My desk doesn’t have anything like that. But then, I never had a reason to put anything on it except for a small clock and calendar.
I pull out my phone.
–Me: Noah, can you send me the pic you took of me and Luce?
–Noah: Sure. By the way, you can thank me. I take great photos, even if the subject isn’t cheetahs in heat.
I roll my eyes. Noah often says cheetahs wait for no one. He’s obsessed with them.
–Me: You should write a book about them. You’d finish it in no time.
–Noah: I’m not writing cheetah porn. They deserve dignity.
Like getting photographed while they’re doing it in the wild is dignified…?
Noah sends the pic. Luce is adorable in it, her eyes a little wide with shock, but her smile is gorgeous. It’s perfect for my desk.
Now that I think about it, Luce probably doesn’t have any photos of us, either.
I Google for a frame and find a crystal and silver one that’s perfect. I forward the picture to Christoph.
–Me: Print this in high resolution. Two copies.
–Christoph: Any particular size in mind?
–Me: 4x6.
Wait, that’s too small. I want to be able to see Luce’s smile clearly.
–Me: Actually make that 5x7. Frame both. Use this frame.
I insert the link to the frame.
–Me: One’s for me. The other’s for Luce. Send it to her office.
* * *
The lunch meeting, held at an Italian restaurant inside the Aylster, is productive. But that isn’t the sole or even main point. If somebody asked me to define consistency, I’d point at Sabato. He isn’t a showy man, and his work style isn’t showy, either. He’s six-one, medium frame with a moderate amount of muscle from a daily morning exercise that he adheres to religiously. He has intelligent brown eyes over a thin mustache. He speaks in a surprisingly deep, modulated tone, and his clothes are expensive but staid. His only jewelry is a wedding band of simple platinum.
Nobody would realize he’s one of the most successful regional managers at a luxury jewelry brand. The man is diligent to a fault and doesn’t believe in shortcuts.
I value those qualities more than any other. Prima donnas and attention whores don’t grow a company. I make sure he understands that honest work is rewarded at Sebastian Jewelry, and he’s shown his appreciation by staying with us for over fifteen years.
“Your youngest is graduating from high school this year, isn’t she?” I ask over cheesecake drizzled with a raspberry reduction.
“Yes.” He smiles fondly. “You remember.” He doesn’t sound surprised. He knows I keep track of the people on my radar.
“Talk to your wife and see if you’d prefer L.A. or McLean,” I say, naming our two headquarters. “Your choice.”
“How much time do I have?” His gaze is somber, but there’s a hint of excitement. There is the seriousness of taking on bigger responsibilities, but he likes a challenge.
“At the end of this fiscal year.”
“That’s this summer.”
“Right. Should give you and your wife enough time to discuss things and come to a decision. If you want to stay in Chicago we can arrange something, but opportunities are better at the headquarters.” I plan to groom him for the COO position eventually. Our current COO, Abner Cox, wants to retire in the next five years. He and I agree that Sabato would be a perfect replacement.
As we head out of the restaurant, I spot Gabriella leaving Nieve with her agent. Our eyes meet, and she whispers something to her agent and starts toward me.
