Page 92 of Fall With Me
I shake it.
“I’m Annie. Thanks for having us. The decorations are darling.” Her gaze pings around the room. I look at everything as if seeing it for the first time. There’s no way I could have done what Chloe did. It’s a good thing Carter has her.
“Our event planner is amazing,” I say.
“Do you have her card?” Greg asks. “I’d love to hire her for our Christmas party”
Has Chloe ever considered being an event planner? I’m not sure why she chose fitness as her career over another occupation. “I don’t, but I’m happy to introduce you. Do you guys want to decide what you want for dinner before the activities begin?”
Greg turns to his wife and two kids (who haven’t looked up from their phones once). “Why don’t you three see what’s available? I’ll catch up in a minute. I need to talk to Dawson.”
I give Annie a strained smile. Dread wraps around my middle, squeezing until I can barely breathe. “There’s pizza in the back, or if you want something from the food trucks, you can order whatever you’d like, on us.”
“The barbeque smelled divine as we came in. Kids,” she pushes her children, “let’s go get dinner.”
I inhale, bracing myself for whatever manipulative baloney Greg’s going to spew.
“Dawson, I know we spoke about a demo not being ready yet, but we have investors coming into town in a few weeks. We’d love to show them something.”
Inside, I’m screaming, “Then why the heck didn’t you disclose all these deadlines to Carter up front when you worked out the contract?” Outside, I nod like I agree having a snippet of the game ready for them is a great idea. “We are working hard on your project. I assure you, we will meet the deadlines we agreed to.”
His face hardens into the one I’m used to seeing on our video conference calls. His brow forms a deep V. “Why can’t you make this happen, son?”
His condescending tone grates on my nerves. “We’re doing our best. I assure you.”
He shakes his head. “I was worried hiring a smaller company to handle this new game was a mistake. Looks like my instincts were right.”
This is the same threat he’s made a dozen times already. If Carter wasn’t so adamant that he needs them happy, I’d follow through on Greg’s ultimatum myself and tell him to not let the door hit him where the good Lord split ’im.
“Carter’s on the back patio.” I thumb over my shoulder. “Why don’t we head out there and see what can be done?” I don’t love involving my boss. Running to him when I said I could handle Creative Solutions makes it look like I’m a wuss incapable of doing my job. But with how drained I am after what’s gone on with Chloe, Willow and Finn, decorating, and now keeping a pleasant attitude, it’s best I bring Carter in before I make a promise I can’t keep.
“Great idea. After you.” He holds his hand out, directing me to go first.
I fight to keep my back straight, my head held high. Greg’s beating me down. We find Carter talking to a few employees. When he sees Greg behind me, he tells the others he’ll be right back.
Carter smiles, but it’s strained. He shakes Greg’s hand. “Mr. Lawson, how nice to see you. Thank you for joining us at our fall festival. Did your family come?”
Greg completely ignores Carter’s question. “I need a demo in three weeks. Dawson says it can’t be done. Why is everything with you guys so damn difficult?”
So much for keeping him happy. “I assured him we’d make the deadlines originally agreed to in the contract.”
Carter’s troubled gaze bounces between Greg and me.
I shrug my shoulders the slightest amount, letting Carter know our client is being difficult again.
Carter bobs his head in understanding
“We want to keep you happy, Mr. Lawson, and show you why Crenshaw Solutions is different from other design companies out there,” Carter says to Greg. “We’re working off the timeline stated in our contract. If those dates are inaccurate, I’m more than happy to give you a call on Monday and we can discuss the contract’s budget and generate a change of scope for expedited delivery. What’s best for you?”
Greg’s eyes narrow. “We’re not paying you more.”
Carter smiles brightly. “Great, it’s settled then. We’ll continue with our current contract. Dawson will keep you updated on his progress. I hope you and your family enjoy your time here tonight. I have more people I need to see.” Carter claps a hand on Greg’s shoulder. He walks away, and I get it. He put Greg in his place, but now I’m stuck in this awkward situation.
“Would you like to get some dinner with your family?” I ask. I’m certainly ready for a break from this guy.
Without responding, Greg walks away. I watch him until he’s inside the barn. The second he’s no longer in my sight, my shoulders slump. The part of my brain stressed about keeping him happy for the sake of my job begs me to chase after him, promising I can do what he wants. My emotions and exhaustion scream,who cares?He’s a pain in the rear. I’ve spent many sleepless nights worrying, working, and about killing myself to balance everything in my life and for what?
Finn’s ticked at me. Greg isn’t happy. Chloe’s no longer in my life.
