Page 6 of Her Cocky Client
“I’ve never been invited to pitch for a deal this big. I’m the small fry startup, and for the first time, a major news media organization is open to working with us. That’s a huge deal in this brave new online world. But don’t let me bore you. I’m a software designer.”
I blink and stare at her. “And that’s for which news media company again?”
“Tapped.”
It takes a moment for me to get my jaw moving. “Interesting,” I breatheout.
Lily looks at me like I’m crazy. “What?”
I clear my throat. “We’re here to meet the same guy. Gerome Forer, right?”
Her eyes go wide. “What?”
“So, that’s ayes.”
“I don’t understand,” she mutters in confusion.
“I do. Mr. Forer is a busy man. Meeting us both on the same day makes sense.” I look around the room. “I’d put money down that one or two of these restaurant patrons are also here for the same reason.”
Lily’s lips part and she sputters. “B… but...”
“Hey. It’s not a huge deal. At least we can fill our time…creatively.” I chuckle. “Here’s an idea. Room service. I’ll take the wine up to my room, or yours.”
Her face darkens. “This isn’t fun and games for me. It is a bigdeal.”
I cock my head. “It was a meeting. We’re early on in the process. You really thought Forer would show up and just hand you thegig?”
“A girl can hope. Or maybe you just assumed he’d give your company the contract,” she snaps.
I recoil back. The viciousness is a new side to her. Still, if she’s a startup, she just doesn’t have a clear idea about how long these business deals can take to finalize. I decide I won’t hold it againsther.
“Wait a second,” Lily says. “Are you… are you Nick Marshall?”
I nod. “In the flesh.”
All the color drains from her face. “That’s why you can laugh.”
“All right, now you’re really not making sense.”
“You’re one of the top dogs in this niche area. I’ve heard about you. Your firm is well-positioned. Losing another client is no big deal toyou.”
Her words are full of spite. They get under my skin and prick me like a thousand tiny knives.
“Now hold on a second. Don’t just assume you know how important a deal is or isn’t tome.”
She stands. “I need to get out ofhere.”
“You’re not serious.”
“I just had sex with my competition. I’m about as serious as I canbe.”
Lily grabs her purse and stalksoff.
