“Last night you told me you hadn’t been completely honest with me. Well, neither have I, with you.” She fiddled with the silver cuff on her ear. “I haven’t had an assistant in months. I can manage alone, but a good partner is invaluable. Save for this last minute tourism shoot, Tilly hasn’t gotten me a new gig in a while, either. A few months ago, she and her husband opened a coffee shop and, well, you know how that goes. Since then, her priorities shifted.”
“How so?” Zander asked.
“For one, she would never have told my mom where I was staying. And, sheshouldhave discussed my rates with Gerard Ricardo. I was blindsided when he asked about my fees. Tilly agreed to fly in and help me out. Looks like that’s not happening.”
“I’m sorry.” He wanted to pull over, take her in his arms, and comfort her. But he kept on driving. Because that’s what an assistant does. He does his job. Period.
“I’m struggling to make ends meet and a friend at the beach offered me a job managing her restaurant,” she continued. “Pay is good. Work is steady. I’ve been holding out, hoping for a sign from the universe to stay on this path. This gig comes along and I think it could be my lucky break. Then, Tilly gets me a meeting with Gerard, but that fizzles.”
Zander sorted through what she’d told him. “Since meeting with Gerard, has he told you that you didn’t win his business?”
“No, but he might have called Tilly.”
“Let’s go on the assumption he hasn’t decided. What do you think about sending him a follow-up text letting him know how much you’re looking forward to working with him?”
Savannah looked over at him. This time, her smile touched her eyes. “Love it.” She unearthed Gerard’s business card from her bag and began typing out a message on her phone.
Zander wanted to help because he wantedherto be successful. Whatever he could do in the short amount of time they had, he’d do it, ask for nothing, and return home a happier man. Zander had been all about winning. It felt good helping someone else win for a change, even if it meant forgoing his own agenda.
“Here’s my first stab at it,” she said.
“I’m listening.”
“Gerard, it’s Savannah Morrissette. Thank you so much for showing me around your club yesterday. I would be thrilled to photograph all three of your properties and know I can capture the beauty of your courses and the elegance of your clubhouses. Have a great vacation.”
“That’s good. Read it again.”
She did.
“What do you think about adding, ‘Contact me directly if you have questions.’ That keeps the communication between you two. And I’d include a link to your website.”
“Great ideas.” She added that to the text and eyed Zander one more time. “Okay, I’m sending.” Then, she ran her hand down his shoulder and gave his triceps a squeeze. “Thank you.”
His arm heated from her touch, but he wasn’t going to let his thoughts run wild. Hers was a friendly caress, a sisterly one. While he didn’t want that kind of connection with her, it didn’t matter. Not this time.
Zander decided to stick with business. This was an area where he was comfortable, proficient even. “Let’s circle back to Tilly,” he continued. “I have an alternative to firing her, if you’re interested.”
“Lay it on me.”
I’d rather lay myself on you.Shaking away those thoughts, he asked, “What about a compromise? Do you think she might be willing to work part-time while you hunt for a new agent?”
“It doesn’t work like that.”
“I understand. But if she isn’t interested, it’s no loss. You were planning on letting her go, anyway.”
“Itwouldmake the conversation easier to have,” Savannah said. “I’ve been avoiding it because we’ve become such good friends.”
“Could you ask her who she recommends you contact for representation? If she’s well-networked, she might be willing to help you, especially since you’re being so upfront with her.”
“She has mentioned other agents to me before.” Savannah shot him a smile. “That might work.”
“Now, about that assistant…”
He asked a few questions about how she went about finding the right person. They brainstormed her options and she made notes in her phone. When that conversation had been exhausted, he grew quiet.
“You’re a smart guy.”
“Business is what I do.”
