Another snort of disgust. “No one has the time to use three liners,” the woman snapped, crossing her legs and turning her shoulders away.
“True,” Selena continued. “The three different liners are for the different skin tones. A very pale woman can’t use black easily. Not without going for the goth look.” She paused while the rumble of laughter died down. “Someone with very pale skin should use a charcoal or brown liner. And a darker skinned person shouldn’t use a soft brown liner. It wouldn’t show up properly. She needs the darker tones.” She picked up the papers that had been distributed to everyone at the beginning of the meeting. “Referring to the cost, there are three tiers, one for the teenager, who spends a bit more money but needs less expensive products. Another for the woman in her thirties who is still working to advance her career and is willing to spend a bit more money, but wants longevity in her products so they’ll make it through the day without touch ups, and yet a third tier for the older woman who is more than ready to spend, but needs justification for spending money. Within each of those tiers, I’ve provided additional data on their spending habits, the product suggestions, the additional training required for each tier, and…”
“It won’t work.”
Selena surveyed the rest of the audience, knowing that they were on board with her ideas, enthused even, but none were willing to speak out against Ruth. Obviously, the spiteful woman wasn’t the director, but Selena suspected that she was the kind of staff member no one wanted to confront directly. Acknowledging that, Selena knew that the woman was going to be a hindrance to progress.
It was essential that she get this woman on board.
For a brief moment, Selena thought about mentioning to Ruth that Reid wanted this marketing campaign. But saying that out loud brought back memories of yesterday and last night. Sleeping with the boss made her wary of bringing up his name. It felt…inappropriate.
Maintaining the professional smile, she turned to the others. “Does anyone else have any questions?”
They all shook their heads or sat in stony silence. “Ruth, perhaps you and I could meet, one on one. It would be easier to listen to your concerns and address them without wasting everyone’s time.”
Reid was disgusted. He’d been standing off to the side, listening and watching. He’d hired Ruth years ago as the assistant marketing director, but she had become an impediment to change. Well, any sort of change that she hadn’t initiated, he realized. He’d always though that the woman was fiercely loyal. But now he was starting to realize that it might not be loyalty. It seemed more likely territoriality than loyalty to the company. The woman wanted to protect her territory and any change in the game plan, any change she hadn’t thought up herself, was a threat to her turf.
He was incredibly impressed with how well Selena handled Ruth’s objections. She was cool and composed, beautiful and professional.
Reid smiled, thinking about last night. She hadn’t been cool or composed at any point during the night. Not even close. As soon as he’d touched her, Selena had been on fire.
Damn, he wanted her. Again! Would this overwhelming desire for the woman ever ease?
He hoped not.
Pushing those thoughts aside, he stepped fully in to the conference room. “I think that’s an excellent idea, Selena.” Everyone spun around, most with mouths hanging open in shock. He knew they were wondering which he would support, the new idea or Ruth.
“Ruth, how about if the three of us sit down and talk things over?” he suggested. As he watched, Ruth seemed to puff up with importance. Turning to the rest of her staff, she dismissed everyone with a sharp nod. Immediately, the others in the room stood up, gathered their papers, and filed out. A few of them nodded greetings in his direction, but most of them kept their heads bowed.
Reid took it all in with a glance and it angered him further. He didn’t like any member of this staff being cowed for any reason. He and Brant prided themselves on running a corporation that valued individuals. Seeing his assistant marketing director in action, he saw clearly that she wasn’t a team player and was sucking the life and enthusiasm out of the marketing team.