“Sebastian was exactly the person to grow this magazine quickly. To capture the attention of millions and launch a sensation. But those tactics aren’t working anymore, and he’s been distracted the last year. I’m not sure he has what it takes toadapt.”
“Our team has shown great progress since I arrived,” I said carefully, hoping to send the message that this wasmyteam too, and everyone held value, including Sebastian.EspeciallySebastian.
“My point exactly. Sebastian didn’t even recognize that wehada female demographic, much less appeal to them, and he either didn’t see or refused to admit that we were losing our more sophisticatedreaders.”
I opened my mouth to say that wasn’t true, but hadn’t I skewered him for those exact reasons during my firstpresentation?
Vance continued, “He had a year to turn things around but couldn’t. Not untilyou.”
“He needed a little guidance,” I said. “Which is exactly why you brought me in. When the compass breaks, I simply right theship.”
“It’s more than that, George. The men respond well to you. Even that ADHD case Justin. EvenSebastian. Though I see him fighting it, he’s made improvements aswell.”
“So we bothagree.”
“It seems we do. I want to bring you on full-time.”
“I’m practically here full-time as it is,” I said, sitting back. “I still need to be at my office one or two days a week in orderto—”
“No, no. I mean we’d like to hire you, Georgina. As creativedirector.”
Oh. “That’s Sebastian’s position,” I said dumbly. Sebastian didn’t just work as a creative director—helivedthe job title. “Are you . . . are you promotinghim?”
He hesitated. “Sebastian is welcome to stay on the team—your team—if you decide to keep him. That would be yourcall.”
That didn’t sound like a promotion. In fact, it sounded like ademotion. “Sebastian is very nearly back on course,” I said slowly. “Trust me. He’s gotthis.”
“It’s obvious that a change in perspective has done everyone some good,” Vance said. “Against the advice of my peers, I gave Sebastian more editorial control than customary for this industry because I had a feeling about him. It worked in my favor. I have that same feeling aboutyou.”
I wiped my palms on my slacks. “I’m very happy with the position I’m in now,” I said. “In fact, there are opportunities within my currentagency.”
“That so? What kinds? I’d at least like the chance to matchthem.”
It was only partially true. I’d heard rumblings from everyone except my boss about the possibility of expansion, from hiring new agents to opening an office out of state to introducing a new department. Yet, any of those options would be, at best, a lateral move for me. “I’m not at liberty to discuss them,” Isaid.
“Are you at liberty to discuss salary?” He glanced at the notepad, then cocked his head and scratched out what he’d written. He hadn’t been doodling but writing zeroes. “I suppose I’ll need to up my game if I’ve got competition.” He wrote a new number and skated it across the desk. “Here’s what I’m authorized to offer. If anyone asks, you negotiated mehere.”
I widened my eyes. It was nearly double my current salary, which was already very decent—at least, for those who lived anywhere but New York City and didn’t care for a terminally sick dog. A strange sense of pride settled over me. I’d taken on this job unsure of how I’d wrangle an office full of “bad boys.” Clearly, I’d succeeded. My boss had believed I could do it, just like she’d cultivated my drive since day one. Yet, it’d been some time since I’d been promoted. At my current position, job satisfaction came from challenging assignments such asModern Man, but considering Dionne had founded the agency, my position lacked upward mobility. Had my ambition plateaued as a result? I wasn’t sure how I felt about staying on as creative director, but it hit me that Vance was offering themoreI’d never get where I wasnow.
And I did want more. That was how I’d grown into George, and it was how I took care of my loved ones. Moneyhadbeen tight ever since Neal had stopped working and left me to handle our bills, including the seemingly never-ending vet visits. Once I’d started to fall behind, I hadn’t been able to catch back up, and the debt had been mounting for a while. The number in front of me would not only allow me to cover Bruno’s healthcare expenses but upgrade them.Andput a serious dent in my debt.Andleave some formyself.
“You’re speechless,” Vance said. “That’s what I was going for. We’d love to bring you on as soon as you’re able to get free of your currentsituation.”
“I . . . I’m not even sure I’m legally allowed. I’d have to look over mycontract.”
“Well, find out,” he said, ripping off the top slip of paper and crumpling it. “Take the weekend to weigh your options. And of course, keep this between us. It won’t be easy breaking this to Sebastian, but I’ll handle him. It shouldn’t come from anyone but me.” He grumbled as he tossed the notepad back in a drawer. “If he storms in here one more time making demands, he’ll get an unwelcome realitycheck.”
Sebastian. He’d been running the show successfully for a long time. What’d happened this last year to throw him off his game? Perhaps I could’ve gotten to the bottom of it if he’d ever indulged me in a one-on-one session like I’d requested. But he hadn’t thought it was worth histime.
Could I do this to him knowing how much he’d dedicated to theposition?
Dismissed, I exited the office in a daze and headed back downstairs. I went straight for the restroom, where there’d be no chance of running into any of the guys. I needed a moment to process this, and peace and quiet was hard to come by anywhere but the ladies’ room. As soon as I turned the corner, though, I nearly ran into Sebastian on his way out of themen’s.
“Hey,” he said, leaning against the wall and blocking me from the moment alone I desperately needed. “What’d Vancewant?”
“What?” I stalled.Vance wants . . .me. Not you. “Oh. Nothing. Just a check-in.”
“Don’t you do thatFridays?”
