Page 12 of Sincerely Not Yours

“We’re not compromising quality. We’re optimizing. Besides, consumers want value.”

She shook her head. “Value, yes. But not at the expense of quality. Our consumerswanteco-friendly, cruelty-free, top-quality products that give them a luxurious experience. And I have the research that says so.”

“Look, Gigi, I commend your passion, but we need to be realistic. The market is tough, and we need to make strategic decisions.”

“All the more reason not to compromise,” she replied. They locked gazes, a silent battle of wills fighting across the table until Jeremiah cleared his throat.

“Are we going to break for lunch?” Jeremiah asked, like he was starving.

Gigi leaned forward, ignoring Jeremiah. “You know what else gives us an edge, Harris?” He raised a brow, urging her on. “SheTime isn’t about selling quantity. We provide quality. We build community. Consumers want a brand they can connect with, not just something off a drugstore shelf. We make premium beauty products, and our marketing and events build a community around our brand.”

Harris sighed and sat back in his chair, seemingly unimpressed. “Gigi, I’ve seen the success of the events, but they’re resource intensive, and I’m not convinced they’re the most efficient way to allocate our budget. We need to explore other, more cost effective, and measurable avenues.”

Gigi quietly huffed. What did this man not understand about their products and market? They’d officially talked in circles, landing right back where they started this morning. After Merry-oke, Gigi thought she’d convinced Harris to back off. He’d obviously been uncomfortable at the event and onstage, like he’d desperately wanted to be anywhere else. Then, he’d emailed her afterward, letting her know that Dean and his daughter would fill in for him at the event on Sunday. She thought she’d won after belting out Mariah Carey in a Christmas sweater, but this morning, Harris entered the boardroom like he’d spent the past twenty-four hours figuring out how he could change the business.

But Gigi was determined to stand her ground. She’d run circles forever if she had to.

Gigi sat up, making her chair roll closer to the table. “The Gal’s Gift Guide is measurable. We sold out of all the holiday gift setsfeatured at Merry-oke. Plus, the video of us singing went viral, with SheTime’s logo and banner in the background. We sold out of product and got over a million impressions in one day. That sounds measurable to me.”

Harris looked slightly sickened. It wasn’t the reaction she’d been going for, but at least it was some kind of reaction other than stubbornness and mansplaining.

“So, about lunch?” Jeremiah interrupted their stare-off, glancing at his watch. “If I don’t eat soon, I’m going to gnaw on a pencil.”

“We should break for lunch,” Harris agreed, tapping a hand on the table. “Actually, let’s take the afternoon to process our discussions and we’ll reconvene in the morning. I’d like everyone to come back with one idea within your own job function that will increase margins.”

Margins, margins, margins. That’s all Harris seemed to care about.

Gigi closed her notebook, grabbed her pen, and shoved both into her briefcase, frustrated that she’d spent an entire morning justifying everything she’d worked tirelessly to implement. She was going to need a sweet treat to counterbalance all the bullpucky she’d just consumed. Maybe Paige and Alice could meet for an emergency lunch at their favorite ice cream shop?

Harris interrupted her daydreams of white chocolate ice cream covered in gummy bears. “Gigi, can you send me all the details for tonight’s event? Including attire.” He looked a little salty about the last part, and Gigi internally smirked, remembering his disdain for the reindeer sweater.

“Of course,” she replied, wishing Dean would just take Harris’s place for the rest of the events. Dean was happy-go-lucky. He was fun and supportive. He was everything Harris was not.

Over lunch, she vented to her friends about the morning’s developments.

“Keep at it,” Paige encouraged through a mouthful of blue moon ice cream. “Keep showing him you mean business. He’ll back off, eventually. You’re the bomb. Just keep proving that.”

“You are totally the bomb,” Alice agreed, licking her lips before digging her spoon back into her frozen yogurt. “What’s tonight’s event? We need to brainstorm more ideas to make him wish he’d stayed home.”

By the time Gigi returned to her desk, she had committed to her plan: make Harris squirm while excelling at her job. And since he disliked dressing up, she doubled down on that aspect.

Clicking her mouse, she opened an email and addressed it to Harris.

To: harrison.ryan@ryan&ryan.com

From: gianna.ricci@ryan&ryan.com

Re: Monday event details–Gals’ Gift Guide

Good afternoon, Harris,

Please see below for details concerning tonight’s Gals’ Gift Guide event. The main sponsor of tonight’s event is Christmas Village, Inc. We’ll be competing in a gingerbread house-making competition, using the Christmas Village baking kits. I thought we could create a gingerbread spa. Please dress casually. I will bring matching company attire for us to wear. We have logoed pink silk robes, fluffy slippers, and sleep masks that will be perfect for this event.

Please meet me at the Four Seasons on Delaware Place at 6:00 p.m. sharp.

Sincerely,

Gigi

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