4. Trent #3
“And a lot of pressure to the market,” I pointed out. “Touting sustainability works fine when you’re making one-off pieces, like him or you. But it’s a lot harder for a company like ours that has to deliver at a much higher volume.”
“I don’t think that’s necessarily true,” Natasha challenged.
“Do you have any idea how many pieces we make a year? What, do you think we have the time to go out and find recycled wood for every one?”
She rolled her eyes. “Of course not. But just because you’re a large company doesn’t mean you can’t make significant changes to your design and production processes to reduce waste.”
I raised a brow. “As CEO, I think I know—”
“Do you?” she challenged. “Have you considered offering natural fibers in all the upholstery materials? Or getting your wood from tree farms rather than from forests?”
“Tree farms are far more expensive.”
She waved off my concern. “You’re in a luxury business.
It’s not like anyone comes to Saunders Furniture looking for a bargain.
They come looking for quality. They already pay a premium for that—and I have no doubt they’d be fine with paying even more for a product they can feel good about.
Show off to their friends. Brag about on social media. ”
“Like Kyle,” I said with a grimace.
“Why not?” Natasha shot back. “If it’s working for him, why not make it work for you too?”
Nana Dee laughed, delighted. I had to fight to keep from jumping.
I’d been so wrapped up in my debate with Natasha I’d…
kind of forgotten she was there. “Oh, sweetheart—you’re just perfect,” Dee said, reaching out to pat Natasha’s hand.
“You’re exactly what Trent needs. And I’d say you’re what Saunders Furniture needs too. ”
“Wh-what?” Natasha asked, looking thrown.
“I’m talking about Trent hiring you, of course,” she said, throwing a wink my way. “You’re just what he’s been looking for to sort out the new product line.”
What a horrible thought. I tried not to shudder. Work with Natasha?
“Oh!” Natasha said. “No, that wouldn’t be good for either of—”
“Trent?” Nana Dee said, giving me an expectant glare.
I wanted to tell her that she was out of her mind, that it didn’t make any sense at all to bring Natasha on at Saunders Furniture…
but the more I thought about it, the more I realized she was right.
Natasha did have the know-how I needed. Imagining being around her every day had me wanting to throttle something—but I could put my feelings aside if it was what I needed to secure the future of Saunders Furniture.
“Sustainable designs aren’t what we’re known for.
Not just in the materials we choose, but in our whole aesthetic.
” When my parents had been in charge after Nana Dee’s retirement, they’d taken the company in the direction of very modern, sleek, minimalist designs.
That was still our bread and butter, so I’d never consider getting rid of it, but starting something new with a sustainability slant meant a pretty big paradigm shift, and no one I’d met had the vision I needed.
Everyone I’d brought in for interviews kept trying to appeal to me with designs that were very similar to what our company already had.
Either they didn’t grasp that I wanted new ideas or they were too afraid of me to push the envelope.
For all her faults, Natasha was definitely not afraid of me.
I gritted my teeth. “Can I see more of your portfolio?”
“Uh…” She frowned. Nana Dee looked at her hopefully, and Natasha pulled out her tablet, showing us some simple sketches she’d put together after this meeting was set to brainstorm ideas for what would go well with the desk Nana Dee already had.
Damn it. They were gorgeous.
We wrapped up breakfast shortly after, with Nana Dee claiming she was tired, and I walked Natasha to the door.
“So, you can start on Monday.”
She stared at me in confusion. “Start what?”
“I’m offering you a job with Saunders Furniture.”
“Are you?” she said. “Sorta sounds like you’re telling me I have a job.”
“What’s the difference? We both know you need the work.”
She stepped onto the porch, turning to face me so I could get the full impact of her glare. “Again, thanks to you.”
“And now thanks to me, you are no longer unemployed.”
“I haven’t said yes yet.”
“Please don’t act like you have any better options.”
Natasha stiffened. “I can think of plenty of better options that do not involve working for you. If I want to make eighty thousand dollars with a side of bullshit, I’ll just go back to working three part-time jobs.” She turned for the steps, but I caught her arm.
“Okay. What do you want?”
She pulled away and crossed her arms, clearly annoyed with me. “From you? Nothing.”
“I mean it. Name your price.”
“Fine.” She smirked. “One hundred and fifty thousand starting salary.” She pursed her lips. “And a yearly bonus based on the performance of the new product line.”
That’s it? Those were her terms? “Done. I’ll have the contract drawn up by the time you arrive for work.”
She stared at me. “Wait…what?”
“I think the words you’re looking for are ‘Thank you, boss.’ See you Monday.” I closed the door on her completely stunned expression. I really did like it best when I got the last word.