I smiled then and felt a little guilty for the freakout I had earlier. While I didn’t understand much of what he had just said, I turned to follow the host down the hall near the kitchens. My phone vibrated non-stop all the way to the small room. “You’ll have your privacy in here, ma’am.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Anything for you and Mr. Allen.” He said, bowing slightly, and I watched him leave in confusion. I turned and there was sound tiles on the walls, which created a calming wave pattern across the gray walls. My heels sunk into the dark gray carpet as I sat down at the desk on the far wall. My phone vibrated again, and I sighed.
I went to my contacts, and just video called Sam without looking at the messages. When he answered, he looked serious.
“Mind telling me what is such a 911 that I couldn’t have dinner first?” I snapped. I was hungry, tired, and horny. Three things that did not mix well in Luci Baker.
“Mind telling me why I got six, no seven, text messages that you are out, dressed to the nines with Rylie Allen?”
I looked at him in confusion. “I don’t think I need to answer that. One, it has nothing to do with work. Two, I’m not on the clock right now. Besides, what does one have to do with the other?”
“We will circle back around to that.” He ran his hand through his hair and pulled at his tie, undoing it and throwing it off to the side. He looked off camera, as I heard a bunch of coughing, and I remembered his daughter was sick.
“How’s your baby girl?”
“Helen just got home, so she’s attending to her.”
“Okay, so again, what is the emergency?”
“Short version. I realize that we just started jumping from Chicago and Houston recently, but there has been a change in plans.”
I eyed him carefully, and when he didn’t say anything, I said, “I’m waiting.”
“The clients in Chicago want more hands-on, in person attention.”
“So, are you assigning the account to a local person? No more trips to Chicago? I don’t understand why you called this a 911 call. We could have discussed this in the morning, or I don’t know, after I ate dinner at least.” I sat back in the chair and crossed my arms tight.
“No, Luci, this couldn’t wait. What I’m doing is offering you an opportunity to move to Chicago to work mainly on the Henderson Account. You will still be responsible for the Mann and Wright accounts in Houston, but the Henderson accounts will be more demanding. They like you, and want to continue working with you, but they demand more in person interaction.”
“So, you want me to pick up and move my life to Chicago for an account that we still don’t know will be long term?”
“I spoke to Ray Henderson this evening. He said that if we agree to the terms he set forth tonight, one of which is a personal rep here in Chicago, preferably one specific Luci Baker, then he will sign a ten-year contract, with an automatic ten–year renewal provision, if the deadlines are met.” He looked at me again after tipping his head back and sighing. “The firm will also increase your pay by $40,000 a year, you keep all your current benefits, the firm will pay all moving expenses, first six months of housing, and an additional week of vacation for you to agree to the position.”
I blinked. That… That was some incentive.
“Think about it, but I need an answer in the morning.” Sam said.
“Sam, that…” My heart was racing. I looked off through the wall to where I thought Rylie was sitting and blinked a few times.
“I know it’s a lot. You just got settled in San Jose. I know how hard the last few years have been.”
“And you have to know before the meeting tomorrow?”
Sam nodded. “Mr. Henderson is arriving at ten, so we need to know how to move forward.”
“Alright, fine. I’ll let you know when I arrive in the morning.” Shaking my head in disbelief, I noticed his eyes go to something just off camera. “I understand the offer is time sensitive, but you keep refusing to tell me why this is a 911, Sam.”
“Because now I have fifteen text messages, asking me why you are out with Rylie Allen. Care to tell me why?” Sam said and smiled.
“Once again, that is none of your business.” I sighed. “How do you even know who Rylie is?”
“How do I even know who…?” Sam stuttered. “Doyouknow who Rylie Allen is?”
A frustrated groan slipped out as I fought the urge to hang up on him. “I’ve known him for half my life. He’s one of the most important people in my existence, so yes, I know exactly who Rylie Allen is. Now if you don’t mind, I am going to go back to having dinner, because I am starved.” Sam’s eyes were huge as I said, “I’ll see you in the morning with my answer.”
Chapter seven
