Sixteen
W hen I return to my office, my nerves are still standing on edge and my heart continues to race. Did that just happen? He picked me? Rome picked me . But why? As thrilled as I am that he chose me, there’s also this other part of my brain that needs to know what led him to make this decision, effectively shunning the other three people who were set to give pitches for the Golden Diamond account after me. Plus, he undercut Sierra, deciding I would deliver the pitch without consulting with her. The meeting ended in a firestorm of confusion and tension as angry glares were hurled across the room back and forth like grenades. Rome was confident and defiant, Simon was distraught, and Sierra … she looked at me like she wanted me dead after Rome made his choice without her. It had never felt better to lower my head and leave the conference room.
Still reeling from the break-neck-pace of it all, I find my way to my desk and drop into my chair. There is so much going on I can barely wrap my mind around the sum of it. After telling Rome that I’m a submissive and to stop staring, he turns up the dial and intensifies his gaze. Then he picks me for the pitch on the spot. My god, he is impossible to read, and I’m left floating adrift with a strange new sense of desire for him and frustration at the lack of answers. But does it even matter anymore? I’m pitching Sandcastle to Nix Malone and aiming to reel in the biggest account this company has ever had. I acknowledge how important and monumental that is, and I wish I could say that I did it all on my own, but Rome was the one who selected my pitch. As much as I made it happen, so did he.
“How did it go?” Jeremiah’s voice slices through my thoughts. I look up at him, and he winces at the sight of my facial expression. “Damn. You didn't get it? That’s alright. You didn't want to have to talk to Nix Malone’s criminal ass anyway. And fuck Rome for not choosing you. That pitch was great, and if he can't see that, he’s dumb as fuck. Beautiful … but dumb as fuck.”
My frown slowly shifts into a thin smile. “I appreciate that you're ready to have my back at the drop of a dime, but that’s not it. I actually did get it.”
Jeremiah’s eyes light up. “What? You got it?”
“I got it.”
Jeremiah runs into the room, whirls around my desk and wraps his arms around me from behind, squeezing my shoulders like a bear.
“I knew you would get it!” he exclaims proudly. “I’m so proud of you … of us . We killed that pitch, and I knew you would deliver it like the fucking boss you are. Yes, Nia! Represent, girl!”
I laugh as he takes a step back and forces me to give him a high five, my smile fully developed now. This is why I love my friends.
“Okay, so tell me all about it,” he says, finally moving to the front of my desk and sitting down in a chair. “How were the other pitches? Trash, I’m sure.”
“Well,” I start, already shaking my head from how crazy the story is. “Simon went first, and he was a train wreck—couldn't get his thoughts together, was sweaty, stammering, and just didn't seem well-prepared. Rome looked like he was ready to have him thrown out of the building the second he was done.”
Jeremiah laughs. “Good. That's what that little brown nose gets. Okay, who went next, and did they do better than Simon’s sweaty ass?”
“I was next,” I reply behind a laugh. “I delivered it exactly how we planned, making sure to pitch directly to Rome and Sierra, and when I was finished, Rome said he didn't need to hear anything else. He chose me to pitch to Nix right there on the spot, then he got up to leave. Sierra tried to remind him that there were three more presentations, but he didn't care. He picked me and left. That’s it. End of story.”
Jeremiah’s eyes bulge. “Are you serious? I know it was good, but damn. He chose not to listen to the others? Girl … now you know.”
“Don't even start,” I cut in quickly before the rest of his words can make me even more confused and flustered. “He said he couldn't have come up with a better pitch himself, so let’s not make it seem like he picked me because he's into me.”
“I mean … if you say so.”
“I do say so. You just said that we killed the setup, so don't try to take it back now. Plus, I don't need you thinking that when it already felt like Sierra was thinking it. She was pissed about Rome’s quick decision and looked at me like it was my fault.”
Jeremiah turns his head to the side, looking at something I can't see from my desk.
“Oh, for real?” he asks. “Could that be the reason she’s speed-walking toward your office right now?”
“What?” I respond, but before he can answer, Sierra is standing in my doorway, her face still stiff from the meeting.
“I need to talk to you,” she demands before looking down at Jeremiah. “Alone.”
My friend doesn't hesitate to jump up and exit the room. The second he’s gone, Sierra steps close to my desk, placing both hands on it and leaning forward.
“Exactly what the hell is going on here?” she asks. The VP of Sandcastle stares daggers into my soul, making me feel wounded without any physical pain.
“I don't know what you're talking about,” I reply.
“You think I'm blind?” she goes on, even madder now. “I was sitting right next to you, Nia. I saw the way you were staring at Rome. The two of you couldn't have been more obvious, which means the situation couldn't be more clear.”
“What situation?”
“You're trying to fuck the new boss.”
My mouth drops to the floor. “What the hell? Have you lost your mind? I’m not trying to fuck anybody.”
