Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 85484 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85484 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
“That’s true. Workshops make money. We know that. We already offer it.”
I hold his gaze, refusing to back down.
His jaw locks in place. “The numbers show I’m right. Numbers are facts. They’re hard data. You can’t deny them.”
“Chuck, with all due respect, the very last thing that will bring in new customers is offering them a math lesson.”
Todd snickers, trying to cover it with a cough. Bridgit fires him a look.
“If you will please sit down, Chuck …” Bridgit says, waiting for him to follow her request. Once he’s seated, she folds her hands on the table. “Thank you. Now, after a thorough investigation into your proposals, I’ve decided to go with … Pippa.”
I blow out a breath as an overwhelming sense of relief washes over me. It’s shoved out of the way with elation. I did it. Oh my gosh, I did it.
It’s a struggle not to dance in my seat, and I suppress a squeal that would be utterly unprofessional. Instead, I scream on the inside and make plans to get celebratory drinks with Kerissa tonight.
My joy is short-lived.
“How confident are you in your plan, Pippa?” Chuck asks, his voice a notch too high for business conversation.
“Extremely.” I try to sound confident, but my tone has a slight wariness. Even I hear it.
“Then may I ask why you didn’t try it with your ex-husband?”
His beady chipmunk eyes drill into mine. If looks could kill, I’d be dead.
I glance at Bridgit, hoping she’ll call him off. But she leans back in her chair as if she’s willing to wait for my response.
“We were young,” I say, irritated. “It was a short-lived marriage.” For some reason, Jess pops into my mind. “We realized we wanted different things for our futures, things we didn’t discuss before we got married.”
“But you said that the two of you still see one another—that he’s obsessed with you.”
I force a swallow. “I didn’t say he was obsessed with me, Chuck, and I’m not sure how you think any of this is your business. Or that my private life is fodder for business meetings.”
“She’s right.” Bridgit leans forward. “That’s enough, Chuck.”
His cheeks are fire-engine red. I take a bit of satisfaction from that. Fucker.
I squeeze my fists together under the table, meeting Chuck’s glare with one of my own.
“I was thinking, however,” Bridgit says. I sit up straighter, zeroing in on her tone.
The almost melodic way the words fall from her mouth makes my stomach twist. What is coming? A challenge? I press my hand on my stomach, praying that it calms while I wait on the edge of my seat for whatever Bridgit is thinking. I don’t know where this is going, but there’s a plan in place and my anxiety has my heart fluttering in my chest as I wait.
“I would like someone, a couple, to take a retreat—maybe the one you proposed, Pippa, and see what kinks there might be to work out. Not go as an employee, per se. I don’t want someone going through the motions and not experiencing it. I want feedback from a potential customer.”
“I’m happy to put feelers out for candidates,” I say.
“No, no,” she says, waving her hand in the air. “I think someone on our team needs to have firsthand experience.” She looks around the table. “Has anyone gone on a couples retreat before?”
My mouth is hot. Adrenaline fires through me. I sense where this is going, and I want to throttle Chuck.
“I think we’re all in committed relationships or marriages,” Chuck says, a death stare aimed at me. “Except Pippa. How convenient.”
“Pippa, do you think you and your ex-husband would be interested in testing out your proposal?” She glances down at the binder I turned in with my data. She takes off her glasses and looks at me. “You did say the two of you are on great terms, didn’t you?”
Oh fuck.
Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck.
I think I nod. I’m pretty sure I must say yes because Bridgit’s eyes light up, and she looks very pleased.
I want to say things like, “But a couples retreat is best attended with a couple who are committed or considering a relationship with each other.” Because that is the purpose of them, Bridgit. But, of course, I’m not brave enough.
I think I’m still in shock.
“Fantastic,” she says as everyone stands. “Pippa, if you could get that scheduled and confirm with me on Monday that it’s a go, I’ll get the plans in place to open Bloom Match Retreats.” Her heels click on the floor as she stops in front of me. “I am thrilled to be working with you in this new way. You are intelligent and trustworthy. Welcome aboard.”
Chuck storms to the exit.
“Thank you,” I say, wanting to melt into the floor, never to be seen again.
“Talk soon.” She heads for the door. “Todd, can you get me the file from the …”