Page 71 of Business Casual

Chapter 12

Things got hectic around Franklin Financial over the next week and a half. All the social media campaigns were running effectively and the more traction the project received, the busier Mr. Franklin kept Tre. I hardly saw him, but we texted every day. The conversations were sometimes brief, but he never failed to put a smile on my face.

Tre Franklin:I saw your car before I went into my last meeting. Are you still here?

Imani Jones:You look for my car in the parking lot?

Tre Franklin:It’s hard to miss.

I snickered to myself.

Imani Jones:Damn right! How was your day?

Tre Franklin:It’s been better. Are you still here?

Imani Jones:I am. I’m reading through engagement with your prospective clients on social media. Sorry it’s been better. Anything I can do to help?

Tre Franklin:What time are you leaving today?

Imani Jones:Five. I have somewhere to be at eight.

Tre Franklin:If you get a few minutes, come by my office before you leave.

Imani Jones:I can do that.

Smiling, I went back to fostering engagement on social media. I was in the zone so the knock on the door a couple hours later startled me. Expecting it to be Tre, I unbuttoned the top button of my dress to offer a little peek at my cleavage. I’d been buttoned up and professional ever since the day I wore the dress Tre said was tempting to him.

“Come in,” I called out, spinning around in my desk chair.

“Ms. Jones,” Mr. Franklin greeted me as he stood in the doorway. “How’s everything coming along?”

I pushed my collar together quickly. “Everything is going well! I was just about to send you an email.”

“Good. But I’ll have to read it later.” The older man smiled. “I’m heading out early today, but I just wanted to make sure Josephine got you your event pass.”

“Yes, she gave it to me this morning. Thank you again.”

“You earned it. And it’ll be a chance to get to know you better. Three weeks is enough time to plan your wardrobe, correct? My wife insisted I wasn’t giving you enough time to prepare.”

“I’m planning to go shopping with my best friend next weekend, so it’ll be fine. I appreciate the thought though.”

He shoved his hand in his pocket and pulled out his phone. “Okay,” he said distractedly. “You’re doing good work. It’s been over a month since you started at Franklin Financial.”

My eyebrows flew up. “Oh wow, you’re right.”

He smiled at his phone and then looked up at me as if he just remembered he was in a conversation. “Very well.” He pointed at me. “Keep up the good work.”

He closed the door on his way out and I spun back around to my computer. I finished sending his email and then packed up. Even though it was only four thirty, I decided it was time to go see Tre.

I should’ve probably called first.

I lifted my fist to knock just as footsteps approached me from behind.

“Mr. Franklin is on a conference call, Ms. Jones,” Josephine stated as she passed me.

“Thank you,” I replied, knocking anyway. “He asked me to stop by.”

She didn’t respond as she continued her trek down the hall.

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