Page 36 of Business Casual

Chapter 7

I’d worked my ass off for the next couple days in preparation for my first big meeting at Franklin Financial. I ate, slept, and worked nonstop until I had everything I needed mapped out and presentation ready. As I climbed into bed on Thursday night, I felt the weight of my future on my shoulders.

“Hello?” I answered the phone with a yawn.

“Are you finally ready to talk about it?” Keisha asked without even bothering with a proper greeting.

“Sorry,” I apologized with a sigh. “I just…”

I’d called her on my way home from Al’s Diner and told her what happened, but I hadn’t spoken to her since. I hadn’t talked to anyone since I walked through my front door.

“You just what?” she questioned.

I propped my head up on my pillow and stretched out under the covers. “I just don’t even know what to say. I told you everything that happened. I haven’t heard from HR so that’s a positive sign.”

“Have you heard from Tre?”

“No. He sent me a text message the next morning letting me know that his dad broke his arm and that he’d see me on Friday.”

“That’s it? What did you say?”

“I didn’t know what else to say except that I was glad Mr. Franklin was okay and I’d see him on Friday.”

“So, neither of you brought up the fact that you were caught on a date?”

“It wasn’t a date,” I insisted before squeezing my eyes shut. “It just looked and felt and seemed like a date.”

“I’m sorry, Imani. I think everything is going to be okay though. You haven’t heard anything that would make you think your contract is voided and you haven’t gotten a call from HR, so maybe the assistant didn’t say anything.”

“Yeah, maybe…” The uncertainty stretched out the words.

“You have to think positively.”

“No, I have to think realistically. That’s the only way I’m going to be prepared for any and every thing. And the most likely scenario is that with Mr. Franklin falling and breaking his arm, Josephine hasn’t wanted to bother him with the information yet. My only hope is to go into the meeting tomorrow and prove that I’m an asset and not a liability. I need to blow their minds so that when she tells him, they will overlook it. Because it’s not like they know what really happened between us. They just know we had lunch.”

“We both already know that your ideas are genius, and they are going to love everything you put out there. And if they know what’s good for them, they will thank you for your diligent work to take their company to the next level.”

An amused smile tugged at my lips. “Thank you, Keisha.”

After we said goodnight, I slept better. I think I needed the talk with Keisha more than I realized. Her positivity didn’t absolve my realistic perception of the situation. But it did make me feel better. I knew what I had to do when I walked into Franklin Financial on Friday morning.

I need to prove myself—to all of them.

And that was just what I did.

With the presentation ready, timelines constructed, and examples printed, I strolled into Franklin Financial. I decided to wear a grey and white pantsuit because even though it was fitted, it had the power vibe I was going for. I felt confident and prepared as I exited the elevator.

“Good morning, Ms. Jones,” Josephine greeted me. Her expression was pleasant but distracted as I approached her desk. “You’re early.”

“Hey, good morning, Josephine,” I responded, trying to get a read on her.

Did she say anything? Is she going to say anything? Should I be worried?

“Do you remember where your office is?” She gestured with her head, her sleek bob flowing with each nod. “Down the hall. The last door on the right. Next to the kitchen.”

“Yes, I remember. Thank you.”

“And there’s been a change,” she added just as I started to walk away. “Mr. Franklin won’t be back into the office until next week so the meeting will be led by Mr. Franklin the third.” She gave me a pointed look. “That won’t be a problem, will it?”

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