“Okay,” she said, looking around the cramped room.
“Okay what?” he asked as he searched for his shoes.
“On the house. Make the offer, officially.”
Expression brightening in an instant, he jerked a look over at her, and that thrill, right there, said everything she needed to know. “Really?”
Zoe crossed to him, reaching him before he tucked in his shirt, and slid her hands up and under to find skin. She tilted a look, and smiled as she settled a soft kiss against him. “You are patient to a fault.”
“I wanted you to be ready.”
“Yes, but you were right, and I hope we didn’t miss out on my treehouse.” She thumbed his bottom lip, and rubbed her fingertips in his beard. “You worked your ass off for a decade to get that promotion, and even with a job you hate, you stick it out because you’re stubborn and you hate to fail… I thought you were doing that with me, being stubborn and refusing to fail.”
“You don’t think so anymore?”
“I do, in a way, but in a good way,” she said, shrugging and stepping back. “You won’t let me or the peanut down, not because you’re afraid of failing, but because you know how to stick it out, and because you want to do it right. You waited for me to be ready, because you wanted me to be all-in, no hesitation.”
“Yeah,” he said honestly, sweetly and aching as he studied her. “Zoe, I’m all in, because I want to be.”
“I know.”
15
Pumpkin
“Ifwewanttoremain competitive, we can’t just think about our bottom line. We can’t dwell on what’s worked in the past. Now, I’m not saying we shouldn’t build on the pillars of our successes, but we need to be a step ahead.” Ryder flipped to his next slide under the same vacant stares that weren’t listening now any more than they had over the past decade. When he’d first been volunteered to trailblaze the company’s future directions to the big bosses—who only cared about the bottom line in the here and now, to guarantee fat retirements as soon as possible—Ryder had been the new guy.
Eager. The go-getter. The energy this company needed.
Now that he was “one of them,” it should be easier to convince his peers.
Should be.
Data points. Dollar signs. Three-dimensional charts showing how they could level up. Ryder brought all his ammunition.
At the head of the table, expression focused in tight as if he was actually listening, Gene tapped his fingers together. “As always, Ryder, I love your enthusiasm. But, we’ve all but cornered the market on indulgences. That’s our bread and butter. Potato chips, beer, gourmet chocolate. Even diamonds and high heels, thanks to you.”
Here they go again. Ryder popped on the lights and hoped at least one or two of them woke up for his closing arguments. About the time his brother had stolen Ryder’s girlfriend, Grady had also turned his back on his law career and followed his passion. Ryder hadn’t realized what a good salesman his brother would have been, but he knew it would have crushed his soul.
The guy who landed Ryder’s dream job—and the corner office with all delegating and vacation on his schedule—flicked a catchy beat on the table with his fingertips, and pinged the cymbals with his lips to claim control of the conversation. As soon as everyone was listening, he shrugged and scoffed. “No one gets excited about dumbbells and organic salads. Stability, yes, but we’ve got more than enough maintenance contracts. We need more of the big jobs.”
Another pointed at Ryder with his thumb. “Didn’t we promote him to bring in more of the flashy jobs that will draw in even bigger contracts?”
Patience. Let it simmer. Ryder nodded and sported his winningest smile. “Damn right you did, because this is what I do best. The deal with Bellamy was a homerun, and we need more like it, focusing on healthy indulgences. Let’s list a fresh position to lead a team, probably an external hire with the right experience, because we want the right consultants for this one.” As this company was notorious for hiring good-old-boys… Ryder focused his attention on Gene, daring him to question the numbers.
Gene sighed with paternal disappointment, shaking his head. “The chopping block is more where our hiring is going lately. Fitness programs. Healthy living. Body positivity. These are the latest fads. Let’s see if they stick around before we invest too deeply into it.”
Speak the language, appeal to the crowd. “Longevity. It’s about enjoying retirement to the fullest. People are spending their money on living longer and living well. I don’t know about you, but I like the sound of living la dolce vita until I’m a hundred and ten.” Ryder fisted the back of his chair, too frustrated to risk sitting down and wriggling in his chair like an ignored toddler. On top of his laptop, his phone brightened and buzzed.
Longevity had them thinking. While the others bickered over whether Ryder was stupid or a genius for suggesting such a change in direction, he unlocked the screen to peek at the message.
Screw you baby apps saying it never happens like the movies. I’m soaking wet with amniotic fluid. I think I spelled that right. Evan’s driving me to the hospital. Get your ass home!
Renewed energy flooded Ryder’s veins, but his legs threatened to give out. Breathless in a heartbeat, grinning like a complete fool, Ryder plucked up his phone. As he reached for the laptop, to call Zoe on the way out the door, he gave a quick wave and took the first step toward the door. “Baby’s coming. I’ll see you guys in three months.”
“Wait, wait,” Gene said, both hands calming Ryder and slowing him down. “First babies can take days. Stay a few more minutes and we should have this topic wrapped up.”
“Her water broke.” Ryder’s words drew out, his patience thinning fast. He quickly texted back,Holy shit she’s four days early! And you were afraid of going late like Haley. Cross your legs if you have to ;). I will be there.
