Page 36 of The Fix Up

“What can I do for you, Dad?”

“Well, son, it looks like things are getting serious with the Kleinberger account.”

“Wow, that’s great.” Ben picked up a fountain pen from the corner of his desk, not sure if he intended to take notes or just needed something to do with his hands. “I thought Kleinberger wasn’t planning to make a decision until the end of the month.”

“That was the plan, but they’re speeding things along. Apparently, they got their budget pushed through a little earlier than they expected, so they want to get a jump on things. I told ’em you’d be happy to throw together a special presentation for them. You know, do a little razzle-dazzle for the execs who haven’t seen what we’re about yet.”

“Me?” Ben swallowed, hating the petulance in his voice almost as much as he hated the thought of taking on yet another schmoozy project when his desk was overflowing with spreadsheets and business plans. He cleared his throat and tried again. “Obviously, I planned to be involved with the presentation, but I wasn’t expecting to deliver it. Besides, I thought it wasn’t happening until the end of the month.”

Lyle frowned. “Well, things have changed, and you need a chance to demonstrate your oral presentation skills.”

“I’ve been working on my oral presentation skills,” he said, his mind straying to thoughts of burying his face between Holly’s thighs. “And honing my skills as a strategic-thinking, alpha male businessman.”

His dad looked at him like he’d just spoken Swahili, and Ben figured it was best if he refrained from admitting just how he’d been honing his skills.

“I know I usually take the lead on the sales side of things, but it’s time you start stepping up and getting your feet wet.” Lyle folded his arms over his chest. “You need to take on a more active role when it comes to the sales side of the job. You know, really get in there and make yourself familiar with the showmanship aspect of this company’s leadership.” Lyle frowned again. “Also, they might have asked for you.”

“What?”

Lyle’s scowl deepened. “Yes. Well, apparently the Kleinberger execs enjoyed talking with you the other night at the event. They thought your no-nonsense, numbers-driven approach was ‘refreshing,’ and they wanted you to do the presentation so you could answer some of their questions about all the numbers and science mumbo jumbo.”

Lyle had put “refreshing” in air quotes that made it clear exactly what he thought of the company’s choice to request Ben for the presentation. Still, it was a vote of confidence that felt pretty good. A sign that his plan to steer Langley into the next generation of business wasn’t so far off the mark.

“I’m flattered,” Ben said. “And honored.”

And terrified. And a little sick to my stomach.

“So can you pull this off?” his dad asked.

“How soon?”

“Friday afternoon. The agenda’s already been circulated. You just have to show up and give the spiel, then work your magic. You know, turn on the ol’ charm.”

“Charm,” Ben repeated, trying not to feel glum. “I’ll see what I can do.”

Lyle grinned and elbowed Ben in the ribs. “Too bad you can’t bring that new girlfriend of yours. She seems like she could charm the pants off just about anyone.”

“Holly?”

“Yeah, was that her name? Cute little gal. Not as busty as I like ’em, but great legs.”

Ben felt his blood pressure starting to rise, but he held his temper in check and picked up his letter opener. “She’s a very intelligent and accomplished woman,” Ben said.

“I’m sure she is.”

“I admire her intellect and business acumen.”

“Of course you do. Is that how you ended up with her lipstick all over your fly the other night?”

Ben gripped his pen a little tighter, trying to come up with a response that sounded more believable than a story of a broken zipper in the dressing room. He was still working on it when his dad laughed and elbowed him again.

“Be there on Friday. I’ll tell the boys at Kleinberger to expect you at eleven.”

With that, Lyle marched out of the room, leaving Ben with the sinking feeling that this was all happening much too fast.

The presentation, or your relationship with Holly?

He shook his head, reminding himself there was no relationship. It was purely professional.

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