“Bullshit,” she snaps. “You're giving him “Come fuck me” eyes, and then he chooses you without listening to the three other pitches that could potentially have been better, and he does so without consulting me. I’m the goddamn VP of marketing, and you two are making moves behind my back. I don't think so. And I bet you think I don't see the bigger picture.”
“Bigger picture? Sierra, you're way out of line,” I reply, which is far less confrontational than the words I wish I could say.
“Am I? Is it out of line to say that I know you want my job?” she asks, shooting the words at me like an accusatory revolver.
“What?” I fire back, nearly yelling. “I've never said that I wanted your job.”
“You don't have to,” she blurts, pointing a finger at me. “You've been ambitious through your entire tenure here, climbing the ranks at the speed of light, and your next logical move is to replace me. I’m not dumb, Nia. I see it.”
“Clearly you are dumb!” I snip, standing up quickly, my ability to remain calm and professional evaporating in the heated moment. “I'm happy where I am, and there isn't a person in this building who could say that I've uttered a single word about wanting to replace you as VP. I can't believe you've drawn these dots in your mind and then connected them all on your own. You're paranoid, but that has nothing to do with me.”
“I see the way he looks at you!” she says, nearly screaming it and drawing all attention to my office.
Is she doing this on purpose? There is no reason to be saying this so loudly. It’s like she wants everyone to think I’m sleeping with Rome to get ahead. What a bitch.
“How about you keep your goddamn voice down?” I growl, stepping around my desk so that we’re face to face. “You made this crazy shit up and now you're trying to get the entire office to think it, too. I’m telling you here and now that I do not want your fucking job, now take your messy ass out of my office right now.”
“What’s going on?”
Sierra and I both snap our heads over to the door, and find Rome standing there with a bitter scowl on his face. His eyes bounce between the two of us, his brow furrowed, and his gaze as intense as the sun. When neither of us answers, he focuses on Sierra.
“You're the second in command here,” he says to her in a calm, controlling, and intimidating voice. “This is how you behave? Screaming unfounded accusations at a subordinate with the door wide open? The entire building can hear you. You have the nerve to disrespect not only Nia, but me as well. I know we all just met each other, but I expected so much better from you, Sierra.”
She releases a long, shaky breath before saying in a newly weak tone, “I’m sorry, Rome. I let my temper get the best of me. It won't happen again.”
“I hope not,” Rome replies. I swear the look in his eyes has us both pinned to the floor, and he's not even speaking to me. “You'll find that I am a very patient man, but I have no tolerance for childishness. I value maturity, and what I witnessed here was anything but. I just started here, Sierra, and it’d be a shame if I fired you after ensuring Larry that no one would lose their job. Are you going to make me go back on my word?”
Sierra’s eyes quickly fill with tears that don't fall. “No.”
“Good. Now get out.”
Sierra lowers her head like a scolded dog and doesn't even look at me again as she walks out, turning her body to the side to scoot past Rome. I stand by my desk in amazement, gawking at Rome as his eyes slowly shift from Sierra to me. He takes a step forward and makes my heart rev like an engine.
“I’m sorry about that,” he says after an exasperated exhale. “I’ll speak to Sierra more about her professionalism later. She should know better.”
I sigh. “Yes, she should.”
Rome smirks. “I’m glad we agree. Believe it or not, I didn't come here to throw Sierra out of your office. I actually came to ask you a question.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. Are you free for dinner anytime soon?”
The revving of my engine-heart picks so much I think it'll explode. “What? Dinner? After everything that just happened?”
“Relax,” Rome commands, gesturing with his hands. “This is a business dinner, Nia. You and I need to discuss how we will approach the pitch with Nix Malone. As you already know, he is a very complex character. Now that it’s official that you're pitching, I want to make sure we cross every T and dot every I, and I want this account for Sandcastle far more than I care about Sierra's strange paranoia or the potential rumor mill. If we don't win this account, the company could close its doors. We need this. So, this is a professional dinner to discuss the pitch and the client. Make no mistake about that. Okay?”
Fuck. How am I supposed to say no to this opportunity? The owner of the company is asking me to a business dinner, but Sierra just came in here and made sure that anything involving Rome and I will be heavily scrutinized. Thanks to her, they will all think I’m sleeping with him to get ahead. Is there literally anything in the world worse than a jealous, hating-ass bitch like Sierra? She has put me in a lose-lose situation that I have no choice but to partake in. If I turn down the dinner, Rome will be pissed and I will jeopardize the pitch. He is a busy man during our work hours, and he doesn't have time to stop completely and talk about one account, so it makes sense to take time away from the office to strategize. If I accept the dinner, it will look like I’m confirming Sierra’s accusations. Either way, I’m screwed.
I let out a long sigh. Fuck it. If I'm going to be screwed, I'd rather be screwed and have job security while bringing in the biggest account in my company’s history.
Fuck what they think. Fuck Sierra.
“Okay,” I say to Rome. “Let’s go to dinner.”