To my surprise, Parker frowned, the crease between his brows sharp and immediate.“I don’t think we should make that a priority right now,” he muttered, his tone edged with irritation as he picked at his fingernails.
Samuel blinked at Parker, just as thrown as I was by Parker’s unexpected objection.“Why not, son?”
Parker hesitated before answering.“Because the manufacturing costs are already massive, and it’s not the right time to throw more money at marketing.”
“The money I’ve invested should be enough to cover the manufacturing and the increase in the marketing budget,” I pointed out, then went on to justify my reasons.“Industry research shows that competitors are pouring money into visibility.If GalvaTech doesn’t invest now, they risk becoming invisible in a sector where early brand recognition and consumer awareness is everything.I want GalvaTech positioned as a front-runner, not a quiet newcomer.”
“That makes sense,” Samuel said, supporting my idea.
Parker’s eyes shifted away from me, jaw flexing once before he clamped down on whatever else he wanted to say.Unease curled in my stomach, not enough to call him out, but enough to make me pay attention.I didn’t know him well enough to understand the sudden pushback, or the tension rolling off him in waves.
Still, he didn’t argue further, and right now, that was what mattered.We had a product to launch, and I needed him aligned and working with me, not against me, so we could make this launch a success.
The meeting wrapped quickly after that.Parker practically bolted for the door.I rose to leave as well, but Samuel’s hand landed gently on my arm to stop me.
“I want to thank you for all that you’re doing for the company,” he said with a warm, fatherly smile.“I can feel us moving closer to success every day.I also wanted to invite you to my home for a dinner party this Saturday with the family.My wife, Faith, would love to meet you.GalvaTech has always been a family business, and now that you’ve invested your time and money into it, I guess that makes you an honorary member.”
He chuckled, and I was touched by the thoughtfulness of his invitation.Most of the other companies I’d worked with kept things formal and transactional, and I appreciated the way he valued me as part of the company.
“I’d love to come to dinner,” I said.
Samuel smiled again, genuine and grateful, and as I walked out, I realized I wasn’t just invested in GalvaTech anymore.I was invested in the people.In Morgan.Maybe more than I should be.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Morgan
Istood insidemy walk-in closet, staring at my options like they might suddenly arrange themselves into the perfect outfit.
It was just dinner, I told myself.My father had invited Liam as a gesture of appreciation and gratitude.A completely casual and thoughtful overture…except nothing about the way I was starting to feel for Liam felt even remotely neutral anymore.
Sighing, I pulled out a simple and classic black dress, then put it back.Too formal.Tried a sweater and jeans.Too relaxed.A silk blouse and tailored pants.Too professional.
Ugh.“Get it together,” I muttered to myself.
This was ridiculous.I’d never had trouble picking an outfit before.But then again, I’d spent the past few weeks in a constant state of anticipation, wondering when Liam and I would finally cross that line we’d been dancing around since that night in his car.Tonight, I wanted to feel that spark between us a little more.
We hadn’t kissed again.Hadn’t touched beyond the occasional brush of hands or his palm at my lower back when he’d walked me to my car like a gentleman after a late night at the office.Whatever we were developing felt easy in a way I hadn’t expected.Like we’d skipped past the awkward getting-to-know-you phase and landed somewhere deeper.Somewhere that mattered and felt real.
My cellphone buzzed on my dresser.I picked it up and saw a text from Whitney.
Please tell me you’re not overthinking what to wear.
I laughed, because only a best friend would know me that well after learning I was going to be seeing Liam at a family dinner.
I typed back,I have no idea what you’re talking about.
Liar.Just wear the red dress.The one that makes your boobs look so damn good they should come with a warning label.
I grinned and shook my head.It’s a family dinner.
With a man you’re clearly into.Wear.The.Dress.You’ve been doing the slow burn thing for weeks now.Maybe it’s time to turn up the heat a little.
I bit my lip, staring at the red dress hanging at the back of my closet.It was one of my favorites.Fitted to my curves, but not too tight.Sophisticated and subtle enough for a family dinner, but tempting enough for Liam.
Fine, I finally responded.The red dress it is.
That’s my girl.Now go ruin his self-control.
