I laugh, escorting Reagan to the conference room. We’re early, so the room is blissfully empty. “I know it’s hard to imagine, but I didn’t just spring up one day to own the largest privately held communications company in Australia. I was a peon.”
“Where did you do your peon work?” I hand Reagan a water as she settles into a seat next to me. The floor-to-ceiling windows in the conference room give her an ethereal glow. It’s hard to keep my eyes off her.
“I started working for the government right out of uni. It taught me everything I knew, so when I wanted to start my own company, I had the tools to do so. I didn’t want to rely on anyone, so I paved my own way.”
“And yet, you have to rely on everyone that works for you to do their jobs so your work gets done. Pretty grim outlook.”
“When you grew up like me, you’d understand.”
Reagan goes to open her mouth, but Marvin and the next few interns come into the room to present their work. Perfect timing. It’s too early in the day for such intimate conversations. Conversations I shouldn’t be having with an employee.
“Marvin. I hope you don’t mind, but I brought our newest project manager, Reagan, along to see the work our interns have come up with during their time with us.”
“Brilliant. We don’t want to waste your time, so Brandi, let’s get started.” He gestures to a young woman who is shaking like a leaf. No matter how many times I do these presentations, they never get easier for the interns.
“Brandi. I’m excited to hear what you’ve come up with.” I give her a nod before letting her start her presentation.
Reagan
“Any particular reasonyou drilled her so hard? You weren’t that harsh on the other two.” I flip through the slides we were given on each project. “These are good.”
“Yes, they are. While the two were fine and likely something we might implement, Brandi’s was a repackaged version of something we already do.”
My head shoots up. “Really?”
“Yes. I know you think it’s odd that I sit in on these meetings—”
“I didn’t say it was odd,” I cut him off.
“You didn’t have to; I get that look all the time.”
I roll my eyes. “Fine. So is this why you do it?”
I nod my head. “Yes. If we let people who can’t come up with creative ideas work here, we’ll become stagnant. And isn’t that the kiss of death for any company?”
“Are you always this positive?”
“Realistic.” Leo licks his lips, turning in his seat toward me. We stayed in the conference room long after everyone else left. It’s well past the end of the day, but I can’t bring myself to leave. Even being in the professional bubble with Leo, he’s hard to resist.
“I guess you’re doing something right if you’re a billion-dollar company.”
“I have learned a thing or two along the way. And hopefully with the project we brought you on to assist with, we could double that revenue.”
My mouth drops open. “I knew this could be a big project, but doubling your revenue?”
“I’ve been keeping that part of the project close to the vest. People tend to overcomplicate things if they know how much pressure they are under.”
“I’ll say.” I’m already feeling like an anvil has settled over my chest.
Leo leans across the table, clasping his hands in front of him. “Are you not up to the task, Reagan?”
The tone of his voice sends chills racing down my spine. “Of course I am. You didn’t bring me down here for the year for something that was easy, right?”
And working with Leo is anything but easy. Being in his presence some days is hard. Like he’s remembering what I looked like naked and sprawled out on his bed. Lightning moves down my spine at the memory.
“I hope you’re up to the task.” Leo stands, buttoning his suit jacket. “I won’t go easy on you just because of our past.”
I stand, matching Leo’s powerful posture. “I wouldn’t expect you to.”
