I’ve already been jotting down ideas.
“You knocked that one out of the ballpark.” He mimes hitting a ball with a bat. “It’s not often that we have a client who is that thrilled with the job we’ve done.”
I’ve done.
I want to correct him, but I don’t.
I don’t want Mitchell to earn an ounce of credit for this. I’m the one who put in the hours and effort to make Ivy happy.
“She told me about her store in Vegas.” He skims his hand over his head. “You’ll need to be there for the re-launch.”
The pain of what I did in Vegas a lifetime ago still lingers in my father’s eyes. I was twenty-one, foolish and naïve.
We never talk about it, but it’s always there like an invisible wall between us, keeping us a breath’s away from the closeness we shared before I went on that trip.
“I’ll handle it,” I say briskly. “I’ve started brainstorming ideas for that campaign.”
The corners of his mouth dip into a frown. “I’ll take the trip with you. I haven’t been west in years.”
Trust.
That’s what this is about. He doesn’t trust me to travel to Vegas and back without a life-changing mistake even though it’s been five years since I let him down.
“Am I missing out on a family meeting?” Mitchell appears in the doorway of my office. “What’s going on?”
My dad’s face brightens as he turns to look over his shoulder. “You haven’t missed a thing, son. I was just congratulating Linny on a job well done, and now it’s your turn.”
I don’t have the stomach to listen to my dad applaud Mitchell for his work on the bookstore account.
“I have something pressing I need to tend to.” I sigh. “Would it be alright if I caught up with you two later?”
“Of course.” My dad stands. “I’m proud of you, sweetheart.”
His words ring in my ears as he walks out with Mitchell, closing the door behind him.
I scoop my phone into my palm and text out a message to West.
Linny : Thank you for the coffee.
His response is instant.
Jeremy: My pleasure, angel. I had them make it just the way you like.
I laugh aloud, realizing that he must have been paying attention to how much sugar and cream my dad dumped into my coffee during our last meeting.
I start typing my response, my pulse quickening.
Linny: I’d like to cook you dinner at my place tomorrow night.
I press send and wait.
And wait.
Finally, his response pops up on my phone.
Jeremy: I’ll be there. Name the time and the wine.
My fingers fly over the screen before I press send.