"Children," Hunter said in a low voice.
"So basically our report is that Platinum Provisions is rolling in money," Liam said, "and we're giving out hefty Christmas bonuses." The screen flipped to a slide of Chloe in that revealing gingerbread-girl costume blowing a kiss at the camera and icing a cookie with one of the Platinum Provisions tools. I grabbed on to the arm of the chair.
"That is inappropriate," Greg said.
"This is what sells," Liam retorted. "We are making so much money, all thanks to this girl and Gunnar's web show."
"We will basically sell as many of these as we can produce," I interjected. "We will beat our projections from last quarter by twenty percent thanks to the limited-edition Christmas baking product line. WithTheGreat Christmas Bake-Off, people are taking a renewed interest in high-end kitchen products."
"We'll need a way to keep interest up past the Christmas season," Hunter said.
"We make medical equipment and drills." I told them. "The baking stuff is a side venture. It shouldn't overwhelm our main focus."
"Yes, but if there's money, you all need to go after it," Greg added.
"Let's move on and discuss your progress on the pharmaceutical production tools," Hunter said, flipping to a new page in his notebook. "There's a need in Svensson PharmaTech for products that Platinum Provisions could design and produce."
The rest of the board meeting went on longer than I thought it would. Hunter and Greg insisted on reviewing the production schedule for the Christmas baking items.
"What absolutely cannot happen," Hunter said, "is that your company fails to meet these promises you've made to consumers. There's marketing everywhere. Everyone who wants a cooking device needs to be able to buy one. Failure is not an option."
"We'll make it happen," I promised.
"Will you?" Hunter said. "You're so distracted by the tower, and Liam mentioned a girl—"
"I am not distracted."
"Good," Hunter said. "Platinum Provisions is your first priority, not my brother's stupid reality show, not your tower, and certainly not that baker. Understand?"
"Of course," I said firmly. But Chloe was taking over my life and my headspace.
"Where are you off to?" Liam asked after the board meeting. "Come eat with us so I'm not alone with my brothers."
"Chloe was supposed to make me dinner," I told Liam. "But she's mad at me. So maybe it won't happen."
"So you can come for a drink."
"I don't know. I have filming and my dog."
"When are you going to hire another assistant?" Liam asked.
"Someday. I have a lot on my plate."
I took the subway back to the tower. There was a major accident, and traffic was worse than usual. Homeless Santa was outside the lobby entrance. He gave me a half salute, and against my better judgement, I put a donation in his cup.
"Much obliged, sir," he said in thanks.
Maybe it would bring me good luck.
Chloe was walking out of the tower when I arrived; she almost ran right into my arms. I wanted to kiss her, but I didn't know where we stood.
"Off to take more pictures?" I asked, trying to scrub clean the image of her in that costume from my brain.
"I'm going shopping for your dinner," she said.
I wondered if she saw the lust in my eyes. "I was afraid it might be canceled," I said.
"No." She looked down at her shoes then down the street. "I'm sorry I yelled at you."
