Chapter 11
CHAPTER
ELEVEN
AVA
I’m starting to think he’s avoiding me.
When it comes to my turn to update the team, I talk through the weekly sales numbers and our upcoming events, explaining which titles we’ve decided to save our marketing budget for.
“We have the back to school market, of course. And there are five books we’ve decided to push with retailers.
Our marketing team is working on store placements and special deals right now.
And we’re also looking forward to our quarter four releases, including the new one for Dandy the Lion.
We have a special hardback edition with embossed letters which we think will really appeal to the parent and grandparent market.
” I look down at the notes I’ve made. “We also want to buy advertising space in key areas, and we’re currently in talks with Macy’s about having a Dandy the Lion float in the Thanksgiving Day Parade. ”
“Macy’s.” The head of marketing nods, and I wait for him to say more.
Instead, he turns to Jean-Baptiste, our boss, and says, “Actually, that’s a really good idea.
We should push for a Great Bear Endo float, too.
The new TV show starts in September, so it would time in perfectly with our plans.
I’ll talk to Myles about it when he’s back. ”
“Um, would they allow two floats from the same company?” I ask them.
Myles hadn’t said a thing about a TV show. I’m annoyed that I’ve been blindsided, but then would I have done the same? Probably. I’m not a big bragger and neither is he. We just keep our heads down and work hard.
“I have an idea,” Jean-Baptiste says. “Maybe we can have them both on the same float. They could be friends or something.”
“Dandy lives in the jungle,” I say quietly. “And Endo’s an astronaut.”
But they’ve already moved on to a report from the head of foreign sales and our brilliant marketing idea has been coopted by New York as their idea for their books, and Dandy the Lion has been all but forgotten.
I pause my video but still listen to the call as I click on my email window. I’ve already checked Myles’ calendar but it’s annoyingly blacked out with a private meeting all day. So I quickly type out an email, figuring I may as well get in before the New York marketing department does.
To: MylesSalinger@
From: [email protected]
Subject: Marketing Plans
Hi Myles, I hope you’re okay.
When you’re back in the office, can we meet to discuss marketing plans for Dandy the Lion’s release? The team has some great ideas and I want to put them into action before somebody steals them.
Thanks, Ava
I hit send, then bring my attention to the meeting. It’s coming to a close, and Jean-Baptiste is just updating on the shareholder meeting he had last week.
Right as he makes a joke about needing a vat full of coffee before meeting them again, a message pops up on my screen. Myles is sending me an instant message.
Myles Salinger: Hi. I just got your email. If you have some ideas go for them. I may not be back in the office tomorrow.
I frown and hit reply.
Ava Quinn: Is everything okay? And I should probably discuss this with you first, because New York is trying to steal the plans we have for Dandy the Lion.
Myles Salinger: What are they stealing?
Ava Quinn: They love the idea of getting a float in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, but want to put The Great Bear Endo on it, even though we’re already working on a Dandy the Lion float.
There’s no response for five minutes. Occasionally three little dots appear as though he’s typing, but then they go away again. The meeting ends, so all that’s left on my laptop screen is our chat and the background image of the Allegheny Mountains.
And now I remember why I hated online dating so much. The Spanish Inquisition could have used those three little dots as torture weapons. It’s the waiting that kills you.
Finally, a response comes.
Myles Salinger: Go ahead and contact Macy’s. If New York kicks up a fuss tell them I said to do it. If they want Endo on there he can hitch a ride.
I stare suspiciously at his response. Is he trying to set me up? Get me in trouble with Jean-Baptiste? It doesn’t feel right going behind their backs.
But I’m still annoyed at them for stealing our idea.
That’s not fair either. Maybe we’ll just make some inquiries and see what happens.
That couldn’t do any harm, could it? Then something else occurs to me.
He sounds… different. Off. And now I’m worried it really is about our conversation on Friday night.
Ava Quinn: Are you okay?
Myles Salinger: Why do you ask? Do you think I should be fighting for Endo’s honor?
Ava Quinn: No, I meant the fact you disappeared unexpectedly. I just want to make sure you aren’t hurt or anything.
Or annoyed at me.
Myles Salinger: I’m just dealing with some family matters. If I’m not back tomorrow I should be in the office by Wednesday. But if anything comes up, I’ll be available by email.
Ava Quinn: I’m sorry to hear that. I hope it’s nothing too bad. Always here if you need to talk.
Myles Salinger: Thank you, Ava. I appreciate that.
The typing dots disappear and I stare at the screen until his name turns dark and offline appears next to it.
And I find myself worrying about him. Not because he’s very possibly setting me up with the New York office, nor that he didn’t mention his offer at all. But because Big Bad Myles Salinger actually sounded a little bit… I don’t know… tender?
It touches me, and I have no idea what to do about that.