worried there might be a smaller window of opportunity to make a splash.

She combed her hands through her hair, ruffling her bangs in the process. Either way, this was a gamble for Miller-Wentmore. It was the most progressive ad campaign they had attempted in years. Her reputation was riding on this.

“Knock knock.”

Kayla looked up and smiled at Austin, the account executive who had helped her get her footing.

“Hi. Do you have an update?” she asked as he walked in her office.

“You know, it would help if your office wasn’t all the way up on the executive level,” he teased, handing her a file of mockups.

She blushed. There was no way she was going anywhere near that comment.

“So which of these do you like better?” She revealed the two different magazine cover options. “I think they are both stunning.”

Austin 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,” Kayla groaned. “Making this decision is as hard as deciding between two—” She stopped. “As hard as making a decision between chocolate and strawberry.”

Austin 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 MWG 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, Austin. 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 Wyatt and Jason making themselves scarce. They were particularly good at disappearing.

Austin shrugged as he walked away from her desk. “I hear things from the team. They like you and think you’re the best marketing director they’ve ever had.”

“Really?” She felt the blush on her cheeks.

“Maybe you’ll get a big bonus at Christmas,” he joked.

Kayla 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,” Austin nodded.