Chapter 6 #3
“Just saying. I’ve seen pictures, and I wouldn’t mind hanging out with him either.” She snickered as she sat at her desk. I laughed and sent Anna an email, letting her know I was available to go over the meeting with Miles.
Scrunching my brows together, I asked, “Should I call him Mr. Austin when I speak to Anna?”
Kitty twisted her lips to the side with a thoughtful look. “Probably. Let Elena see that you’re viewing this professionally. I know she allows a somewhat lax atmosphere here in the office, but she’s much less so when it involves clients.”
With a firm nod, I got back to my design books. Before I got too far along, Anna replied, saying to meet her in her office.
“Heading for my meeting. See you for lunch, maybe?”
“I’ve got a date with Ben in accounting,” she said with a smirk. I shook my head and chuckled.
Straightening out my skirt as I made my way to the executive offices, I nodded to a few co-workers as I passed. Arriving at Anna’s open door, I knocked lightly and waited for her to look up and wave me in.
“Good morning, Victoria. Tell me all about your meeting,” she said, her tortoiseshell glasses perched on top of her head. She was always looking for them and had to be reminded to look there first. As relaxed as it was in the office concerning full names, Anna didn’t call me Vicky.
“Good morning, Anna. I just want to say thank you again for allowing me to accept this project. It was a productive first meeting,” I answered, sitting down in the chair facing her desk.
She and Elena had decorated the offices with an interesting mix of modern and European décor.
The combination of soft, elegant neutral light-gray walls with dark-blue accents, contemporary office furniture featuring curved Bergère chairs, and natural stone flooring was a stroke of genius.
Wrought-iron chandeliers were paired with minimalist built-in lighting, creating an old-world-chic look.
Nodding her head, causing her auburn curls to move around her pale but graceful face, she replied, “We’re very interested in seeing what you have in mind for Mr. Austin’s home. I understand there’s an event there soon, yes?”
“Correct, a party, actually. Mr. Austin has asked his mother to keep it low-key, citing that his staff is very laid-back. His words, not mine.” We both chuckled. Anna swung her chair back and forth as she spoke.
“So, what’s the plan? How can we help? Elena has already mentioned what an important opportunity this is to the firm and to you, Victoria.”
“Yes, it is, and I plan to do everything I can to impress both you and our client. Mr. Austin’s house is actually more a cottage.
When I researched the surrounding area, I would classify the architecture as coastal elegance.
What he’s in need of right away not only for he and his daughter but also the party, is a new living room set.
His mother, who is planning the party, will take care of renting some outdoor chairs, but I would love some ideas on where to go and who would be able to deliver what he’s requested quickly.” I took out my notebook and pen, ready to write.
“What is his budget?” Anna asked, her head cocked to the side.
“He has none. His only instructions for this part of the project are that he and his young daughter, MJ, would like something comfortable. My first objective is to take care of the living room furniture since his mother mentioned changing some of the wall colors to neutral. Luckily that makes it easy to choose furniture. I spent a good deal of time with MJ before Mr. Austin arrived home and have some ideas on how to make her room one she will love,” I said, not able to suppress my smile.
MJ was the most wonderful little girl I’d ever met.
“I’ll email you some furniture stores we have dealt with that can accommodate a quick turnaround. Did he mention a style he wants to go with?” She was already typing away on her laptop, no doubt preparing the email as we spoke.
“Ah, no, Mr. Austin doesn’t have a preference.
Again, he just wants something he and MJ can be comfortable with,” I answered, hoping the blush on my cheeks would subside before she turned her attention back to me.
Just the thought of them cuddling together watching a movie made me flustered.
He was such a good father. It didn’t help that I pictured myself there as well, which is why my cheeks reddened.
She scoffed. “Typical man. There’s not a wife or girlfriend in the picture, I take it? I didn’t see anything about his personal life online.”
Her question made my heart constrict. The idea of a woman in his life caused me actual pain.
“N-none that he mentioned to me, but I wasn’t comfortable asking,” I said quietly, shifting in my chair, my brows pulled down tight.
I knew he had an ex-wife who was no longer in the picture, but the thought of him dating someone had my blood boiling.
