"Where else am I supposed to put a huge consulting firm?" Weston countered. "This is outrageous! I'm complaining to Greg."
"I will find somewhere for you to put it but not there," Garrett barked.
"Penny, can you please tell Garrett…"
"Penny isn't here to listen to you complain," Garrett cut in. "Penny, could you run through the presentation, please."
"For the presentation," I said, "I tried to make it as positive and pretty as possible. I grew up here, so I know what people respond to." I flicked through the slides. "We start off with a historical comparison, look how much positive change the Svenssons have already brought to Harrogate, from the rail park to the art trail to the new convention center going in that will bring in jobs—which is the big keyword. The Svenssons have been great partners to the city. Thalian Biotech will be as well."
Garrett and his brothers nodded along as I spoke.
"To really hit home the jobs angle, Meghan mentioned we should provide some type of working-class factory job. I was thinking we could have a makerspace, to train the budding entrepreneurs of tomorrow."
"No!" Weston shouted.
"I think it's a fine idea," Garrett said, scowling at his younger brother.
"I know," Weston said, leaning back in his chair. "That's why I want it as part of my company space. It fits better with a consulting firm anyway. Sebastian isn't going to want a bunch of random people coming in and out of his facility. They like to lock it down so that people can't steal their research."
"Our company designed their security protocol," Blade explained.
"Of course a makerspace is a terrible idea for Thalian Biotech," Bronwyn said. "Penny, you need to think these things through. A factory would be much better."
"Yes, especially since there's one point person who owns it and manages the hires," Blade said, typing on his computer.
"Thalian can't just put up a big wall," I said. "We need to have some community-conscious element."
"So we're back to square one on the jobs."
"The presentation looks nice though. It's sort of minimalist," Weston added. "I appreciate it. I like your sketches and diagrams too. It feels authentic."
"That’s the big buzzword these days!"
56
Garrett
"We need to leave," Penny said, throwing me my coat after the meeting.
"We do?"
"Rehearsal, Macbeth. You're the star of the play."
"I always thought Lady Macbeth was the strong arm behind all the decisions," I said.
"She certainly had Macbeth by the balls!" Penny said with a laugh as we headed down to the lobby.
"Not that I wouldn't be okay if you decided to do a little ball handling yourself," I said, sliding a hand down her back to cup her ass.
"Seeing you on stagedoesgets me a little horny!" she said, doing a little wiggle.
* * *
"There are the two lovebirds!"Ida said when we walked in from the dressing rooms. The play was in a week and a half, and we had started dress rehearsals. Penny was dressed in the flowing robes of an Elizabethan lady. Her red hair was in a braid down her back. The costume was belted around her waist. I'd never thought of Elizabethan dress as particularly sexy, but on Penny, it looked stunning.
"Coming off not one but two successful Halloween parties," Ida continued. "I heard the one over the weekend was a real rager. Can't believe you didn't invite me—I really know how to get down." She did a surprisingly good imitation of what I supposed was twerking.
Ernest was there along with Art, fixing up the set. He waved when he saw us.
