Page 10 of Heart Like Yours
“What do you mean by wanting to expand the company?” I question, glancing up from the paperwork. Garrett finally sits back, his eyes solely on me as he responds.
“There’s an Assistant company for sale. Based on research, the foundation is there for what I envision. It’s simply lacking funds due to poor management and an owner who no longer wishes to be in charge. But the basics are all there, aside from a couple aspects I’d like to add on for services.” He pauses, watching me expectantly, like he knew I’d already have a follow-up question.
I can’t even be annoyed that he’s right. Instead, I raise a single brow. “Given that this is currently a publishing house, what kind ofservicesare you envisioning?”
“As it is right now, the company for sale is set up to be the people you call when you need help with all sorts of tasks. From organizing files or someone to take notes during meetings. It’s basically a privately run temp agency,” he explains and holds up the folder in his hands. “The file you have contains the current services they provide, while this one contains some ideas to add on.”
“And what are some of the services you want to add?” I ask, intrigued by the proposition and endless ideas that could come from this expansion.
“There are a couple different suggestions. The major ones being social media and PR management, which would be easy for SweetHeart Publishing to assist with since we already havethat department. There’s also outlines for temporary personal assistants, errand employees, party planners, and dates.”
“Dates?” I repeat almost immediately. My attention finally leaves him to look over the papers in my hands as if it will explain everything before he can. “You want to offer escort services?”
It’s not that I’m against the idea. It’s a very intriguing one. However, the idea of hiring someone for a date is such a different kind of service from note taking and file organizing.
“Kind of. While I don’t want that to be the key focus, the option for someone to stand by a client’s side for a night, to help take the spotlight off them while maintaining a clean and professional image, while also networking, is one that is commonly sought after in some circles,” he explains smoothly as if he’s gone over that pitch multiple times to perfect it. I nod slowly, my cheeks staining as I figure out how to word my next question.
“And have you thought about other…expectations that could arise from those situations?”
He nods seriously, leaning forward to hand me the other folder. I take it gently, close the one in my lap, and flip through this one.
“We would have contracts drawn up, protecting both parties should any personal relations develop. Anyone hired for this would be thoroughly trained in all aspects and would sign off that, should anything happen naturally, it is to be on their own time and not while being paid by the client.”
I take a moment to read through some of the pages before closing that one and tucking it beneath the first one.
The one that spells out the job offer.
My head is a jumble of thoughts. Just as quickly as one forms another ten pop up.
“What are you thinking?”
My gaze snaps to him as I try to sort through everything I’m feeling.
“This is a huge idea,” I say carefully. “If anyone could successfully merge this idea with this company, it’s you.”
“But…” he offers and a humorous sigh leaves my lips.
“I have no clue what it takes to run a company at that level.”
He shrugs his shoulders. “Neither did I.”
“Garrett,” I whisper, my own self-doubt creeping to the forefront of my mind. “The only experience as a manager that I have is from this job.”
“Which is one of the reasons you’re most qualified for this,” he retorts.
“How? You should be looking at someone who has experience doing a job at that level,” I state with another shake of my head.
Sitting forward, he braces his elbows on his knees and clasps his hands together, staring at the floor while he answers.
“When I started this company, it was with one goal in mind—help authors publish their books. They do all the hard work. They pour their hearts and souls into their stories, spend countless hours and resources to create these beautiful worlds. There are already so many hurdles they have to overcome on their own and they do it all with smiles on their faces. Yes, so manycando it on their own, and they do it with such grace. But I always thought if I could help even a fraction of them, if I could provide resources and support systems to help them make their dreams come to life, then I’d do what I can.”
I watch him closely, my brows tugging together, but when I open my mouth, he continues talking.
“You stepped into your role so eloquently. You took my goal to help others and did so much more than I ever hoped. Not just with the authors but with our team. With everyone you meet. Your ability to lead this team is enough to show me you’reright for this. I need someone who can keep calm and make business decisions while also keeping what’s best for everyone at the forefront of it all.” He pauses, meeting my gaze and letting me see the truth in his words written across his face. “I need someone I trust by my side and I know deep down that person is you.”
My cheeks flush and I have to drop his stare at the intensity shining in his eyes. Despite the seriousness of it all, a small smile fights at my lips at the idea of all this.
“If your goal is to help authors, why add on the additional services right away? Why not see how this expansion goes first, then look at adding the rest down the line?” I ask.