Chapter 39 Sales Takes a Thick Skin
Grace stood in the driveway, looking over the black luxury SUV. It still had temporary tags.
A vehicle like that would cost around a hundred and twenty thousand dollars. Ryan had said he would pay with money earned treating patients.
Apparently, he’d done well.
“Why this one? You said you wanted something cheaper.”
“I changed my mind when I looked around.” He smiled. “You have the full-size model, and even the grocery car is a luxury car. I thought I’d fit somewhere in between.”
She didn’t comment on that.
“I heard you made a promise to Sales Team Eight.”
“What promise?”
“Close a sale before the end of the month or leave.”
“Brian said that. I didn’t promise anything.”
He smiled.
“Thinking of helping me?”
“No.”
Her answer was calm.
“He’s making things difficult for you, but one sale isn’t an unreasonable target. If you can’t manage that, Sales probably isn’t the right place for you. Better to find that out now.”
“And avoid embarrassing you?”
He said it lightly.
“Don’t worry. I’ll start visiting clients tomorrow.”
“Good luck.”
Her manner was cool, but he took no offense. Their arrangement didn’t oblige her to be affectionate or solve his problems.
The next morning, he arrived at work in his usual unhurried fashion.
Shortly before noon, Tyler returned looking delighted.
“Closed a deal?” Ryan asked.
“Yes.” Tyler wiped his forehead. “Not a big one, but it gets me past my target.”
“Congratulations.”
Tyler took a long drink of water, then lowered his voice.
“Free this afternoon? I can introduce you to some purchasing managers. You can follow up afterward.”
“Lunch first. My treat. You can explain what I need to know.”
“Deal.”
Once Tyler finished processing his contract, they left together.
Derek watched them go, then headed into Brian’s office.
“Tyler’s helping Ryan find a sale.”
“Has Tyler met his own target?”
“Just today.”
Brian snorted.
“Another one who needs reminding where he stands. We’ll find a reason to get rid of him.”
Derek looked pleased.
“And Ryan?”
“Those accounts have been worked over for months. No one can close them. Tyler’s tried some himself.” Brian leaned back. “Let them waste their time. The month’s nearly over.”
“He does know Ms. Morgan.”
“So what? Whitaker backs us. As long as we follow procedure, she can’t complain.”
Brian sneered.
“She’s beautiful. I’ll grant her that. Running a company is another matter.”
“Exactly. Too young, and a woman besides. Whitaker should be in charge.”
Brian smiled at the agreement.
“Reed will retire soon. If I keep Team Eight’s numbers up, I’ll be next in line to run Sales.”
He gave Derek a meaningful look.
“And I won’t forget who helped.”
In the parking lot, Tyler stopped beside Ryan’s new SUV.
“This is yours?”
“Bought it yesterday.”
Tyler looked from the car to Ryan.
That explained a lot. Someone who could buy a vehicle like this wasn’t afraid of losing his base salary. No wonder Brian and Derek couldn’t intimidate him.
Perhaps he was only working there to see what ordinary life was like.
Ryan drove them to an upscale hot-pot restaurant. Lunch came to a hundred and fifty dollars, even after the bill was rounded down.
Tyler tried not to stare. Seventy-five dollars each for lunch. Ryan certainly knew how to enjoy himself.
He would do his best to make the afternoon worthwhile.
“Let’s start with the new hospital. Most of their purchasing is already arranged, but they need a lot of equipment. We only need one small order.”
Ryan agreed. He knew medicine, not procurement. Better to follow someone who understood the process.
In the hospital parking lot, Tyler called his contact.
“Director Parker? Tyler Brooks, from the Morgans’ medical equipment company.”
The call ended quickly.
Tyler gave Ryan a rueful smile.
“He hung up. Happens all the time. Let’s see if we can find him inside.”
He opened his door.
“You need a thick skin in sales.”
Ryan nodded and followed him into the lobby.
Nearby, a small group was crossing the floor. Hospital Director Martin Hughes was briefing the man beside him: Victor Mercer.
Victor glanced across the lobby and stopped.
Ryan Carter?
His eyes brightened.