Chapter 12 Paige
PAIGE
Monday started off with a bang. I went to the same coffee shop in Venice Beach.
I could see it becoming my go-to place for working.
I intended to finish a few more pitches.
I had a great feeling about the day, even wondered why people hated Mondays so much.
Then I checked my inbox, and immediately wished I could move forward in time to five o’clock so I could have a cocktail without feeling guilty.
Ms. Lamonica,
We regretfully inform you that we won’t be able to support your project. It is not a good fit for our company, but we wish you the best in your endeavor.
Best,
Kennedy Fellows, on behalf of Christian Lackeroy
What the hell? I stared at my laptop, going through every phase of rage at the same time, it seemed.
I was used to people changing their minds, of course.
Some were too ashamed to turn me down during a meeting, so they sent an e-mail afterward.
Others thought it might be good PR, but then crunched numbers and realized they couldn’t afford the donation.
But Lackeroy had seemed genuinely interested.
I sank lower in my chair, pressing my palms against my temples, breathing in and out.
Had he just been interested in getting in my pants?
Was that it? I refused to believe it. I wasn’t some naive twenty-year-old; I’d done this job for close to eight years.
I knew interest when I saw it, and Lackeroy had been ready to attach his name to the project.
I’d banked on it, and was even going to use his company as an example in other pitches.
Usually when there was one big donor on board, it was easier to nab the next ones.
So, instead of letting it go, I called his number.
“Hello, Paige.” I’d expected him to get his secretary, so I was thrown upon hearing his voice.
“Christian. Hi! Thank you for taking my call. I’ll get straight to it. I received an e-mail from your secretary, saying you can’t support the project. Forgive me if I’m too frank, but you seemed completely on board during our meeting.”
“Your project is definitely interesting, but I expressed my concerns about the feasibility.”
“You wouldn’t actually be committing now, just expressing interest,” I explained, holding on to the hope that maybe it was a misunderstanding.
“I understand that. Tell you what. Why don’t we meet again and talk it through? Dinner?”
My shoulders slumped. I had a feeling I knew where this was going and tried to salvage the situation. “I’ll happily come by your office again.”
“Not my office. Somewhere more private.”
I gripped the phone tighter, breathing in and out. My blood was boiling, but I had to remain professional. “I don’t discuss business in my private time, Christian.”
“Oh, it wouldn’t all be business. We’d get to know each other better.”
“I believe I already turned down your dinner invitation once.”
“This is your chance to reconsider.”
I breathed in and out. Calm. Above all, I had to remain professional.
“My offer to come by your office still stands, but nothing else.”
“Well, Paige, I wish you all the best, then. I’m afraid we can’t cooperate. Have a nice day.”
“You too,” I said through gritted teeth, before disconnecting the call.
I discovered that I was shaking with all the contained anger.
I detested men like Lackeroy, who used their position to prey on others.
I loved my job and believed in the project, but I refused to prostitute myself for it.
I had a lot of other irons in the fire, and I was going to work on more pitches today.
But half an hour later, I hadn’t made much progress.
I was still too mad. I had to calm down if I wanted to get anything done today.
A swim in the ocean would do me good, but I hadn’t brought a bikini with me, and in any case, I couldn’t leave my bag and laptop unsupervised for so long.
So instead I went to the bathroom and splashed cold water on my face.
Afterward, my mind was much clearer, and I finished two more pitches within an hour.
The issue with Christian still bothered me, mostly because I’d been so gullible at our meeting.
Why had I misread the situation? My thoughts flew to Will.
Had I misread the situation with him too?
I took a swig of my orange juice, refusing to waste any more time dissecting my date with Will.
I wasn’t that girl anymore, who rehashed every detail, searching for a hidden meaning and doubting herself.
I had no time for this. I had pitches to finish and was meeting my brother at the inn this evening.
I hoped he was bringing my niece too, because I wanted to cuddle that girl.