Page 5 of Meet Stan

“You’ve done a good job,” June said with a wink. “That’s what all that corporate mumbo jumbo my husband just spouted comes down to.”

“Thank you,” I said, and I meant it. It was nice to be recognized for doing a good job in one’s field.

“You deserve it—and more.” Chandler’s brows rose on his eyes, and his tone changed subtly. “If there’s one thing an organization growing as fast as our own needs, it’s leadership. I think you would make a fine addition to our management team—but the fact remains you’re a recent hire, and still a junior analyst.”

“I understand.” I shifted in my seat. Was this just another attaboy pat on the back session? I remembered what my father told me once.

A pat on the back is just two feet from a kick in the ass.

“So if we were to promote you cold turkey, there might be some growing pains—not to mention brewing resentment among the more senior staff. So, I thought the best way for you to get a management role with this company is for you to prove your mettle managing a project or two.”

“You—you want me to manage a project?” I blurted.

“Or two.” Chandler typed on his keyboard, and then clicked his mouse. “There, I’ve sent you the details on the Mastercraft project.”

“Mastercraft? That’s the beer brand the firm acquired a couple of months ago, right?” I remembered it coming across my screen at some point.

“That’s the one. My colleague Mr. Timmons took it upon himself to expand the brand’s image and market share. He really thinks there’s a market for, and I quote ‘microbrew quality in macro brew quantity.’”

“I’ll have to get a consultation with my dad. He loves beer.”

Chandler and June laughed, but his face soon grew somber once more.

“I’m not going to lie, working with Mr. Timmons is going to be a chore. He is a business genius, but, as many creative people do, he thinks that he can’t be bothered with mundane details. Deadlines, budget constraints, things that are as important as genius ideas. Specifically, he likes to hemorrhage money on projects to get what he wants. You have to remain firm, and use your best judgment to ensure that we stay within budget.”

“Isn’t Mr. Timmons one of my bosses?” I asked. I’d never met the man, but only knew him by reputation. Real ladies man and lothario, if you catch my drift.

“Yes, and no. You’ll have the ultimate say on all financial matters relating to the project.”

So I have all of the responsibility and none of the power. Still, I wanted to meet this challenge. I knew that this was a huge test, but also a huge vote of confidence. I was determined not to fail.

“So,” Chandler said. “What do you think? Is this going to be a good fit for you?”

“Honestly, I don’t know.” I smiled at him. “But I’d love the opportunity to find out. I promise to give it my all.”

“That’s good enough for me.” Chandler stood up, and I did as well. We shook hands firmly. “Now, your salary isn’t going to change, at least not now, but project managers get a percentage bonus based on the relative success of the overall project. I can’t promise you anything overnight, and Rome was not built in a day, but this could be the start of much bigger things for you.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence. I’ll do my best not to let you down.”

“Great.” Chandler gestured at his office door. “If you’ve got a moment, I’d like to introduce you to Mr. Timmons since he’s so heavily involved in this project.”

“Sounds great.”

I accompanied him out into the hall and halfway around the building. He rapped on the door to an office and then peered inside.

“Hey, Samantha, is Stan in?”

Wait, Stan? No way. Impossible. Has to be different guys, same name.

I followed Chandler inside with mounting trepidation. We got buzzed into Mr. Timmons’ office, and I got a look at him at last.

Son of a bitch. Same devilishly handsome face, same three hundred dollar haircut. Same chiseled physique a suit just couldn’t hide.

It was the same Stan I’d hooked up with at the soiree the night before.

Fate, it seems, is not without a sense of humor. And that fickle bitch was laughing her ass off at me.

Chapter Three

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