“But liquor’s down five percent,” she said. “We’re not going to grow.”
“We’ll have to accept the limitations that the climate is imposing on us and adapt as best as we can,” I said. “If you have a better idea, please, let us know. We’re more than willing to listen to it, and we’ve already got think-tanks working on it.”
She set her pen down and looked around. Nobody else wanted to be there. “Fine,” she said and stormed out. The rest of the board followed her. Moira waited in the hall for me when I walked out. I hired her because of her competence and her age. I didn’t need any more distractions at work.
“Jake,” she said, holding her phone and staring down at it. “They want to know if you’re bringing a plus one to the Rose Gala.”
“Shit, I forgot all about that. Meet me in the office. I have to make a call.” I walked back into the empty conference room to call Maria.
“Hello,” she said, sounding happy to hear from me.
“Hey, how quickly can you be at my house?”
“As soon as you need me.”
“Good, and tomorrow?”
“Of course.” She was eager, and I wanted her just as badly.
“Good, I’ll see you soon.”
When I got back to the house, I ran upstairs to change, added a spritz of cologne, and checked my hair. Nothing wrong with wanting to look good and making sure my hair was perfect.
I took a look at myself from the side to make sure my white polo hugged the skin the way it was supposed to. It had to hang just right above my belt buckle and pull in around the stomach to show off my muscles. It didn’t look perfect, but I was never going to be satisfied.
The doorbell rang when I was putting on my shoes. I ran down the stairs and stopped in front of the door to take a deep breath and calm myself. When I answered, Maria leaned against the doorframe, wearing a red top and tight jeans.
“Hello,” she said, beaming. She bit her bottom lip, and her eyes traveled down my chest and over my stomach.
“Hey.” I felt like an idiot just standing there staring at her, so I stepped aside to let her in. “I need a favor,” I said when I closed the door.
“What’s that?”
“I have to go to a charity gala tomorrow, and it’s mostly catty businesswomen. If I go stag, they won’t respect me, and there’s already talk at the office. You don’t mind going with me, do you?”
“No, not at all. What is it?”
“It’s for the Rose Foundation. They run a fund for underprivileged cancer patients.”
“That’s so amazing. Was it your idea?”
“I had to do it. We’ve got billions lying around just collecting interest, and they do so much good. Plus, the board hates it, and they’re starting to piss me off.”
She laughed. “It’s not too bad, is it?”
“No, half of them are so old that they can barely stay awake during our meetings. It’s just a few problem members.”
“Is it formal?” she asked.
“It is. They’re enforcing a dress code. It’s all red and white. Old people like to color coordinate.”
“I don’t know if I have anything like that.”
“That is definitely not a problem.” I smiled.
“No, you don’t have to get me anything,” she said. “Please.”
“No, I am. You don’t have a choice. In fact, we’re buying labels.”