No one did.
“Excellent.By the end of the day, please send me the projects you're managing that present the highest credibility risk.”
Everyone quickly left.
I waited a few seconds before asking, “Aren’t the projects that pose the biggest risks the ones tied to the Stonestocks in some way?”
“Yes.I’ll send you that list so you can start reviewing.We’ll compare it to their lists tomorrow.”
“Want to make bets on whose project lists don’t match yours?”I asked as I started for the door.
“I doubt I’d win if I had to bet against your picks.”
His list was open on my monitor a few minutes later.The Riverfront and Southside projects were at the top, calling to me.Using the clubhouse as inspiration, I opened up my last proposal for the Southside project and started revising.
I didn’t realize how long I’d been working on it until Bomir waved a sandwich in front of my face.He pulled it back, though, when I tried to take it.
“Mr.Steele wants you to eat in his office,” he said.
I made a face and side-eyed my open proposal.
“You’ve been playing with the same piece for the last fifteen minutes.You need a break.Go.”
With a playful groan, I took my lunch and went into Konni’s office.He was at his desk, but leaned back, waiting for me.
His very relaxed pose reminded me of what he’d said about suppressing his urge to touch me at work.I shut the door.He subtly tensed, but I couldn’t pinpoint how.He hadn’t actually moved.Maybe it was the intensity in his eyes as he tracked my progress to his sofa.
“I agree with your list,” I said, sitting.“Especially the Riverfront and Southside projects.Have you heard from any of the project managers yet?”
“Two have already sent their lists.They are almost identical to mine, each with a different small business they’re worried about.”
“Oh?In what way?”
“That they weren’t getting the attention they deserved because of our push to take care of the projects with the bigger budgets or social influences.”
“Which shows they care about their client list,” I said, unwrapping my sandwich.“That’s good.Maybe we can arrange a client appreciation dinner for those clients and talk about whatever needs to be addressed in person.”
He stood smoothly as I took a bite of my sandwich.
“I like that idea.”He sat next to me, angling himself so his knee touched my leg.
I hid my grin with a sip of the iced tea he had waiting for me.
“It pays to be nice sometimes,” I said.“It’ll balance the scales when you have to be less nice, like with Pennly.
“I reviewed the project status.The PM’s last note said they won’t sign if I remain a Steele employee.I’m guessing Pennly’s new investor is connected to Lianna in some way and won’t back down even if she’s out of the picture.So, let’s help Pennly get rid of that investor by finding one that doesn’t have outrageous conditions.”
Konni nodded thoughtfully, staring at my mouth as I took another bite.Was he actually hearing me, or was he thinking of the things we’d done last night?With the way he was staring at me, my thoughts wanted to go in that direction too.
“Know anyone?”I asked after I swallowed.“If not, I can bring it up to Wrenly.Based on the location, design, and business plan, it wouldn’t be a losing investment.”
“Actually, we both know a better, more interested candidate.”
“We do?”
“Your mom.Securing the funds under her name will land us a major contract right after Lianna's resignation—something shareholders and the press can't ignore.As compensation, she gets a lifetime share of the resort's profits.”
My mark warmed considerably when I realized that he knew Mom well enough to understand she wouldn’t want a handout and how to spin it so she’d accept.
