Can’t wait ??
As I get out onto the road, it occurs to me that maybe I should call instead of just showing up uninvited, but I’m only thirty minutes away, and if I just show up, I won’t be shut down before I even get a chance to sell my point, so I turn up the stereo a couple of decibels and keep driving.
* * *
Morgan Newton’s office is impressive. I was expecting it to be a small and modest office, but this is the opposite. It’s off the beaten path, but it’s hardly small. The entrance hosts a crystal chandelier that shimmers in the sunlight streaming in through the large glass windows. The walls are lined with large, framed posters that advertise events. I’m sure they’re all mementos from the past success of the firm.
A receptionist sits at the desk, a self-help book propped in her lap and an earbud in one ear. When I approach her desk, she doesn’t look up at me right away, clearly trying to finish her paragraph as she sets her bookmark in the book but still doesn’t lift her head to give me the time of day.
Finally, she slams the book shut. “How can I help you?” She gives me a warm smile. It’s kind and innocent enough for me not to be irritated by the fact that she didn’t immediately offer to help me.
“Is Morgan Newton in today? I’d like to see her.”
“Do you have an appointment scheduled?”
“No,” I admit, glancing down at my dirt-covered boots.
When I look back up at her, desperation rising inside of me, her face softens. “I’ll give her a call and see if she’s available. Can I give her your name and why you’re visiting?”
“Rhett Lawson. I’m here to talk with her about Olivia Parker.”
“Rhett Lawson. Olivia Parker. Got it.”
She picks up the phone, and I try not to stare her down as anticipation fills me. I hear a click and then some murmuring on the other end before she speaks. “Hi, Miss Newton. I have a Mr. Rhett Lawson here who’s hoping to speak with you. He said it’s about Olivia Parker.” More murmuring comes from the other end of the phone. “Okay. Yes, I will tell him. Thank you, ma’am.”
I watch her carefully as she hangs up the phone. If my attention makes her uncomfortable, she doesn’t show it. Maybe she can tell this has nothing to do with her and everything to do with my love for another woman.
“She says she has some time. Her office is the second door on the left.” She swivels around in her chair to point to the left wing of the hallway behind her. Swiveling back to face me, she adds, “Miss Newton likes to act very professional, but she’s a big softie. Whatever you have to pitch to her, all you need to do is be raw and honest with her, and she won’t be able to resist giving you what you need.” She gives me a kind smile, her youthful eyes filled with hope.
“Thank you so much!” I wave a hand in her direction as I pass by her in two big steps, anxious to speak with Morgan.
I round the corner to her office and give two quick knocks. The door immediately opens to reveal Morgan with an expectant look on her face.
“Mr. Lawson.” She reaches her hand out to shake mine.
I take it quickly, trying to calm my nerves. This isn’t even necessarily for me, and I’m more nervous than I’ve ever been about anything. I just want Olivia to be happy. I’m terrified that if this doesn’t work out, Olivia will be so beaten down that she won’t hear me out again to stay any longer. She will pack up her things and be gone, out of my grasp for good. The thought makes my stomach roil, but I persevere because I can’t take not trying.
“Feel free to take a seat. What can I help you with today?” Very professional, just like the girl at the front desk said she would be.
I take a seat across the desk from her, unable to keep from twiddling my thumbs anxiously in my lap. “I wanted to talk with you a bit about Olivia Parker. I know you spoke with her at the Resilient Paws Fundraiser she put on in Roots.” I look at her, waiting for recognition to cross her face. She gives me a quick nod, so I go on. “I believe she reached out, and I haven’t heard a thing about you two getting connected, so I just wanted to make sure you understand how incredible she is. If you let her pass by, you’ll be making a huge mistake. Olivia is dedicated and kind. She puts her whole heart and soul into everything she does, and people love her. She’d be a huge asset to you as a marketing company because she just has this way of hooking people in. She’ll be able to help you get more sponsors to keep the firm afloat. She can bring in new clients and catch people’s attention with her marketing. She has a real passion for non-profit work and creating content for social media. She’s even been posting content for a page all about dogs for years now, which she continued to do while working seventy hours a week for her real job. She will exceed your expectations. You just have to give her a chance. Please.”
I pause, breathless. Morgan gives me a gentle smile, a knowing light in her eyes. “Can I ask what your relationship is to Olivia and why she didn’t come down here herself to tell me all this?”
Shit. Did I just make things worse?“I’m her, uh, friend? More than that? I don’t know yet, but I know I want to be everything to her.” The words spill out quickly. “I’m sorry. I hope I didn’t overstep by coming down here, but Olivia is amazing, and she has a hard time standing up for herself and fighting for the things she deserves, but she is made for more than accounting, and Iknowyou could see that too based on the event she put on. Just think how much more she could do if given the chance. You have to talk with her. You’d be insane not to want her working for you.”
The silence that fills the room is deafening. I squirm in my seat as I assess Morgan. Finally, she leans her forearms on the desk, gracefully lacing her fingers together. “I did see potential in Olivia, which is exactly why I gave her my card. She reached out, and I responded, but I never heard back from her. I think she could be a great fit for us here, but I’m not interested in hiring someone who doesn’t want to be here.”
I’m stunned. I open my mouth and then clamp it shut again. Finally, I say, “She was so excited when you came to speak with her at the fundraiser. I’m sure she wants the chance to work here. She’s just afraid of being rejected. But I believe in her, and it sounds like you do too. Like I said, give her a chance.”
“I’ll tell you what. You go home and tell her to respond to my email. I’d like to get coffee or lunch with her and chat, see for myself that everything you said about her is true. If that’s the case, there’s room for her here as far as I’m concerned.”
I let out a puff of air. “Thank you. Thank you! Oh my god, she’s going to be so excited. I will tell her right away. Thank you!” I stand from my chair and reach my hand out to shake hers again. When she takes it, I can’t help but add once more, “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet. The ball is in Olivia’s court now.”
I give an eager nod, turning to walk toward the door.
“Oh, and Rhett?”
