Page 116 of Ice Cold Hearts
Fuck, I love this woman.
“Now on page two is an overview of all the scandals members of your team have been embroiled in over the last five years. As indicated on the graph, the three most common scandals are adultery, gambling, and marijuana possession that exceeded the threshold for personal use. Below that graph is a paragraph with an overview of your management team’s responses. Underneath that is a graph of how well those responses worked. Please note that for this purpose, doing nothing does count as a response. If you flip to the next page, you’ll see the exact same data charts depicting four teams with the same three top issues and their media responses. I’ve taken the liberty of having my secretary highlight the key differences in strategy. And, Cliff, I’d be happy to reach out to them for you if you’d like some tips for your PR department,” Kim says.
“We’ve got it handled, but thank you,” he says tersely.
“Of course you do.”
After a general data overview in which Kim basically drags Cliff’s PR department through the mud, she moves on to the plan that she and Emily collaborated on for the press moving forward.
It’s absolutely brilliant, and if I had been in charge, I wouldn’t have done a single thing differently. Honestly, I probably wouldn’t have done half as good of a job as Emily and Kim have. I’ve always left branding in the capable hands of Frank and kept it all professionally focused. The thought of creating a family social media account to control our story had never even occurred to me.
I had always known Emily was brilliant and capable, but seeing her like this makes my heart nearly burst from the pride I have in her. A quick glance over at Ian and Oliver tells me that they’re equally awed.
A look passes between us, and I know without a word that we’re all on the same page. As soon as we get home after this meeting, we’re going to worship her like the goddess she is.
By the end of the meeting, Cliff has completely accepted his defeat and submitted to every single one of Kim’s demands. They would now be working with us instead of against us.
As we exit, Cliff stops me and shakes my hand.
“That is a damn fine woman you’ve got there,” he says, nodding at Emily’s retreating form.
I smile. “Yes, sir, she is.”
40
EMILY
Four years I’ve been sitting in the team box with our daughter and my parents watching game after game, but seeing my men out on the ice still thrills me as much as it did the first time.
“Oh, come on, Harris!” I scream. “Toes forward. Stop duck footing. We worked on this!”
Alexei laughs. “I think having your own practice has made you a monster. That was a perfect assist.”
“You’re not the one who has to listen to him complain about his joint pain every week anymore,” I mutter darkly.
“That has been the best benefit of my retirement,” he says archly.
“Really? That’s the best thing?” I glare.
“Jealousy looks cute on you, Kitten,” he says, kissing my cheek.
“Hope it looks as cute to you from the couch because that’s where you’re going to be sleeping tonight.”
Alexei smirks. “You couldn’t do it. You’d miss me too much.”
“Would I?” I tease.
He leans close to my ear and murmurs, “I think you’ll be missing me plenty, especially the way I trace my tongue across your?—”
“Okay, okay,” I say, shoving him lightly. “No couch for you. Now stop distracting me, you’re making me miss the game.”
He scowls playfully. “You started it.”
“And now I’m finishing it,” I reply primly.
He growls. “You are insufferable.”
“I love you too.” I smile, leaning in for a kiss.