Romance Rewind: Competition In The City (Plus The Announcement of A New Halloween Romance)
Lawrence couldn’t understand how he found himself in a meeting on the tenth floor of the tallest building in the city. Growing up, it’d been his dream to make it to the top of the corporate world.
Lawrence couldn’t understand how he found himself in a meeting on the tenth floor of the tallest building in the city. Growing up, it’d been his dream to make it to the top of the corporate world, although not literally. While other children dreamed of being astronauts or professional athletes, he’d set his sights on the life of his favorite uncle.
“Richard is off trotting around the globe again,” said Lawrence’s mother almost every Monday morning at the breakfast table. “This time he’s heading to Paris. I’d love to visit Paris.”
“Someday, Marge,” his father would reply.
His parent’s still hadn’t been to Paris.
“Would you like water?”
Lawrence snapped out of his daydream and nodded his head to the man standing beside him, holding a tray. It wouldn’t be long until the presentation would begin. His time to shine.
“We’re very confident you’re going to choose our firm to represent you,” said Lawrence’s boss. “I have my best asset here with me today.” He pointed down the table to the man drinking water.
Lawrence put the glass down and cleared his throat.
“Care to come up and share your ideas?”
“I’d love to,” replied Lawrence.
After the meeting, and another glass of water, Lawrence sat in the waiting room on the first floor of the building. He waited within sight of the elevators, hoping to see his boss emerge with a big smile across his face. Did they get the account?
“Excuse me, aren’t you the man from upstairs?”
Lawrence looked to his left to see a woman staring back at him. Her auburn hair rested on her shoulders. He noticed a line of freckles marching from one side of her nose to the other.
“I am,” he replied. “I mean, I guess I am. Lawrence. You are?”
“Kelsey,” she replied. “I noticed you walk into a meeting. Couldn’t help but wonder what it was for.”
“We’re hoping to sign with a deal. It isn’t every day you get an account with a company in this building.” He looked around, still trying to take it all in. “I’ve dreamed of working here, if you can believe it. I suppose getting the chance to walk in every once in a while to check in with a client will have to do.”
Kelsey giggled. He thought it was cute.
“I didn’t get to sit in on the meeting,” she said, “but if you expressed anything to those business folks the way you just did with me, then I think you have a real shot.”
“Thank you. What is it you do?”
“I’m your competition,” she replied.
He felt his heart sink.
“I pitched my company before you. I noticed you on my way out.”
“I wish we could both get the offer,” he replied. He offered his hand. “May the best pitch win?”
“How about this?” She tapped her chin. “So there are no hard feelings. Winner has to buy the other lunch.”
“What kind of lunch are we talking about?”
She smiled.
“There’s a hotdog cart down the street. Right at the corner. Best in the city, I might add. They’re only a dollar each, which I’ve told Ronny is too cheap, but he insists the competition is stiff out here.”
“I know a little something about that. You’re on.”
Lawrence noticed the elevator doors open. His boss walked out. Was he grinning?
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