“That’s not ‘it,’ if by ‘it,’ you mean everything I’m thinking of. I have other ideas, but again, it’s heavily linked to social media, which is where I feel these types of products thrive.”
“Go on. I’m listening.”
“There are so many ways to handle this—YouTube channels and product placement. I’m not saying Pryce isn’t doing a good job, but again, I think not enough talent is being directed toward new social-media trends, which surprises me. We can’t only look to the product we’re advertising. We have to look to the medium we choose to promote on as well.”
Jude probed him with that intense stare that made Mason feel as though he stood naked in front of him. But he held his own and didn’t flinch.
“I’m surprised as well. So when you meet with him today, make sure he sees that your thinking is the way to go. Make it happen.”
“Yeah, I’ll do my best.”
Jude cocked his head. “Do better.”
Rude fucker. But he smothered his resentment and gave Jude a curt nod. In his younger days, he would’ve told Jude to take his job and bad attitude and go fuck himself. But all that would accomplish would be to get him fired and a lecture from his parents. Lucky for him, he’d wised up over the years.
On the yacht, Warren’s idea of doing more was a blowjob after the morning calendar meeting, or a quickie after a particularly big deal was signed to release the tension. At least he didn’t have to worry about using his body to keep his job anymore.
“I’ll contact the influencers after my meeting with Pryce.” Jude had returned to his desk and sat sipping his coffee. “I see you have some other meetings on the calendar for the afternoon. What do you need me to do to prepare you for those?”
“I sent the notes to you this morning. Please have them typed up, along with a brief sketch of the products and the past five years’ sales and demographics. Everything you need should be in the shared drive. It sounds more daunting than it is.”
“I’m not complaining.” He shut his laptop.
“I didn’t say you were.” Jude gazed at him so intently, Mason squirmed, as if he were once more sitting in front of the principal in high school.
“What is it?”
Jude’s brow furrowed, then smoothed. “I’m impressed. Your ideas are good. Really good. I appreciate the work you’ve put in.”
Warmed by the unexpected praise, Mason dared to smile, feeling shocked when Jude returned it.
“Thanks. I just want you to know I’m serious.” Maybe this could be the start of a new beginning for them. He rose to his feet, still in a happy place.
“Oh, and Mason?”
“Yeah?” He glanced over his shoulder.
“You don’t have to hide or lie that you had a date with Russell Saville. I was only busting your chops about a non-fraternization policy here. There isn’t one. So you can see him without any fear of repercussion.”
Mason’s smile faded. “Gee, thanks.”
An angry red haze hovered in his vision as he walked back to his office. Who the fuck did Jude think he was? Mason didn’t lie. Fact was, the date turned out to be a nonstarter, with both him and Russell realizing there was no sexual attraction, but they were happy enough to be friends. And at this point, he needed that way more than a lover.
“Dick,” he mumbled and pulled out his phone to see if Doug had posted anything online. Upon his return home they’d regained their close bond, and he missed having his brother around to talk to whenever he needed advice or a sounding board. Even though Doug was on his honeymoon, Mason sent him a text, and to his surprise, Doug responded immediately by calling him.
“What’s going on?”
“Bonjour,” Mason answered. “Comment allez-vous?”
“Yeah, yeah, same to you. How’s it going with Jude? You aren’t calling to ask me to come home and bail you out of jail because you killed him, are you?” Doug snickered, and he heard Ilana yelling in the background, “Not funny.”
Mason scowled, wishing they were on video so he could give him the finger.
“Aren’t you the comedian? No, idiot. I’m working with him and Pryce on the Mojo account, and between Pryce being a son of a bitch and resenting me, and Jude poking me at every turn, it’s been hard.” He raked a hand through his hair. “I don’t have a friendly face or someone on my side.”
“Jude’s not against you, Mase. He doesn’t want you to fail, simply because if you do, then so does The Company. And Pryce can teach you everything you’ll need to know. He can be arrogant, but don’t let that get to you.”
“Great. That’s inspiring.Not.How’s Ilana?” Talking about Jude depressed him, and Mason wanted to be as Zen as possible, with no negative energy around him before his meeting with Pryce.
