female architect before. “The other person who’s working on the account with me is female.”
“That’s cool, I guess. It’s just supposed to be better these days, and people like to think it is, but there’s still a long way to go.”
While Mom was about prana, chakras, and mother earth, sounded like my little sister was a feminist. Since I didn’t have much to add on the subject, I asked about her day at school, and let her talk through the rest of dinner. After helping clear the plates and load them into the dishwasher, I opened my laptop and scanned through the emails Penelope had sent me.
During the next few days, I planned on notating where I saw room for improvement so that during our big presentation to the Pythons on Thursday afternoon, I could show Penelope that not only were we on the same team, but like it or not, I could also be an asset.
8
Penelope
“Or…” Archer cut in, and I did my best to hold the smile plastered on my peachy-pink lips at the start of the meeting on Thursday afternoon. The lipstick shade was called Designer’s Muse, which seemed like the perfect color to carpe the diem and the presentation.
As for the not-so-perfect, Archer pointed at the blueprints projected on the pull-down screen, over where I’d drawn up the three-story fitness center. “What if we have one big sports bar and grill that’s three stories right here? The top floor would have an amazing view of the field.”
“Didn’t you read the materials?” I asked, barely resisting the urge to jam my stiletto into his fancy polished shoes. I’d worn my badass silver Maddens with glitter and studs, which made them surprisingly heavy. While the pointy four-inch heel probably wouldn’t puncture the leather, I could leave a bruise if I tried, and trust me, I’d be trying my damnedest. “We don’t need two sports bars along with the other restaurants that’d already been claimed, especially one that takes up so much real estate while cutting into the profits of what the vendors might sell at the stadium, and—”
“But they could charge an entry fee on event days. Not as high as a game or concert ticket, for people who might not be able to afford to go, and then the restaurant could pay a percentage to whoever’s running the event.”
“Whomever,” I muttered, unable to help myself. Then I flinched, hoping our audience hadn’t heard and already judged me as unlikeable, something Mr. York didn’t have to worry about like I did. City Councilwoman Jill Roberts, Scott Watson, the club president of the Pythons, and the mayor’s chief of staff, Mario Avila, were seated at the long table on the other side of the room, various expressions flickering across their faces.
“That’s where the fitness center is planned.” I went ahead and tapped the blueprints myself, as if my friends would later ask How’d you win, Pen?
And I’d reply with Oh, I tapped the rough draft of my design with gusto.
Before I got sidetracked with rambling internal monologue, I charged on, firm and a pinch bubbly. “While the fitness center will be open to the community, those who live in the condo will get a discounted rate. Having a gym mere steps from one’s home is going to be a huge draw.”
A muscle ticked in Archer’s cheek, and a victorious surge streaked through me; I was getting to him as much as he was getting to me. “Well, if they truly want to get in a workout,” he said, “they can walk a few extra blocks. I’m sure we can negotiate for a discount with another gym.”
“People often think of walking or driving the extra blocks and decide it’s too much effort.” If only Archer would try to get in his steps for today by taking his leave of the conference room and my presentation. Come to think of it, though, when it came to the layout of downtown, I was the expert. “The nearest gym is about five miles away. Hardly huffing it distance, and when you factor in it’s also run down and at capacity, without the inspiring view of the field, there’s no comparison. Most females also don’t want to have to think about coming out of the gym late at night, and how much safer they’d feel if they could go from one well-lit building to another in a matter of a block.”
“There are also benefits of being able to walk a few steps home after