The Frame-Up (The Golden Arrow #1)(20)
He might have just saved his own sorry butt. I relax backward, just an inch, as he prepares to continue his confessional. Maybe Andy had just been trying to help me defend my project?
Casey Junior doesn’t let him finish, though. He waves his hand. “Spoken like a true director. Of course it’s a team effort, but it takes a special someone to take the individual strengths and ideas and put them into one cohesive plan for the product. It’s something an art director would do. Now, I hope one of your remaining team members has a good suggestion for the next arc for the current Falcon story line?”
“Team effort, yes. Exactly that,” Andy parrots back and gives me a small smile like that’s going to soothe my soul. The soul that at this very second is burning with such ferocity, the Human Torch would be jealous.
Not only has he stolen my ideas; he’s getting praised for stealing them. It also sounds suspiciously like he’s getting my promotion because of my ideas. It’s unacceptable. I won’t stand for it. I’ll stay after the meeting and talk to Casey Junior privately.
Kyle and Simon are sinking in their seats; they know I’m about to explode. They were privy to the conversation in our team meeting when Andy told me my idea was boring. Andy suggested we bring in one of the other superheroes for a team storytelling arc, like Superman versus Batman. Which would be great if that hadn’t been done by our competition three times last year.
In fact, that’s the very idea that Simon presents—which, of course, Casey eats up. Andy must be feeling pretty good about himself. Jerk. It fuels my fire just thinking about him getting promoted, and I don’t even listen to Kyle’s presentation. I’m too busy stocking up my defense arsenal in my head.
Casey Junior says he has an announcement, but when it’s not about the art director job, I quit listening again. Something about a new vice president of marketing. I look around as everyone else in the room rises with Casey. They’re all gathering into some sort of receiving line. We’ve never done this for a new VP before, but I’m okay with it. It means I can get to Casey Junior without seeming pushy or overbearing.
“I’d like you to meet Lelani Kalapuani, our new vice president of marketing. She’ll be attending the team meetings from now on and will be helping us select the art director.” Casey claps Andy on the shoulder in unofficial congratulations as he says this.
Fury nearly blinds me. I’m near him now, at the back of the group of executives gathered around the main door to the conference room. “Sir—”
Casey glances at his Apple watch, then up at me. “I have another meeting in here in five, Michael.”
I grit my teeth and push onward. Do or do not; there is no try. “Sir, I need to talk to you about the ideas I presented. It’s important.”
Casey sighs, and his gaze meets mine for the briefest of moments. “Yes, yes. I realize that I may have been a bit unfair in the meeting today.”
That shuts me up. Really? It was that easy?
Casey pushes through the crowd to the door, and I elbow through behind him. He turns over his shoulder to speak to me. “I know how much you girls like having your own comic books. So go ahead with the limited-run graphic novel spin-off. If sales are good enough, we’ll consider more projects like it in the future. I wouldn’t want to be accused of being sexist. Girl power, right? That’s what Lelani’s here for.”
It’s gone so wrong so fast that I don’t even respond to his patronizing smile but instead follow his gaze and catch sight of our new VP through the dwindling crowd. Casey’s words sink in. She’ll be at team meetings. Andy fawns over a slim woman, expertly dressed in a tailored white suit that somehow doesn’t look out of place against her flawless mocha skin, dark almond eyes, and cascade of black hair. A woman. Casey has hired a woman executive, finally. Maybe, just maybe—if one disregards his girl power comment—things are changing around here. I hope this is more than a show to placate the affirmative action people, though I wouldn’t put it past my boss. Maybe my influence has finally been felt. Michael-Grace Martin, gender equality superhero!
Casey is almost out the door, pushing past the remaining pack of executives. “Oh, and Michael? My next meeting is with an investor. Can you please take these water glasses with you to the kitchen when you go back upstairs? And have the secretary bring new ones in. Thanks.”
Or not.
CHAPTER 8
“Did you have a good meeting?” Matteo asks when I walk into main reception. I’m expecting a smug smile, but instead he looks anxious.
“No, I didn’t.” And it still stings. I cross my arms, and the receptionist looks up to glance between OHT and me. More fodder for the peanut gallery.
“Let’s go outside.” I don’t look to see if he follows me but stalk through the door and into the humid afternoon. It’s not raining anymore, but it feels like it could start again at any moment. Just like my mood.
I whirl to confront him. “Do you want to explain yourself?” We’re standing between his Prius and my brown Aspire. From the building, it could look like we’re trying to decide where to go to lunch. I’m trying to decide where to punch him first. It could be that I’m keyed up from my horrible morning stuck in an office with three people who refused to make eye contact with me. Or it could be that someone embarrassed me right in front of my bosses and threw off my mojo.