Total pages in book: 156
Estimated words: 158829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 529(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 158829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 529(@300wpm)
“Let’s collect Miss Landers now, and we’ll get them set up in their new office.” I look at Piper from a distance, hating how easy it is to picture her gold-kissed hair in my fist.
Once we’ve got Jenn Landers trailing behind us nervously, we circle back to Miss Renee’s desk and head to the elevator together.
I can hear them whispering back and forth, chattering excitedly about their upgraded workspace.
“So we’ll have a window?” Piper asks.
“I can’t give you an office without one. That’s against the fire code,” I say bluntly.
“So, we have a view? An awesome view?”
“It’s not quite the best on that floor, but it’s still lovely,” Keenan says.
“Score!” Piper beams.
My heart pounds like a war drum.
Damn her and that adorable chipmunk smile.
For a second, Miss Renee the pain-in-the-ass employee melts away and I’m just looking at the carefree pixie I captured in Lanai again.
But I’m not allowed to catch her ever again.
That shouldn’t be such a sucker punch.
We get the girls situated in their new shared office and I leave Keenan to it.
I’d love to stay and watch Miss Sunshine spin around in awe, but there’s too much shit to go over—and that girl’s presence is a fucking blow to the face anytime I’m near her.
The way her black dress hugs her body and dips into her cleavage still burns into my mind as I walk away.
I’d have the dress code changed for the executive floor, but this woman could make a trash bag erotic.
I wonder what the hell I’m getting into by moving her just a short walk away.
By the time I return to my office, I find my mail waiting on my desk.
A few old-school hard copy contracts from various properties with new conference bookings, and right on top is Forbes magazine with a human ass on the cover.
Apollo fucking Finch.
Yes, his name rivals his world-class greed.
And his Oasis Springs resort has a glowing write-up on page twelve that I don’t care to read.
Isn’t he lucky?
Nah. Luck has nothing to do with that jackass winding up with a major fluff piece from his media ass-kissers.
He got where he is by stabbing enough backs to make Saddam Hussein squeamish, and he’s managed to turn himself into my biggest damn rival in spite of having no talent, no originality, and no class.
His so-called luxury resorts aren’t even well maintained.
I chuck the mag straight in the trash.
Then I pick up my phone and text Keenan. Cancel my Forbes subscription.
He responds immediately. Should I ask?
Brock: No. Just do it.
My computer alerts me to an email before I’ve finished typing the damn text. The second I see the name Piper Renee, I know I won’t like it.
I open it with a sigh and read.
Dear Winthrope Lanai Manager,
My colleague and I are happy to begin work on your special new team that currently has two members. There’s just one snag.
I stop. What the hell does she mean? Keenan was supposed to have them both sign contracts and nondisclosure agreements. There better not be a damn snag.
Kindly inform us what exactly you want us to do. You kind of missed that part.
Regards,
Piper & Jenn (Mostly Piper. I just added her name as a courtesy. And she doesn’t like you either.)
Fuck. She’s never going to let me live down that blunder in Lanai enough to stop busting my balls, huh?
This girl is something else.
She might have a bigger mouth over the keyboard than she does verbally.
I grab my tennis ball and squeeze the damn thing until it almost bursts before answering.
Piper & Jenn (Mostly Piper. I just added Jenn’s name because I’m sure she hates me less than you.),
First, I want your total honesty on all future projects. An easy ask when you’ve never had a problem running your mouth.
B.W.
Chief Executive Officer, Winthrope International
I punch send and minimize my email so I can read some revenue reports. Barely three minutes pass before my inbox pings. I open it, glowering at the screen.
BW,
You want honesty? Manners would look good on you. Jenn still thinks you’re going to show up in her nightmares with razors for fingers if she makes the slightest mistake.
Also, most companies provide free snacks in the break rooms these days. Morale might go up if you feed your people more and bark crap less.
Thanks,
All Piper
What the hell?
Now she’s giving me facilities advice?
My fingers hit the keys so hard I cramp my thumb. I wince and shake my hand after the email goes out.
All Piper,
Please keep your honesty hyper-focused on advertisements and constructive solutions to our negative reviews. Internal staffing issues are outside your job description.
Now get to work.
B.W.
Chief Executive Officer, Winthrope International
More reports I read but barely comprehend.
More adrenaline the instant I see another email from her come in.
Big Wuss,
Okay.
You know I’m thrilled to provide honest feedback on the ads and negative reviews.