Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 66267 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66267 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
I hide from what it is I want.
I hide from going after what I want.
Who I want to be.
And you know what?
If Tucker can at least try to be do better than so can I.
“No,” I slowly deny at the same time my boyfriend curls his arm into its place.
Inebriated Brandi brushes off the refusal with a hand toss. “Fine. Fine. You’re probably right. Donuts would be more appreciated.”
“They would, but no. That’s not what I’m saying, Brandi.”
“Then what are you saying? You wanna come in later?”
“I’m saying I’m not coming in at all.”
Two sets of jaws hit the shiny floors.
“I quit.”
“What?!” Pops out of both individuals in tandem.
“I quit.” This time I lift my chin upward and push my shoulders back. “I’m done doing bitch work. I’m done running errands and micromanaging appointments and being terrified I’m the one going to get terminated on a tequila mood swing. I have paid my dues, hell, I’ve paid enough dues for like ten people!”
Brandi seems taken back by the statement but remains silent.
“I am worth so much more than what I was getting paid pre-watching Tucker and now that I’m done, I don’t just want a better paycheck, I wanna do something for this company that has a real impact, or I want a good recommendation as I find somewhere else I can make one.”
Holy. Friedrich.
Did I really just say all those things out loud?!
Have I been drinking?!
Is this the result of sleep deprivation?!
“You have something in mind.”
The single glance I give Tucker allows for him to wordlessly encourage me with a small nod.
“I think it would be beneficial for the chain if you would be willing to showcase local artists’ work in the lobbies of each individual hotel versus the mass market commercial prints that you have now. In doing so, you not only increase a direct tie to the community, assist those that are trying to make something of themselves, but you also demonstrate that no matter where you go in the world, when you stay at The Frost Luxury Hotel, you’re still staying somewhere that reflects where you are.”
To my surprise, Brandi hums in what sounds like an impressed nature.
OhmyMichelangelo. I can’t believe I really just pitched that!
“Okay,” she begins, folding her arms across her chest, “let’s negotiate.”
“No.”
“Not you,” The sly smirk on her face is both exciting and frightful. “I can tell by your tone that your terms around your suggestion are ironclad; however, Tucker’s aren’t.”
Bewilderment bulldozes itself onto my face. “But he didn’t say anything.”
“Doesn’t mean he can’t.”
Tucker quirks an eyebrow when they lock eyes.
“I’ll take a chance on this potentially brilliant idea – and the sole financial risk to put it in place – as long as you commission a piece of artwork to hang in each of those lobbies as well.”
This time it’s my turn to let my mouth hit the ground.
“See, I know you will never work for this family or with this family on anything but your own terms, which is something I swallowed a lonnnnggggggg time ago, but my parents – Christ in a champagne flute – my parents will not rest until you do something connected to the company. Fuck, even my boys do endorsement deals in other countries to appease them. Give them what they want – what we all really want – and do something.”
The tension filled silence stretches on for much too long. “I pick the subjects.”
“Of course.”
“And June gets to pick the places we go, the duration we stay, as well as the artists she thinks will fit best at each location.”
Uh…wait…what?
Brandi lifts her brow, clearly proud of his counter, “Fine.”
“How many pieces?”
“At least one a year.” She lets another crooked smirk crawl into place. “For at least the next five whether what you two have works out or not.”
“We will,” my boyfriend declares without hesitation. “And you have yourself a deal.”
“Tuck,” I barely manage to croak before they’re shaking hands.
“Pleasure during business with you both.” Brandi shoots me a sassy wink. “I’ll have one of my assistants arrange for us to meet to have the paperwork drawn up this week. In the meantime…” she slowly begins to back up, “I gotta find my oldest. Rich’s brother wants to talk shop and you know Brett can only talk football for so long before he pouts that they’re not talking hockey.” Giggles are accompanied by headshakes. “He’s such a puckhead.”
As soon as she wanders away down a nearby hallway, I prepare to tell him that he can’t actually agree to what he just did when he states, “Everyone of those pieces will be our story, June Bug. That way…no matter where we visit in the world…no matter where we go…we’ll always feel like we’re home because home is where the art is.”
More swoons flutter through the air prior to my mouth trying to express disbelief, “You’re sure about this?”