Page 13 of Rival to the Billionaire

Derek shakes his head of chestnut hair. "No. I was thinking Jenny could join you at the conference tomorrow, and with your help she can make the right connections among our executives, international and otherwise, to ensure that this new app of yours gets a chance to prove itself."

I feel Ryder stiffen beside me. “What?" he asks, utterly confused.

Derek smiles. "You'll complement each other. Ryder here has the gift of the gab, and Jenny can close the deal. You two will be perfect for networking at the event, and I think you'll learn a lot from each other's skills."

"I've already got that covered," Ryder says. "I'm friends with most of my contacts through LinkedIn."

Derek shakes his head, an amused smile on his face. "Yes, you're friends with them. But can you convince them to invest? Dazzle them with the right numbers? Get their CEOs to write you a huge check?"

"I wouldn't even have to try," Ryder says offhandedly. "These guys already love what I do. Just put me on stage and I'll blow them away."

"No, what you'll blow away is my funding if they don't see a strong and bright leader as well as a visionary." Derek purses his lips.

"What are you suggesting?" Ryder asks. "You want me to sit up there next to Forde? And pretend I like it?"

The CEO laughs. "No. I want you to partner up with her. I want you to learn from her. And her from you. I want you to work together. I want her to be your…partner."

I feel the blood drain from my face. "Um, Derek, I don't know," I say, partially agreeing with Ryder. "I'm pretty sure I'm not a good candidate for this."

"No, that's where you're wrong, Miss Forde," Derek says, his voice now becoming serious. "You're a woman who wants to prove herself in a male-dominated industry. And you're also a woman who, as my CIO, will be the first to do just that, as long as you change your old habits of operating and acting alone. The first female CIO in the history of this company. Prove it, Miss Forde, or else, to be frank…my board will have to find someone who will."

He's right. I know he is.

I mean, maybe I can be a little rigid when it comes to making adjustments to my methods of doing things in this company.

Maybe I have been a little…careful.

But haven't I always done what's best for Hare & Holeton?

I've been walking this company through the industry's changing landscapes, and that's all there is to it. I don't have time for new ideas, new strategies.

I've done it this way for a reason.

And yet, I can't help but wonder…

I glance over at Ryder, and the thought of actually working with him, spending time in one another's company…

I shiver.

Working alone is how I operate best. Group projects have never worked. Not even in school. Everyone knows that.

And adding Ryder to the line-up? A man who lives off his sudden whims and unreliability?

Dammit.

Problem is: I don't know if my job will survive if I don't oblige.

Derek crosses his arms, eyes me and then Ryder. "What do you guys say?"

Ryder growls, but I can see the desperate glint in his eyes. "I…" he starts.

"I'll do it," I say quietly, my eyes glued to the table.

Ryder's gaze snaps to mine, surprise evident in his cerulean-colored eyes. “Huh. Interesting. Even though I'm a sexist jerk, who has no skills in the tech industry, and is completely unqualified for my position? Even if I'm a walking disaster? Even though I will definitely 'cock it up'? Or at least…isn't that what you said in the board meeting this morning?"

I shrug one shoulder. "Yeah. I forgot…that it's my job to take risks every day."

He chuckles. "I guess I can't argue with that," he concedes.

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