“Last but not least,” I said, “we should discuss your budget. I didn’t make any cost proposition because I didn’t know which scenario you’d choose.”
Nina pointed to Beckett. “That’s something between you and the boss.”
“What?” I glanced at Beckett.
“I’m the one who decides the budgets. I’d like to discuss the numbers with you in detail. How fast do you think you cancome up with a cost proposal based on everything we’ve decided upon?”
“Today,” I said without hesitation. It might be a bit of a stretch, but we were on a winning streak here, and I wanted to keep the momentum going.
“All right, then. Well, we have our to-dos,” Nina said, nodding to Sonia. “Beckett, you know where we are if you need us. Piper, it was fantastic meeting you. I have a great feeling about this commercial.”
“So do I.”
The second they left the meeting room, Beckett rose to his feet. I didn’t realize what he was about to do until he came right next to me, pulled the chair back, and half sat on the table.
“This was fantastic.”
“Thanks. I like the setup of your department. Especially that your marketing staff also works for the entire restaurant branch.”
“We try to use synergies without making one division dependent on the other.”
“It appears to work well.”
He nodded.
I looked at my laptop again, completely unnerved. What should I say? God, it was so easy to be professional when Sonia and Nina were here. Now I only had Beckett to focus on.
“Piper,” he said slowly, and I detected a slight change in his tone.
“Hmm?”
“Why aren’t you looking at me?”
That’s mean. Why is he putting me on the spot?I glanced up and licked my lips, deciding to lay it all out on the table.
“I’m not sure how to do this”—I pointed between us—“after our conversation.”
A wry smile popped onto his face. It was so damn handsome. “For the first time, I’m not sure either.”
I blinked rapidly. “Oh! That makes me feel much better.”
He grinned. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah. I thought I was the only one who was…” I was about to say “swooning,” but that was way too much information.
“The only one who what?” Beckett asked, leaning slightly closer to me.
“Never mind.”
His eyes were playful. He looked down at my lips but didn’t say anything. Then he straightened up.
“I have a proposition for you.”
“Sure.”
“You’re working on the budget today, right?”
“Yes. I’ll have it to you by end of day.”
