Jimmy exhaled an exasperated sigh. “You’re an ass.” He pointed at Connor. “But. You’re an ass who not only did exactly what I asked, but also went above and beyond the call of duty.”
“Which part?”
“Oscar.”
Connor inclined his head as his mouth tugged in an appreciative smile. “I told you. And I’m always right, huh?”
“You are.” Jimmy picked up a stack of papers and dropped them on the other side of the desk. “I promised you twenty-five percent. I’m giving you thirty. And I’m gonna change your title. Even though I feel like a stuffy, old suit calling myself presidentof this label, I technically am, and you’re my right-hand man. So, I’ve decided you’re my right-hand, stuffy, old suit, and I’m gonna call you my VP.”
The army had trained Connor to delay his reaction about things that were really bad and really good. Someone died while you were watching? Don’t react. It could get you killed. A promotion or praise for a job well done? Don’t react. It could make the officer change his mind. So, when Jimmy blew his mind just then, Connor simply pressed his lips together and gave a single nod.
“That’s really generous of you, Jim. Thank you.”
“Well.” Jimmy leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. “You did just eat my poppers, so I don’t know why I’m still doing it, but I’m still doing it ‘cuz I said I would. And then you exceeded my expectations. Even for you. I couldn’t do this without you, certainly not at this level. I might’ve had to close my doors years ago, and Oscar’s now on the path to single-handedly carrying this place. Riley might not have to keep up his financial support much longer. You found Oscar. You’ve found every great artist we have. I know you’re gonna keep that up. You should be my VP.” He paused to chuckle. “Hell, you should go buy yourself a damn suit.” Jimmy leaned forward and cocked his head. “Do you even own a tie?”
Connor shrugged. “The army gave me a couple.” He stood up because the delay in his reaction began to dwindle, and he needed to pace. “What about Liza? She had a large hand in this.”
“I’ve talked to her.” He laced his fingers together and rested his hands on his belly. “Officially, she’s now our VP of marketing, even though she’s the entire marketing department. I gave her a sizeable bonus and offered her a substantial raise, too, if she agreed to stay on with us permanently.” Jimmy scratched his head. “I got this sense from her early on that she didn’t originally plan to stay here.”
Connor raised his eyebrows. “Well, is she now?”
“Yup.”
Connor clapped his hands together as his mouth stretch into a wide grin. He already knew that but hearing confirmation of it from a third party was music to his ears. He also loved the idea of them both being in positions of authority at the label, small as it still was.
And now that he was one hundred percent sure she was staying, now that he had a major stake in the record label, now that he’d finally accomplished what he’d originally attempted to do ten years ago, Connor had a clear course of action.
Jimmy turned back to the desk and lifted a coffee mug to his lips as he chuckled. “You’re hilarious. I knew you liked her the second you saw her, but of course you had to act like a little kid on a playground with a crush. You might as well have been chasing her around this place with a frog.”
“Wrong.” Connor stopped pacing and pointed at Jimmy. “I love Liza. I’m going to marry Liza. I don’t know when, but it’s going to happen, and if I play my cards right, it’s going to be soon.”
Jimmy shoved himself forward in the chair, eyebrows high and mouth gaping in a tickled grin. “What in thehell—”
“And if you mention that to any of the friggin’ gossip hounds around here, I’m gonna eat your poppers every damn day from here to eternity.”
Jimmy pealed with laughter as he collapsed back in his chair and rubbed his forehead. “Man, I’ve stumbled into an alternate universe.”
Connor laughed with him. “Yeah, me too.”
“Well, that is the last thing in the world I expected. I knew something was going on between y’all, but I didn’t realize it had gotten so serious so fast.” Jimmy stood up and offered his hand to Connor. “Anyway, I think that’s just fantastic. If she says yes, you might be the luckiest son of a bitch I know, because she hated your ass.”
Connor shook his hand. “I know she did, but apparently I’m irresistible.”
“Pfft. You’re cocky is what you are.”
“That, too.” Connor pulled his phone out, smiling at his basic-as-fuck wallpaper and checking the time, then shoved it back in his pocket. “I got an errand to run.”
Jimmy waved his hand as he made his way back to the desk. “Take the damn day off. Ain’t nobody here anyway.”
Connor started toward the door, but then paused as the gravity of what Jimmy had just done for him took root. “Hey, Jim.”
Jimmy sank in the chair. “Yep.”
“Thank you. All this means way more to me than I know how to say without getting really friggin’ sappy.”
Jimmy laughed and picked up his coffee. “Then spare me and keep it to yourself.” He took a sip and cast a glance at Connor. “Besides. I knew what you’d been through when I met you. I’m proud of you, son. You should be proud of yourself. You deserve all this.”
That was bullshit, but Connor wasn’t going to argue. He had places to go and people to see. There was a little shop on Royal Street known as the Joie de Vivre, and Connor happened to know the owner. And he knew she had exactly what he needed right then.
