I Have Lived and I Have Loved - Willow Winters Page 0,332

to having to second-guess what I said at work because I had a single focus and I had to keep that and pretend Harper was just another employee.

Her face was blank, which was a relief. “Then we look at their trading history. I want to understand what they react to, why they invest where they do, why they prefer certain products over others. Look for patterns.”

Marvin stuck his hand up. “I’ve started some of the stuff on their investment history and product preference. Just in my spare time. I knew we’d have this moment at some point.” Marvin’s capacity for research and modelling was the best I’d ever seen, and it didn’t surprise me he had a jump start. He was a hard worker.

“Good. Jim and Harper, you work together on the more personal stuff. Use the agency if you need to.” I’d gotten Harper’s okay to tell the team about her personal connection, but I wanted to make sure I told them in a way that they understood she was here for her skills. It was obviously a sensitive issue for her. But unless it came up, I wasn’t going to raise it.

“I may have some useful insights about their investment decisions,” Harper said. She reached down to her laptop case and brought out a thick folio, placing it on the desk in front of her. “But I’ve also been tracking their investments for the last five years and noticed some interesting choices. I’d be happy to share these.”

Jesus, it looked as if she’d skipped business school and dedicated the last five years to researching JD Stanley.

“I’d like to work with Marvin on that, too, if that’s okay?”

“Marvin, work with Harper,” I said.

Marvin was practically salivating at the sight of her papers. “Sure,” he said, blushing when she smiled at him. I knew the feeling. There was something unaffected in her approach in the office that was totally disarming. She didn’t have the hard veneer of so many of New York’s Wall Street workers. Focus.

“Let’s meet at seven thirty each morning to update the team. I want us to start thinking propositions, looking for angles. This isn’t research for research’s sake. We don’t want analysis paralysis here.” Heads nodded around the table.

“We also need to determine our method of presentation. Do we do PowerPoint? Is it likely to be in an auditorium or boardroom? Talk to your contacts. We need more information than we have, people.”

“You should request a preliminary lunch meeting,” Harper said, looking directly at me. “Call his assistant personally. Tell her you want to take him to La Grenouille. It’s his favorite.”

The memory of the smooth skin of her breasts under my hands paralyzed my tongue for a second, and I had to look away before I could answer. “You don’t think that’s too pushy?”

She shook her head. “He doesn’t understand the concept of too pushy. He’ll be testing your mettle. He didn’t give you much information about your meeting, right?”

“Nothing,” I replied.

“He’s trying to send you on a wild-goose chase. Don’t waste time. Take control. Ask him what he wants.”

I nodded. Of course, she was right. “Donna, put some time in my calendar for me to do that.” Harper looked glum, but I was grateful for her insight, despite the fact I hated the restaurant she’d suggested. I’d never been because it seemed so stuffy.

“And then in terms of who’s presenting, that will be me and Harper. We’ll need plenty of time to rehearse.”

I glanced at Harper. Her eyes were wide, as if she hadn’t expected me to take her. “Do you think that’s a good idea?” she asked. “Of course I want to, but—I’ve never pitched before.”

I took a deep breath and tapped my fingers on the back of the chairs. She could be useful, like a carrot we could dangle in front of Charles Jayne. “Donna, what pitches do we have coming up?”

“We have the Asia-Pac for Goldman’s,” she said. “A week from Wednesday.”

“Good. Harper, get read into that. You can be my second chair in that meeting. Give you some experience. I can make a final decision after that.”

“Goldman Sachs?” she asked.

“Yes. They’re looking for someone to help them with a project in Asia.”

“Okay.” The slight quiver in her voice was the only thing betraying her lack of confidence. I doubt anyone else noticed. “I’ll speak to—”

“Jean,” Donna interrupted. “She’ll get you read in.”

“Good. I’m looking for your best work everyone. We’re going to nail this.” I smacked my fist on the