Not Just Friends (Hot in the City #3) - T. Gephart Page 0,21
the company into the ground. Instead he went against his conservative upbringing and culture, conducting meetings and dealings with zero fear. And he expected the best from his team, which is why his personal assistant not only had a Harvard law degree but could speak five languages.
“Fine, busy day. I’d continue with the small talk but it bores me, and I know you don’t have time for it.” She was also incredibly direct, with no soft edges at all. Like none.
“Of course, Lorena,” I agreed, not wanting to continue the charade either. “I’m assuming you’re calling about my request to meet with David.”
Before my ex-boyfriend was trashing my apartment, and I was making questionable—though I’d never regret Leighton—decisions about who shared my bed, I’d called wanting to set a date to pitch my expansion idea. I was even prepared to fly to Hong Kong, my passport anxious to have its first international stamp.
“Yes, both David and I are intrigued. I assume all is going well at Diablo, yes?”
She was cocky, knowing that when it came to our boss, she was higher up the pecking order. And while I appreciated we were all trying to prove our worth, I wasn’t going to submit either, Harvard Law degree or not.
“Lorena, I know you see our figures on the central portal. You know exactly how well we’re doing. I’ve exceeded the projections for the quarter, and we still have two months to go. Not an easy thing to accomplish in a city which has more than twenty thousand establishments just like mine.” I didn’t even pretend I hadn’t meant the last part. It might not be my name on Diablo’s title, but it didn’t make it any less mine. It was my turn to be cocky.
She laughed, knowing we could go toe-to-toe for hours if that’s what it took. But there was a twelve-hour time difference between Hong Kong and New York, which meant she was looking forward to ending her day rather than starting it.
“Yes, I’ve noticed. Which is why David wanted me to call. I’m assuming the topic of discussion was going to be a request for a pay increase, yes? Well, we thought we’d save you the trouble, I’ve already sent the authorization to payroll. An extra fifteen percent which can be further negotiated in twelve months. David sends his best.”
“Lorena, I want my meeting.” While I was thrilled to have been given the pay increase I rightfully deserved, I’d hoped to use it as leverage. Being dismissed with more cash hadn’t been the plan, and I wasn’t giving anyone other than David my pitch.
“Presley, come on. You know that fifteen percent is more than fair. Like I said, you can renegotiate in twelve months. You keep doing what you’re doing, and I have no doubt you’ll walk away a very rich woman. It’s a wonderful thing to be self-sufficient, to have that security a full bank account can give you. But don’t confuse greed and ambition, that would be a mistake.”
She didn’t need to spell it out, knowing that he’d taken a chance on me and loyalty was valued above all else. “It’s not about the money. There was something else I wanted to discuss.”
“Really?” Lorena’s usual impenetrable exterior showed a crack, the surprise evident. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes, of course,” I lied for the second time.
The pause on the phone had me guessing Lorena knew it as well, but surprisingly she didn’t call me on it. “Fine, David is flying out to New York in a week. I’ll set up a meeting while he’s in town.”
“That will work, let me know the time. I know he’s not interested in seeing Diablo, so tell him if he wants to meet elsewhere, I won’t be offended,” I answered, wondering if he was coming into town, why he wouldn’t just stop by. But if given the choice, I was going to be pleased he trusted me so much instead of disappointed he didn’t see the club as a priority.
I heard the smile in Lorena’s voice, “You don’t think he’d want to inspect a business he’s sunk a few million into?”
“We both know I could level it into a parking garage and he wouldn’t care if I’m giving him the profit margin I am now.” I rolled my eyes, amused she thought I’d be so needy.
“He did always like you, Presley. I’m positive if you went and got an MBA, you’d be managing a lot more than a little club in New York.”