“We did exactly what Declan asked us to do.”
I knew the arguments. How many different ways could there be for introducing a loan package? But this was specifically aimed at startup companies. Many loan companies offered solutions to startup companies, but we needed to find a way to stand out.
Every year we put together a team to assess how well we were doing in comparison to the rest of the market. That team was responsible for coming up with recommendations. I wasn’t happy with the current team’s ideas at all. I could tell they’d put time and effort into the presentation, but it didn’t blow me away.
They offered nothing new.
Maybe I was being harder than usual. Everyone knew Declan was the more difficult of the two of us to please, but with the surly mood I was in lately, I couldn’t help it. My personal life shouldn’t be affecting my job, but it was, and I noticed too.
All those sleepless nights thinking about August Long was making me a nightmare to work with. When I managed to fall asleep, it was to wake up with a hard-on and aroused from dreams about the last time we’d had sex.
But it was more than just thoughts about sex. I wanted to share all kinds of things with him, like the different designs the interior designer had come up with for the nursery. Or that the deal was done. Poppy and I had signed the agreement.
Clearly from the way the team members were looking at me, they thought I was insane. I could almost hear their thoughts as they sneaked a glance at each other. They didn’t want me here. They would’ve preferred to make this presentation to Declan, but I’d pushed them to get it done before my son returned from his honeymoon, which Owen and Declan had conveniently extended by a few days. Now they were off to spend a couple of days in Amsterdam before returning home.
I had just two days left to stop thinking about sex with August. Two days I could be beneath August. Or on top of him. Whichever way got the job done. Two days to return to the version of Charles who didn’t climb into bed with other men and go on dates with them. The Charles who disliked dogs and flirted outrageously with women.
“We need to think bigger.” I rose to my feet. “Let’s try not to focus on just attracting those who’ve already decided to start a business. Let’s also think about those we can convince that it’ll be in their best interest to start a business, whether small or big. Let’s go with a campaign surrounding that, yes? I expect a revision in five days.”
If they had a problem with the deadline I gave them, they didn’t show it. I closed the lid on my laptop and nodded at the team of four who stood before me dumbstruck.
“Think of this as the first attempt. Our company brand is known for innovative ideas and being the trendsetter. Our new ideas must maintain that image.”
I left the boardroom and returned to my office, which was only next door. Declan’s was on the other side of the boardroom. As soon as I sat, I didn’t think but punched in my secretary’s extension.
“Yes, Mr. Moore?”
“Faith, Did you find the Horizon & Beck file?”
The small microfinance company was in financial woes, and we were in the process of taking it over from the current owners. How could I make the damn deal when I didn’t even know what Declan had been discussing? I’d put off the meeting twice already because I hated being unprepared to go into negotiations.
“I was just waiting for you to get out of your meeting, Mr. Moore.”
“Yes?” I prompted.
“Declan called.”
“Good.” Took him long enough.
I’d tried reaching out to him after he’d emailed me his updated itinerary, but he’d never replied.
“The file is on its way, sir.”
“On its way? From where?”
“It seems Declan brought it home with him to do some more research but forgot to bring it back to the office before his wedding.”
I should’ve thought of that. Declan was a workaholic. He’d gotten better at leaving work at the office since he met Owen, but old habits were hard to break.
My heart skipped a beat. If the file was at his home, how would I get my hands on it? I had no desire to run into August again. The last time had been intense enough.
Unlike the first time we’d hooked up,