Anna must’ve noticed my discomfort and looked at me again, her eyebrows going high on her forehead.
“I see,” she said flatly, her eyes seeming to pierce into my brain.
Wait, what did she see? Did she see my point? Did she see the sweat building on my upper lip? Did she see my thoughts of cuddling with him on his new sofa?
I suppressed a groan.
“He, he has given me carte blanche as far as design. I want to incorporate his suggestions while aligning them with the beach cottage architecture. But, again, I have much more information on his daughter’s bedroom, which will be my next focus as far as the rest of the project goes.”
Anna moved her laptop out of the way, no doubt looking for her glasses. I pointed to her head and without a word, she put them on with a push of her finger.
“And what about Mr. Austin’s bedroom?”
I dropped my pen, the sound reverberating in the quiet room. Bending over to pick it up, my notebook slid off my lap, making even more noise. Grabbing them both and sitting up quickly, I muttered, “Sorry.”
Her eyebrows went high again with an obvious look of ‘well, answer the question.’
“Oh, oh, um, sorry. Mile…I mean, Mr. Austin, didn’t mention his bedroom to me. Not yet.” I could feel my cheeks flaming, and I could only imagine what they looked like.
Please let the floor underneath me open up. Or a mild earthquake. Maybe a time machine?
She took a long, slow breath in and said, “Very well, Victoria. I’ve already sent you some options to start with. Send me your ideas about the daughter’s bedroom before you finalize the design.” She sat back in her chair, making it squeak, her expression tight.
“Yes, yes, of course. I’ll start that now.” I stood, praying I didn’t drop anything else, and walked to the door, her voice stopping me before I got through it.
“And Victoria?” I turned to face her as she continued.
“I should mention that it’s against company policy to get involved personally with our clients.
I know it may seem archaic, but after an incident last year that cost us an important client and led to an embarrassing article in a gossip rag, it became necessary.
Mr. Austin and his family are high-end clients.
I expect you to treat them with the utmost respect and discretion, and to maintain professionalism at all times.
I know you’re young, just starting out. Mr. Austin is a handsome man but… ”
The flush on my cheeks deepened. I honestly didn’t know if it was more from embarrassment or frustration at having yet another person in my life feel the necessity to remind me of my youth.
“Anna, excuse me for interrupting, but I want to make this clear.” I gripped my notebook, fearing a few paper cuts, but I held my head high, my back straight. “I am here with only my career as a focus. Nothing else, I can assure you.”
“Good. I see a great deal of potential in you. Don’t throw this opportunity away.” Her eyes were kind, but her words were stern.
I nodded again. “You have my word. Thank you again.”
With that, I walked back to my desk, my heart pounding, sweat trickling down my back, no doubt staining my silk blouse.
I had no plans of wasting this chance. Not for anyone.
Not even for a handsome, older, single dad.
Miles’ face, with that backward hat, hoodie, and big smile (did I mention that dimple?), flashed in my mind, mocking me.
I exhaled heavily as I settled at my desk.
I can do this. Focus, Vicky, focus. And for goodness sake, woman, stop thinking about hoodies and backward baseball hats!
Just as I was getting ready to leave for the day, my phone rang. “Hello?”
“Victoria, this is Elena. I’m really sorry I haven’t had a chance to talk to you directly. It’s been hectic here. I spoke with Anna and wanted to check in.”
I quickly stood up even though she couldn’t see me and tried not to make a fool of myself as I nervously answered. “Elena, I mean Ms. Salas. It’s so amazing to speak to you. Meet you. I mean. Sorry, thank you for everything. For this opportunity.”
Chuckling, she said, “It’s Elena. And you’re very welcome. I hear good things about you already. I think you are going to do well. Don’t hesitate to call if you need anything. I have to run, but great job on the Austin project.”
“Thank you. I’m so grateful to have gotten it,” I said, hoping I didn’t sound as breathy as I felt.
“Take care. Talk soon. Ciao,” she said, followed by the dial tone. Pulling the phone away from my face, I smiled and did a happy dance. Wait until I told Ren that I’d spoken to Elena.
Now all I needed to do was stay focused.
I could do that, right?