I summon my inner Sasha—and also give her a new job title: Sasha, VP of Marketing Keegan’s Awesomeness. And then I lie in wait.
When the conversation turns to the price point of the more expensive sustainable features in the project, I say, “You know, I think I read an article recently in theHarvard Business Reviewthat millennials are willing to pay ten percent more for a sustainable product. And that while most sustainable building projects cost more upfront, they are more profitable in the long run.”
Keegan gives my hip a little squeeze that feels like the seal of approval.
Loretta smiles broadly. “Is that so?”
“I can send you the links if you’d like.”
“Certainly.”
I can feel Bruce’s gaze on me, assessing, but I keep talking to Loretta like this is a secret just between the two of us. “But the fascinating thing is how those numbers shift with the demographics. Older consumers will pay eight percent more, Millennials ten percent, and early research indicates that Gen Z will pay even more. And since Millennials and Gen Z trend towards smaller homes and minimalism, you have a smaller footprint per unit. They’ll also be willing to pay extra for access to those green spaces that are built into the design of the community.”
Bruce clears his throat and I turn toward him, slowly, blinking innocently. “Why don’t you share those links with me, too?”
“I can airdrop them right now if your phone is compatible.”
He gives me a slow blink and then chuckles as he pulls out his wallet and then hands me a business card. “I’m too old school for airdrop, but here’s my email address.”
I snap a picture of his card with my phone before handing the card back. When he frowns as he takes it, I grin. “More eco-friendly this way.”
He chuckles, looking a little chagrined. “I guess you kids take this stuff seriously.”
“Yep. And you should too, if you’re marketing to millennials and younger.”
“Remind me what position you hold at McQuade Development.” He gives me an assessing look, as if he’s actually seeing me for the first time. Since I’m not used to being in the spotlight, it’s a little unsettling. Until I remind myself that it’s not me he’s seeing. It’s Sasha. And this kind of thing comes naturally to her.
“I don’t work for McQuade Development. I’m in advertising.”
He turns to Johnny. “Doesn’t McQuade need people in advertising?”
It’s Keegan who answers, giving me a little squeeze. “Oh, we’re always trying to recruit talent like this.”
I gape at him in surprise. “Say what now?”
Bruce gestures to Johnny with his drink. “You should hire this young lady and put her to work on the project. If she can sell me on the idea, she’ll be an asset.”
“Of course she will,” Keegan says softly.
Johnny and Bruce keep talking, the conversation shifting away from the green aspect of the project that I’m familiar with, and on to the financial part of the deal. Which is a win, because Bruce is talking with more enthusiasm now, as though my input actually helped convince him.
I should be overjoyed, right? Sasha kicked ass!
Except ... for starters, Keegan is still holding me close to his side, which is disconcerting in its own way. And it makes me all too aware of how comfortable it feels to be tucked against his side.
But there’s something else troubling me as well: what Keegan just said.We’re always trying to recruit ...
Like he’s already part of the company. Like him going to work for his father is a done deal.
I’m being silly, of course. This was the whole point of coming tonight, right? For Keegan to test the waters. But it’s still disconcerting that Keegan—myKeegan, the affable, laid-back guy who lounges on my sofa and tolerates my boxed wine—melts seamlessly away to reveal a man I don’t even know. A man who uses terms like ‘cap rate’ and ‘modified gross’ like he was born to talk like this.
That’s when it hits me. Keegan isn’t just holding his own in this conversation like he was born to it.
Hewasborn to it.
The guy I know, the guy I hang out with on a weekly basis, the guy who’s been my best friend for a decade, isn’t the real Keegan. That’s college Keegan.
This guy right here is the man Keegan was always meant to be.
