Chapter 1
“Gideon, please meet Dani. She can help with PR.” Simple emails from Adam, like this one, have been a game-changer for my business.
Typically, when you break up with someone, they don’t continue to be your biggest cheerleader.
Yet here’s Adam, supporting my business on a brisk Monday morning in Chicago.
Checking out his headshot on the company’s website, Gideon is younger than I expected, probably between thirty-five and forty.
For how successful his company is, I assumed he would be around Adam’s age.
He’s hot. Like, he could pass for Gal Gadot’s brother—with his black hair and angular dark features.
Focus, Dani.
Before I can respond, his assistant replies to the email thread with three available times to meet this week—one being this afternoon.
I want to strike while the iron is hot, so I confirm the meeting for later today.
Checking the address, I realize his office is a short walk from my River North apartment. Perfect!
I still overthink what to wear for prospective and even current client meetings.
Pencil skirt and blouse? Too simple.
Dress and tights? Maybe.
I don’t want to look cliché. I want to look like I have a fresh perspective, but not too young. I’m twenty-six now, and my approach to public relations is different from the old-school firms. I’m selling the need to brand each key team member, so I should look the part—like I am my own brand.
After endlessly flipping through my closet, I finally decide on a look: fitted black turtleneck, dark wash jeans, and a loose tweed blazer to double as my jacket in this forty-seven-degree March weather.
I add the diamond-encrusted gold hoop earrings Adam bought me last month.
Yes, he still buys me gifts. He still thinks he can buy his way out of every problem, but it feels wrong to let them collect dust in my jewelry box.
Focus. Right now, I’ve got to research this prospective client.