“Whose?” He looked genuinely confused.
“Your assistant. The one who doesn’t look at your polished and shiny visage.” She grinned when he patted his cheeks.
“Sue?” He frowned. “Karen. No. Griselda?” He shrugged.
“And that, my friend, would make it so I didn’t give you the time of day either.” She noted the building suggestions Cari had scribbled in the side notes. “You’re arrogant and snobby, and although I love you, other people might find it off-putting.”
He sighed deeply and dropped his head against the couch back. “Fine. I hear you. I’ll change my ways and become a real boy, Jiminy.”
She grinned as she stood and slipped on her wool coat. “Or don’t. But you can’t complain about people not liking you.” She grabbed her purse and the folder and took a deep breath. “Wish me luck.”
“You don’t give a fuck about people liking you either.” He kissed the top of her head as they headed for the door. “Goodluck. Let me know if I need to call you an ambulance because she’s planted a high heel in your forehead.”
Marina held the folder over her head as she dashed to the Lyft waiting at the curb and tried not to touch the wet ends of her hair, which would just make it frizz. They made good time, and the person at the desk took her name and then sent her up in the elevator. Choosing to go back to 18 was a calculated risk. Sheila liked it there. She felt in control and powerful. It meant she might relax enough to hear what Marina had to say. Without her team around her, though, she might also be utterly dismissive. There was only one way to find out.
She took a seat and ordered a glass of iced tea, which made her think of River drinking it the night before. What a night that had been. Despite their vast differences and the chasm between them, River had managed to make the night fun. And that kiss. She could categorically say she’d never had one like it.
“You didn’t order me a drink?” Sheila’s sharp tone cut through her thoughts like a cleaver.
“I wouldn’t presume to know what you might want.” Marina didn’t get up. That would invite a hug, maybe a cheek kiss. She needed Sheila to see her as a lawyer right now, not a possible conquest.
“Always a good way to think.” She waved to the bar person and then turned her attention to Marina. “I was surprised to get your invitation, given your desire to keep our relationship professional until you’re no longer under anyone else’s authority.”
Until. Marina didn’t let the statement open the floodgate of irritation that instantly started to strain. “I wanted to speak to you privately about an idea I have that might appear to be a little unorthodox. If you don’t like it, I save face by only sharing it with you. If you do, then we have the space to talk about logisticswithout a lot of men sticking their well-worn opinions into the mix.”
Humility and chutzpah. That’s what she was hoping Sheila took from the statement, and not a clear dismissal of the relationship concept. And the comment about men might keep her from sharing any misstep with Montgomery.
“Interesting. I do like your oddball way of doing things, Marina. It’s so different from what I’ve known.” She barely acknowledged the barman who set down what looked like a Tom Collins with a black cherry garnish. “Very well. I’ll accept your assertion that this wasn’t just an excuse to see me outside the office. Fascinate me with your proposal.”
If she were to throw a stapler at Sheila’s head, it would likely dent the stapler. “Last night’s segment from Adriana was damning.”
Sheila held up her hand and took a sip of her drink. “It’s all lies and fake news.”
Marina nodded slowly. “Sure. Of course it is. But it was damning nonetheless, as is the amount of proof and interviews she’s gathered. You’re looking at an investigation, Sheila. I assume your team told you that?”
Sheila’s lips had pressed to a thin, white line. “I’ve been assured it will be taken care of and won’t be more than a splinter in my thumb.”
“No.” Marina didn’t break eye contact. “They’re telling you what you want to hear because they’re afraid of you. I’m telling you the truth. Therewillbe an investigation. People are going to start digging deeper. If this had happened ten years ago, the information wouldn’t have spread the way it has. But social media creates a virus that spreads in milliseconds, and everyone breathes it in. Including government officials. Your reputation has been seriously compromised and the likelihood of people believing that your firm did all those things is pretty damn high.”
Sheila’s hands were clenched in her lap, her knuckles as white as the rage emanating from her. “That’s not what I want to hear, Marina. Don’t forget who you’re talking to.”
Marina leaned forward. “I’m very aware of who I’m talking to. It’s just you and me here, Sheila, and once again, I’ll remind you that you didn’t hire me because you wanted a doormat. I’m fucking phenomenal at my job, and you need to hear what I’m saying.”
Sheila blinked rapidly, and then she laughed, her hands unclenching. She picked up her drink. “You really are delightful. Go on.”
Marina sat back, ignoring the trembling in her stomach as she took the leap. She picked up the folder and set it on her lap. “You’re familiar with the concept of regeneration as opposed to gentrification?” At Sheila’s nod, she continued. “I think we’ve got an opportunity to build some good will and suggest that you’re not the bad guy. Have you heard of opportunity zones?”
Sheila shook her head. “Regeneration leaves the community the way it is. I want to change it.”
“Hear me out.” Marina opened the folder and turned to the right section. “We start with opportunity zones. That means directing capital into projects that include local businesses instead of bringing in high-end companies. You invest money in businesses that are already established, and it shows that you’re willing to work with people instead of against them.”
Sheila didn’t say anything, but she was listening.
“The next thing you do is work with the community. You direct funding to a local group that takes on vacant or underused businesses. That helps them restore those into something potentially profitable.”
Sheila’s eyes narrowed. “I’m not hearing how any of this benefits my business, Marina. So far it’s just throwing money into a pit and telling the snakes to use it as they see fit.”
Not a great reaction, but she wouldn’t give up just yet. “Okay. The next part is to invest in affordable housing.”
