Page 2 of Not Safe For Work

Tristan Cross(He/Him) – 2nd

Chief Marketing Officer at Surf and Stream

Olivia,

I appreciate your persistence in reaching out to me. As you mentioned, I was recently appointed this position and my schedule has been full. I’m very interested in hearing more about what you do at Sizzl and how it could benefit our marketing program.

You’re also correct that our offices are nearby. If you’d still like to meet for coffee, I could carve out 30 minutes tomorrow at 10:00. Fog & Foam is my favorite as well.

You can email me directly at [email protected] for a faster reply. Please CC my EA Chelsea: [email protected].

Tristan Cross

CMO

surfandstream.com

I can’t help it. Isqueal.

“Hey, you okay?” Karla shouts from behind the counter.

I look back apologetically. “I’m fine, sorry. Great, actually.” I grin at Karla. “Better than great.” This is exactly what I’ve been waiting for, a chance to prove myself with a huge prospect. For the first time in weeks, I’m excited to go into the office.

I grab my coffee and practically skip down the Embarcadero to our building, sneaking a few glances at the water and the Bay Bridge—one of my favorite views. I anxiously ride the elevator up to the twenty-second floor, letting my nails tap on the wall to the beat of Aretha Franklin demanding respect. And then I burst through the doors to Sizzl HQ like I own the place.

“Morning, Sparkles.”

I grimace at the typical greeting from Gavin Scott. When I first started at Sizzl, I learned quickly how nickname-forward the culture was here. Our CEO, Daanesh Khan, is mostly referred to as “DK”. Most of the guys on my team get called by their last name or some version of their initials. I prayed during orientation that they didn’t start calling me “OD” and that Diamond would suffice.

But then, a few months in, Gavin Scott decided to start calling me Sparkles. It only took a second to realize it was some sort of insult, the mocking tone a sure giveaway. And sadly, the best retort I could come up with was to call him Scottie. Two years later, both names have stuck.

Gavin’s not my enemy, but he’s definitely not my friend. He’s just the extremely attractive top-performing salesman I’m forced to stare at all day from the desk directly across from me.

I don’t have anything against him, but it’s tough working with people when I know they don’t like me. And Gavin Scott has made it very clear that he wants nothing to do with me.Sure, he’s always professional. He answers questions when I ask and he’s perfectly polite to me in meetings. But when it’s not required for work, he puts the rude in broody.

Last Friday, I tried being extra friendly and asked him about his plans after work. He responded with a brusque, “happy hour with the team,” before promptly grabbing his stuff and walking out.Ourteam, he was referring to, the one I’m also a part of. Somehow, I don’t think my invite went to spam.

I wish I didn’t care so much about being his least favorite Sizzlr, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to having a little crush when we first met. How could I not? He has these piercing aqua-adjacent eyes and a megawatt smile that’s impossible not to feel in your chest. He also has this way about him. Maybe it’s charisma or just the perfection of his face, but whenever he is forced to interact with me, it’s impossible not to like the guy. It’s irritating as hell.

“Hey, Scottie,” I respond. “Here early again?”

“Early bird catches the…what’s the saying again? Oh yeah, the biggest commission checks.” He winks, and just like every other day, I wonder how he can get away with saying things likethatwhen I get judged for so much less.Ugh.

I’m about to respond with a snippy comment about wondering what it’s like to get those kinds of commissions, when I remember that I need him today. Surf and Stream ishisaccount after all. My job is to source leads for him, set up initial meetings and then bring in the closer. I’m just a glorified telemarketer, sending hundreds of emails a day so that when someone finally bites, I can introduce them to amanwho’ll actually do the selling.

Not just Gavin, but all four men on my team. Yes, I’m the only woman and yes, I’m the only one who hasn’t been promoted to sales executive within their first year. It’ssupposedto be a one-year cycle. One year to learn from our sales counterpartsalong with leadership before we get promoted to run deals ourselves. I joined the team two and a half years ago, but Mitch, our vice president, still doesn’t think I’m ready.

But Iamready. I know I am, no matter what Mitch thinks or what Ian used to say. I might hate this job most days, but I know once I get the promotion everything will change.

Gavin, along with the other guys on the team, have offered to let me work some of their territory. They each gave me a list of accounts that could be mine if I’m able to set up a meeting. My excitement about these opportunities died almost immediately when I realized they were all accounts that had basically been impossible to break into.

But then, a few months ago, I saw Surf and Stream appointed a new chief marketing officer. Every article I’ve read about Tristan Cross says he’s young and ambitious and wants to make waves. Choosing a new marketing platform like Sizzl to expand their program sounded like a no-brainer for him, so I’ve been relentless in my outreach. And it paid off.

Now, I just have to confirm with Gavin that he’ll still let me run with it. I want to believe he wouldn’t betray me. We may not be friends, but he’s always professional. The thing is, Surf and Stream is one of the fastest growing streaming platforms in the world right now. The deal size could be massive, upwards of a million dollars a year. I’m not sure if I could really blame him for not giving up that kind of money just to be a trustworthy colleague.

Shit. I should have brought him a muffin or something.

“Sparkles? You okay over there? I see your lips moving but no sound is coming out, just in case you didn’t know.” He smirks and I practically flinch at how sexy he looks doing it.He is making fun of you, Olivia.

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