Page 12 of Paradise in Progress
Kennedy
From: [email protected]
Date: January 18, 2024
Subject: St. Lucia Proposal
Kennedy,
Congratulations! We are thrilled to announce that your proposal on the St. Lucia project has been accepted. Please see Tristan to sort out the details.
The company values how hard and attentive you worked on this project. Please know that you’re a valued member of Nelson Signature. Keep up the great work, Kennedy.
Regards,
Xander
PS- Try not to kill each other.
PPS- Feel free to kick his ass if needed. He’s a stubborn one.
Alexander Nelson, Development Manager
Nelson Signature Hotels & Resorts
New York, New York
Squealing, I reread theemail for the third time. I can hear Lana running up the stairs seconds before my bedroom door flies open.
“What? What’s going on?” Her question is full of concern as she holds the toothbrush away from her mouth. White bubbles outline her lips as her hair pours out from her claw clip.
I throw myself back in bed, kicking my arms and legs in celebration before sitting up and bringing myself to my knees.
“Tell me right now!” Lana shrieks, her voice a mixture of worry and excitement.
"They want my design for the St. Lucia property!”
Lana jumps on the bed, toothbrush still in hand and foam now dripping down her chin, but it doesn’t stop her from sharing the joy. “I told you, you would crush it, babe!”
Only the words are mushed together and sound like "I tollf you, youf woulf crusf if, bafe!"
“Oh my gosh, Lana.” I laugh when I realize my best friend is jumping on the bed with me while toothpaste hangs from her mouth. “Go finish brushing your teeth, you dork.”
In an instant, she’s off the bed and running into my en suite bathroom, and I lie back again with a sigh.
I can’t believe my design was picked. I knew it was good, but there has been this niggling feeling inside that told me I wasn’t good enough. After the Chief Development Officer reacted to the fact that I was a—gasp—woman, I thought he would demand the first group’s designs be selected, since they were all men. Even though their project was horrible and clashed with the Nelson brand, he seemed to love their pitch.
“So how are we celebrating?” she asks, voice cheerful, as she jumps back on the bed next to me.
“Rumors for happy hour?”
“You got it, babe.”
Turning to face Lana, we both squeal and kick our legs. Cheesy smiles spread across our faces as the realization of how important winning the pitch competition was. Rolling over, Lana smacks my butt playfully. The thwack echoes off our walls and causes us to laugh.
