“The Squirrels' travel schedule for the game season. Gosh, if I owned the team, then I would change that name stat.”
I review the paper skeptically, and she divided the info into subheadings and even highlighted dollar amounts. “Hmm, you are useful, it seems.” I keep my voice neutral.
“Exactly, which is why it would be a shame if I were to abandon you like your other assistants.”
I flip the page and briefly glance at her as though I’m not bothered. “Sure, you can go back to Yellow Hill or wherever it is where they have jam at farmers' markets.”
“It’s Everhope. And lucky for you, I’m not a quitter.”
“Joy,” I mundanely reply and toss the notes on the desk. “You are dismissed. When Clark arrives, you can see him right through.”
She rolls her eyes. “Dismissed. Really? That is your choice of words. Sounds like something you would say to a submissive in her maid outfit.” Immediately, her mouth gapes open because her rambling landed her in hot water.
A giant smirk forms on my face as my brows rise, and I lean back in my chair. “Wildly inappropriate to say to your boss. But,of course, it could be innocent provided the submissive maid’s skirt is knee-length,obviously.”
She bites her cheek and remains mute.The way she avoids making eye contact is a tease, because if she did, I’m positive our eyes would lock and force us to admit a mutual idea we shouldn’t have. Savannah pivots and begins walking out of my office, and I return to stern mode.
“Savannah, please get rid of the fruit snacks. I think I saw a wrapper on your desk.”
She lets out a disapproving noise and storms out.
Truthfully, I stole one of those things yesterday, and they’re not half bad, but she doesn’t need to know that.It’s better to keep up the pretense that I enjoy making her life hell at times.
Clark sitsdown on the leather sofa across from my chair in the sitting area of my office.
“It’s been a while.” I smile.
“Yeah, I think last year’s Easter party at the country club up in Winnetka.” That sounds about right.
I decide that today I’m in the mood to cut to the chase, so small talk isn’t on my agenda. “Well, it’s good to see you, and I’m happy that you had a chance to come in. That’s great about your new team.”
He waves me off. “Nah, it’s a hobby. But we lack new staff to handle logistics, so here I am while we’re in the hiring process.” He glances to the side when Savannah returns with his smoothie and a water for me. She sets his drink down on the coffee table with a polite smile before she walks away. His eyes wander, and the subtle, sly movement of his facial expression irks me a little.
“Would you be a doll and bring lunch early? I’m starving.”He gives her his attention when she’s halfway to the door, and the way he said that last word has an air of inappropriateness that only I get to have in my office. I’m familiar enough with Savannah to realize that she is silently cringing and pissed off that he called her "doll."
“Of course.”
“Tell me, Savannah. Do you enjoy hockey?”
She seems surprised that he’s asking her a question. For the most part, except for the friendly greetings and arranging the notes during or coordinating contracts after the meetings, the PAs don’t tend to engage in much conversation during new client meetings.
“Oh, uh, I mean, I’ve been to a few games. How could I not? Haven handles all of the logistics for the Spinners and major teams out in the east that play across North America.” She winds it back to dropping that reminder.
“Very true. That’s why I’m here.”
I really want to get this moving. “Savannah makes a good point. Thank you.” She seizes the opportunity to leave. “Wenormally take on larger clients.” That should be enough to dig into his pride, but also make him feel that we are making an exception. “The Squirrels would be smooth logistics; however, no cross-US border trips. Unlike our major teams, most of The Squirrels' games are via bus across the Midwest. We can easily ensure all gear arrives on time with the team.”
“I assumed as much. I’m sure we’re peanuts compared to your other teams, but I’m going to make The Squirrels big, attract an audience, and find the best players. Might be the minors, but even the teams at the top of the minors get noticed by the mainstream.”
“I could perhaps agree. Ambitious plans if it’s only a hobby to you.”
He shrugs. “I mean, I might as well make a profit from it, right?”
“I assume we would start in the fall, as the hockey season is almost over for the year.”
“Yes—” His attention swings to Savannah when she enters with a basket of sandwiches wrapped in paper. “Will you be joining us?” he asks her.
She avoids looking at him and instead focuses on placing the lunch on the circular table in my office. “No, you’re in good hands with Julian.”
