Page 13 of Man Vs. Woman
“Yes,” I say simply.
“What business?” he asks me.
“Mine,” I say, as hushed whispers dominate the room.
“Ah I see,” he says with a smile. “I’m assuming you’re interested in the vacant space?”
“Exactly,” I nod, mentally retrieving the lines I had rehearsed. After Daphne let me know that Taylor, one of her Dominic’s friends (and a handsome one at that) bought every single rare book that Pen & Ink had on sale for his private collection, I knew exactly what my words needed to be.
I can do this.
No one is going to stop me. I am a woman on a mission.
And I will prevail. For every woman out there who has ever wanted to run their own business and been stopped by men, this is for you.
It’s time to unshackle us. We will prevail, sister.
“Pen & Ink was the most prestigious antique bookstore in New York, with a very exclusive clientele,” I say with confidence. “And I believe that Clarendon Tower needs a business as prestigious as that to take over that space. A spa that caters to the most rarefied clientele. That has the ultimate in luxury treatments.”
“A spa doesn’t strike me as something as prestigious as an antique bookstore, Ms. James,” Seymour interrupts me once more, and this time there’s a hint of a smile dancing on his lips. The asshole already knows who I am.
Shit.
Think fast, Serena.
“Well, Mr. Cooper, if you already know who I am, then you’re probably aware that I’m the owner of Serene Spa.”
“Who doesn’t? Especially after last week,” he says, a grin on his stupid face.
God, what a fucking asshole.
“Very well,” I continue. “If being the choice of spa to some of the wealthiest individuals in the city, not to mention that we provide one of the best services in the whole country, doesn’t classify as a prestigious business...well, then I’m at a loss. And then, there’s the fact that I’m a resident here.”
He looks at me, eyebrow cocked, and I can almost see the gears inside his head turning. He’s a proud one, and I’m guessing he’d like to take credit for anything good that happens at Clarendon Tower.
“Just imagine, Mr. Cooper—to announce to the world that Clarendon Tower will be home to the best spa in the city. This building is already one of the best in the city...why not go the extra step, and make it the very best? You’re a smart man, so let me help you get there.”
“Very well,” he finally says, after a few seconds of silence. Leaning back against his chair, he raps his knuckles against the desk’s polished surface and then glances sideways at the other board members. “As Ms. James has pointed out, Serene Spa might be a good addition to the services we provide here at Clarendon Tower. Of course,” he turns his gaze toward me once more, “I’d like some guarantees that we wouldn’t have any funny business happening in here.”
“No funny business,” I nod solemnly.
“No arrests then?”
“No arrests.”
“And no mutants.”
“Definitely, no mutants allowed.”
“Very well,” he proclaims, clapping his hands together. “Does anyone have any alternate proposals?”
Here we go—the ball is in my hands, and I’m already running toward the goal line. No one should be aware of the space so no one should have the opportunity to propose anything.
This space is mine.
Victory…from the jaws of defeat.
Thank God Daphne told me about the place. Just a few more seconds and it’ll be a game-winning touchdown. Serena James has defied all odds, and once more she has—
