“This is a fucking winner,” Declan says.
I spin around to see a broad smile on his face. “I agree.”
“We need to hit the ground running with this today.” He taps his left index finger against his right palm. “I want this in place for the holidays. We’re running against the clock on this, but we can get it done. Authorize all overtime. Give the marketing department whatever they need to make this a reality.”
“Done,” I tell him with a brisk nod.
“Do we know who came up with the original idea?” He tilts his head. “Was it Justin? He’s been reliably creating solid campaigns since I hired him.”
I shake my head. “It was Calliope.”
“Callie?” His brows perk. “This is impressive, Sean.”
“She’s brilliant.” I shove my hands into the front pockets of my pants. “Calliope saw the potential in this and presented it to Delora. She passed on it the first time.”
“Delora passed on this idea?” Surprise edges his tone.
I nod.
“I’m glad it was put back on the table. This will increase our revenue and it’s going to introduce our products to a hell of a lot more people.”
“That it will.”
“You’re proud of her, aren’t you?” He steps closer. “I can see it on your face.”
“I’m damn proud of Calliope,” I say without hesitation. “She works two jobs, helps out her sister with her kids, comes up with killer campaigns for us, and is cooking dinner for a bunch of our neighbors tomorrow night. The woman is a force to be reckoned with.”
“If I didn’t have plans tomorrow night, I’d invite myself to this dinner.”
“Cancel the plans.” I point a finger at him. “I’d love for you to be there.”
“I would if I could.” He glances at the windows that overlook lower Manhattan. “I’m meeting with a representative from Berdine. I’ve wanted our products in their stores for years.”
I know he has. Striking a deal with the menswear retailer would be a coup for Declan.
His gaze lands on me again. “She’s good for you, Sean.”
“She’s too good for me,” I say.
“That’s where you’re wrong.” He moves so he can rest a hand on my shoulder. “I’ve never known a better man than you. You deserve the best in life. Never doubt that.”
I pull him in for a quick embrace. It’s something we rarely do and have never done at work. “Thanks, Dicky.”
Laughing, he steps back. “Decky.”
I flash him a smile. “That’s what I said.”
Chapter Forty-Six
Callie
I rap my knuckles against the door, hoping that he’ll answer immediately.
A glance down at the watch on my wrist confirms that it’s way too late to be bothering anyone, but I have a feeling that the handsome, well-hung man that lives here won’t care that I’m waking him up.
I press my ear against the door but am greeted with dead silence.
I huff out a combination sigh and frustrated as fuck noise.
All of this is fueled by the two glasses of wine I had at our celebratory dinner tonight.
Delora got the good news about the subscription model proposal right before quitting time. Thankfully, she already had a reservation at her favorite French restaurant, so we headed straight there. Justin and Rory met us there thirty minutes later, and we all spent the next six hours eating, talking, drinking, and planning.
I did go straight home afterward, but then I had a brilliant idea.
I changed into the pink silk robe I’m wearing now, put on my highest heels, and wandered into the corridor to thank my neighbor for his faith in my idea.
“Saint,” I whisper because I don’t want to risk waking up Mrs. Sweeney. “Saint, open the door.”
I follow that up with another round of knocking.
Finally, I hear a shuffling noise before his door swings open.
“Wowza!” I try to level my breathing. “Are you for real?”
Sean shoots me a grin. “What do we have here?”
My gaze wanders over his bare chest and stomach until it lands on his boxer briefs. They’re the same as the pair he’s wearing in the image on the billboard in Times Square.
“This is what women in this city dream about,” I murmur.
His hand trails over his smooth skin until it reaches his navel. “This right here?”
I circle my hand in front of him. “All of that right there.”
“You’re blushing,” he points out. “Big time blushing.”
“You do that to me, “ I accuse. “I blush because of you.”
He leans his bicep against the doorjamb. “Are you here for all of this right here, or…”
I rehearsed this on my way home, so I might as well put it to good use. “I’d like to borrow a cup of sugar.”
That sends his head back in laughter. “Touché.”
I poke a finger in the center of his very hard chest. “You always knocked on my door to borrow sugar, so...”
My finger is wrapped in his fist before I realize what’s happening. “I was always knocking on your door to look at you.”