Lost and Found (Growing Pains #1)(71)

“Yeah, but—“

“Well,” she said interrupting him, “the idea to market heirlooms was so similar, and you were hitting the very young and the very old, I—and my secret helper—thought maybe we could combine that. You know, a keepsake you get as you grow that you could then pass on? Something like that? It, ah, sounded good at the time.

“Anyway, I looked up info for the individual thing, then did some comparing numbers for the overall deal. I don’t know what you all aim for or whatever, but the overall deal seemed cool to me, so I went out and tried to find some people who might buy into that. That picture was cute and fitting, don’t you think?”

Sean’s expression changed. Now he looked at her like she’d just sprouted a third eye. It put her into defensive mode. “I mean, it’s not my job, I know, so I did both of Marcus’s original suggestions, but thought I might just throw that in for spice. It really didn’t take much more time. Just a few extra photo sessions, which was on my own time anyway, so…”

She was shrinking under Sean’s heated gaze. She’d gone overboard. Definitely overboard. This was the kind of thing she should have done after she got some direction. She should have kept it generic until they landed the account!

“I told you I was a genius,” Marcus said to Judy, who laughed at him and grabbed the photographs.

“I have to tell you, Krista, these photos aren’t half bad. I like how you captured life. You are no Ansel Adams, but these are great. I can work off these,” Judy said, giving them her technical “art” eye.

Well, at least someone liked it.

Sean was doing some sort of silent exchange with Ray, then he looked back at Krista. His face seemed a little hostile.

“I assume that is all you have?” Sean asked in a flat voice.

“Uh, yeah.” She had had a month, and she had a world of information on things that they might never, ever need. She only got to a quarter of the list he gave her when she probably should have gotten a little bit on every point.

Shit.

Sean nodded, “Okay, gang, leave those here with me, plus what you have, and I’ll look over everything. Ray will be in touch about the event. It is mandatory that everyone go, so make it work.”

Everyone stood up to leave.

“Not you, Krista.” Sean had his hands clasped on the table, staring at her with a firm, unreadable expression. Ray hadn’t gotten up, either.

Krista froze. She gave a scared glance at Marcus with a plea of help. He got it and smiled.

“Relax,” he mouthed, giving her a Cheshire Cat smile as he drifted out of the room with Judy.

~*~*~*~

“I told you!” Marcus exclaimed when they were out of earshot. He was still high from the effulgence that was the young stud. If only that man had been born g*y, Marcus and he would’ve made the best pair. For about two seconds, then they’d have an open relationship, naturally, until they got old.

“You did not tell me that girl was such a workhorse!” Judy nearly yelled back. “She made us look like slackers.”

“I wasn’t talking about that, but yes I did tell you, dearest. It was right after I noticed her fabulous red pumps, remember? I said she was getting all her work done in style, much unlike myself. Work done, I mean. I always maintain style, of course.”

“Getting all her work done doesn’t mean coming up with the entire presentation—art, marketing and research combined—in one month, Marcus! Sean is probably wondering what he needs me for—she did all the images already!”

“Relax, honey; you are still the most experienced. Sean needs you. But he wants that little geeky blond! Did you see the way he was drooling over her? He was ready to gobble her up!”

“Who, Monica? They’re just trying to out-sleaze each other. I don’t care to pay attention to that.”

Marcus stopped her with a hand on her arm as they got out of the elevator. “Woman, I am starting to think you are blind. Not that old tramp! I heard she had a drunken night with John two years ago. Any woman that hates herself enough to sleep with John is trash and—“

“And he isn’t?” Judy interrupted indignantly, starting to walk again. She now had a lot of work to do, thanks to that young workaholic. It was too bad she was sweet in a sarcastic kind of way because Judy would love to hate her.

“My darling, you seem stressed. I am not sure if you noticed, but Mr. Boss wasn’t expecting so much work out of that darling nerd. Yes, you should probably work a teensy-bit harder, but there is no reason to trot back to your desk.”

Judy just shook her head.

“Anyway, as I was saying. That young stud has his head so far up Geek Girl’s skirt he has truly lost his way. I absolutely love watching it!”

“You think so? I didn’t notice anything.”

“You didn’t see him going three shades of red every time he looked at her?”

“Oh God, Marcus, you want to gossip so badly you make it up. I swear.” Judy walked quickly back to her desk, intent on emailing Krista immediately so as to start fiddling with Marcus’s ideas. She didn’t care what Marcus said, she needed to get her stuff in gear if she wanted to stay on this presentation.

Chapter Fifteen

Krista waited as Ray gathered up all the information.

When everyone was gone and the door closed, Sean said, “That took you a month?”