Chapter 29
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Bella
I stood at the island, clutching my coffee, dressed in a nice black pantsuit. I wasn’t so sure about this. I’d never done a presentation before in front of a group of people, and I was nervous. Simon walked into the kitchen, stopped, and stared at me.
“Wow.”
“What?” I tipped the cup to my lips.
“You look very professional.”
“Thanks. But I’m still nervous as hell. Is it too late to back out?”
“Yes, it is. You’re coming to the office with me. You’ll have two hours to put your ideas in motion before the meeting. We’ll have everything you’ll need in the conference room.”
“I don’t think I can do this, Simon.”
He walked over and gripped my hips. “You can do it, Bella. You know what you’re talking about.”
“I know social media. I don’t know anything about luxury real estate.”
“You don’t need to know luxury real estate. I have an entire fucking building full of people who know luxury real estate, and we’re sitting on fifty-plus unsold units.”
“That’s not helping my anxiety,” I said.
“My point is, I’m not asking you to walk in there and tell my architects how to build an apartment. I’m asking you to show my people how you’d make someone want to live in one.”
“I’ve never presented something like this to a room full of people before, especially executives.”
“I know.”
“What if I freeze or fumble my words and sound like an idiot?”
“You won’t,” he said.
“I will. I can already feel it.”
“Then you’ll look at me.”
“And what will you do?” I asked.
“Nothing.” He smiled. “Just seeing me sitting there will calm you down.”
“You are so full of yourself.” I cocked my head.
“What? It will. Look at me.” He held out his arms. “Everything about me screams relax.”
I laughed and playfully smacked his chest. “You’re an idiot.”
“Maybe. But I can tell you’re a little calmer.”
I walked over and grabbed my purse. “If we’re doing this, let’s go before I change my mind. But I have one condition first.”
“And what’s that?” he asked.
“I need Starbucks first.”
“We have coffee at the office,” he said.
“I don’t need coffee.”
“What do you need?” His brows furrowed.
“A pumpkin spice latte.”
“You’re seriously going to make us late for a pumpkin drink?”
“Latte,” I said.
“Whatever,” he sighed.
“And we’re not going to be late. There’s a Starbucks two blocks from your office.”
“There are probably twelve Starbucks two blocks from my office,” he said as we stepped into the elevator.
“Exactly. Problem solved.” I grinned. “I need it.”
“You don’t need it,” he said.
“Excuse me. It’s my emotional support beverage.”
“Jesus Christ.” The elevator doors opened, and we stepped into the lobby.
“Don’t judge me. You’re about to put me in front of your father and a room full of Montclair employees and ask me to tell them their marketing sucks.”
“Okay. Okay. Starbucks it is,” he said, sliding in the back seat next to me. “Nick, stop at the closest Starbucks to the office.”
“I would like a Grande pumpkin spice latte. Extra whip,” I told him.
“Anything else, Your Highness?”
“Oh, and a pumpkin cream cheese muffin sounds good too.”
We stepped inside Starbucks and got stuck at the door. The line of people was insane.
“Fuck. We are going to be so late,” Simon said. “This is ridiculous. Do you really need to get your pumpkin on right now? We can come back later.”
“I need it now to get through this meeting,” I said. I had an idea. “Follow me,” I said to Simon as I walked up to the front of the line. “Excuse me, I said to the couple who were waiting their turn. “If you let me cut in front of you, your drinks are on me,” I whispered.
“Seriously?” the guy asked.
“Yes. I need to place my order and get out of here. But I need you to place it with yours so I don’t start a riot.”
“Deal. What do you want?” the guy asked.
“A Grande pumpkin spice latte with extra whip and a pumpkin cream cheese muffin.” I slipped him Simon’s credit card I’d forgotten to return. “We’ll be waiting outside.”
“Did you just offer to pay for that couple’s order?” Simon asked as we stepped outside.
“Yes.”
A wide grin crossed his lips. “I can see I’m teaching you well.”
“With your credit card,” I smirked.
“My card? Shit. You never gave it back.”
“You never asked.” I smiled.
“Bella.”
“Simon.”
The couple walked out, handed me my order, and Simon’s credit card.
“Thanks again. We appreciate it.” The guy held up his drink.
“No. Thank you. You just saved me more than you’ll ever know.”
Simon and I climbed into the car. He held out his hand.
“Credit card, now.”
I placed it in his hand and rolled my eyes.