“I’m not about to be tiptoeing around corners,” he said, glancing down at his feet. His polished shoes were considerably bigger than her stilettos.
“Good, because I have a meeting now. I can walk you out first.”
She led the way out of the conference room. He scooped up his bag and followed.
“They’re probably used to you being late,” he teased.
She returned his grin. “I wasn’t late; you guys were all early.”
“Just kidding. You’re right: a bunch of go-getters.”
Her chest buzzed with the feeling that he was on her side. “By the way, your purpose-driven mission is impressive. I wanted to ask you something.”
“Thanks. I wanted to ask you something too, because I’m sorry if the work upset you. Are you okay?”
Her ears warmed. His caring gaze reminded her of his kindness.
They arrived at the elevator. The dim overhead light almost made it safe for her to divulge the truth. She prattled on for a moment, as if hoping to divert him from recognizing her Achilles heel. “Yeah, I’m okay. I’m just worked up about getting this assignment. I’ve never even been to China. Which probably means Sir Princeton is going to get it.”
He threw his head back and laughed. “Sir Princeton,” he repeated.
“Plus, Joan says I’m lacking creative chops,” she added, trying to refocus on her mission: to get this assignment.
“Creative chops?” He angled his gaze towards her.
“I don’t have any major campaigns to my name, or awards.”
“So, go work on one.”
“At my level? It’s a catch-22. You need the experience to move up, but they don’t want to risk giving you the experience until you’re more senior.”
“Except Sir Princeton?” he asked with a guessing tone.
“Yeah, he’s got creative medals up the wazoo from his last company. Which leads to what I wanted to ask you. I’d appreciate your advice on where I could get more advertising experience. I’ve worked on ad production, so I could add a lot of perspective. You know how tough Joan is, right? She says I’m strategic.” Even though she’d practiced a more polished pitch, the words emerged sincere.
As the elevator door opened, she felt him studying her earnest expression, then pulled out a simple business card.
“You know what?” he said, holding open the elevator door. “I might be able to use talent like yours for our non-profit ad work. Reach out if you’d like to discuss it.”
Hopefulness rose. Talent like hers? His initials P.W. were embossed in the azure side of the square card, with his email address and phone number on the other side.
Phoenix stepped into the elevator, joining a food delivery guy who was holding boxes emanating savory odors.
She aimed for snarky before she could make a fool of herself. “You mean my talent for finding the men’s room?”
The doors glided shut on his grin.
She exhaled. How had this damned stranger managed to worm his way into her head?
His business card seemed to hold answers. The crisp edges of the cardstock felt like the ticket to another world, one in which advertising wizards granted wishes with the snap of slender fingers. She swallowed.Business,all business.
Mandy’s sweet voice took on a teasing tone as she answered her phone. “A phone call instead of a text? Did you win the lottery or something?”
“More like a lottery ticket,” Orchid said.
“Spill the beans, ‘cause I’m up to my elbows in diapers over here.”
“Ha! Hug Matty for me.”
