To Cami Jackson, Nashville’s next great businesswoman.
In her seven years on the job, Cami had worked harder than anyone else to get to the top. And now, here she sat, in the boss’s grand, top floor office.
“I had dinner with your sister and Steve last night,” Dad said. “Look, we’ll reschedule your congratulatory dinner.” His fixed smile was part father, part boss.
She wanted to say she’d not hold her breath, but refrained. With Dad, Brant, it was always something. A golf game. Another business deal. Or just the general excuse of “too busy.” He’d not solidified anything with her for tonight even though he’d known from the staff meetings and her emails, as well as her weekly report, she was closing the deal.
“So, Roger?” Cami said. “You finally wore him down. Congratulations.” She shifted her stance, trying to get comfortable in Dad’s stiff, formal office.
His expansive cherry desk sat in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Cumberland River, which was vastly different than her view that looked over the downtown Nashville streets. A small sitting area of black leather pieces sat in the far corner and were more aesthetically pleasing than functionally comfortable.
On the other side of the office was a glass and metal conference table with black leather chairs. The beige walls were, well…beige. And empty. Devoid of art and anything else of color.
If it weren’t for the large pane windows overlooking the river, the place would be a desert for any creative mind.
“We both knew he’d cave sooner or later.” Dad pointed to a pink box from Sweet Tooth Bakery on the small table. He pulled out a chair and sat, gesturing for Cami to follow suit. “Jeremy ordered your congratulatory cupcakes.” He smiled as if the treats were a perfectly suitable substitute for a celebratory steak dinner with the boss and founder of the company. “He asked for the chocolate ones you like.”
“Thank you.” Really, she’d have to remember to thank Dad’s assistant on her way out. The cupcake tradition was usually for the staff meeting. This private celebration surprised and touched her.
Over the years, she’d adjusted to their cordial, non-affectionate father-daughter relationship, and it worked well for Akron Development. It was how things were between them since Mom died.
“Is that why you called me up here?” Cami opened the pink lid to reveal two double fudge chocolate cupcakes.
She pulled one out and reached for the napkins next to the box, then slid the box toward her dad.
Sun filtered through the windows, giving the dull office some brightness as Cami sank her teeth into the delectable treat. Calories didn’t count on closing day. Especially with a multi-million-dollar property.
“I’m going ahead with the new office in Indianapolis.” Dad took a small bite of his cupcake and returned it to the box before he reached for a napkin. “Indianapolis is too hot a market to delay any longer.” His heavy, steady gaze landed on her. “I want you to head it up.”
Cami stared at him, lip deep in chocolate cake and frosting. “Hmmphph?” She chewed with a napkin over her mouth, swallowing, trying not to choke. “What?”
“You’re opening the Indy office.” Dad moved to his desk to retrieve a large green folder and brought it back to Cami and sat down again. “While you closed on your deal, I closed on office space. Here’s the information. It’s a blank slate, so you can build it out however you want. You’ll find the name of a recommended contractor and the budget for the remodel. I want the work done and the office up and running by September first, so you’ve got a lot to do.”
“Wait, wait, what?” September first? Less than three months away. “Dad, I thought we were not going to risk the capital right now.”
“I looked at the data. We need to go now. I’m starting to feel we’re already too late. Are you in? Because if you’re not…” Dad reached for the folder. “I’ll see if Geoffrey?—”
She stopped his hand before he could take the folder. “Can you give me a second to wrap my head around this? You didn’t think to at least ask me first?” She was on her feet. “I have a life here, you know.” Not much of one, but he didn’t need to know. “Friends, Annalise.” Could she live four hours from her sister? “I just moved into my condo a few months ago. I finally got my soaker tub last week. I have a view of the river.”
Her shoe closet was the size of a small bedroom, mostly because it was the spare bedroom. She’d spent months designing and decorating, picking the colors, the fixtures. She finally had her home.
“You can sell it for a profit. Downtown lofts are up fifteen percent.” Was it always about numbers with him? “Or you can lease it if you want. But you’re heading up Indy.” Dad rose up, stretching to the six foot three that used to make her feel safe and protected.
“And if I refuse?” The emotion flowing through her made her voice quiver, and she resented it.
“Cami, you’ve been telling me for two years you want a pathway to promotion. You want to take on more responsibility. You want to take over the company one day. Don’t tell me you didn’t mean it.”
“I meant it.” No doubt Indianapolis was the opportunity she needed to advance, so why did it feel like her father was sending her away?
From his desk, Dad’s landline buzzed, and he circled around to answer it, giving Cami a moment to compose herself. After a five-word conversation with Jeremy, he returned to their little table of chocolate cupcakes and surprises.
But the short interlude gave her time to think, take her emotions in command. The city was ripe for expansion. It was a fantastic move for the company, and if she’d get her head on straight, a huge stepping-stone for her.
“What’s it going to be, Cami? You can refuse, of course, or resign, but yes, Indy is yours. You’ll be promoted to director. If things go well, vice president after two years.” Dad leaned toward her. “This is what you wanted, isn’t it?”
“Yes.” Cami cleared her voice. “Yes, thank you, it is.” When Dad retired, there would be no doubt in anyone’s mind that she’d earned his office through her own merit. She could do this…spend a few years in Indy, then head back down to Nashville. “All right.” She sat back in her chair and opened the green folder. “Give me the details.”
Dad relaxed with an exhale and smiled. “I bought a refurbished warehouse in the center of the business district. Take what office space you need, then rent out the rest. Build out your space first, then oversee the rest. Give yourself two years to complete the build-out. But you, Cami, I’m serious, be ready by the first of September. Get Astrid to start posting jobs for the positions you want to fill. Make a list of potential Akron folks who might like to transfer up north.”
