Page 20 of Stick to the Plan
Unfortunately, that towel’s other end was being tugged by my dog. Forcefully enough to yank the towel free just as Colin saw me. I saw it all. The shillelagh and the pots of gold. One glance was all I got before I yelled an apology and ran like hell. But it made a lasting impression.
One I have re-lived nightly while using my vibrator before bed.
Nic is right - I need to date again. A year and a half without sex just makes a lady horny. Don’t tell me anyone wouldn’t feel that way. Now is definitely not the time to fantasize about the admittedly hot exec from Dublin who just might decide the future of my career.
Shaking those errant thoughts away, I concentrate on the spreadsheets again. Something looks off on my projections. This sexual tension is evidently messing with my work now. When Nic gets home, we’ll hit the nightclubs. I’ll get drunk, flirt, some guy will piss me off and remind me why I hate men in the first place. Absolutely no more fantasizing about my roomie. Solid plan.
Chapter fifteen
Before the Board
Brianna
Ieye the twelve middle-aged men sitting at the table before me; the executive board. CEO, CIO, CFO, CTO - and every other three letter position is in attendance. It is unheard of for a project manager to present directly to the CEO at C.A. Engineering. Completely unheard of. Stone should normally be here or even his boss. Because of the NDA, though, I’m in the hot seat.
When I first walked in, a couple of them took one look at my skirt and heels and sat back in their seats. One studied my face and gave me an indulgent smile - like you would a small child. All looks I am used to, and so sick of getting. Taking a deep breath, I count to four and switch into presentation mode.
“Gentlemen, good afternoon. First, I’ll take you through the product features and design modifications. As you can see in this mock up -, the generator is only two feet tall, four feet wide, and two feet deep. Don’t let the size fool you. Tests show outputs as high as 15000 watts. You could feasibly power an entire house with one of these.”
Slowly, the men who have not been paying attention. Look up from their phones and turn to me. I continue to show the current status, testing results, budget overview, and profit projections.
“Based on focus groups, online polling, and market analysis, we’re projecting to recoup our investment after six months. By the end of the first year, we could turn a profit of two million dollars.”
The CFO jots down some numbers as he looks up at the screen. I watch him scribble out some calculations and look back up at my graph, frowning.
“Ms. Chance, are you quite confident in those numbers? That is an unheard of return on investment for a new product like this without an existing market share.”
“I am, sir. While there are many generators on the market - and some even have solar capabilities - it is the built in water purifier that sets our product apart. No other product on the market can provide this much power in such a compact footprint. Or provide filtered water for drinking and cooking. This will be a hit with campers, preppers, environmentalists - it really crosses all demographics. This chart doesn’t even include the intangible positive impact we could have on remote locations with no access to power or clean water. Add in government or aid organization contracts or donations and the possibilities are endless. There really is no financial risk here.”
The room falls quiet. Multiple sets of widened eyes turn to the CEO, Stefan Cullingford. He sits at the head of the table with his hands clasped on the surface. He has been attentive to the entire presentation, his laptop shut, and phone out of sight.
“What of Innovative Solutions, Ms. Chance? What are your thoughts after working with their team?”
I meet his gaze and answer honestly.
“The project’s success is a testament to the joint team, sir. Neither company could have gotten here alone. Mr. McLeary is an impressive engineer and leader. This has been the most dedicated and hard-working team I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with.”
He taps his thumb on the table twice as he studies me. “Excellent presentation, Ms. Chance. Gentlemen, I believe that’s a wrap.” They gather their tablets and notebooks and head to the door. A few men nod, some murmur words of encouragement as they pass me. I’m disconnecting from the projector and closing my laptop when I feel someone approach my side.
Looking up, I’m shocked to see it is the CEO.
“I’ve never had the chance to see you work before, but Barry used to talk about you during our poker games. He always said you were a wonder to watch, and would achieve great things for my company. Keep up the good work.”
With a slight smile and a knowing nod, he leaves me alone in the conference room. Stunned. My mentor, Barry Webster, was close to Stefan Cullingford? Poker buddies close? Why did they talk about me? Our CEO knows who I am, and he’s impressed with me! That promotion is as good as mine.
As long as I keep on Stone’s good side. I swallow past the lump in my throat. That’s easier said than done.
Replaying the conversation in my head, I amble to the elevator and back to Colin’s office. When I open his door, he is pacing in front of his desk. Seeing me, he immediately pulls me in and shuts the door. Impatiently, he ushers me to the chairs in front of his desk.
“How did it go? The wait has been killing me.” This may be the most serious I’ve seen him. There is no trace of a smile on his lips and his eyes are sharp.
“Really well, actually. The CFO seemed impressed by the projections. Honestly, they had more questions about you and IS. I gave positive feedback on all fronts - so basically I lied.” I bite my cheek to keep from smiling at my joke, but fail to keep a straight face at Colin’s chuckle. “Then the CEO stopped by to say the presentation impressed him. We did it! Now we just need to get through the testing and the patent reviews and we’re home free.”
“Come on.” Colin’s grin is infectious as he tugs me back to my feet. We are almost chest to chest as he looks down at me, his breath fanning my eyelashes. He bends forward slightly and squeezes my biceps. “Let’s get out of here. After pulling fifty plus hour weeks and a killer presentation, we deserve to cut out a little early.”
Chapter sixteen
Something Pretty
