I’ve gone over this scenario a couple times in my head, mostly on the way here so I wouldn’t chicken out at the last minute. Which I did consider. About five or six times. I can’t remember the last time I was this nervous about meeting up with someone who wasn’t a big-name client like Mike Barrett. And honestly? I don’t know why I’m nervous to begin with. It’s just Hudson. It’s not like he’s a stranger. He’s my best friend, and I’m just stopping by to say hi.
Andmaybeask him if he wants to hang out later. We can get dinner, find a bookstore to hit up, or a bar to get a drink, or…
We could hang out in my hotel room. Maybe put on a movie and get distracted. It wouldn’t be the worst idea, I don’t think, but I guess I won’t know until I ask, right?
I go over my plan once more in my brain. I pull out my phone and text Chloe—my boss’s secretary. I’d text my boss, but he hates dealing withtrivialshit, as he likes to say. And securing passes and scheduling meetings are definitely trivial things for a guy who runs a billion-dollar company.
Me
Just arrived at TC.
Chloe
Your Press Pass should be available at the front desk. You know what to do.
Me
Thanks.
I don’t dislike Chloe, but I can never tell via text if she’s annoyed with me, which is aggravating sometimes. Especially when I’m on edge. Like right now.
Technically, I’m not doing anything out of the ordinary. This is my job and I do this shit all the time. But I also know thisis different because I don’t usuallylieto my boss’s secretary to get a press pass, which means I most certainly will have to send someone a gift basket of snacks if I pull this off.
Yes, I’m here to see Hudson, but I’m not going to waste the opportunity to stop by and network, either, especially with the roster these guys have. And with the convention tomorrow, if I could somehow persuade someone from that roster to stop by the Nutri-Go table, well… that’s free press, baby. All we need is someone to snap a photo of them with a Nutri-Go product, and the match is struck. Which is why after I see Hudson and ask him to hang out, I’m headed straight to HR to drop off some sample products.
“You got this,” I tell myself. “Head in, grab your pass, and casually ask where his office is. It’s not that weird. You network with a lot of people. No one will assume anything.”
At least, that’s what I tell myself. I grab my backpack and head out toward the stadium.
It’s not a game day, so the place isn’t super busy, but there’s still a good bit of staff moving around. I find my way to the ticket windows. The woman behind the counter doesn’t even look up from her phone.
“Good afternoon,” I say in my most polished, chipper voice. She looks up at me like I’ve interrupted her fanfic. I force a smile.
“Trey Kelly, Regional Sales Manager, Nutri-Go,” I say. “Chloe called ahead for me.” My heart beats like a damn drum as she stares at me in silence. “I, uh… need my press pass.”
She blinks, and for a moment, I think I might have to call Chloe, but the woman sighs and dramatically gets up from her rolling chair. She disappears behind the door in the corner and comes back with my pass. I breathe easier.
“Thanks,” I say as she slips it through the vestibule. “Uh, one more thing…”
I swallow, nervously. This is it. Stay cool. It’s just a question. You’ve asked plenty of questions like this before. No biggie.
“Can you tell me where Hudson Daniels’ office is located?”
The woman raises an eyebrow.
“You got an appointment to visitHudson?”
I look back and forth, feeling slightly offended by her tone.
“Um… yeah. He’s an… old friend.”
She laughs. It’s not a sarcastic laugh, either. It’s deep like I just told her the sky is purple.
I feel hot all of a sudden, and as I open my mouth to speak, she shakes her head.
“Yeah, whatever. Second floor, make a right at concessions until you see the club entrance. His office is down the hall. You’ll see his name on the door. If you reach HR, you’ve gone too far.”
I tug on the straps of my backpack and give her the fakest smile I can muster.
